HUSH ! HUSH ! HUSH ! 



Hope so fondly cherish'd was her silence meant to 

 crush ? 

 Was she thinking of the pack, 

 That no word could I win back. 

 As I rode beside my Lady-love, save " Hush, Hush, 

 Hush " ? 

 When the fox was view'd away. 

 Too discreet was I to say 

 One warning word to curb her keen impatience for 

 the race ; 

 Riding on throughout the burst. 

 Mid the foremost well-nigh first, 

 As with them she had started, with them still she 

 held her place ; 

 Though not a word I said. 

 Still I watch'd her as she sped. 

 The joyfulness of triumph gave her cheek a radiant 

 flush ; 

 Close beside her at the check, 

 When I stroked the chestnut's neck. 

 And her horsemanship applauded, all she said was 

 " Hush ! Hush ! Hush ! " 

 But when the day was o'er 

 And she reach'd her home once more. 

 Her hand she gently laid in mine to doff her riding 

 glove ; 

 And its pressure seem'd to say 

 Ere she took it quite away, 

 " A time there is for hunting and a time for making 

 ove. 

 There was heard a stifled sigh, 

 There was softness in her eye, 



197 



