'See, side by side, the jockey and Sir John
Discuss the important point of six to one;
For, O my Muse! the deep-felt bliss how dear--
How great the pride to gain a jockey's ear!'[76]
[76] Wharton's Newmarket.
Newmarket fame was an object of ambition sought by the most
distinguished personages.
'Go on, brave youths, till in some future age
Whips shall become the senatorial badge;
Till England see her thronging senators
Meet all at Westminster in boots and spurs;
See the whole House with mutual phrensy mad,
Her patriots all in leathern breeches clad;
Of bets for taxes learnedly debate, And guide with equal reins
a steed or state.'[77]
[77] Ibid.
And then at the winning-post what motley confusion.
--------------------'A thousand tongues
Jabber harsh jargon from a thousand lungs.
****
Dire was the din--as when in caverns pent,
Hoarse Boreas storms and Eurus works for vent,
The aeolian brethren heave the labouring earth,
And roar with elemental strife for birth.'[78]
[78] 'The Gamblers.' Horace had said long before--Tanto cum
strepitu ludi spectantur, 'So great a noise attends the games!
The frauds and stratagems of wily craft which once passed current
at Newmarket, surpassed everything that can be imagined at the
present day.
Pages:
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341