THE BALL AND THE BATTUE 



III 



My Manton to concert pitch tun'd for the day, 

 How the pheasants will reel in the air as I play! 



While snipes as they fly 



Pirouette in the sky. 

 And rabbits and hares in the gallopade die. 



IV 



" Once more might I view thee, sweet partner ! " 



" Mark hare ! 

 She is gone down the middle and up again there " — 

 " That hand might I kiss, 

 Mark cock ! — did I miss ? 

 Ye Gods, who could shoot with a weapon like 

 this ? "— 



Thus a father may rescue his pheasants from slaughter. 

 The best of preservers his own pretty daughter ; 

 Sad thoughts in the pate, 

 On the heart a sad weight, 

 Who, blinded by Cupid, could ever aim straight ? 



1837. 



41 



