The ideas expressed by the following poem in its entirety may or may not reflect the opinions of the Antebellum Turf Times – ATT Editor]

 

Stanzas by a Sporting Bachelor – author unknown

Love is just like a race-ground – it is, by my soul,
Where losses or gains may betide us;
We men are the racers – and marriage the goal,
And Cupid the jockey to ride us!

To start in this race ‘gainst a nymph that is old,
May prove or a gain, or an evil;
She’s an angel – though ugly – if weighted with gold,
But if saddled – with debts – she’s a devil!

The wisest and best, in this dangerous course,
Have oft been detected in tripping;
For the curb of discretion oft fails in its force,
When the passions are spurring and whipping.

There remains but one point of resemblance to trace,
Which the ladies oft find in a lover;
He’s eager and warm, while he strives in the race,
But the heat, when he wins it, is over!

 

American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine 10 (September 1839): 519.