2o THE MASTER OF GAME 



so hunteth the most hares shall find the most." 

 For Phebus the Earl of Foix, that good hunter, 

 saith that when there be few hares in a country 

 they should be hunted and slain, so that the 

 hares of other countries about should come into 

 that march. 



Of hares, some go faster and be stronger than 

 others, as it is of men and other beasts. Also the 

 pasture and the country where they abide helpeth 

 much thereto. For when the hare abideth and 

 formeth in a plain country where there are no 

 bushes, such hares are commonly strongest and 

 well running. Also when they pasture on two 

 herbs — that one is called Soepol (wild thyme) and 

 that other be Pulegium (pennyroyal) they are 

 strong and fast running. 



The hares have no season of their love for, as I 

 said, it is called ryding time, for in every month 

 of the year that it shall not be that some be not 

 with kindles (young). Nevertheless, commonly 

 their love is most in the month of January, and 

 in that month they run most fast of any time of 

 the year, both male and female. And from May 

 unto September they be most slow, for then they 

 be full of herbs and of fruits, or they be great 

 and full of kindles, and commonly in that time 

 they have their kindles. Hares remain in sundry 

 (parts of the) country, according to the season of 

 the year ; sometimes they sit in the fern, sometimes 



