THE FOX HEADED BACK 79 



is first, they run in such a style ; yet Tie is the foremost hound : the good- 

 ness of his nose is not less excellent than his speed. How he carries the 

 scent ! and, when he loses it, see how eagerly he flings to recover 

 it again ! There, now he's at head again ! See how they top the 

 hedge ! Now, how they mount the hill ! Observe what a head they 

 carry ; and show me, if thou canst, one shuffler or skirter amongst them 

 all. Are they not like a parcel of brave fellows, who, when they engage 

 in an undertaking, determine to share its fatigue and its dangers equally 

 among them. 



Far o'er the rocky hills we range, 

 And dangerous our course ; but in the brave 

 True courage never fails. In vain the stream 

 In foaming eddies whirls ; in vain the ditch, 

 Wide gaping, threatens death. The craggy steep, 

 Where the poor dizzy shepherd crawls with care, 

 And clings to ev'ry twig, gives us no pain ; 

 But down we sweep, as stoops the falcon bold 

 To pounce his prey. Then up th' opponent hill, 

 By the swift motion slung, we mount aloft : 

 So ships, in winter seas, now sliding sink 

 Adown the steepy wave, then toss'd on high, 

 Ride on the billows, and defy the storm. SOMEKVTLLE. 



It was then the fox I saw, as we came down the hill : those crows directed 

 me which way to look, and the sheep ran from him as he passed along. 

 The hounds are now on the very spot ; yet the sheep stop them not, for 

 they dash beyond them. Now see Avith what eagerness they cross the 

 plain ! Galloper no longer keeps his place. BrusTier takes it : see how he 

 flings for the scent, and how impetuously he runs ; how eagerly he took 

 the lead, and how he strives to keep it ! yet Victor comes up apace : he 

 reaches him ! Observe what an excellent race it is between them ! it is 

 doubtful which will reach the cover first. How equally they run ! how 

 eagerly they strain ! Now Victor, Victor ! Ah, Brusher, thou art beaten, 

 Victor first tops the hedge ! See there ; see how they all take it in their 

 strokes ! The hedge cracks with their weight, so many jump at once ! 



Now hastes the whipper-in to the other side of the cover : he is right, 

 unless he head the fox. 



Heav'ns ! what melodious strains ! how beat our hearts 



Big with tumultuous joy ! the loaded gales 



Breathe harmony ; and as the tempest drives 



From wood to wood, thro' ev'ry dark recess 



The forest thunders, and the mountains shake. SOMEKVILLE. 



Listen ! the hounds have turned : they are now in two parts. The fox 

 has been headed back, and we have changed at last. 



Now, my lad, mind the huntsman's halloo, and stop to those hounds 

 which he encourages. He is right ! that, doubtless, is the hunted fox. Now 

 they are off again. 



