The hoohe of Hunting loi 



keepe the ftrong couerts and thickets. And in fpring time when 

 their heades are tender, they keepe in yong frythes and coppifes, 

 and in the weakeil couerts that they can finde, for feare leaft they 

 fliould knocke and hurt their heades againfl the boughes. And 

 therefore it is requifite to fet men abroad which are brought vp 

 in hunting, and vnderftande well their aduauntages, and with 

 them a good pricker or huntfman on horfebacke, mounted vpon 

 a good curtail, which fliould be lightly clad, hauing good bootes 

 and high, with an home about his necke. Vhccbus layth, that they 

 ought to be clad in greene when they hunt the Hart or Bucke, 

 and in ruflet when they hunt the Bore, but that is of no great 

 importance, for I remitte the coloures to the fantafics of men. 

 Thele horfemen fliould go ouer night to their maflrers chamber, 

 or if they ferue a Prince, to the maiters of the games or his Lie- 

 uetenantes, to knowe which of them fliall foUowe the kennell, 

 and which fliall be for the Relayes, and in which Relayes and 

 where they fliall befl:owe them felues, and what houndes they 

 fliall leade with them, what helpes and varlets fliall goe with 

 them. And thofe of the relayes fliall do well tohaue euerie man 

 a little byllet to remember the names of their Relayes : and then 

 let them go to their lodging, and get them a guide which may 

 condud: them in the morning. Afterwardes they muft looke that 

 their horfles be well fliod and in good plight, giuing them otes 

 fufEcient : That done, they fliall go to bed, that they may rife in 

 the morning two houres before day. If it be in Sommer, they 

 mufl: water their horfTes, but not in Winter, and then they fliall 

 bayte them well vntill the varlets fliall bring the houndes for 

 their relayes. Their guide being come, they fliall breake their 

 fafls altogether. And in fteede of Pyftolets, they fliall haue each 

 of them a bottle full of good wyne at the pomell of their faddles. 

 And when daye fliall beginne to peepe, then mufl: they gette 

 on horfebacke, hauing with them their guide, their relayes, and 

 all their equipage. If they would fende a curtail to another of 

 the relayes, then fliall they fay to one of their varlets, that he goe 

 with one of their companions to fuch a Relay. When they are 

 come to the place appoynted for their Relaye, they fliall place 



their 



