1 86 THE OLD BERKS HUNT 



Once more upon the back of Spangle, 

 His head and heels at proper angle 

 (Poor Spangle in a piteous plight), 

 He looked around him bolt upright. 

 Nor near, nor far, could succour see, 

 Where can the faithless Juliet be ? 

 He would have given half his wage 

 Just then to see her on the stage ; 

 The pack those meads by Isis bound 

 Had reach'd ere Jem his Juliet found ; 

 Well thence with such a prompter's aid 

 Till Reynard's death, her part she played. 



There Isaac from the chase withdrew 

 (A horse is Isaac, not a Jew), 

 Outstretch'd his legs, and shook his back. 

 Right glad to be relieved of Jack ; 

 And Jack, right glad his back to quit. 

 Gave Beatrice a benefit. 



Moisture and mud the " Fungus " suit, 



In boggy ditch, he taking root, 



For minutes ten or there about, 



Stood planted, till they pluck'd him out ; 



By application of spur rowel, 



Charles rubb'd him dry without a towel. 



Say, as the pack by Kelmscote sped. 



Say who those horsemen cloth'd in red ? 



Spectators of the chase below. 



Themselves no sign of movement show ; 



No wonder, they were all aghast 



To see the pace at which it past ; 



The " White Horse Vale " of well known fame 



The pack to which it gives a name ; 



And there they stood as if spell-bound. 



Their morning fox as yet unfound ; 



