Some Poets Dogs. 323 



poetical extremes, and of the poetical weakness of false 

 sympathies. 



Metaphors and similes from the chase are ver}- numerous, 

 and the "deep-mouthed," "cannon-mouthed" (Davenant), 

 " chiming," " yelUng," " baying " hounds are as industrious 

 and as apt in poetical pursuit and apothegm as in the field, 

 Wordsworth's line — " Keen as a fine-nosed hound, by soul- 

 engrossing instinct driven along " — is one of the many fine 

 metaphors which the subject affords. 



Remembering the lamentations of the poets over the 

 "wheeling coveys" pursued by "leaden showers," it is 

 remarkable that the " full-eared " pointer and " wise-eyed " 

 setter should be so warmly eulogised, ^^^len the wolf eats 

 a sheep, all the sympathy is with the sheep, and when the 

 leopard kills a deer the poets bewail the dead. Yet when 

 the dogs of men hunt and murder a little animal which they 

 are not going to eat, they applaud the dogs. An'd so, ex- 

 tending this incongruous partiality for human weaknesses 

 a step further, they congratulate the pointer, setter, spaniel, 

 and retriever, upon their success in assisting man to kilL 

 Even Cowper, usually so fierce in his satire and denuncia- 

 tion of sport of all kinds, epitaphises a pointer without a 

 word of disparagement : indeed, after the manner of epitaphs 

 generally, with many compliments on his successful com- 

 plicity in bloodshed — 



" Here lies one who never drew 

 Blood himself, yet many slew ; 

 Gave the gun its aim, and figure 

 Made in field, yet ne'er pulled trigger. 

 Armed men have gladly made 

 Him their guide, and him obeyed ; 

 At his signified desire, 

 Would advance, present, and fire. 

 Stout he was and large of limb, 

 Scores have fled at sight of him, 



