THE HORSEMEN 29 



hetter, for tlie travellers found amusement as well 

 as toil on their way. 



They took five days to ride to Exeter. The 

 first night they slept at Hartley How, 36 miles. 

 The second day they left the modern route of 

 the Exeter E-oad at Basingstoke, and, like some 

 of the coaches ahout that time, struck out along 

 the Winchester road as far as Popliam Lane, where 

 they branched off across the downs to Sutton and 

 Stockbridge, at which town they halted the night, 

 after a day's journey of 30 miles. The third 

 morning saw^ them making for Salisbury. MidAvay 

 between Stockbridge and that city their road falls 

 into the main road to Exeter. That night they 

 were at Blandford. The fourth day took them to 

 Axminster, and the fifth to Exeter : — 



'Twas on the day when city dames repair 



To take their weekly dose of Hyde Park air ; 



When forth we trot : no carts the road infest, 



For still on Sundays country horses rest. 



Thy gardens, Kensington, we leave unseen ; 



Through Hammersmith jog on to Turnham Green : 



That Turnham Green which dainty pigeons fed, 



But feeds no more, for Solomon is dead. 



Three dusty miles reach Brentford's tedious town. 



For dirty streets and white-legg'd chickens known : 



Thence o'er wide shrubby heaths and furrow'd lanes 



We come, where Thames divides the meads of Staines. 



We ferry'd o'er ; for late thie winter's flood 



Shook her frail bridge, and tore her piles of wood. 



Prepar'd for war, now Bagshot Heath we cross, 



Where broken gamesters oft repair their loss. 



At Hartley Bow the foaming bib we prest. 



While the fat landlord welcom'd ev'ry guest. 



