22 THE OLD BERKS HUNT 



We returned to the Berkshire plentiful board 

 Where dwells hospitality Southby the lord ; 

 We talked of the chace, and we toasted the health 

 Of the man who ne'er varied for places or wealth. 

 " Johnny Boot baulked a leap," said Tom Stanbroke, 



•' 'twas odd ; " 

 " 'Twas shameful," cried Sam, " by the great living 



G . d." 

 Said Wildface — " I holload ' Get on though you fall, 

 Or I'll leap over thee, thy grey gelding and all.' " 



Each glass was adapted to freedom and sport ; 



For party affairs we consigned to the court ; 



Thus we finished the first of the day and the night, 



In gay flowing bumpers and social delight. 



Then, till the next meeting, bid farewell each brother. 



For some they went one way and some went another. 



And as Phoebus befriended our earlier roam. 



So Luna took care in escorting us home. 



Of the persons mentioned, we may note that 

 "Wildface" was the nom de plmne of Wil- 

 loughby, Earl of Abingdon ; " The Betterton 

 Squire" was Mr. Ferdinando Collins, grand- 

 father of the late Rev. John Ferdinando 

 Collins of Betterton. " Johnny Boot," Mr. 

 John Boote of Wantage, owned the property 

 now known as "Stirlings," where he lived. 

 " The Betterton Squire " married Catherine 

 Boote. " Bob Ready " was brother-in-law to 

 the Rev, John Loder, " The Huntsman so 

 bold," Mr. Loder having married Barbara 

 Ready. Sam Southby, was one of the family 

 of the Southbys of Appleton, Hodcot, Chievely 



