^^ BACHELORS' HALL: Written and composed by Mr. [Charles] DIBDIN, FOR His ENTERTAINMENT called The ODDITIES.
To Bachelors'-hall we good fellows invite, To partake of the chace that makes up our delight; We have spirits like fire, and of health such a stock That our Pulse strikes the seconds as true as a clock; Did you see us, you'd swear, as we mount with a grace, That Diana had dubb'd some new gods of the chace.
CHORUS: Hark away! hark away! All nature looks gay, And Aurora with smiles ushers in the bright day.
Dick Thickset came mounted upon a fine black, A better fleet gelding ne'er hunter did back; Tom Trig rode a bay, full of mettle and bone, And gaily Bob Buxom rode proud on a roan; But the horse of all horses that rivall'd the day, Was the 'Squire's Neck-or-nothing, and that was a grey.
CHORUS: Hark away! hark away! While our spirits are gay, Let us drink to the joys of the next coming day.
Then for hounds there was Nimble, so well that climbs rocks, And Cocknose, a good one at scenting a fox, Little Plunge, like a mole who will ferret and search, And beetle-brow'd Hawk's-eye, so dead at a lurch; Young Sly-looks, that scents the strong breeze from the south, And musical Echowell, with his deep mouth.
Hark away, &c.
Our horses thus all of the very best blood, 'Tis not likely you'll easily find such a stud; And for hounds, our opinions with thousands we'll back, That all England throughout can't produce such a pack: Thus having describ'd you dogs, horses, and crew, Away we set off, for the fox is in view.
Hark away, &c.
Sly reynard's brought home, while the horns sound a call, And now you're all welcome to Bachelors'-hall; The savory sirloin grateful smoaks on the board, And Bacchus pours wine from his favourite hoard; Come on, then, do honour to this jovial place, And enjoy the sweet pleasures that spring from the chace.