82 TALES AND TRAITS OF SPORTING LIFE. 



While old mother Gracch — something- had aiv'ays "just 



been" to him, 

 To call, or invite, or — to stick Susan into him. 



Alas ! that pride should have a fall ; 



Alas ! that the envy of 'em all, 



So proof to all their traps and crosses, 



Should yield still more to dog-s and "hosses ;" 



Or, as Glaucopis set the case, 



'^What a pit}^ he's so much attached to the chase. 



Kean's life has started many an actor ; 



Jack Sheppard's, many a malefactor ; 



Childe Harold Byron's, fierce men-haters ; 



Cook's voyages, fresh navigators ; 



The hunting- tours '^took" e'en with Schneiders^ 



And writing- of 'em made " Crack Riders ;" 



Old Izaak's lines have wetted many a line, 



And jocks been formed from " Genius Genume." 



Our instance, thoug-h, is yet more classic a 



One — 'tis the Notitia Venatica — 



A work that a vast deal of merit has, 



And proves the saw, " in Vyner Veritas.^' 



Its point, however, is simply this. 



That to arrive at perfect bliss 



In the true pleasure of the chase, 



You mustn't take a second place ,* 



But having- somehow got the knack. 



Keep, hunt, and feed yourself the pack, 



Showing- an M.F.H. to be, 



The happiest man that ^'you shall see :" 



