71 



Of all our fond diversions a hunter's is the best ; 



In spite of wars and party jars the sport is to the test. 



Brisk action cures the vapours, th' elFects of lazy sloth, 

 And music makes us cheerful, so hunting 's good for both. 



Of Nimrod and of Esau what mighty feats they tell — 

 On foot they followed hunting, they loved the sport so 

 well. 



Had Dido not loved hunting, the amorous Trojan brave 

 Her Highness ne'er had solaced in Juno's friendly cave. 



Eurypides ! had hunting been minded like thy books 

 The hounds had ne'er devoured thee — they know a 

 sportsman's looks ; 



And hadst thou, brave ActEeon, have minded but thy game , 

 Thou ne'er hadst paid so dearly for peeping at the same. 



Orion, foolish hunter, lured by a petticoat. 



In the mid chase he loitered, and so his fate he got. 



But after this disaster he 's made a heavenly sign, 

 That he at least may view the sport he can no longer join. 



The British King 's* a hunter, and frequent in the chase ; 

 He minds no more than we do a weather-beaten face. 



Then fill your sparkling glasses, and take them off with 



glee— 



" Here "s to all brother sportsmen, in course His 



Majesty." a j i .. 



And a hunting we will go. 



Sporting Magazine, 1825. 



* King George the Third. 



