Chapter M

M is the Merriment seen on each face,
At the rumor some hunting man offers to sell
"The _pick_ of the stable, because he can't tell
If he's going abroad for a season to race."

N

N is the Nag, "Nervy Nat," who was lent
For your use by a friend when your own horse broke down,
And the News, that was sent to your dear ones in Town,
"Some bones have been broken and some are just bent."

O

O is the Opportune Offer you made
To carry a flask in case of a spill;
Then you learn that it's equally good for a chill
And most of the field of a chill are afraid.

P

P is for "Pink," to its pomp we aspire
When riding in "mufti"; but how do we feel
When bound for the Meet, quite the modern John Peel,
If village boys shout, "Oh, I say, where's the fire?"

Q

Q is the Quagmire where you get stuck
And the Quizzical Questions of those on the bank,
Who, as they help you to rescue your horse on a plank,
"Were you hunting a fox or just chasing a duck?"

R

R is The Road that the faint-hearted choose
When the line crosses country where going is risky:
And the Rot that they talk, as they sip their Scotch Whiskey.
To prove it's not they, but their mounts that refuse.

S

S is the Scent, none too pleasant to those
Who ride not to hounds; but at swift hunting pace,
When the Right Sort detect it, how madly they race;
They find it more sweet than the breath of a rose.

T

T is for Thousands, the cost of our fun,
Also for the Thrusters and they are not few
Who send in a "ten" when the season is through
It pays for the timber they broke in one run.

U

U is for Us when united we fight
That the skirt called "divided" be worn by the Fair;
If you've seen a dear girl with her boots in the air
As she lands in a furrow, you'll say I am right.