THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 425 



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, 

 Victoi' — 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 of the cover ; he is right, 

 unless he head the fox. 



Ileav'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, through every dark recess 

 The forest thunders, and the mountains shake. 



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 ! 



What lengths we pass ! where will the wand'ring chase 

 Lead us bewildered ? smooth as swallows skim 

 The new-shorn mead, and far more swift we fly. 

 See my brave pack ; how to the head they press, 

 Jostling in close array ; then more diffuse 

 Obhquely wheel, while from their op'ning mouths 

 The vollied thunder breaks. 



Look back and riew 



The strange confusion of the vale below. 

 Where sore vexation reigns ; 



Old age laments 



His vigour spent; the tall, plump, brawny youth 

 Curses his cumbrous bulk ; and envies now 

 The short pygmean race, he whilom kenn'd 

 With proud insulting leer. A chosen few 

 Alone the sport enjoy, nor droop beneath 

 Their pleasing toils. 



3 I 



