Records of the Old Charlton Hunt 



to make them bold, but still obedient too : 



to know their names, to come when calld and this 



by daily walking out, in Couples Joind ; 



till Autumn does draw near, the Game yet weak, 



take out some few, with them, some steady hounds, 



to find, and guide the yet unknowing Fools ; 



till by instinct, by nature taught, they stoop 



and know a vermin Scent, for which they'r bred, 



avoid the Hare. I cannot that approve, 



'Tis Sloth in Summer, or want of Game, 



makes northern Sportsmen argue wrong in that ; 



their Reason's only this, to make hounds Know, 



when right, when wrong, and mind the Huntsmans rate, 



my hounds when made no rate at all should hear, 



it frights the guiltlefs, and baulks the old, 



conscious they seem, expect the coming lash, 



at distance humbly creep, or look dismayd ; 



nor anxious more to find, they heedlefs walke 



behind, and Shew distaste, nor will they beat 



the thick grown coverts, whose invoven shades 



the listning Fox conceale ; but pafs him by. 



whereas when hounds no other Scent do know, 



they'll wind him farr, they'l dash unawd by fear, 



with emulation fired, they'l drive him out ; 



with vermin Scent inspird, they'l tear their Skins, 



or loose an Eye, unfelt, whilst in pursuit 



with eager hast, they force their Thorny way. 



November come, another draught must be, 

 he then must cast, the oldest worn out hounds, 

 a thing, ingratefull ! yet it must be done, 



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