22 



THE QUORN HUNT 



Though a rough-riding world may bespatter your breeches, 



Though sorrow may cross you, or slander revile, 

 Though you plunge overhead in misfortune's blind ditches, 



Shun the gap of deception, the hand-gate of guile : 

 Oh, avoid them ! for there, see the crowd is contending, 



Ignoble the object — ill-mannered the throng ; 

 Shun the miry lane, falsehood, with turns never ending, 



Ride straight for truth's timber, no matter how strong. 



xv 



I'll pound you safe over ! sit steady and quiet ; 



Along the sound headland of honesty steer ; 

 Beware of false holloas and juvenile riot, 



Though the oxer of duty be wide, never fear ! 

 And when the run's over of earthly existence, 



And you get safe to ground, you will feel no remorse, 

 If you ride it — no matter what line or what distance — 



As straight as your fathers from Ranksboro' Gorse. 



