60 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. 



Tho' I hear 'tis reported some wicked wag says, 

 That his horse was a trooper turned out of the greys, 

 Let that wag ride his best, and, in spite of his banter 

 That same grey shall show him his heels in a canter. 



The Reverend of Radborne is next in the run. 

 Who has never rode bold since he sold his old dun. 

 Trotting over the wheat, if he had his due meed. 

 He should forfeit his tithes, riding over the seed. 



Charles Hope, who rode bold when a good horse he had, 

 Notwithstanding his weight was as brisk as a lad. 

 Now, mounted on Dumpy, scarce shifts from his ground, 

 Yet sees half the hunting by nicking the round. 



Mr. Copestake shall next of the song have a share, 

 Who, tho' he won't ride, often finds us a hare. 

 With gratitude, therefore, we'll give him a word, 

 For, by finding us hares, much sport he'll aflbrd. 



Geo. Western comes last, his Rusher quite done, 

 Both his horse and his Prospect of hunting being gone. 

 Does as well as he can, tho' he never is near, 

 On a trooper or cart-horse lie brings up the rear. 



The praise of old Rusher, the theme of his talk. 

 Till up starts the hare all his gossip to balk. 

 When he, moaning his loss, and unable to ride, 

 He jogs at a trot, with Charles Hope by his side. 



Few sportsmen indeed with our squire can compare, 

 In breeding and training his hounds to the hare ; 

 So here's to the squire ! Fill your glasses around, 

 And may every glass with a bumper be crowned. 



G. W, 

 Cliristmas, 1802. 



This squire was the first to take the narae of Chandos, 

 which he did by right of his ancestor's marriage with the 

 heiress of that noble family. His wife appears to have 

 been a lady of some strength of character, and must have 

 also enjoyed robust health. For, once, when some one 

 was complaining in her presence of inability to digest 

 certain dainties, she is said to have remarked, " I do not 



