392 WARWICKSHIRE HUNT. 



A"whistle, if you choose, scarce heard. 

 Resemblance of a calling bird. 

 No whip, no rating, no halloo — 

 Ponto has nerves as well as you ; 

 Forgive small faults, lest temper cross'd. 

 His spirit, and yovir sport be lost. 

 But let not Ponto, I implore you. 

 Go through a gate or gap before you. 

 Lest birds too soon alarmed should fly. 

 And to some distant hedges hie. 

 Nor only fly unshot I ween. 

 But oftentimes, alas ! unseen. 

 Nor move too fast, give time to find. 

 Or coveys will be left behind. 

 Where's Ponto ? see him yonder stand 

 Like marble on the hedgerow land, 

 With'Carlow backing staunch and true ! 

 How fine,'\how beautifurthe'viewj 

 Breathe a ' To-ho !' in_voice^ subdued. 

 Then mark their ^noble attitude. 

 The frame^with leg inslight^advance. 

 The stiffened stern, the'starting glance, 

 O ! pause^one"moment to" survey 

 This glory __of the"'sporting day ; 

 Then make a'circuit'to 'enclose 

 The game_.'twixt you and^Ponto's nose j 

 And cock not, ^or 'tis dang'rous' thing. 

 Your gun till game is on the wing. 

 And when a bird has dropp'd^ beware 

 Lest Pot not sport appear your care. 

 If Ponto, ere he hears the word. 

 To go and fetch the stricken bird 

 Sees you advance without recharging. 

 He's ruin'd — without more enlarging. 



