Pugilistica: The History of British Boxing, Volume 2 (of 3) / Containing Lives of the Most Celebrated Pugilists; Full Reports of Their Battles from Contemporary Newspapers, With Authentic Portraits, Personal Anecdotes, and Sketches of the Principal Patrons of the Prize Ring, Forming a Complete History of the Ring from Fig and Broughton, 1719-1740, to the Last Championship Battle Between King and Heenan, in December 1863

by Henry Downes Miles

But now we’re informed by the beak, Mr. Grove

(Whoever could seat on the Bench such a cove?),

That if with strong liquors our tempers get hot,

He’ll send us at once on the treadmill to trot—

That the pastime of wrenching off knockers and bells

Must no longer be practis’d by high-minded swells;

Or he’ll send us, to settle each paltry dispute,

For a month to the treadmill our health to recruit.

O haste, brother pinks, such disgrace to prevent,

Before this vile Bill has the Royal Assent;