Hunting Songs :: :: University of Virginia Library

We had danc'd the night through,
Till the candles burnt blue,
But were all in the saddle next morn;
Once again with Tom Rance,
In broad daylight to dance
To the music of hollo and horn.

II

We were all giddy still
With the waltz and quadrille,
When arous'd by the loud “Tallyho!”
I must tune my fast rhyme
Up to double-quick time,
For the movement was prestissimo.

III

The fox by one hound
Near the Smoker was found—
As he wip'd that dog's nose with his brush,
“I don't mean to die,”
Said bold Reynard, “not I;
Nor care I for Edwards one rush.”

120

IV

With a fox of such pluck,
'Twas a piece of rare luck
That no ploughboy to turn him was near;
That no farmer was there
At the gem'men to swear,
No tailor to head his career.

V

Some, to lead off the ball,
Get away first of all,
Some linger too long at poussette;
Down the middle some go,
In the deep ditch below,
Thrown out ere they up again get.

VI

One, pitch'd from his seat,
Was compell'd, with wet feet,
His heels in the gutter to cool;
While his horse, in full swing,
Danc'd a new Highland fling,
He himself stood and danc'd a pas seul.

VII

“Tell me, Edwards,” said one,
When the skurry was done,
“How long were we running this rig?”

121

“To keep time, indeed, sir,
I little take heed, sir,
When dancing the Tallyho jig.”

VIII

But the time I can tell,
And the spot I know well,
Where the huntsman his fox overtook;
Twenty-five minutes good,
When he reach'd Arley Wood,
Where he died on the banks of the brook.

IX

I could name the few first
Who went best in this burst;
I could tell how the steady ones rac'd;
But since all were content
With the pace themselves went,
What matters it where they were plac'd?

X

If a live fox should run,
As that dead one has done,
O'er this country again, by good chance,
May I have my fleet bay
For a partner that day,
And be just where I was in the dance.