A Norfolk Hunt meet at the Noel Morss estate, Needham, Massachusetts, circa mid-twentieth century
The roster of members who in 1898 organized the Norfolk Hunt (MA) near Boston, and rode as members through the early years of the twentieth century, boasts well-known family names synonymous with American commerce, finance, and government. One member, active through the middle of the twentieth century, perhaps lesser known but every bit as interesting, was Noel Morss. (His grandfather founded the Simplex Wire and Cable Company.)
Morss served as treasurer then president of the Norfolk Hunt from 1951 to 1964. He’d graduated from Harvard Law School, practiced law in Boston, and was also highly regarded as an amateur anthropologist and archaeologist. His discoveries made while leading Peabody Museum archaeological expeditions to Arizona and Utah and his scholarship that followed were of such caliber that he was appointed to a committee chairmanship at both Harvard and the Peabody.
Less recognized perhaps was his remarkable talent for writing humorous and whimsical verse. Here’s one that should resonate with anyone who’s ever taken riding lessons. Without attribution, one would readily assume it to be from the pen of Ogden Nash.
The Cricket and the Guinea-Pig
by Noell Morss
A cricket and a guinea-pig were walking down the street.
“Remark, I beg,” the cricket cried, “the timing of my feet!
“For it’s left-front, right middle, left middle, right-hind,
“Left-hind, right front, and repeat.
“It’s a gem of choreography. It overcomes geography.
“I worked it out. I think it’s rather neat.
“It’s formalized and synthesized. Each element is relevant.
“There’s not a movement in it that’s effete.
“For it’s left-front, right middle, left middle, right-hind,
“Left-hind, right front, and repeat.
“It’s complicated, syncopated, asymmetric, multi-gaited
“Canter, trot, and singlefoot, complete.
“It’s perfection sextupedal. I deserve to get a medal.
“It always works. It never jerks. It’s sweet!
“For it’s left-front, right middle, left middle, right-hind,
“Left-hind, right front, and repeat.”
By this time the guinea-pig was thoroughly replete
With cricket conversation on the timing of the feet.
He turned the insect over, left him kicking in the street.
(“He kicked left-front, right middle, left middle, right-hind,
“Left-hind, right front, and repeat.)
Posted February 29, 2016
“The Cricket and the Guinea-Pig” is reproduced from The Norfolk Hunt: One Hundred Years of Sport with the kind permission of the Norfolk Hunt.