Tally-ho 2 1 1 



heard it reported that at the massacre of Paris (St. 

 Bartholomew) Montgomerie, taking an English 

 mare in the night, first swam over the river Seine, 

 and after ran her so many leagues as I fear to nomi- 

 nate, lest misconstruction might tax me of too 

 lavish a report. Again, for swiftness, what nation 

 has brought forth that horse which hath exceeded 

 the English — when the best Barbarys that ever 

 were in their prime, I saw them overrun by a 

 black hobby at Salisbury ; yet that hobby was more 

 overrun by a horse called Valentine, which Valen- 

 tine neither in hunting or running was ever equalled, 

 yet was a plain-bred English horse both by sire and 

 dam ? Again, for infinite labour and long endurance, 

 which is to be desired in our hunting matches, I 

 have not seen any horse to compare with the 

 English. He is of tolerable shape, strong, valiant, 

 and durable. 



Gervase Markham. 



The Coal-black Steed <:> ^ 



WHOEVER is fond of a hunting lay 

 Has heard of the neck-or-nothing grey ; 

 The "horse of all horses" that carried the Squire, 

 Which the hardest day could never tire. 

 Now, I have a nag that a king from his throne 

 Might jump with rapture to call his own — 

 For beautiful shape, for courage and speed, 

 I challenge the world with my coal-black steed. 



The blood of Eclipse runs free in his sire : 

 His dam's descended from old High Flyer ; 

 And none who know her would ever dare 

 Attempt to throw a stain on the mare. 



