Skip to content
1864–1941

Well, he's down safe as far as the start...

Andrew Barton Paterson

Well, he's down safe as far as the start, and he seems to sit on pretty neat, Only his baggified breeches would ruinate anyone's seat — They're away — here they come — the first fence, and he's head over heels for a crown! Good for the new chum, he's over, and two of the others are down!

Now for the treble, my hearty — By Jove, he can ride, after all; Whoop, that's your sort — let him fly them! He has n't much fear of a fall. Who in the world would have thought it? And are n't they just going a pace?

Little Recruit in the lead there will make it a stoutly-run race. Lord! But they're racing in earnest — and down goes Recruit on his head, Rolling clean over his boy — it's a miracle if he ai n't dead. Battleaxe, Battleaxe, yet! By the Lord, he's got most of‘ em beat —

Ho! did you see how he struck, and the swell never moved in his seat? Second time round, and, by Jingo! he's holding his lead of‘ em well; Hark to him clouting the timber! It do n't seem to trouble the swell. Now for the wall — let him rush it. A thirty-foot leap, I declare —

Never a shift in his seat, and he's racing for home like a hare. What's that that's chasing him — Rataplan — regular demon to stay! Sit down and ride for your life now! Oh, good, that's the style — come away!

Rataplan's certain to beat you, unless you can give him the slip; Sit down and rub in the whalebone now — give him the spurs and the whip! Battleaxe, Battleaxe, yet — and it's Battleaxe wins for a crown; Look at him rushing the fences, he wants to bring t'other chap down.

Rataplan never will catch him if only he keeps on his pins; Now! the last fence! and he's over it! Battleaxe, Battleaxe wins! Well, sir, you rode him just perfect — I knew from the first you could ride.

Some of the chaps said you could n't, an’ I says just like this a’ one side: Mark me, I says, that's a tradesman — the saddle is where he was bred. Weight! you're all right, sir, and thank you; and them was the words that I said.

Cookies on Poetry Cove

We use cookies to remember your language preference and — only with your consent — to learn how Poetry Cove is used. You can change your mind any time.
Well, he's down safe as far as the start... · Andrew Barton Paterson · Poetry Cove