4 THE MASTER OF GAME 



small curs that come to be terriers and their 

 nature, and then I shall devise and tell the sick- 

 nesses of hounds and their diseases. And further- 

 more I will describe what qualities and manners 

 a good hunter should have, and of what parts he 

 should be, and after that I will describe the 

 manner and shape of the kennel, and how it 

 should be environed and arrayed. Also I will 

 describe of what fashion a hunter's horn should 

 be driven, and how the couplings should be made 

 for the raches and of what length. Furthermore 

 I will prove by sundry reasons in this little pro- 

 logue, that the life of no man that useth gentle 

 game and disport be less displeasable unto God 

 than the life of a perfect and skilful hunter, 

 or from which more good cometh. The first 

 reason is that hunting causeth a man to eschew 

 the seven deadly sins. Secondly men 'are better 

 when riding, more just and more understanding, 

 and more alert and more at ease and more under- 

 taking, and better knowing of all countries and all 

 passages ; in short and long all good customs and 

 manners cometh thereof, and the health of man 

 and of his soul. For he that fleeth the seven 

 deadly sins as we believe, he shall be saved, there- 

 fore a good hunter shall be saved, and in this 

 world have joy enough and of gladness and of 

 solace, so that he keep himself from two things. 

 One is that he leave not the knowledge nor the 



