The Sport of Our ^Ancestors 



either side, so that a single hound may not escape them ; let 

 them be attentive to his halloo, and be ready to encourage, 

 or rate, as that directs ; he will, of course, draw up the 

 wind, for reasons which I shall give in another place. Now, 

 if you can keep your brother sportsmen in order, and put 

 any discretion into them, you are in luck ; they more fre- 

 quently do harm than good : if it be possible, persuade 

 those who wish to halloo the fox off to stand quiet under 

 the cover side, and on no account to halloo him too soon ; 

 if they do, he most certainly will turn back again : could 

 you entice them all into the cover, your sport, in all prob- 

 ability, would not be the worse for it. 



How well the hounds spread the cover ! the huntsman, 

 you see, is quite deserted, and his horse, who so lately had 

 a crowd at his heels, has not now one attendant left. How 

 steadily they draw ! you hear not a single hound ; yet 

 none are idle. Is not this better than to be subject to 

 continual disappointment from the eternal babbling of un- 

 steady hounds ? 



* See ! how they range 

 Dispers'd, how busily this way and that 

 They cross, examining with curious nose 

 Each likely haunt. Hark ! on the drag I hear 

 Their doubtful notes, preluding to a cry 

 More nobly full, and swell 'd with every mouth.' 



SOMERVILE. 



How musical their tongues ! — And as they get nearer 

 to him, how the chorus fills ! — Hark ! he is found. — Now, 

 where are all your sorrows, your cares, ye gloomy souls } 



112 



