The poetical works of John Nicholson ... Carefully edited from the original editions, with additional notes and a sketch of his life and writings. By W. G. Hird |
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 | The poetical works of John Nicholson |  |
93
On game at taverns they should never dine,
For fear it was their own the week before,
Hung in their parks, or shot upon the moor!
But here we scarce can tavern-keepers blame—
They wish to have a wide extended fame;
And but for poachers, what could such men do,
When for a feast they want a hare or two?
If there be supper, or a private ball,
Be there no game, it does not please at all;
The beaux and belles go home dissatisfied
With ev'ry dainty, roasted, baked, or fried.
The ladies blame the master of the house,
If in the feast there be nor snipes nor grouse;
For that is ever held the choicest dish,
That comes in secret, be it game or fish!
The ladies then in ecstasy declare
What part they took of partridge, grouse, or hare;
Describe the dainties when they each get home,
But ne'er consider how those dainties come:
For whether poachers steal from 'squires or kings,
This is the cause whence most of poaching springs.
The epicures of ev'ry trading town,
Who get a hare or pheasant for a crown,
Have done more harm than all the murd'ring wire
That e'er was tempered in the poacher's fire.
| The poetical works of John Nicholson | |