136 THE QUORN HUNT 



With spurs and hand-whip Matuscevitz plies, — 

 O'er ridge and furrow swiftly Zodiac flies ; 

 But though his steed be made of gallant stuff, 

 " Tamnation, Zodiac? you will get enough ! " 



Lyne Stephens onward holds a steady course, 

 And Grantham gallops faster than his horse. 

 Green, leaning slightly forward, passes by, 

 But quickly turning shows how good his eye. 

 Pinned in his shoulders, see old Johnny Moore ; 2 

 A gate half-open, — Rokeby slips before, 

 Forgets his manners in his love of place, 

 And slams the swinging gate in Johnny's face, 

 Then, spurring onward with a graceful seat, 

 Unlike Camilla, 3 gallops through the wheat. 



Now some, alas ! before their horses fail ; 

 Flight after flight succeeds of post and rail. 

 Then Langton Hill appears — the crowd decline, 

 And keep their riding 'till they've had their wine. 

 Now Brudenell 4 leads, and well does Langar b show 

 The rattling pace that strength with blood can go. 

 Wilton and Gardner next their station took, 

 And Derry, 6 following close on Billy Coke. 

 Sloping to meet them, stood exposed to view 

 An awkward piece of timber, stiff and new ; 

 No other place will do but this alone, 

 No choice is left, — go at it, or go home. 



1 The gallant Count's own words. He was celebrated as being the best 

 foreigner over a countiy then imported. 



2 This was a jest at Mr. Moore's rheumatism. 



3 A lady who would have had many admirers among the farmers of the 

 present day : 



Ilia vel intactas segetis per summa volaret 



Gramina : nee teneras cursu la?sisset aristas. — Virgil. 



4 Lord Brudenell succeeded his father as Earl of Cardigan, and gained 

 imperishable fame by leading the Light Cavalry Brigade in the Balaclava 

 Charge. His memoir, written by the late Major Whyte-Melville, appeared 

 in the fifteenth volume of Daily's Magazine. 



5 Lord Brudenell's horse, well known in that day. 



6 An excellent rider, and one of the best servants that ever came into a 

 hunting field. 



