THE SUITORS THREE. 37 



And hard in her wake were three suitors contending 

 Each one for a place by her side as she raced ; 



Three red-coated rivals were quickly descending 

 The hill from the covert, but all were outpaced. 



And, after awhile, when they checked, one approached her 



Alone, on his words it is useless to dwell ; 

 He looked at her sadly, 'twould seem, and reproached her : 



" No thank you," she said ; " I love hunting too well." 



Another appeared when the chase was completed— 

 The fox was at earth — with his story to tell ; 



He spoke of his wealth, and he begged and entreated : 

 "No thank you," she said ; " I love hunting too well." 



And, journeying home, with the shadows reclining, 

 The third suitor rode by her side through the dell ; 



He pleaded his case, but she smiled and, declining, 

 Said, "Thank you, Sir, no ; I love hunting too well." 



And she laughed in her sly way, and thought of them 

 pleading, 



While she laid her light hand on the neck of the mare : 

 " I would rather have you, with your courage and breeding," 



She said, " than a husband and wealth, I declare." 



So here's to the cause that she loves, and the holloa 



Which rings through the woodland and floats to the sky ; 



To the soul-stirring notes of the hounds that we follow, 

 The pluck and endurance — the never say die. 



