390 WARWICKSHIRE HUNT. 



And harden Ponto's flesh and feet. 

 And make his power of wind compleat. 

 By ten-mile gallops on the road 

 Of turnpike nearest your abode. 



Next choose your gun, each barrel stout. 

 With bore that will not spread about ; 

 A stock well turned, and poised to rise 

 On easy level with your eyes ; 

 Two ramrods, lest a fractured one 

 Should render vain the finest gun. 

 Of ivhalebone, lest employed to]|thwack 

 A dog, or poke a ditch, they crack. 

 Use Southweirs caps, they never fly 

 Or hurl destruction at your eye 

 If bought of Brasher or of Bix, 

 (Men true in trade and politics.) 

 Wadding of card or felt prepare. 

 With hole to free th' imprisoned air, 

 Yovs powder-flask in form should be 

 From possible explosion free. 

 Your shot-belt made at touch of spring 

 To pour a charge that's just the'thing. 

 Keep your gun clean from dirt or rust. 

 With inside scraped from leaden crust. 

 Lest shot be hindered in its flight. 

 And birds escape uninjur'd by't. 



September come, don't rise too soon. 

 Nor linger to the hour of noon. 

 At dawn the game is wild, mid-day 

 The scent's completely scorch'd away. 

 And birds are basking in the sun. 

 In haunts where pointers seldom run. 

 Be call'd at six, then, start at seven, 

 Rest and eat luncheon at eleven — 



