AND STIRLINGSHIRE HUNT 



There's a musical whimper has struck on the ear, 



And a shaking of furze has attracted the eye, 

 And the sterns of a dozen of fox-hounds appear 



Above the thick brushwood, all "flourishing" high. 

 " At him, there, my good hounds," is old Christopher's cheer ; 

 And the fast uns creep on, from the crowd to get clear : — 

 " Yoix forAvard — he's gone ! 

 Forward on — forward on ! " 

 May the foremost have luck, and the devil the rear ! 



He's gone from Drumshorlan, — not two minutes gone : — 



Oh, none need to doubt, or deliberate here : 

 The scent lies like dew on the path he has run ; — 



And straight thro' the thundering multitude steer, 

 All fearless and fierce, — like the best of their kind, 

 Some stragglers of hounds in the gorse left behind : — 

 Now a bend in the track 

 Has united the pack ! 

 And they move like one body, — impelled by one mind. 



Not a sign of a check, and old Houstoun is pass'd ! 



Some fox from a distance, I rather suppose : — 

 " By the lord, my old fellows, we've nick'd it at last," 

 Says young William Baillie (a), as forward he goes, 

 "There's no use in hunting," cries Forbes (Z;), "if one can't 

 Stick close to the hounds, and the slow-coaches plant." 

 " Clear the way ; — clear the way," 

 Shouts old Peter Hay (c), 

 " Or we'll all lose our places, I'm d d if we shan't." 



Thro' the galloping pastures of green Dechmont hill, 

 This sport-loving varmint has chosen his way ; 



If he has but the luck as he has the good will, 

 The sun will go down on a glorious day : — 



(a) William Baillie, Esq., younger of Polkemmet. 



(5) William Forbes, Esq., of Callendar. 



(c) Peter Hay, Esq. , of Mugdrum, one of the most thorough-bred sports- 

 men in Scotland, who occasionally honours West Lothian with 

 his presence. Should these lines ever by any chance meet his 

 eye, it is hoped he will forgive the liberty taken with his name. 



137 



