H Crump Icr. 



A CRUMPLER, 



LEAVED oak is not an item in the fencing 

 way, I wot, 

 To be treated with derision, if a "greenish"' 

 mount you Ve got ; 

 And should he elect to " chance it," and you, riding 



him with will, 

 Barely steadied him sufficient, trusting to escape 

 a spill — 



— But you know it ! ere that creaking 'neath his 



upgraz'd knees and chest 

 Does proclaim to you so surely that " a downer's " 



yours at best ; 

 One deep grunt, and then a motion acrobatic, and 



you see 

 Those four railings cleft but lately from the heart of 



oaken tree. 



Scan them for a second only, gazing upwards, as 



your hat, 

 'Gainst the damp and scanty herbage, doth assume 



proportions flat ; 

 You still grip that bit of pigskin, as you very shortly 



know. 

 For your horse is now upon you, and you cannot let 



it go. 



