Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SHOOTING SONG, by WILLIAM BRIGHTY RANDS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SHOOTING SONG, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: To shoot, to shoot, would be my delight
Last Line: Get out of the way—one, two, three, fire!
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Matthew; Holbeach, Henry
Subject(s): Shooting


TO shoot, to shoot, would be my delight,
"To shoot the cats that howl in the night;
To shoot the lion, the wolf, the bear,
To shoot the mad dogs out in the square.

I learnt to shoot with a pop-gun good,
Made out of a branch of elder wood;
It was round, and long, full half a yard,
The plug was strong, the pellets were hard.

I should like to shoot with a bow of yew,
As the English at Agincourt used to do;
The strings of a thousand bows went twang,
And a thousand arrows whizzed and sang!

On Hounslow Heath I should like to ride,
With a great horse-pistol at my side:
It is dark—hark! A robber, I know!
Click! crick-crack! and away we go!

I will shoot with a double-barrelled gun,
Two bullets are better than only one;
I will shoot some rooks to put in a pie;
I will shoot an eagle up in the sky.

I once shot a bandit—in a dream—
In a mountain pass I heard a scream;
I rescued the lady, and set her free,
"Do not fear, madam, lean on me!"

With a boomerang I could not aim;
A poison blow-pipe would be the same;
A double-barrelled is my desire,
Get out of the way—one, two, three, fire!





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