NOTES TO THE 



had afforded a good day's sport to his friends, though no on<? enjoyed 

 a run more keenly, or described one with more enthusiasm than 

 himself. The 'MVoore Country " was written in the year 1S30, in 

 reply to the following song called the " Cheshire Hunt," of which 

 Mr. Wicksted was the Author. 



The Cheshire Hunt. 



SONG. 



Come, awake from your slumbers, jump out of your bed. 

 Drink your tea, mount your hack, and away to Well Head ; 

 For who'd be behindhand, or like to be late. 

 When Sir Harry's fleet pack at the coverside wait ? 



Derry down, down, &c. 



Those sons of old Bedford, so prized by George Heron, 

 So quick at a cast, and so ready to turn ; 

 If with these fast hounds you would play a good part, 

 Both the rider and horse must be quick at a start. 



Hark ! hark ! they have found him ! who would not rejoice 

 At the soul-stirring sound of old Victor's loud voice? 

 He's away, I declare ! don't you hear? there's a hollow, — 

 And now we will see how the gentlemen follow. 



But now let me ask who is thrusting along. 



So anxious the first to get out of the throng? 



Who's cramming his mare up yon steep rotten bank ? 



With the rein on her neck, and both spurs in her flank ? 



There's scarcely a young one, and ne'er an old stager, 

 For the first twenty minutes can live with the Major ;^ 

 Though supposing this run for an hour should last, 

 I hope he won't find he has started too fast. 



Who, glued to his saddle, with his horse seems to fly ? 

 'Tis a Lancashire Lord,^ who is worth a "Jew's eye"j 

 In this run I will wager he'll keep a front seat. 

 For unless his horse stops he can never be beat. 



' Major Tomkinson. ^ The late Earl of Sefton 



210 



