HISTORY OF THE LINLITHGOW 



In fine form the hounds, William Hay's ^ choicest lot, 



Had scarce been thrown in by old Christopher Scott,^ 



Ere a good fox is view'd breaking gallantly forth 



To the wood of Duntarvie, which lies to the north : 



Headed back from his point, hark how lengthened and loud 



Are the curses bestow'd on the meddling crowd ! 



Till the "view " given by Tom^ from the top of a ridge, 



Shews that reynard has cross'd the canal by the bridge. 



And now he must face our best country, nor lag, 



If his bacon he'd save, till he reached Binnie crag. 



See how eagerly burst forth the whole of the pack, 



With a fair start for each scarlet coat at their back ; 



While Echo replies with wild chorus of sounds 



To the melody burst from the throats of the hounds. 



" To their game how they settle ! " old Christopher cries ; 



Only give the hounds time, and in vain the fox flies. 



" Pray gentlemen, hold hard — yoicks. Merlin is right ! 



Forward ! now catch them who can in their flight." 



Bold Norman Shairp,^ eager to shine in the lead. 



His loose rein and merry heel rousing his steed, 



With the nerve of an artist a rasper o'ertops, 



And a splash in the eyes of the cocktail who stops. 



On bay mare, whose fencing can n'er be outdone, 



See young Ramsay ^ approve himself Barnton's own son, 



And, as master of hounds, shew most nobly maintained 



The bright name which his sire as a sportsman has gained. 



Putting Hartlepool well at his fences observe 



In Frank Grant's ^ straight line, eye to hounds, and best nerve, 



While the Wilkies '^ on cattle " vot can go the pace," 



Despite of their weight, in the first flight keep place : 



And on bare-boned old Miracle, Grieves making play, 



O'er an " upstanding twod " of a wall, shews the way. 



See Forbes, ^ planted fast in a bull-finching hedge. 



Act unwilling the part of a well-driven Avedge ; 



1 Mr Hay of Duns Castle, the previous master. ^ The himtsmau. 



3 Tom Rintoul, 1st whipper-in. 



■• Major Norman Shairp, jt. of Houstoun. 



° Mr W. R. Ramsay of Bamton. 



^ Mr, afterwards Sir, Francis Grant. 



^ The Messrs Wilkie of Ormiston. 



8 The late Mr Forbes of Callendar. 



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