Fine Art Auctions

Tom Moody – The Whipper-In
Plate 1
You all knew Tom Moody, the Whipper–in, well;
The bell just done tolling was honest Tom’s knell:
A more able sportsman ne’er follow’d a hound
Through a country well known to him fifty miles round
Plate 2
No hound ever open’d, with Tom near the wood
But he’d challenge the note, and could tell if ‘twas good;
And all with attention would eagerly mark,
When he cheer’d up the pack, ‘Hark! to Rockwood! Hark! Hark!
Heigh! Wind him! And cross him! Now Ratler boy, Hark!
Plate 3
Six crafty earth-stoppers in hunters’ green dress’d.
Supported poor Tom to his last place of rest;
His horse, which he styl’d his old soul, next appear’d,
On whose forehead the brush of his last fox was rear’d;
Whip, Cap, Boots, and Spurs, in a trophy were bound,
And here and there followed an old straggling hound.
Ah! no more at his voice yonder vales will they trace,
Nor the wrekin resound his first burst in the chase.
With, Heigh over! Now press him! Tally ho! Tally ho!
Plate 4
Thus Tom spoke his friends ere he gave up his breathe:
‘Since I see you’re resolv’d to be in at the death.
One favour bestow_ ‘tis the last I shall crave.
Give a rattling view halloo thrice over my grave:
And unless at that warning I lift up my head,
My Boys, you may fairly conclude I am dead!
Honest Tom was obey’d, and the shout rent the sky
For ev’ry voice join’d in the Tally ho! Cry;
Hark forward! Heigh over! Tally ho! Tally ho! Tally ho! Tally ho!