The Sport of Our Jincestors 



less excellent than his speed : — how he carries the scent ! 

 and when he loses it, see how eagerly he flings to recover 

 it again ! There — now he 's at head again ! See how they 

 top the hedge ! — Now, how they mount the hill ! — Observe 

 what a head they carry, and shew me, if thou canst, one 

 shuffler or shirker amongst them all : are they not like a 

 parcel of brave fellows, who, when they engage in an under- 

 taking, determine to share its fatigue and its dangers, equally 

 amongst them ? 



' Far o'er the rocky hills we range, 

 And dangerous our course ; but in the brave 

 True courage never fails. In vain the stream 

 In foaming eddies whirls, in vain the ditch 

 Wide gaping threatens death. The craggy steep. 

 Where the poor dizzy shepherd crawls with care, 

 And clings to every twig, gives us no pain ; 

 But down we sweep, as stoops the falcon bold 

 To pounce his prey. Then up the opponent hill, 

 By the swift motion flung, we mount aloft ; 

 So ships in winter seas now sliding sink 

 Adown the steepy wave, then toss'd on high 

 Ride on the billows, and defy the storm.' 



SOMERVILE. 



It was then the fox I saw, as we came down the hill ; — 

 those crows directed me which way to look, and the sheep 

 ran from him as he passed along. The hounds are now on 

 the very spot, yet the sheep stop them not, for they dash 

 beyond them. Now see with what eagerness they cross 

 the plain ! — Galloper no longer keeps his place, Brusher 

 takes it — see how he flings for the scent, and how impetu- 

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