684 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



The greyhound is the fleetest of all dogs, and 

 is the only one who can cope with the hare in speed. 

 The keenness with which he pursues his game is 

 thus beautifully described by Somerville : — 



'* With emulation fired, 

 They strain to leave the field, top the barred gate, 

 O'er the deep ditch exulting bound, and brush 

 The thorny-twining hedge : the ridges bend 

 O'er their arched necks ; with steady bounds by turns 

 Indulge their speed, or moderate their pace." 



The greyhound never gives tongue, like other 

 dogs of the chase, when in pursuit of his game. 



Greyhounds have been held in much estimation 

 for many centuries in Great Britain. In the time 

 of King John they were accepted by him as payment 

 in lieu of money for the renewal of grants, fines, and 

 forfeitures due to the crown. There is one fine upon 

 record, paid to that monarch in 1203, which specifies 

 "five hundred merks, ten horses, and ten leashes 

 of gre3^hounds ; " and we find another mentioned 

 in 1 2 10, of "one swift horse, and six greyhounds." 



The following curious circumstance is related 

 by Froissart, of King Richard the Second, when 

 confined in the castle of Flint ; which we shall give 

 in the author's words. 



" And it was informed me, Kynge Richarde had 

 a greyhounde called Mathe, who always waited upon 

 the kynge, and would know no one else. For 

 whensoever the kynge did ride, he that kept the 

 greyhounde did let him lose, and he wolde streyght 

 runne to the kynge, and fawne upon him, and leap 

 with his fore-fete upon the kynge's shoulders. And 

 as the kynge and the Erie of Derby talked togyder 

 in the courte, the greyhounde, who was wont to leap 

 upon the kynge, left the kynge, and came to the Erie of 



