So7ne Poets' Horses. 301 



The phrase " which ever " is not, however, strictly correct 

 in England, whatever, according to Grahame, may be the 

 universal rule in Scotland. For, as Cowper says — 



" The veteran steed excused his task at length, 

 In kind compassion of his failing strength. 

 And turned into the park or mead to graze. 

 Exempt from future service all his days, 

 There feels a pleasure perfect in its kind." 



This may be accepted as almost the total sum of the 

 natural horse in poetry. That episode in Venus and 

 Adonis, where the conduct of the young boar-hunter's steed 

 suggests to the quick-witted goddess an argument from 

 analogies, has suggested several exaggerated descriptions 

 of the stallion at large, but they are scarcely sketches from 

 the Ufe. 



In the chase, Somerviile of course excepted, the horse 

 does not occupy the prominent place that might have been 

 expected. Hunting is not a favourite pastime of the poeL 

 He does not ride as Byron says Don Juan did — 



" So that his horse, or charger, hunter, hack. 

 Knew that he had a rider on his back." 



And they skirt the subject, except so far as sentiment goes, 

 with the utmost delicacy. Some, indeed, contemn "the 

 squire " who takes a pride in his steed. 



Somerviile, of course, is a unique exception, and his 

 apostrophes of the " brave youths " who go a-hunting are 

 delightful rubbish, as the opening rhapsody goes to show — 



*' Hail, happy Britain ! highly favoured isle. 

 And Heaven's peculiar care ! to thee 'tis given 

 To train the sprightly steed, more fleet than those 

 Begot by Winds, or the celestial breed 

 That bore the great Pelides thro' the press 

 Of heroes armed, and broke their crowded ranks." 



But he knew a good horse as well as Hiurdis did, and 



