THE CHASE" 123 



" But here a mean 



Observe, nor the large hound prefer, of size 

 Gigantic ; he in the thick-woven covert 

 Painfully tugs, or in the thorny brake 

 Torn and embarrassed bleeds : but if too small, 

 The pigmy brood in every furrow swims; 

 Moiled in the clogging clay, panting they lag 

 Behind inglorious ; or else shivering creep 

 Benumb 'd and faint beneath the sheltering thorn." 



On the breeding of hounds his opinion is beautifully 

 expressed, and well worthy of attention : 



" Observe with care his shape, sort, colour, size; 

 Nor will sagacious huntsmen less regard 

 His inward habits ; the vain babbler shun, 

 Ever loquacious, ever in the wrong. 

 His foolish offspring shall offend thy ears 

 With false alarms, and loud impertinence. 

 Nor less the shifting cur avoid, that breaks 

 Illusive from the pack; to the next hedge 

 Devious he strays, there every muse he tries; 

 If haply then he cross the steaming scent, 

 Away he flies vain-glorious and exults 

 As of the pack supreme, and in his speed 

 And strength unrivalled. Lo ! cast far behind 

 His vexed associates pant, and lab 'ring strain 

 To climb the steep ascent. Soon as they reach 

 Th' insulting boaster, his false courage fails, 

 Behind he lags, doomed to the fatal noose, 

 His master's hate, and scorn of all the field. 

 What can from such be hoped, but a base brood 

 Of coward curs, a frantic, vagrant race?" 



The interesting subjects of rendering hounds steady 

 from riot and entering them to their game are 

 amusingly and harmoniously discussed ; but as I have 

 quoted sufficient to show that many of the present 

 customs and circumstances connected with the chase 

 were known to our ancestors, I will only urge those of 

 my readers who have not read Somerville's poem and 

 are anxious to become more intimately acquainted with 

 the subjects on which it treats, to follow the excellent 

 example of Earl Fitzhardinge. 



