52 



The fourth fence^a wattle — floored Monk and Blue- 

 bottle — 



The Drag came to grief at the black thorn and ditch. 

 The rails toppled over Redoubt and Eed Eover — 



The lane stopped Lycurgus and Leicestershire Witch. 



She passed like an arrow Kildare and Cock Sparrow, 

 And Mantrap and Mermaid refused the stone wall ; 



And Giles on the Grayling came down at the paling. 

 And I was left sailing in front of them all. 



I took them a burster — nor eased her, nor nursed her 

 Until the black bullfinch led into the plough ; 



And thro' the strong bramble we bored with a scramble — 

 My cap was knocked off by a hazel tree bough. 



Where furrows looked lighter I pulled the rein tighter, 

 The dark chest all dappled with flakes of white foam ; 



The flanks mud bespattered — a weak rail we shattered — 

 We land on the turf with our heads turned for home. 



She cracked a low binder, and then close behind her 

 The sward to the hoofs of the favourite shook. 



His rush roused her mettle, yet ever so little — 

 She shortened her stride as we raced for the brook. 



She rose when I hit her — I saw the stream glitter — 

 A wide scarlet nostril pushed close to my knee. 



Between sky and water the Clown came and caught 

 her, 

 The space that he cleared was a caution to see. 



