FOX-HUNTING. 747 



True courage never fails. In vain the stream 

 In foaming eddies whirls, in vain the ditch 

 Wide gaping threatens death. The crapfgy steep, 

 Where the poor dizzy shephei'd crawls with care, 

 And clings to every 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 

 Hide on the billows, and defy the storm.' 



SOMERVILLE. 



" 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 with what eagerness they cross the 

 plain. Galloper no longer keeps his place, Brusher 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 ! — see 

 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, you are beat ; 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 the cover ; 

 he is right, unless he heads the fox. 



' Heavens ! what melodious strains ! how beat our hearts. 

 Big with tumultuous joy ! the loaded gales 

 Breathe harmony I and as the tempest drives 

 From wood to wood, thro' every dark recess 

 The forest thunders, and the mountains shake.' 



SOMERVILLE. 



