THE KILDARE HOUNDS. 43 



THE MEN OF KILDARE. 



When autumn to gold turns the leaves on the trees, 

 And the swallows depart for their flight o'er the seas, 

 While the river goes swollen, the ocean to meet, 

 With a whisper as soft as a lullaby sweet, 

 We look to our " scarlets," our " nags," and our " cords," 

 For a run with the " Meaths," or a day with the " Wards." 

 Both are good in their way, but they cannot surpass 

 A burst with our foxhounds across the " short grass." 



Chorus. 



Bravest of men are the men of Kildare, 



Tho' fortune prove fickle they never despair. 



Would you still wear your laurels, I'd have you beware 



How you ride to our hounds when you come to Kildare. 



Arthursto\vn's tried, he's at home, a sure find ; 



Gone-away ! they are off" in the teeth of the wind. 



There goes Willie Blacker of sweet Castlemartin ; 



You'll find the right place he has ever his heart in ; 



Beside him Will Kennedy, ex-master of hounds, 



Who could ride a flat race, and give most of them pounds. 



There, too, goes his brother, a jolly good fellow, 



And Mansfield, late master, whose heart is still mellow. 



Chorus — Bravest of men, &c. 



In grand style the double is cleared by bold Lawless ; 

 Lord Cloncurry, close up to the front rank they call us. 

 Whilst Beasley looks calm, as if winning a plate. 

 And O'Ferrall, as ever, despising a gate ; 

 And the Lord of Clonmel, who enjoys all the fun, 

 Whilst Morris flies past, though recording the run, 

 Colonel Forster, who oft brought the " tartan " in front, 

 And Forbes — all good sportsmen are seen in the hunt. 



Chorus — Bravest of men, &c. 



See La Touche and the " Baron, "* each obstacle clear, 

 While Sir Higginson's gray jumps as clear as a deer. 

 By Downshire they race on to Punchestown course. 

 The fox heads away then for Elverstown gorse 

 (Here Wakefield the field often led a swift pace), 

 Kilbee and his daughter are still in the chase. 

 Reynard changes his course, but he dodges in vain ; 

 He never will shelter in covert again. 



Chorus — Bravest of men, &c. 



* Baron de Robeck. 



