TARWOOD 



Thus ships, when they no more can bide 

 The fury of the wind and tide. 

 If chance some tranquil port they spy, 

 Where vessels safely shelter'd lie. 

 There seek a refuge from the gale. 

 Cast anchor, and let down the sail. 



The speed of horse, the pluck of man. 

 They needed both, who led the van ; 

 This Holmes can tell, who through the day 

 Was ever foremost in the fray ; 

 And HoUoway, with best intent. 

 Still shivering timber as he went ; 

 And Williams, clinging to the pack 

 As if the League were at his back ; 

 And Tollit, ready still to sell 

 The nag that carried him so well. 



A pretty sight at first to see 

 Young Pretyman on Modesty ! 

 But Pretyman went on so fast, 

 That Modesty took fright at last ; 

 So bent was she to shun disgrace, 

 That in the brook she hid her face ; 

 So bashful, that to drag her out 

 They fetch'd a team and tackle stout. 



When younger men of lighter weight 

 Some tale of future sport relate, 

 Let Whippy show the brush he won. 

 And tell them of the Tarwood run ; 



67 



