62 LEONARD WHEATCROFT, OF ASHOVER. 



" Of a famous Hunting much to be admired in the Parish of 

 Ashover vpon Newyears Day by Master Henry Lees with 

 his 3 couple of Beagles as you shall heare in this following 

 ditty. 1694. 



" (i) Vou gentlemen Huntsmen come listen awhile 



And I'll tell you a story, 'twill make you to smile. 



A few of them once were gathered together 



January the first, when it was foule weather. 



In Ashover parish we first did th' fox spy 



At a place we call Cow-bridge — I'll tell you noe Lie. 



" (2) Then 'Nimble' and 'Famous' did after him follow, 



And all the brave Huntsmen did make a great 'Hallow.' 

 Brave ' Rockwood ' and ' Ringvvood ' with rest o' th' pack 

 Did follow so close till they catch'd liim by th' back : 

 Rare ' Dido ' stick'd close : like a bird she did fly 

 With 'Gamester' and 'Bellman,' I'll tell you no Lie. 



" (3) He run to Mabkirke as fast as he could. 



Where he staid but awhile, for there was no hould. 

 Rare ' Dido ' was nimble, but not very tall : 

 Shee forced ould Renard to th' top of a wall, 

 Where for two acre length, he never fell by, 

 But ran clearly aloft — 'Tis no bit of a Lie. 



" (4) Then 'Famous' and 'Dido' did run on each .side. 

 Resolving to tame the old Fox for his pride 

 For climbing so high, and forsaking the ground ; 

 Rut at last you'll admire where ould Renald was found ; 

 For when on the earth no hold he could spy. 

 He ran up a mill wheel — I'm sure 'tis no Lie. 



'• (5) There close he did lie in a bucket o'th' wheele ; 



The like was ne'er known that a scent they could feele : 

 But being rare doggs as our shire can bring out 

 They catch'd him i' th' parish he never ran out : 

 They follow 'd so close, and made such a cry, 

 The like was ne'er known : I'm sure 'tis no Lie. 



" (6) Now all you brave huntsmen & bold merry blades, 

 Pray keep well your geldings and ride on no jades. 

 And I'll keep my doggs well, for I know they are free. 

 I have but three couples the best i' th' countree ; 

 For if they could once but ould Reynould espy 

 They'd soon overtake him, I'm sure 'tis no lie. 



