RANTER. J i) 



A play of the shoulder, a strength of the back, 

 With bone to the feet that fell firm on the track. 

 On, yes, I believe you, he tnrived and did well, 

 This hound that we reared at the farm in the dell. 



When, later, the puppy-show came, it was clear 

 That Ranter would be the best hound of the year. 

 The judges soon spotted this gem of the casket, 

 And gave him the prize as the pick of the basket. 



And well I remember that cub-hunting morn, 

 When the daylight came up with the first streak of dawn ; 

 When the hounds in the covert were eager and keen, 

 And spoke to the line where their quarry had been. 



How Ranter went off on the line of a hare, 

 " Baik gently then, Ranter boy. Baik ! have a care." 

 And after he entered and ran like a man, 

 Running up with the best in his place in the van. 



And after the hunting was over there came 

 A time when good Ranter was covered with fame ; 

 For the Peterborough verdict was " special and cup " 

 For the hound that we reared at the farm as a pup. 



And now the whole kennel is full of his strain, 

 The whole of them hunt in the drought or the rain ; 

 And Ranter himself, after seasons of work, 

 In which the hound never attempted to shirk, 



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