Cub f^imting. 75 



How conies skedaddle, and birds utter notes 

 Of surprise at so eady a hunt to get up ! 



But soon is proclaimed by the trustier throats, 

 That a fox has been roused by a promising pup. 



With a shrill "Tally ho ! " he is view'd o'er the riding. 

 And scarcely a minute has passed ere Jack's there; 



The notes of his horn bring the pack, and he's gliding 

 Along in their wake on his little blood mare. 



A scent there is — hark to the gladdening chorus ! 

 And the wide rings hounds run also tell their own 

 tale, 

 That the cub which Tom view'd is still forging 



before us ; 

 — His parents Ned watched steal away o'er the vale. 



There are others on foot, little brothers and sisters, 

 Who skulk here and there as the music draws near; 



But the bitches for blood are such heartless persisters, 

 That change they will not with this scent, never fear. 



A quickening chorus, a short muffled worry. 



Then silence proclaims what whoo hoop doth 

 endorse ; 



To save brush and mask Jack you surely must hurry, 

 Though quickest of men, and on hardiest horse. 



