2 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. [1770 



Mr. Henry Vernon, great-grandson to the famous sports- 

 man of that name and place, of Hilton, near Wolverhampton, 

 in Staffordshire. They threw off on Wednesday, February 

 14th, 1770, at a gorse-cover, near to Bofcobel, when Squire 

 Vernon, who took his stand near to the Royal Oak, where 

 King Charles II. secreted himself, talioed the fox when 

 he broke cover. There were forty horsemen in the field, 

 and two ladies — Mrs. Giffard and Miss Parry ; the ladies 

 rode remarkably hard for many miles. At the death there 

 were present but four, viz. Mr. Henry Vernon, the hunts- 

 man, William Bird, a servant, and Mr. Emery. The 

 hounds and horsemen went as hard as they could go the 

 whole chase, ran through the different covers mentioned 

 in the song, and many more they did not know. After 

 running as hard as they could for six hours and ten minutes, 

 the hounds ran into him in an open field near to the 

 churchyard at Buildwas. 



To the Tune of " Killrundery." 



Hark ! hark ! my good lads, to a chase, I'll relate, 



Of the hounds of a squire whose goodness is great, 



His name it is Vernon, of Hilton Hall seat. 



There honesty always a welcome does meet. 



By break of the morn he got to the cover, — 



" In live minutes' time," cry'd Price, " hark to Trimer ; " 



"Talio!" cry'd Vernon, "by G , he is gone," 



The hounds knew his note, and they lay'd them all on, 



La, la, la-ral, etc. 



By the Royal Oak pass'd, and through the known wood. 

 That's call'd the Spring Coppy, as hard as they could ; 

 So to Dunnington Woods on by Weston Park side, 

 As hard as could go they continued to ride. 

 Crossed Durant's Canal, and so straight on to Tonge, 

 From thence quick p]-oceeded, all halloaing along ; 

 By Kilsal he ran, and so through Gosford Wood, 

 The horses and hounds went as hard as they could. 



La, la, la-ral, etc. 



Hatton Covers, Old Forge, and Innington Banks, 

 He pass'd by these all, but would play them no pranks 

 By Patty's Mill Rough, Hern Coppice, and Audley, 

 From thence to Sturchley, and so on to Dawley ; 



