THE FIRST OF THE SEASON.
Old friends are all meeting and gathered together
In batches, discussing the crops and the weather;
It has been a hard struggle for some with the rent,
But their troubles grow light as the talk turns on scent.
The landlord and tenant, the farmer and squire,
Have all had to suffer and pocket their ire,
At the sun's fitful gleam and the rain's ceaseless pour;
But they meet in good fellowship round the inn-door.
Their thoughts are all bent upon horses and hounds,
For shortly the covert will echo with sounds,
As the eager pack top the wood-fence with a crash,
The young entry all bustle and brimful of dash.
Now see to your girths if you mean to be there.
Old Tom looks like business; his hand's in the air.
A whimper—a chorus—hark, holloa! they've found,
And his old mare pops over the rails with a bound.
Away fling that weed, catch your horse by the head,
He's young, and he's hot, but he's clean thoroughbred;
Don't rush at the timber or else you'll be down.
Let him see what's before him—he'll jump o'er a town.
They are over the brook, which is bankful, I swear;
See, yonder they go with their sterns in the air.
There's young Flyaway in, and, by Jove, what a cropper!
Ah, the others won't have it—I thought 'twas a stopper.
Thank goodness, they're checked by that herd of Scotch kine.
But, hark for'ard, old Minstrel has hit off the line.
There'll be "bellows to mend" if this goes on, I fear,
For the pace is too hot for the first of the year.
Down the meadow—they view—see the hounds how they tear!
They have him! Who-whoop! And the field are all—where?
Here we come. Scarce a coat but betokens a fall,
But who-whoop! what a cracker to open the ball!
MORAL.
Fox-hunting and fellowship go hand in hand,
And a true sporting mind by a friend's sure to stand;
So let each drain a bumper nor think it high treason
To follow The Queen with "The First of the Season."
The bond of good feeling is found in the field;
As the Squire meets the Farmer the compact is sealed.
And each vows, as the moments flit merrily by,
The world has no music like hounds in full cry.