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THE ESSEX FOXHOUNDS. 



Looses liis purse-strings in support 

 Of Essex Hounds and Essex sport, 

 Nor yet the greater boon denies, 

 But when the fox his fastest flies, 

 Grants us to see his lady's face 

 Among the foremost in the chase. 



Like graceful ships upon the sea, 

 That spread their canvas, fair and free. 

 And speed responsive to the gale, 

 When meaner craft must shorten sail, 

 So when we feel the warning throb, 

 When vexed our ear with choking sob, 

 Onward o'er ditches deep and wide, 

 Onward o'er plough and pasture glide 

 Fair riders, without fuss or flash. 

 From Bentley Mill and Harden Ash. 



Fain would I sing ; yet how set forth 

 Her sprightly charms, her various worth ? 

 Who many parts has played with ease, 

 In none has ever failed to please ; 

 Where songs resound, feet lightly glance, 

 She leads the chorus and the dance, 

 Nor with less aptitude to trace 

 Each turn and tremor of the chase, 

 Each incident can she recall, 

 Say where the check, and how the fall ; 

 No more, should she but deign to write, 

 MacAdam durst his tales indite. 



Ye Muses nine, encourage me, 

 While singing of our Graces three ; 

 In every run they score, I'm told, 

 They're often out, and always bold ; 



