A Hurworth Hunt poem. 41 



hounds the same evening, and we fancy, despite the vein of 

 jealousy which existed between the Hurworth and Roxby and 

 Cleveland fellows, they would find very hospitable entertain- 

 ment for man and beast, when they ran into the heart of the 

 Cleveland Vale.] 



A Fox Chase in 1814, described by Col. Sleigh.* 



Mild was the breeze and fair the morn, 

 And blithe the echoings of the horn ; 

 When we, with spirits light and gay. 

 To Leven's coverts bent our way. 

 In silent hope we drew each glen, 

 To find the arch marauder's den, 

 When Tuneful with a cheerful cry. 

 Gave earnest that the chase was nigh. 

 Soon to confirm the faithful hound 

 We heard the joy-inspiring sound ; 

 A word unknown in rhyme, I fear, 

 Yet music to the Hunter's ear ; 

 More sweet to our enraptured throng. 

 Then fancy forms in Mara's song — 

 Tho' rude the term, the line tho' low 

 That dares to mention Tally-ho ! 

 The friends to hunting ne'er deny 

 The witchery of that magic cr5^ 

 With hark and whoop and wild halloo, 

 No rest the Leven's echoes knew ; 

 Till pressed he found his life at stake, 

 And left the fastness of the brake. 

 Oft had he tried, but tried in vain 

 The old retreat his earth to gain ; 

 Where, blanched in heaps, the remnants lay 

 Of many a luckless feathered prey. 

 Now o'er the hill and down the dale. 

 The pack imbibe the tainted gale ; 

 And in one universal cry 

 To me at least of melody, 

 Pursue their victim up the wind 

 . And many a horseman leave behind. 



To names uncouth the rustic muse, 

 Her homely strains shall ne'er refuse 

 The devious chance to tell — 

 She deigns to sing at Kavenscar, 

 * From an old volume of songs and verses written and collected by the late Squire Sutton, 

 of Elton, and kindly loaned to the Editor by Mr. William Armstrong, of Stockton. 



