51 



But none can outlast her, and few travel faster ; 



She strides in her work clean away from " the Drag." 

 You hold her and sit her — she couldn't be fitter — 



"Whenever you hit her she'll spring like a stag. 



And perhaps the green jacket, tho' at odds they may 

 back it, 



May fall, or there's no knowing what may turn up. 

 The mare is just ready — sit still and ride steady ; 



Keep cool, and I think you may just win the cup. 



Dark brown with tan muzzle, just stripped for the tuzzle. 

 Stood Iseult, now arching her neck to the curb : 



A lean head and fiery, strong quarters and wiry ; 

 A loin rather light, but a shoulder superb. 



Some parting injunction, bestowed with great unction, 

 I tried to recall, but forgot like a dunce, 



When Eeginald Murray, full tilt on White Surrey, 

 Came down in a hurry to start us at once. 



" Keep back, in the yellow ! " '' Come up, on Othello ! " 

 " Hold hard, on the chesnut !" " Turn round on the 

 Drag!"— 

 " Keep back there, on Spartan ! " " Back you, sir, in 

 tartan !" 

 " So, steady there, easy !" and down went the flag. 



We started — and Kerr made strong running on Mermaid 

 Through furrows that led to the first stake and bound ; 



The crack, half extended, looked blood-like and splendid, 

 Held wide on the right, where the headland was sound. 



