1881] THE FIEST MEET. 



Shame on the craven sportsman 



Who idly stays away, 

 When the Lord of Comjiton Verney 



Hath once proclaimed the day. 



Far and near, the joyful throng 



Flock in from all the quarters. 

 Where Avon's stream, the Stour and Leam, 



Roll down their muddy waters. 

 From Banbury, and the country 



Where Edge Hill Tower looks down, 

 And from the Alcester woodland, 



The Spa, and Stratford Town. 



From stately hall and abbey, 



Which monks of old did found ; 

 And which the stalwart oak and elm, 



Or sluggish moat surround. 

 They come from town and country. 



The farmer and the peer, 

 Tradesman and publican and squire, 



Alike are equal here. 



From Ladbroke and the valley, 



"Twixt there and lofty Brailes, 

 From Shipston and from Wolford, 



As far as Aston Hales, 

 And heights of Ilmington, from whence 



The herdsmen may descry 

 The distant haze of Shuckburgh Hill 



Against the eastern sky. 



And now we greet the Master, 



And think we may foretell 

 He is the man to show the field 



The sport he loves so well. 

 That he is no carpet knight 



We know from record jmst ; 

 Hunting, to him, means nought but that, 



As long as day shall last. 



He rightly thinks the only sport 



Is that which always brings 

 The greatest pleasure to the most — 



Truly, the sport of kings. 



69 



