SCENES FROJNI THE SADDLE. 



To Reynard 



The End of the Season. 



MID charm of the sunlight on dark-toned fir-tree. 

 Of sunhght of spring on thick- carpeted glade, 

 Dies the note of the horn on echoing woodland, 

 Dies death's haunting call, and lives freedom for thee. 



Moves grey horse and red coat, 'mid brown, amber, bright green 

 Of moorland, of beech leaf thick fallen, and field ; 

 Then silence ; a charm falls on hound, horn, and huntsmen, 



We hope thou hast peace now thy foes quit the scene. 



We grieve if in summer when full-leaved thy stronghold, 

 And dark o'er the stream the hazel bush hangs, 

 Green is the bracken and fruiting the bramble. 



The chase still alarms thee, thy warm blood runs cold. 



A grey-mounted huntsman glints pale in the deep shade. 

 And swift-moving hounds thread the tall waving brake, 

 A note of the horn whene'er the wind whispers ; — 



Do phantoms as these thy short rest-time invade ? 



'Mid charm of the evening and moorland and wide view 

 Good-byes we exchange with hill, valley, and wood, 

 Ere home, for the last time through lowland long shaded — 



In peace may you rest, for we owe much to you. 



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