Now what do you want to be playing about for, br Reefing and reaching your head for the bit? br This is the gentlest of canters you're out for, br And neither yourself nor your rider is fit ; br I, who have lazed . br While the summer sun blazed, br At ease in a hammock with cool things to drink; br You, late a rover br In cocksfoot and clover, br With mud on your mane-locks and loose shoes a-clink. br This is too soon to be prancing and sidling; br The elm is still green and the ditches are blind; br The sun is still strong and suggestive of idling- br So, Biddy, be kind! br Time and enough when they're drawing the gorses br To put up your back with those ominous squeals, br To plunge when they pass you on cantering horses, br To flaunt your red ribbon and fling up your heels. br Slippy and tarred br Is the highway, and hard; br A fall is the last thing on earth I desire; br By all means be sprightly, But do it politely br With not too much fervour and not too much fire.