The Moment Aurora

The moment Aurora peep'd into my room, I put on my clothes and I call'd to my groom; And my head heavy still, from the fumes of last night, Took a bumper of brandy to set all things right. And now we're well saddled Fleet, Dapple, and Grey, Who seem'd longing to hear the glad sound hark away.

Will Whistle by this had uncoupl'd his hounds, Whose extacy nothing could keep within bounds, First forward came Jowler, then Scentwell, then Snare, Three better slauncsh harriers ne'er started a hare; Then Sweetlips, then Driver, then Staunch, and then Tray, All ready to open at hark, hark away.

'Twas now by the clock about five in the morn, And we all gallop'd off to the sound of the horn; Jack Gater, Bill Babler, and Dick at the gun, And by this time the merry Tom Fairplay made one, Who, while we were jogging on blithsome and gay, Sung a song, and the chorus was—Hark, hark away.

And now Jemmy Lurcher had every bush beat, And no signs of madam, nor trace of her feet; Nay, we just had begun our sad fortunes to curse, When all of a sudden out starts Mrs. Puss; Men, horses, and dogs, all the glad-call obey, And the echo was heard to cry—hark, hark away

The chace was a fine one, she took o'er the plain, Which she doubled, and doubled, and doubled again; 'Till at last she to cover return'd out of breath, Where I and Will Whistle were in at the death; Then in triumph for you I the hare did display, And cry'd to the horns, my boys—hark, hark away.