HUNTING SONGS 



" They tell me, who have ridden him. 

 That through the longest day 



He, when the best are beaten. 

 Never fails to stick and stay." 



I look'd him o'er, perfection quite ! 



A hunter every inch ! 

 And at once, whate'er the figure, 



I determined not to flinch. 



Quickly started at " one hundred," 

 He as quickly sprung to " two," 



As down the ride they ran him 

 Up and up the bidding flew. 



A pause — then " Going, going, gone ! " 

 Three hundred held him fast ; 



The bidding stopp'd the hammer dropp'd. 

 And mine he was at last. 



They who came to see the beauty 



I had purchased at the sale. 

 They all pronounced him perfect 



From the forelock to the tail. 



Then came the wish'd-for morning 

 When I mounted first my steed 



In triumphant expectation 



That the gallop I should lead. 



Off ! and hustling through the melie. 

 At the foremost fence we fly ; 



One and all my rivals clear'd it, 

 One and all — but where was I ? 



i86 



