LOYAL GRANTHAM 



Banks's Soliloquy.^ 



Fame, lasting fame, shall be my meed, 

 With honours I have won the trick ; 



For twenty minutes I held the lead, 

 And beat her Ladyship ^ on Dick. 



At Cream a gallant fox we found — 

 No doubt was there about the pace ; 



At Rearsby, when he ran to ground, 



Full five miles straight had been the race. 



Who now can say of me in scorn, 



" Banks in the front can never stick " ? 



Who'll say I cannot beat the Quorn ; 

 Aye, and the Belvoir fast ones lick? 



Or who will say 'tis all my eye? — 

 Tho' black my eye as any sloe — 



For thrusting coves who "Forwards" cry 

 Regard but little cut or blow. 



Mount me but on my thoroughbred, 

 I'll show you how I earn my fame ; 



The black can always beat the red. 

 And score the honours of the game. 



Was I not reared on classic ground? 



With Sutton in both shires tried? 

 For many a year the country round 



With all the crack ones could I ride. 



What if the hounds I sometimes pressed? 



Let envious scarlets have their say; 

 " My wearied limbs I faintly rest. 



And think I've done a feat to-day." 



You Buttons — Harry, Frank, and Dick — 

 No longer at your uncle laugh ; 



For of the basket he's the pick. 



And you, you're nothing else but chaff. 



In vain the bullfinch rears its head. 

 In vain the postern rails look new ; 



When mounted on my thoroughbred, 

 My boys, I'll give you lots to do. 



' Lays of Belvoir^ p. 14. ^ Countess of Wilton. 



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