II.

As the hour of two chimed forth from the clock, Out came the favourite with Jackanape Jock, As they swept round the corner, they were received with a yell, Cantering down in the open, both showed off so well.

Even the starter of the Horsely stock Had lumped his little on Jackanape Jock; He mounted his steed, as the hand bell rang, Which signalled the time when his duties began.

Then, the rest of the field trotted down to the dell, They muster’d fifteen――all known very well; But none so cute at getting out of a block As the favourite bay and the Jackanape Jock.

The sun in heaven shone bright and gay; All who’d any coin began to hedge or to lay;

## Bookmakers screamed their odds all around,

Four to one, three to one, then two to one pound.

The bay with the Jackanape Jock was seen A dark little speck by the other fifteen; Sir Ralph took his glasses from round his neck And fixed his eyes on that dark little speck.

He felt the cheering power of spring, He’d all on the bay, slap down to his ring, It was wealth or ruin――nothing less―― But Sir Ralph felt certain of success.

He watched the white flag brightly float, He watched the starter’s light covert coat, He saw the nags standing as firm as a rock, But the one which stood best was the bay and his jock.

The flag is lower’d――away they go, The start is fair――the pace not slow, The excitement is great――all gaze on the race, And even _their_ tongues are quiet for a space.

Up by the dell, as if spurning the ground, Though straining each muscle, each gracefully bound; But from the tip of his tail to the end of each hock It looks like a win for the bay and his jock.

Sir Ralph he shouted and praised the bay, He fancied he’d got it all his own way; He began counting his gains, and hoarding his ore, And chuckled with glee at the thought of his store.

All of a sudden, the bay lessens his speed, And cease to take such a prominent lead; “He’s keeping him in for the finish,” says he, And he praised the jock as he had the gee.

“The chap wants to show he’s well up to the course, And can win in a canter without tiring his horse; But I hope he won’t try and run it too fine, For even in racing you must draw the line.”

Yet still the bay lags behind more and more, The ring and the stands make more noise than before; Says Sir Ralph, “If he means pulling the bay, I tell you beforehand, I’m d――d if I pay.”

Here they are――they have pass’d and the great race is run, The numbers go up and all have been done―― And nothing but swearing and cursing is heard, For the bay and his jock came in a bad third.

Sir Ralph he swore and tore his hair, He curst himself in his despair; He curst the bay; he curst the jock; And he curst his owner like one o’clock.