1883] LORD NORTH'S POEM. 91 



IV. 



One blast of the horn, and they're free from the covert, 

 Like meteors they stream o'er the glorious Vale. 



The scent is breast high, what a head they now carry ! 

 Oh, would I were Surtees to tell you the tale. 



Down the lanes, through the gates and the gaps I must scuttle, 

 But I'll lay ten to one I shall see all the fun ; 



For I know every turn, every twist of the country, 

 And though I can't ride it, I'll yet see the run. 



VI. 



For fifty fast minutes they race o'er the i^astures, 

 And lengthening tail shows the pace is severe ; 



But Broke leads the first flight of resolute horsemen, 

 While grief and disaster j^erplex the vex'd rear. 



VII. 



We must make for the ford, there's a brook in the bottom, 

 If they turn to the left we are " out of the hunt ; " 



But his point is Edge Hill, I will wager a guinea, 

 And if I am right we'll be well to the front. 



VIII, 



What's that in yon field ? It's the fox ! there's a holloa, 

 Now up to the right, and we'll save half a mile, 



Now short to the left, there's a gate in the corner, 

 If you keep to the right there's a thundering stile. 



IX. 



There ! now we can see them ; by Jove, what a scatter ! 



There are only ten with them, who they are I can't see ; 

 But the leading man's Broke, on the grey there's my lady, 



And yonder comes Jack through the gap by that tree. 



They are close to us now ; they are turning towards us ! 



Their bristles are up ! see they run him in view, 

 Who-whoop ! they have got him ! a glorious finish, 



A finish that's witnessed by only a few. 



