RIDING TO HOUNDS 



Ridi7ig to Hounds 



No inconsiderate rashness, or vain appetite 

 Of false encountering formidable things ; 

 But a true science of distinguishing 



Ben Jonson. 



AS when two dogs in furious combat close, 

 k. The bone forgotten whence the strife arose. 

 Some village cur secures the prize unseen, 

 And, while the mastiffs battle, picks it clean ; 

 So when two horsemen, jostling side by side. 

 Heed not the pack, but at each other ride. 

 More glorious still the loftier fences deem, 

 And face the brook where widest flows the stream ; 

 One breathless steed, when spurs no more avail. 

 Rolls o'er the cop, and hitches on the rail ; ' 

 One floundering lies — to watery ditch consign'd, 

 While laughing schoolboy leaves them both behind, 

 Pricks on his pony 'till the brush be won. 

 And bears away the honours of the run. 



Newby Ferry ' 



THE morning was mild as a morning in May, 

 Slingsby on Saltfish was out for the day ; 

 Thoughthe Ure was rain-swollen, the pack, dashing in, 

 Follow'd close on the fox they had found at the 

 Whin. 



1 Note 44. 2 Note 45. 



'35 



