Beasts of Chase. 229 



" And, as an hare whom hountis and horns pursue, 

 Pants to the place from whence at first she flew, 

 I still had hopes, my long vexations past, 

 Here to return, and die at home at last." 



And what can be finer than the distracted Paphian's descrip- 

 tion of the hunted hare ? 



" His grief may be compared well 

 To one sore-sick, that hears the passing bell. 

 Then shalt thou see the dew-bedabbled wretch 

 Turn and return, indenting with the way ; 

 Each envious briar his weary legs doth scratch, 

 Each shadow makes him stop, each murmur stay : 

 For misery is trodden on by many, 

 And being low, never relieved by any." 



The rest, strangely enough for poets perhaps, seem to 

 accept the fitness of the hare to be hunted as a matter of 

 course, its suitableness for "the chase" a provision of 

 Nature. " If thou needs will hunt," says Venus, " be ruled 

 by me, uncouple at the timorous, flying hare." 



Pope, Gay, Rowe, Mallet, Drayton, and Somerville are 

 instances in point. Thus the author of " Polyolbion " — 



" The man whose vacant mind prepares him for the sport 

 The Finder sendeth forth to seek out nimble Wat 

 \Vhich crosseth in the field each furlong, every flat, 

 Till he this pretty beast upon the Forme hath found. 

 Then, viewing for the course which is the fairest ground, 

 The greyhounds forth are brought, for coursing then in case. 

 And choicely in the slip, one leading forth a brace. 

 The finder puts her up and gives her courser's law ; 

 Then whilst the eager dogs upon the start do draw 

 She riseth from her seat, as though on earth she flew, 

 Forced by some yelping curre to give the greyhounds view, 

 Which are at length let slip, when leaping out they goe. 

 As in respect of them the swiftest wind were slow, 

 When each man runs his horse, with fixed eyes, and notes 

 Which dog first turnes the hare, which first the other coats, 

 Till oft for want of breath to fall to ground they make her, 

 Ti.e greyhounds both so spent that they want breath to take her." 



