38 GUISING AND MUMMING IN DERBYSHIRE. 



He once was a young horse, 



And in his youthful prime 

 My master used to ride on him, 



And thought him very fine. 

 And now that he's grown old, 



And nature doth decay, 

 My master frowns upon him, 



And these words I've heard him say- 

 Poor old, etc. 



His feeding it was once 



Of the best of corn and hay, 



That grew down in yon fields, 

 Or in the meadows gay. 

 Poor old, etc. 



But now that he's grown old, 

 And scarcely can he crawl, 



He's forced to eat the coarsest grass 

 That grows against the wall. 

 Poor old, etc. 



He's old and he's cold, 

 And is both dull and slow ; 



He's eaten all my hay. 



And he's spoiled all my straw. 

 Poor old, etc. 



Nor either is he fit to ride. 

 Or draw with any team; 



So take him and whip him, 

 He'll now my master's . . 

 Poor old, etc. 



To the huntsman he shall go. 

 Both his old hide and foe {sic), 



Likewise his tender carcase 

 The hounds will not refuse. 

 Poor old, etc. 



