562 
VERTEBRATA. 
WAITING FOR THE HERD. 
totns of these countries during the Middle Ages, and even at a later period. A stag hunt was 
indeed the grandest sport of the higher gentiy, and far surpassed in excitement the modern chase 
of the fox. )Scott's description, at the opening of the "Lady of the Lake," is equally hcautiful 
and true : 
" The stag, at eve, had drunk his fill, 
While danced the moon on Monan's rill, 
And deep his midnight lair had made 
In lone Glenartney's hazel shade ; 
But, ere the sun his beacon red 
Had kindled on Ben-Voirlich's head. 
The deep-mouthed bloodhounds' heavy bay, 
Resounded up the rocky way, 
And faint, from farther distance borne, 
Tlie echo of the hoof and horn. 
Yelled on the view the opening pack, 
Rock, glen, and cavern paid them back. 
To many a mingled sound at once 
The awaken'd mountain gave response: 
A hundred dogs bayed deep and strong, 
Clattered a himdred steeds along ; 
Their peals the merry horns rung out, 
A hundred voices joined the shout ; 
With whoop ! and hark ! and wild halloo ! 
No rest Ben-Voirlich's echoes knew. 
Far from the tumult fled the roe ; 
Close in her covert cower'd the doe; 
The falcon from her cairn on high. 
Cast on the rout a wondering eye. 
Till, far beyond her piercing ken. 
The hurricane had swept the glen." 
