^eckford 



ously he runs ! — How eagerly he took the lead, and how 

 he strives to keep it — yet Victor comes up apace. — He 

 reaches him ! See what an excellent race it is between 

 them ! It is doubtful which will reach the covert first. — 

 How equally they run ! — how eagerly they strain ! Now 

 Victor — Victor ! — Ah ! Brusher, you are beaten ; Victor 

 first tops the hedge. — See there ! see how they all take it in 

 their strokes ! the hedge cracks with their weight, so many 

 jump at once. 



Now hastes the whipper-in to the other side of the cover; 

 he is right unless he head the fox. 



* Heav'ns ! what melodious strains ! how beats our hearts 

 Big with tumultuous joy ! the loaded gales 

 Breathe harmony ; and as the tempest drives 

 From wood to wood, thro' ev'ry dark recess 

 The forest thunders, and the mountains shake.' 



SOMERVILE. 



Listen ! — the hounds have turned . They are now in two parts : 

 the fox has been headed back, and we have changed at last. 

 Now, my lad, mind the huntsman's halloo, and stop to 

 those hounds which he encourages. He is right ! — that, 

 doubtless, is the hunted fox. — Now they are off again. 



' What lengths we pass ! where will the thundering chace 

 Lead us bewilder'd ! smooth as swallows skim 

 The new- thorn mead, and far more swift we fly. 

 See my brave pack ; how to the head they press, 

 Justling in close array, then more diffuse 

 Obliquely wheel, while from their op'ning mouths 

 The vollied thunder breaks. 



"5 



