87 



And you'll understand what I mean if I say, 



That he rode in his usual masterly way ; 



While we all must admit, that in quest of sly reynard, 



There's no one rides straighter or lighter than Lennard.(9) 



Then " a health to the pack " must conclude this long 



letter, 

 Eor where is the country can show us a better ? 

 Where lives there an owner more popular ? where is 

 The huntsman to vie with the bold Harry Ayris ? 

 Long may Berkeley's wide coverts re-echo his voice, 

 And many such fox bid his old heart rejoice ! 

 And oft may he talk of the run from Hill's Wood, 

 Till the day when he shows us another as good. 

 That you, reader, and I may be there on that day, 

 Is the prayer of the man (lo) on the thoro' bred grey. 



P. K. B. Oliphant. 



ON THE DEATH OF THE EOX AT GOPSALL, 



1868. 



Not a halloa was heard, nor a blast of the horn, 



As away thro' the cover he scurried ; 

 Not a bay from a hound, nor a who whoop was borne 



O'er the grave where poor reynard we buried. 



We buried him silently, holding our breath — 



To sportsmen in future a warning ; 

 But murder will out, and his untimely death 



Was known everywhere in the morning. 



9. T. Lennard, Esq., of Bristol. 

 10. P. Kington Oliphant, Esq., (the author of the poem.) 



