42 



The north-west wind was blowing on that Februaiy 



morn, 

 And at Thistley when they went away we could not 



hear the horn. 

 Then such galloping and questioning, such riding and 



such rage, 

 Till at Thurgarton we find them, and at once our wrath 



assuage. 



On to Bleasby, slowly hunting, we come up by twos and 



threes, 

 And, o'er the ploughs performing, we arrive by slo\^ 



degrees. 

 From the gorse a change came over the spirit of our 



dream. 

 As downwards o'er the railway the hounds began to 



stream. 



How we cantered, how we galloped, and how down the 



lane we rode ; 

 How we saw the scent improving as a gallant head they 



showed. 

 I cannot well describe it, for my timid heart beat fast, 

 When I saw the Trent before us, and I felt the die was 



cast: 



One moment in the meadows close beside the flood w ' 



shrink. 

 And we anxiously watch Eolleston as he casts them on 



the brink ; 

 But the voices of the bargemen that rise above the roar, 

 And their cruel gestures show us that he's reached tlK' 



further shore. 



