i8 CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 



deer, they might be heard at an immense distance. 

 Even when running at speed they always gave 

 plenty of tongue, and their great size enabled them 

 to cross the long heather and rough sedgy pasturage 

 of the forest without effort or difficulty. Though 

 the quotation may not be in all respects apposite, I 

 cannot help, when thinking of these noble animals, 

 recalling the description given by Theseus of his 

 hounds in ' Midsummer Night's Dream ' : — 



' My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind, 

 So flew'd so sanded ; and their heads are hung 

 With ears that sweep away the morning dew , 

 Crook-knee'd and dew-lapp'd like Thessalian bulls ; 

 Slow in pursuit, but matched in mouth like bells. 

 Each under each : — a cry more tuneable 

 Was never holla'd to, nor cheer'd with horn.' 



Alas ! that these hounds should now be consigned 

 to the kennel of a German baron, where I believe 

 they still hunt their old quarry, the deer, or the 

 fiercer game, the wild boar. The hills and woods 

 of Devon and Somerset will never again ring to the 

 melody of such a pack. 



' Never did I hear 

 Such gallant chiding; for besides the groves, 

 The skies, the fountains, every region near 

 Seemed all one mutual cry ; I never heard 

 So musical a discord — such sweet thunder.' 



