The Hunt in Literature 17 



The tuneful noise the sprightly courser hears, 

 Paws the green turf, and pricks his trembling ears ; 

 The slacken'd rein now gives him all his speed. 

 Back flies the rapid ground beneath the steed ; 

 Hills, dales, and forests, far behind remain. 

 While the warm scent draws on the deep-mouth'd 



train. 

 Where shall the trembling hare a shelter find ? 

 Hark ! death advances in each gust of wind ! 

 New stratagems and doubling wiles she tries ; 

 Till, spent at last, she pants and heaves for breath. 

 Then lays her down, and waits devouring death. 



John Gay, 



The Soul of a Country's Life -.^^^ ■«r> 



IT would be needless to enumerate the heroes of 

 antiquity who were taught the art of hunting, 

 or the many great men [among whom was the 

 famous Galen] who have united in recommending 

 it. I shall, however, remind you, that your beloved 

 hero, Henry the Fourth of France, made it his chief 

 amusement [his very loveletters, strange as it may 

 appear, being filled with little else] ; and that one of 

 the greatest ministers which our own country ever 

 produced, was so fond of this diversion, that the 

 first letter he opened, as I have been told, was 

 generally that of his huntsman. In most countries, 

 from the earliest times, hunting has been a principal 

 occupation of the people,either for use or amusement ; 

 and many princes have made it their chief delight ; 

 . . . Hunting is the soul of a country life : it gives 

 health to the body, and contentment to the mind ; 

 and is one of the few pleasures that we can enjoy in 

 society, without prejudice either to ourselves or our 

 friends. 



Peter Beckford. 



