31 

 A HUNTING TOAST. 



Come fill up a bumper — a full one to grace, 

 The toast of toasts boys — " The joys of the Chase 1 " 

 We've the ev'ning before us, the praises to sound, 

 Of all that delights us of horse and of hound. 

 Dull care comes not near us, to mar the delight, 

 That the sport of the day should secure for the night ; 

 So as life is uncertain, we send round the bowl, 

 And be reason our guide 'mid the flow of the soul. 



To the bard 'twere no difficult matter to trace 

 A resemblance betwixt human life and the Chase ; 

 In youth we '* throw ofi"" as we " draw up the wind," 

 Love or hope will break covert, and furnish the find. 

 If love meets with crosses, or hope with a wreck, 

 Life's chase like the fox-chase, but meets with a " check ; " 

 And as nought that is perfect exists 'neath the sun, 

 A check may occur in the very best run. 



Some comrade perchance when the last of one's seen, 

 Will give the " Who-whoop" to "the old man in green," 

 And the cry of my hounds, like a silvery wave, 

 I shall hear in sweet chorus, and turn in my grave. 

 So let us be " nowhere," or let us be first. 

 Grim death will be found at the end of a " burst ; ' 

 And in truth be it slow or quick be the pace, 

 Death but giveth a zest to the joys of the Chase. 



Sportsman Magazine, 1833. 



