A POEM. 51 



When England's second Richard had the fame 

 Of founding Game Laws, but there's scarce a reign 

 From his but strove to make them more complete, 

 So 'fore repeal'd, one half were obsolete ; 

 And being now annull'd, eighteen dull pages 

 Contain the law the Sportsman's mind engages. 



But cease digression : to the point again, 

 The dogs to try in Battersea's wide plain. 

 ' But how?' you'll say, 'there's surely no game nigh.' 

 True, very true, but you must it supply ; 

 Have a live partridge trail'd along the ground, 

 'Twill fully serve your purpose, I'll be bound ; 

 London, this month, whole coveys hides, 

 Which, till the next month, are respited their lives. 

 And now, my reader, to keep faith with you, 

 Explain, I must, what Pointing dogs should do : 

 At " hold away" they both apart should range 

 From side to side, their places ever change, 



