1800.] OF HAMPSHIRE. 7 



All the horrors combined, 



Of fire, water, and wind, 

 Ne'er could check him in glory's bright race ; 



Steering still the same track, 



He disdains to look back, 

 When Joe* gives the signal for chase. 



Would you drive away care, &c. 



A sportsmanf came next, who in plain English style, 



French manners and foppery defies, 

 His countenance spoke him the man without guile, 

 The truth you might read in his eyes. 

 When he points out the way, 

 We with pleasure obey, 

 And cheerfully follow his call, 

 O'er the fences we bound, 

 But if some reach the ground, 

 We laugh at the Cockneys who fall. 



Would you drive away care, &c. 



On tithes and oblations no longer intent, 



The parsonj came hobbling along, 

 To forward the sport ever anxiously bent, 

 Though feeble and last in the throng, 



His weak muse and his horse 



Have alike run their course, 

 Long hackney'd, exhausted, and lame, 



Yet the veteran entreats, 



In return for past feats, 

 Your favour he humbly may claim. 



Then, to drive away care, 



He'll to Vernon's repair, 

 Where wit and good humour embrace, 



The Hampshire Hunt join, 



While young mirth and old wine 

 Enliven the joys of the chase. 



The following song is better known, as it 

 was, I am informed, sung at hunt-dinners up 

 to almost recent times : 



Free from care, from pain, from sorrow, 

 Haste to Thorny Down to-morrow ; 

 There shall our steeds outstrip the wind, 

 Whilst time and age creep far behind. 



* Joe Hall, the huntsman. 



f Mr. Thomas Ridge, the master of the hounds. 

 j The parson was the author, the Rev. C. Powlett of Itchen Abbas, 

 known as the poet of the H. H. 



