1 84 ^aitJing; at dTtnct^— OTatcr. 



When you feel that refusal's impossible quite, 

 And he is about to take off, then give rein ; 



And on feeling him land, high and dry, safe and 

 right, 

 Just re-tighten your hold on the bridle again. 



Pray remember, 'tis better to jump yards too far, 

 Than to "lep" one inch short at a treach'rous 

 brook ; 



Though a ducking we all know's a nastiesh jar. 

 Yet "the less we shall like it the longer we look." 



So just harden 3'our hearts as the willows draw nigh. 

 And get the first try just as far as you can ; 



And the odds are that then you will land high and dry, 

 And if not — should you fall — you can rise again, 

 man ! 



For 'tis better to rise wringing wet, bruis'd and sore. 

 Remount and sail on with the hurrying pack, 



Than by funking and craning to see it no more, 

 And join the battalions which English pluck lack. 



Though a young horse may skate, and an old one 

 may stick, 



Rely on my word, I am right when I state. 

 If with courage and will you ride each at it quick. 



You but seldom will meet with a watery fate. 



