MR. RUSSELL.— 1831. ^23 



THE SAMU BY VENATOR. 



Old Sol to the south travels slo^vly along, 

 Scarce deigniiif^ a gleam from the vapours ajuong ; 

 Tlie mists, when (lisj)ers'd from the valle) and glen, 

 Retire to the tops of the mountain again. 

 Our world lies below — In the plain, on the wold, 

 On upland, in lowland, on liills sharp and cold ; 

 In vale and in coi»se, in brake and in wood, 

 Witli a sturdy old fox, and a scent warm and good. 

 On a nag stout as steel, tliat can dash thro' the mire, 

 And jump ev'ry fence — this is all we require. 



We met to-daj^ a Field as fine 

 As ever chasd a fox in line, 

 A Field more splendid never drew 

 A wood, or o'er a country f!ew j 

 No Sportsman, were he so inclin'd. 

 Durst leave his choicest nas; behind. 



That fav'rite cover Radbourne Gorse 

 Was drawn — where we expect, of course. 

 An out-and-out good fox to find. 

 As stout as brave, and fleet as wind. 



The hounds had scarcely time to make 

 Their M'ay into the prickly brake, 

 Than an old fox of noble mien 

 Dash'd o'er the sward of brownish-green. 



The ' Tallyho ! ' sweet grateful sound, 

 Was caught by Sportsman, horse, and hound. 

 Whilst echo spread the gladsome tale 

 Of * Tallyho' thro' copse and dale. 

 Bold reynard, at his swiftest pace 

 Led on in gallant style the chase 

 Near forty minutes — finer ground 

 Was never cross'd by fox or hound. 



