328 SHIKAR SKETCHES. 



. SONG. 

 Air ' Oh! think not my Spirits are always so Light.' 



I. 



Oh ! think not our spear-blades are always as bright 

 And as free from a stain as they now may appear, 

 Nor expect that the steel, all so glittering to-night, 

 Will return back to-morrow unsullied and clear : 

 No ! daylight shall see us, all dangers disdaining, 

 Our untainted weapons to purple with gore, 

 For the man that is last to debate about craning 

 Is always the first for a touch at the boar ! 

 Then off with each glass, 'twill be pleasure indeed 

 To bumper our toast when the pleasure is o'er ; 

 Here's The boar that has bottom to puzzle the steed, 

 And the steed who will carry us up to the boar !' 



II. 



The chase of the hog would be dull, Heaven knows, 

 If we had not some raspers to vary the hunt, 

 And we care not o'er what sort of ground our horse 



goes, 



While we see the grey boar dashing on in our front. 

 Oh ! ride as you will, but, the bolder and truer, 

 More certain you are your hearts wish to obtain ; 

 For the hog, though once he fairly beat his pursuer, 

 Is a rare one indeed if he beat him again. 

 Then off with each glass, while a 'sounder' shall stray 

 In mountain or jungle, let's drink with delight 

 That the chase which begins at the first flush of day 

 May be crowned with success ere the first shade of 

 night ! 



' Oriental Sporting Magazine,' 

 January, 1829. 



