388 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



even to the beasts of the forest which he happens 

 to take especial pleasure in pursuing. Hence, there- 

 fore, such are protected from being molested by an 

 ignoble hand. Now as soon as a person or thing 

 is hedged about by privilege, as soon as a halo is 

 thrown round either, an unusual interest is at once 

 excited, and with it comes vulgar curiosity. When 

 this is the case, be sure that Fable will henceforth 

 have more to tell than Truth. We may suppose too 

 that the wonderful tales which thus grow current, are 

 rather grateful than otherwise to the pride of him for 

 whom alone such marvellous animals are reserved. 



" The stag," so writes Isidorus, " is the foe of ser- 

 pents ; and when he is old and sick, he goeth before 

 the serpent's hole, blows and respires therein, so that 

 the serpent may creep out, which then he presently 

 stampeth on with his feet and devoureth. And he 

 goeth straightway to the water and drinks, so thaj; the 

 poison may spread through his whole body; and as 

 soon as he feeleth the poison, he commenceth running 

 hither and thither in such wise that he getteth warm 

 and fain would sweat, and hereupon he is so purged 

 and purified by the operation of Nature, that he re- 

 taineth nothing more in his body, and so becometh 

 renewed and young again, and changes his old hair. 

 Music he loveth much, and is well pleased and joyful 

 when he heareth a piping or the sound of a flute, or 

 any gentle song. 



" A stone is to be found in the deer after she hath 

 dropped her calf: she did eat it before to assist the 



