TO OLD TEMPLETON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5949, 20 March 1880, Page 5

TO OLD TEMPLETON.

The following lines are from the pen of Mr .Bracken : Old favourite, thy day is o’er. And plaudits great thy form, no more. The loud huzzas and shoots of yore That cheer’d Traducer’s ton. Are silent now, for thou art old; Thy quondam friends aro growing cold. But still thou art as good as gold, My brave old Templeton. I think of all thy deeds and sigh, I see thee with thine head on high. With nostrils stretch’d, and clear bright eye. Before the race is run; I watch thee from the start, and cry: Now, now, lads, see the old horse fly I He leads 1 He’s up the straight! Eo’s by 1 Bravo, old lempleton!" Old courser, in thy palmy days. No vice had'st thou; thy gentle ways Excited every sportsman’s praise; And when the race was won. With gentle mien, and modest brow. Thou stood’st as calm and meek as now. No vain, conceited braggart thou, My kind old Templeton. When flash young colts led off the ruck, I’ve seen thee glide along, old buck, .With all that steady, British pluck. Which makes a fight mere fan; You’d let the youngsters take tut- lead Till nearing home, my grand old steed. And then, ah! then, yon proved your breed. My proud old Templeton, Cheer up, old friend, thy deeds shall glow In song and story, well I'know, Zn years to come, and bards shall show How well thy work was done; They’ll sing of thee in many a strain. And count thy vict’nes o’er again; Thy life has been without a stain, My grand old feraj leton.