LORD SOUTHAMPTON 137 



Langar leaps short, and see, on high his tail, 



Turned in the air, proclaims how strong the rail. 



Over they go, together rise again, 



For Brudenell tight in hand retains the rein. 



Here Leporello 1 fell ; a harder fate 



Attends his falling, — where he fell, he sate. 



Now Billy Coke, who never lost a chance, 



Down the hill's side came rattling on Advance, 



And though he saia the willows, still he took 



His line, and crammed him straight at Langton Brook ; 



But vain the effort, — gazing on the flood, 



Narcissus-like, upon the bank he stood, 



Then struggling headlong fell ; and see, he's done ! 



He ivashed his master, but he lost the run. 



More on the left, see Wilton kiss the plain ; 



Then " Time ! " to Pugilist' 1 was called in vain. 



Without a pause, by Bowden now they fly, 



The pace so good you scarcely hear the cry ; 



With speed unchecked, see bravely o'er yon hill, 



Brudenell alone maintains his station still. 



Here's Dingley Gorse ; " By Jove, they run in view ! " 



On Reynard struggles, on the pack pursue ; 



The earths are open — will he reach the cover? 



Who-hoop ! he sinks exhausted ; all is over. 



How are the mighty fallen ! lulled to rest 



By fifty minutes of Southampton's best ; 



Some deep in ditches lie, 'midst brambles tossed ; 



Others, more prudent, are by Farmers crossed ; 3 



These lost their start, from those, the hounds had turned, 



Yet something still from Brudenell all have learned ; 



And now for once, a Melton field must own, 



Fairly and cleanly, they were all "cut down." 4 



The backward crowd are still the first to chide, 

 For all can censure where but few can ride. 

 Let those blame others who themselves excel, 

 And pass their judgment, who have ridden well. 



1 Lord Gardner's horse. 



2 Lord Wilton's horse. 



3 A very common excuse with some people at that time. 



4 A favourite expression of Lord Macdonald's, who was one of the most 

 promising riders of his day, and very well able, himself, to give a practical 

 illustration of it. 



