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Tarporley Hunt Song.
1859.
I
Names, honour'd of old, on our Club-book enroll'd,It were shame should their successors slight 'em,
They who Horace could quote, and who first of all wrote
On our Tarporley glasses “Quæsitum;”
O, famous Quæsitum!
Famous in story Quæsitum!
There has pass'd very nigh a full century by
Since our fathers first fill'd a Quæsitum.
II
Old Bacchus so jolly, who hates melancholy,Our founders, how can he requite 'em?
From the land of the vine let the best of his wine
Be reserv'd to o'erflow the Quæsitum;
117
Jolly Bacchus, fill up the Quæsitum!
Whether claret or port, it must be the best sort,
If it fit be to fill a Quæsitum.
III
The goblet, methinks, from which Jupiter drinks,With thunder-cheer ter repetitum,
Since when Juno was gone he turn'd into the Swan,
Should be chang'd for a crystal Quæsitum;
O, famous Quæsitum!
Fit for Olympus, Quæsitum!
Cup-bearer Hebe, how happy would she be
With nectar to fill a Quæsitum.
IV
Those who dar'd with rude eye at Diana to spy,She unkennel'd her pack to affright 'em;
She who smiles with delight on our banquet tonight,
Bids us fill to the chace a Quæsitum;
Fill, fill the Quæsitum!
To the heart-stirring chace a Quæsitum;
She who sheds her bright beam upon fountain and stream
With her smile shall make bright the Quæsitum.
118
V
One bumper still let all fox-hunters fill,'Tis a toast that will fondly excite 'em,
Since the brave can alone claim the fair as their own,
Let us drink to our loves a Quæsitum;
Fill, fill the Quæsitum!
A glowing o'erflowing Quæsitum!
From Beauty's sweet lip he who kisses would sip,
With his own must first kiss the Quæsitum.
VI
Again ere I end, all who foxes befriend,Let a bumper thrice honour'd delight 'em,
May the forward and fast still be up at the last,
Give the slow ones another Quæsitum;
Fill, fill the Quæsitum!
To good fellows all a Quæsitum!
Let him fast be or slow, each shall prove ere we go,
An excuse for another Quæsitum.
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