THE MELTON HUNT. 209 



Yet by your partial notice made thus rich. 

 Raised by your favours to my honour's pitch, 

 I'll try to set the table whilst you quaff, 

 If not on roar, on a facetious laugh, 

 Whilst spice of Latin shall with harmless jest, 

 Like poignant Cayenne, give my olio zest. 



Not as their fathers erst " with early horn," 

 Our modern hunters now "salute the morn," 

 'Tis noon, ere these in scarlet bright array 

 Commence th' achievements of the dubious day, 

 Each on his steed, sleek-coated and high fed, 

 From iire to dam in calendar well bred ; 

 For in the jockey's heraldry the stud 

 Must boast descent from ancestry of blood ; 

 As well you might a hobby-horse bestride. 

 As mount a roadster of no lineal pride. 

 Here blacks, browns, bays, and chestnuts, most renown'd 

 For spirit, temper, shape, price, fill the ground ; 

 Each brags his favourite prowess in the field, 

 ** My grey mare to no better horse shall yield;" 

 But Forester's fine eye and single glance 

 Finds out the latent blemish as they prance ; 

 Deep skill'd to scan the solid worth that lies 

 In horses, men, and their true qualities. 

 Hear him but talk, what music on his tongue ! 

 It cheers the old, it fascinates the young : 

 Look in his face, no doubt the counterpart. 

 The honest, liberal sentiment of heart. 

 Hark forward how they bear ; nor them restrains. 

 Or driving blast, or storm with drenching rains. 

 "^Vhat springs they make, o'er ditches, post, and rail, 

 And dash and plunge through Belvoir's stick-fast vale ! 

 In at the death 'tis glorious to arrive ; 

 To claim the brush, no mean prerogative : 

 Thrown out, and some thrown off, besplash'd with mire, 

 A motley group — peer — parson — grazier — squire. 



Home safe return'd, how changed ! studious they dresa, 

 In newest fashion for the sumptuous mess ; 

 Set out with Lucry's complete bill of fare : 

 Fish by the mail — delicious, costly, rare ; 

 High-seasoned dishes, — fricassees — ragotlts, 

 All that the sav'ry pamp'ring art can do. 

 P 



