HUNTING SONGS 



There Isaac from the chace withdrew 

 (A horse is Isaac, not a Jew), 

 Outstretch'd his legs, and shook his back, 

 Right glad to be reliev'd of Jack ; 

 And Jack, right glad his back to quit, 

 Gave Beatrice a benefit. 



Moisture and mud the " Fungus " suit, 

 In boggy ditch he, taking root. 

 For minutes ten or thereabout. 

 Stood planted, till they pluck'd him out. 

 By application of spur rowel 

 Charles rubb'd him dry without a towel. 



Say, as the pack by Kelmscote sped, 

 Say who those horsemen cloth'd in red ? 

 Spectators of the chace below. 

 Themselves no sign of movement show ; 

 No wonder — they were all aghast 

 To see the pace at which it past ; 

 The " White Horse Vale " — well known to Fame 

 The pack to which it gives a name ; 

 And there they stood as if spell-bound. 

 Their morning fox as yet unfound ; 

 Borne from that wood, their huntsman's cheer 

 Drew many a Tarwood straggler near. 

 And he who felt the pace too hot. 

 There gladly sought a resting spot ; 

 Himself of that White Horse availing. 

 When conscious that his own was failing. 



66 



