184 HUNTING DIRECTORY. 



Enthusiasm of a Fox Chase. 



hunting which fox hunters only can well understand, 

 and upon which Somervile thus expresses himself: — 



" Huntsman, prepare ! Ere yet the morning peep, 



Or stars retire from the first blush of day, 



With thy far-echoing voice alarm thy pack. 



And rouse thy bold compeers. Then to the copse, 



Thiek with entangling grass, or prickly furze, 



With silence, lead thy many-coloured hounds, 



In all their beauty's pride. 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. 



As straggling armies, at the trumpet's voice, 



Press to their standard, hither all repair, 



And hurry through the woods; with hasty step 



Rustling, and full of hope ; now driven on heaps 



They push, they strive ; while from his kennel sneaks 



The conscious villain. See ! he skulks along. 



Sleek at the shepherd's cost, and plump with meals 



Puiloin'd : so thrive the wicked here below. 



Though high his brush he bear, though tipt with white 



It gaily shine ; yet ere the sun declin'd 



Recal the shades of night, the pamper'd rogue 



Shall rue his fate revers'd ; and at his heels 



Behold the just avenger, swift to seize 



His forfeit head, and thirsting for his blood. 



Heavens! what melodious strains ! how beat our hearts , 

 Big with tumultuous joy ! the loaded gales 

 Breathe harmony ; and as the tempest drives 

 From wood to wood, through every dark recess 

 The forest thunders, and the mountains shake. 

 The chorus swells ; less various, and less sweet, 

 The thrilling notes, when in those very groves, 

 The feather'd choristers salute the spring. 

 And every bush in concert joins ; or when 



