30 SHOOTING : 



Whatever fame our present Foxhound gains, 

 Is from the Talbot blood that's in his veins, 

 Thus both the breeds we find are in his debt, 



Those that point game, as well as those that set. 

 Good, bad, indifFrent, of each kind we see, 

 "Who shall decide when doctors disagree!" 

 Some swear the Setter, some the Pointer's best. 

 Both have I shot to, both put to the test : 

 And the result the matter not to mince 

 Is, that the former's services long since 

 Have I foregone ; yes, my sleek-coated friend 

 Alone, now aids me does my wanderings tend. 

 'Tis easy to assert I trust my fate 

 Will lead me ever to substantiate 

 My broach'd opinions, that I mayn't mislead 

 The youthful Sportsman, who may hap to read 

 My humble verse ; mainly on this depends 

 The gratifying feeling that attends 

 Our various reading ; may I e'er be free, 

 As author, from so dire anxiety. 



