242 TERMINATION OF THE SPORT. 



"Her Majesty" (Queen Elizabeth), says a courtier, 

 writing to Sir Robert Sidney, "is well and excellently 

 disposed to hunting; for every second day she is on 

 horseback, and continues the sport long." At this time 

 she was in her seventy- seventh year, and was then at her 

 palace at Oatlands. * 



The party now proceeded to the hospitable halls of 

 Blair; where we will leave them, amidst cultivated so- 

 ciety and high-born beauty, 



" To fight their battles o'er again, 

 And thrice to slay the slain." 



* There are various other notices of the delight this Queen took in 

 the diversion of killing the stag. 



