8 SPORTING REMINISCENCES [1745 to 



No long vigils of love we keep, 

 Nor evening's cups protract our sleep ; 

 But ere the sun has reached the skies, 

 Fresh as the morn we gaily rise. 



Then free from care, &c. 



See, from France yon petit maitre! 



Thus exclaims the puny creature : 



" Comment sortir avant Vaurore 



Sans dejeuner? 'Tis a great bore." 



No trifling fops can ever know 



From the brisk chase what pleasures flow : 



Joys above those of power and wealth — 



Vigour of mind and rosy health. 



Then free from care, &c. 



The mushroom cit, who rolls in riches, 

 Curses the gates, the woods, and ditches: 

 " What ! for a warmin" vilely cries, 

 " Wenture your necks, and round your eyes?" 

 But we will teach the wary Jew 

 We've our douceurs and premiums too : 

 Bacchus at night the sportsman warms, 

 And Venus gives us all her charms. 



Then free from care, &c. 



The woods and hills with joy resounding, 

 Every heart with pleasure bounding, 

 What transports in our bosoms glow 

 When first we hear the " Tally-ho !" 

 Bridegroom and Bachelor lead them on ; 

 Soon they give way to Turpin's son; 

 Now to the head young Herod strives, 

 Old Windham roars, and Wilful drives. 



Then free from care, Sec. 



Checked by sheep-cots in the valley, 

 Men of weight gain time to rally. 

 Mopping his front and double chin, 

 Each heavy blue* comes puffing in, 

 Juniper hits it down the way 

 Magpies and crows his point betray ; 

 Through the wet mead and chalky soil 

 The villain runs his tainted foil. 



Then free from care, &c. 



* The uniform of Mr. Ridge's hunt was blue. The hunt button, in 

 1783, was made of silver, with a very large H. H. in blue on it ; it 

 was changed, in 1785, to a very large brass one, with the same letters. 



