700 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



describes what then constituted the most perfect form of the 

 greyhound in his day, which holds good still : — 



Headed lyke a snake, 

 Necked lyke a drake. 

 Footed lyke a catte, 

 Taylled lyke a ratte, 

 Syded lyke a teme. 

 And chyned lyke a beame." 



The greyhound is the fleetest of all dogs, and is the only 

 one who can cope with the hare in speed. The keenness 

 with which he pursues his game is thus beautifully described 

 by Somerville : — 



*' With emulation fired, 

 They strain to leave the field, top the barred gate, 

 O'er the deep ditch exulting bound, and brush 

 The thorny-twining hedge : the ridges bend 

 O'er their arched necks : with steady bounds by turns 

 Indulge their speed, or moderate their pace." 



The greyhound never gives tongue, like other dogs of the 

 chase, when in pursuit of his game. 



Greyhounds have been held in much estimation for many 

 centuries in Great Britain. In the time of King John they 

 were accepted by him as payment in lieu of money for the 

 renewal of grants, fines, and forfeitures due to the crown. 

 There is one fine upon record, paid to that monarch in 1203, 

 which specifies "five hundred merks, ten horses, and ten 

 leashes of greyhounds f and we find another mentioned in 

 1210, of "one swift horse, and six greyhounds." 



The following curious circumstance is related by Frois- 

 sart, of King Richard the Second, when confined in the 

 castle of Flint ; which we shall give in the author's words. 



" And it was informed me, Kynge Eicharde had a grey 

 hounde called Matho, who always waited upon the kyn^c. 



