run. 



THE WARWICKSHIRE HOUNDS. 31 



tbe starting point of the run, for finding no hope of Mr. John Corbet 

 refuge there he settled down into a real bit of going, __L * 



starting first of all through Swalclifife Plantations. The '^^.^'"'^ °* *^® 

 Plantations were left for a gallop over the Heath, which 

 the author calls Hook|Norton, but which, was no doubt, 

 Tadmarton. Scent was splendid and over the Heath 

 the pace increased accordingly, the field being gra- 

 dually diminished in consequence. Swerford was his 

 point, and the nice hill work to be met with proved 

 the quality of the wind of both horse and rider. 

 The high road was crossed at lightning speed, and a 

 descent made upon Heythrop — a place which has 

 since acquired happy hunting associations. Scent im- 

 proved, and even the brilliancy of his powers could not 

 save him, and "the Warwickshire " rolled him over, as 

 they have many another equally stout fox, just as he 

 was going to ground in the park. This was the run as 

 Mr. Goulburn has handed it down in his poem, "The 

 Epwell Hunt, or Black Collars in the Rear." The 

 quotation from Somerville's Chase, which he heads 

 the composition with, is appropriate and significant — 



" A chosen few alone the sport enjoy." 

 The parts which give an idea of the work done are as 

 follows : — 



As Epwell's wide heath, t'other day Ipasa'd over 

 The hounds I perceived were then trying the cover, 

 Enraptur'd I heard them, and spurring my horse. 

 Soon discovered the pack, which had found in the gor&e. 

 Two hundred smart sportsmen enliven'd the scene, 

 All determin'd to ride, and professedly keen, 

 Tho' the morning was cold, and the frost overnight. 

 Made the country around, in a terrible plight ; 

 Yet Reynard broke cover, disdaining to stay. 

 And in view of the horsemen, went travelling away. 

 But a sad country took, much against all their wills, 

 And led them a dance, over heart breaking hills, 

 Then led to some furze, remain'd dodging about, 

 Till Wanton at length, forced the vagabond out. 

 Thus routed his foes, he determin'd to face. 

 And again took them off at a rare splitting pace ; 

 O'er a strong and stiff country, went forward in style, 



