EMULATION OF THE HOUNDS 141 



In rapture and in sweet oblivion lost, 



Yield a short interval and ease from pain. — Somerville. 



Mark how he runs the cover's utmost limits, yet 

 dares not venture forth : the hounds are still too near ! 

 That check is lucky. Now, if our friends head him 

 not, he will soon be off. Hark, they halloo ! by 

 G — d he 's gone. 



Hark ! what loud shouts 

 Re-echo through the groves ! he breaks away : 

 Shrill horns proclaim his flight. Each straggling hound 

 Strains o'er the lawn to reach the distant pack. 

 Tis triumph all, and joy.— Somerville. 



Now, huntsman, get on with the head hounds ; the 

 whipper-in will bring on the others after you : keep 

 an attentive eye on the leading hounds, that, should 

 the scent fail them, you may know at least how far 

 they brought it. 



Mind Galloper, how he leads them! It is difficult 

 to distinguish which is first, they run in such a style ; 

 yet he is the foremost hound : the goodness of his 

 nose is not less excellent than his speed. How he 

 carries the scent ! and, when he loses it, see how 

 eagerly he flings to recover it again ! There, now 

 he 's at head again ! See how they top the hedge ! 

 Now, how they mount the hill ! Observe what a 

 head they carry ; and show me, if thou canst, one 

 shuffler or skirter amongst them all. Are they not 

 like a parcel of brave fellows, who, when they engage 

 in an undertaking, determine to share its fatigue and 

 its dangers equally among them. 



Far o'er the rocky hills we range, 

 And dangerous our course ; but in the brave 

 True courage never fails. In vain the stream 



