74 <^tilj Hunting;. 



CUB HUNTING, 



HE rain of the fore-night had moistened the 

 ridings, 

 And threaded its way through the nut, 

 briar and thorn, 

 Which soon shall re-echo the musical tidings 



That cubs to be hunted were here bred and born. 



With twice thirteen couple of beautiful bitches 

 Around him, see Jack at the bridle gate sits ; 



His hack, if to safely encounter the ditches 



So blind as they are, should be blessed with rare 

 wits. 



A quivering stern here and there in the cluster. 

 Denotes an old hound who Tom scarce can restrain 



From breaking away from the juvenile muster. 

 So eager she is to be " at it " again. 



But the grey dawn of morn's scarce succeeded the 

 night 

 Ere the Master's arrived, and the hounds to Jack's 

 cheer 

 Dash into the bracken, and spread left and right, 

 And excusable quite is some slight riot we hear. 



