Frank Beers^ Huntsman. 97 



And all of them well mounted were on nags of bone and speed, 

 And well for them their horses could both leap and stay at need. 



V. 



Through Helmdon on to Stuchbury we wound a devious way, 

 The Spinneys drawing blank, alas ! no fox lay there that day. 

 Halse* Copse in order next we drew, and every stout heart sank 

 When Beers' "Come, come, come away," proclaimed another 

 blank. 



VI. 



But scarce a bow-shot off from there yet one more coppice 



stood — 

 Little Halse Copse, the cognomen of that now far-famed wood. 

 Which held that day so stout a fox that had but fate been kind 

 He might perchance have saved his brush and left us far behind. 



VII. 



The hounds were soon upon his drag, old Rattler feathered 



high, 

 Then gave his deeped-tongued challenge and the others scored 



to cry. 

 Full soon was Pug unkennelled when he heard the warning 



notes, 

 That swift into a chorus swelled from five-and-thirty throats. 



VIII. 



Our fox soon showed himself to be bred of that right good sort. 

 Erst wont to show our ancestors such rare old-fashioned sport. 

 He scorned to run the covert long, but broke away in style, 

 And gained a well-earned start perhaps of nearly half a mile. 



IX. 



Beers galloped round and gave his horn a spirit-stirring twang. 

 The hounds streamed out of covert, then their diapason rang 



* Pronounced Haws. 

 H 



