78 SHOOTING : 



By the re-vigour its contents bestow : 



When the sun's rays attain their utmost glow, 



How cheering 'neath the shade of some old tree, 



The grass our table and our couch, to see 



The morning's sport out-spread : our dogs the while 



Catching the crusts thrown with approving smile. 



Let morbid appetites excitement seek 



In dainty viands ; let the stomachs weak 



Of sensual Epicures, still pamperM be; 



Yet ever lack one sauce the Sportsman's fee. 



Would they could view us, having earn'd our meal, 



Coarse, but yet relish'd : would they fail to feel, 



That unattended by a servile host 



Of tedious lacqueys, both a plague and cost ; 



Still may a lunch be made, and with a zest 



They well may envy, but can never test ? 



I am a patron of the Indian weed, 

 And never on a shooting bout proceed 



