Here and There 227 



The Mountain Bull ^> <^> 



FADES slow the light ; the east is grey ; 

 The weary warder leaves his tower ; 

 Steeds snort ; uncoupled stag-hounds bay, 

 And merry hunters quit the bower. 



The drawbridge falls — they hurry out — 

 Clatters each plank and swinging chain, 

 As, dashing o'er, the jovial rout 

 Urge the shy steed, and slack the rein. 



First of his troop the Chief rode on ; 

 His shouting merry-men throng behind ; 

 The steed of princely Hamilton 

 Was fleeter than the mountain wind. 



From the thick copse the roebucks bound. 

 The startled red-deer scuds the plain. 

 For the hoarse bugle's warrior sound 

 Has roused their mountain haunts again. 



Through the huge oaks of Evandale, 

 Whose limbs a thousand years have worn. 

 What sullen roar comes down the gale. 

 And drowns the hunter's pealing horn ? 



Mightiest of all the beasts of chase, 

 That roam in wooded Caledon, 

 Crashing the forest in his race, 

 The Mountain Bull comes thunderins; on. 



'& 



Fierce on the hunter's quiver'd band, 

 He rolls his eyes of swarthy glow. 

 Spurns, with black hoof and horn, the sand, 

 And tosses hio-h his mane of snow. 



o 



Q 2 



