466 HISTORY OF THE 



Exclusive of the above, it is probable there 

 may have been several other winners of Marsk's 

 get, but they are unknown. 



ON THE DEATH OF OLD MARSK, 



WHICH HAPPENED IN JULY, 1779, IN HIS 29TH YEAR. 



Ye sportsmen, for a while refrain your mirth ; 

 Old Marsk is dead ! consigned to peaceful earth ; 

 The king of horses now, alas ! is gone. 

 Sire of Eclipse, who ne'er was beat by one. 

 Yet tho' your cheeks you may bedew, 'tis vain. 

 Since Marsk must cease to trip it o'er the plain. 

 His brilliant feats the noblemen record. 

 For high in favour was he with each lord. 

 His well-descended blood the sportsmen trace. 

 And sound his fame in each contested race. 

 The stock of Marsk we circumspectly view. 

 Announce that they were runners swift and true. 

 Say, shall I mention Shark and Masquerade, 

 Whose great pre-eminence was oft displayed ? 

 Or shall Hephestion crown my humble lays ? 

 Or shall I tell of Sphynx, or Pontac's praise ? 

 Salopian and Pretender, shall I name ? 

 Or speak of Honest Kitt and Transit's fame ? 

 Shall brave Leviathan adorn my theme ? 

 For he was justly held in high esteem. 

 Revenge and Caesar, both occur to mind. 

 And Flying Jib went briskly as the wind; 

 There's Jack of Hilton, too, and John-a-Nokes, 

 Have often pleas'd, but seldom grieved the folks. 

 Let me not pass Young Marsk in silence o'er, 

 Tho' once he started, only, and no more ; 

 Misfortune check'd him in his swift career. 

 Or from competitors he'd nought to fear. 

 Fain would I now attempt the whole detail. 

 But well I know my numbers soon would fail ; 

 With Temp'rance, therefore, I shall pass the rest. 

 And briefly say that Stripling stood the test. 



