THE FATE OF ACTiEO^\ 77 



The moderns, again, have it here as well, 

 As witness our second parallel : — 



If a gentleman much overcome with beer 



Hits out rig-ht and left at everything near, 



And makes up a charge most uncommonly clear, 



The papers report it " the freak of a Peer,'' 



In committing, then, curious sorts of crimes 



The learned alike in this agree — 

 That the ancients quite equalled the present times. 



As vide the pages of his-to-ry. 

 A woman or wine the common cause. 



That led to excesses so very distressing, 

 And sent up, amidst the greatest applause. 



The offender to beg for King Jupiter's blessing. 

 Yet sport, true sport — the Hood and field — 



In those days had their full attractions • ' 



And many a dandy's fate was sealed j 



With '* glory" in these warlike actions. j 



His foot had slipped, or spear had broken, ! 



Down bore the boar with fatal speed, 

 To prove, ere yet a word was spoken, j 



A very horrid bore indeed. i| 



Or the hound had turned, or horse had backed, I! 



And so lost the master's life or game ; ] 



For, as Neio'hbour Constance 2,'ives the fact, 



*' You sportsmen never are to ])lame." 



There are lots of stories of this hue. 



For which to Ovid I'd refer j 

 Or if his " Latin's Greek to 3"ou," 



Consult that useful work, LempiiAre. 



