HUNTING SONGS 



XX 



He spurr'd his steed and went his way. 



Light-hearted as he came ; 

 And as he went half dead was she 



With anger and with shame. 



T'he Love-Chace 



FOND Lover ! pining night and day, 

 Come h'sten to a hunter's lay ; 

 The craft of each is to pursue, 

 Then learn from hunting how to woo. 



It matters not to eager hound 

 The cover where the fox is found. 

 Whether he o'er the open fly. 

 Or echoing woods repeat his cry ; 

 And when the welcome shout says " Gone ! 

 Then we, whate'er the line, rush on. 

 Seen seated in the banquet-hall, 

 Or view'd afoot at midnight ball. 

 Whene'er the beating of your heart 

 Proclaims a find, that moment start ! 



If silence best her humour suit. 

 Then make at first the running mute ; 

 But if to mirth inclin'd, give tongue 

 In spoken jest or ditty sung ; 

 Let laughter and light prattle cheer 

 The love-chace, when the maid is near ; 



32 



