VERSES

ON THE

Consecration of the Standard,

PRESENTED BY LADY ROUS

TO THE FIRST TROOP OF

SUFFOLK LOYAL YEOMANRY CAVALRY, Under the Command of Captain Sir John Rous, Bart. at Halesworth, on July 14, 1795.

On Tuesday, July the 14th, 1795, the day appointed for consecrating the colours of the First Troop of Loyal Suffolk Yeomanry at Halesworth, the same was attended by many gentlemen and ladies of rank and fortune, as well as by a numerous concourse of people of all ranks. After leaving church, the gentlemen, belonging to the troop, assembled in a large field adjoining the town, and went through such parts of their exercise, as the vacancy upon the ground would admit of, with much spirit and alacrity. After this they partook of a most excellent dinner, under a handsome salloon, upon the bowling-green at the Angel Inn. The whole concluded with such loyal songs, and constitutional toasts, as became the sons of freedom; and hilarity and good humour was the order of the day. The Standard was presented by Lady Rous.

WHAT host is that from yon proud tower,
Streaming thro' its portal wide?

They own some chieftain's lawless power,
And often bleed to soothe his pride.

Such scenes in distant times the Muse's eye descries,
Whileo'er her slaughter'd sons Britannia deeply sighs.

What tho' the hospitable board,
With rural plenty amply stor❜d,
Invited oft' of guests a croud,

To feastings full and revels loud,

The Muse can only see "in ancient Baron's hall
One Lord alone, the rest were vassals all.'

Well pleas'd the change, and glad the eye surveys,
Which every
Briton feels in Brunswick's days;
See what a loyal, gallant troop appear!

How the rich Standard proudly beats the air!
In England's cause they freely grasp the sword,
And fight no quarrels now of feudal Lord;
Their king, their country, fill each Briton's breast,
And bid all civil broils and tumults rest;
There fortune, birth, and title grace the ranks,
And think the noblest meed their country's thanks.
Brave Yeomen, know, that gratefully we feel
How much to you we owe domestic weal!
While Britain's navy rivals deeds of yore,
And rides triumphant on the Gallic shore;
While British seamen hold a matchless course,
And our brave soldiers dread no equal force;
To you our laws, our lives, our homes we trust,
And Discord's serpent-heads shall sure be crush'd.
Ingenuous Patriot, thine excursive mind,

That muses every blessing to mankind,
Devis'd this faithful, patriot, mutual band,
And cares for England-England's thanks demand;
A kindred flame all loyal bosoms feel,

Young's patriot thoughts out-ran not Gooch'st zeal.

* Arthur Young, esq. of Bradfield started the first hint of raising the Yeomanry Cavalry, by his proposal for a Horse Militia of property.

+ Sir Thomas Gooch, Bart. who very early, if not as soon, con, ceived and communicated the same idea.

Free, loyal Yeomanry, thy country's pride, Such as no realm on earth can boast beside, Behold thy standard, gift of Lady fair,

you

feel;

No sordid hands could form a work so rare ;
Panthea's§ self could nought, more prais'd, afford,
When for the fatal field she deck'd her Lord.
Should these fair Banners fly 'midst war's alarms,
And the loud trumpet call your troop to arms,
Remember then, and prove with keen edg'd steel,
For female worth and beauty what
Remember too, thro' life, the sacred day,
When in the hallow'd place thy standard lay
Devote to God, that he may speed the cause
Of British freedom, property, and laws.
Unless he prosper, human strength must fail,
Tho' clad, like him of Gath, in coat of mail;
From his high will our ev'ry blessing flows,
And courage to defy the fury of our foes.

THE ELVEDON HUNT,

1754:

BY RICHARD GARDINER, ESQ. ALIAS DICK

MERRY-FELLOW,

Of Mount-Amelia, in the Parish of Ingoldisthorp, Norfolk.

Elvedon, a small village, was formerly of some note for the session of certain justices of the peace, who, when the king's commissioners appointed to

Alluding to the story of Panthea and Abradates, in Xenophon,

apprehend, try, and punish, the riotous inhabitants of Bury in 1327, for the outrages committed by them against the abbot and convent of that town, only indicted them for a trespass, boldy proceeded against them as felons; on which they were brought to trial, and nineteen suffered death.

Elvedon gave the title of Viscount to that gallant and distinguished Officer the Right Hon. Augustus Keppel, Admiral of the White. To the right of the village is Elvedon-Hall, long the residence of his Lordship; from whom it descended to the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Albemarle, who in 18 sold it to Richard Newton, Esq. the present possessor, who is now rebuilding the Hall.

To you, fair ladies of the field!
We sportsmen now indite;
To you our morning pleasures yield,
And think of you at night:

Tho' hares and foxes run a-pace,
'Tis beauty gives the finest chace.

The morning rose, and with a fog,
Inclos'd the heath all round;
So thick we scarce could see a dog,

Ten yards upon the ground:

Yet we to Elden took our way,
True sportsmen never mind the day.

Like Venus (if she was so fair
As antient poets feign,

With coral lip and golden hair,

Just rising from the main)

We saw the lovely Bell* appear,

Nor miss'd the sun when she was near.

* Miss Bell Shadwell, of Buxton Lodge, near Thetford.

At Elden, on a trail we hit,

And soon the hare we found, When up she started from a pit,

And stretch'd along the ground: Hark forward! all the sportsmen cry'd, Hark forward! hills and dales reply'd.

Quite cross the country, and away
She fled in open view;
Our huntsman was the first to say,
"She ran not but she flew :"

Whilst Billy Grigson rode and swore,
"'Twas old Mother Rogers gone before."

With pleasure Greene the chace pursu❜d,
Nor wish'd for music then ;

But often as the hare he view'd,

In raptures he began :

"Tell me, ye gods! if

any sounds

"Be half so sweet as t' hear the hounds."

Thus for an hour, all in full cry,
We nimbly trip along ;

Nor thought that madam was to die,

Nor we to have a song:

Says Slapp, "though now she runs so fast, "Brave boys: we'll put her down at last."

Kind fate indulg'd an hour more,
And back she turn'd again;
Such sport sure ne'er was seen before,
But all her turns were vain :

For Butler, foremost of the pack,

And Frolick seiz'd her by the back.