122 FOEEST CEEATURES. 



to direct the movements of the attendants, the treble-mort 

 to announce the death of the stag, the same observance 

 at taking the say of the deer, as well as the same 

 strictness of procedure at the so-called breaking up. 

 It was to be performed according to a certain method ; 

 and this knowledge was as much a part of the young 

 forester's education, as the leading of his hound, or the 

 art of distinguishing the various tracks of game. 

 When the day's sport was over the company went to the 

 spot where the game was ranged in order, to inspect 

 and compare what each had slain. This procedure, like 

 all the others, was conducted with much ceremony; 

 and in the old ballad of Chevy Chase, this " breaking 

 up " or *^ bryttlinge " of the game is not forgotten. 

 At that famous chase a hundred fat harts had been slain 

 by noon ; and having achieved thus much, 



" The blewe a mort uppone the bent, 

 The semblyd on sydis shear ; 

 To the quyrry then the Pers6 went 

 To se the bryttlynge oflf the deare." 



And it was while the Percy was looking on and 

 enjoying the sight of the noble stags which that day 

 had fallen before his unerring shafts, that he made the 

 remark, 



" It was the Dughis promys 

 This day to meet me hear : " 



an exclamation called forth by the sight of the spoil. 



