BOOK I.

THE ARGUMENT.

The subject proposed.--Address to his Royal Highness the Prince.--The origin of hunting.--The rude and unpolished manner of the first hunters.--Beasts at first hunted for food and sacrifice.--The grant made by God to man of the beasts, &c.--The regular manner of hunting first brought into this island by the Normans.--The best hounds and best horses bred here.--The advantage of this exercise to us, as islanders.--Address to gentlemen of estates.--Situation of the kennel and its several courts.--The diversion and employment of hounds in the kennel.--The different sorts of hounds for each different chase.-- Description of a perfect hound.--Of sizing and sorting of hounds.--The middle-sized hound recommended.--Of the large, deep-mouthed hound for hunting the stag and otter.--Of the lime-hound; their use on the borders of England and Scotland.--A physical account of scents.--Of good and bad scenting days.--A short admonition to my brethren of the couples.

The Chase I sing, hounds, and their various breed, And no less various use. O thou Great Prince![2] Whom Cambria's towering hills proclaim their lord, Deign thou to hear my bold, instructive song. While grateful citizens with pompous show, Rear the triumphal arch, rich with the exploits Of thy illustrious house; while virgins pave Thy way with flowers, and, as the royal youth Passing they view, admire, and sigh in vain; While crowded theatres, too fondly proud _10 Of their exotic minstrels, and shrill pipes, The price of manhood, hail thee with a song, And airs soft-warbling; my hoarse-sounding horn Invites thee to the Chase, the sport of kings; Image of war, without its guilt. The Muse Aloft on wing shall soar, conduct with care Thy foaming courser o'er the steepy rock, Or on the river bank receive thee safe, Light-bounding o'er the wave, from shore to shore. Be thou our great protector, gracious youth! _20 And if in future times, some envious prince, Careless of right and guileful, should invade Thy Britain's commerce, or should strive in vain To wrest the balance from thy equal hand; Thy hunter-train, in cheerful green arrayed, (A band undaunted, and inured to toils,) Shall compass thee around, die at thy feet, Or hew thy passage through the embattled foe, And clear thy way to fame; inspired by thee The nobler chase of glory shall pursue _30 Through fire, and smoke, and blood, and fields of death. Nature, in her productions slow, aspires By just degrees to reach perfection's height: So mimic Art works leisurely, till Time Improve the piece, or wise Experience give The proper finishing. When Nimrod bold, That mighty hunter, first made war on beasts, And stained the woodland green with purple dye, New and unpolished was the huntsman's art; No stated rule, his wanton will his guide. _40 With clubs and stones, rude implements of war, He armed his savage bands, a multitude Untrained; of twining osiers formed, they pitch Their artless toils, then range the desert hills, And scour the plains below; the trembling herd Start at the unusual sound, and clamorous shout Unheard before; surprised alas! to find Man now their foe, whom erst they deemed their lord, But mild and gentle, and by whom as yet Secure they grazed. Death stretches o'er the plain _50 Wide-wasting, and grim slaughter red with blood: Urged on by hunger keen, they wound, they kill, Their rage licentious knows no bound; at last Incumbered with their spoils, joyful they bear Upon their shoulders broad, the bleeding prey. Part on their altars smokes a sacrifice To that all-gracious Power, whose bounteous hand Supports his wide creation; what remains On living coals they broil, inelegant Of taste, nor skilled as yet in nicer arts _60 Of pampered luxury. Devotion pure, And strong necessity, thus first began The chase of beasts: though bloody was the deed, Yet without guilt. For the green herb alone Unequal to sustain man's labouring race, Now every moving thing that lived on earth Was granted him for food. So just is Heaven, To give us in proportion to our wants. Or chance or industry in after-times Some few improvements made, but short as yet _70 Of due perfection. In this isle remote Our painted ancestors were slow to learn, To arms devote, of the politer arts Nor skilled nor studious; till from Neustria's[3] coasts Victorious William, to more decent rules Subdued our Saxon fathers, taught to speak The proper dialect, with horn and voice To cheer the busy hound, whose well-known cry His listening peers approve with joint acclaim. From him successive huntsmen learned to join _80 In bloody social leagues, the multitude Dispersed, to size, to sort their various tribes, To rear, feed, hunt, and discipline the pack. Hail, happy Britain! highly-favoured isle, And Heaven's peculiar care! To thee 'tis given To train the sprightly steed, more fleet than those Begot by winds, or the celestial breed That bore the great Pelides through the press Of heroes armed, and broke their crowded ranks; Which proudly neighing, with the sun begins _90 Cheerful his course; and ere his beams decline, Has measured half thy surface unfatigued. In thee alone, fair land of liberty! Is bred the perfect hound, in scent and speed As yet unrivalled, while in other climes Their virtue fails, a weak degenerate race. In vain malignant steams, and winter fogs Load the dull air, and hover round our coasts, The huntsman ever gay, robust, and bold, Defies the noxious vapour, and confides _100 In this delightful exercise, to raise His drooping head and cheer his heart with joy. Ye vigorous youths, by smiling Fortune blest With large demesnes, hereditary wealth, Heaped copious by your wise forefathers' care, Hear and attend! while I the means reveal To enjoy those pleasures, for the weak too strong, Too costly for the poor: to rein the steed Swift-stretching o'er the plain, to cheer the pack Opening in concerts of harmonious joy, _110 But breathing death. What though the gripe severe Of brazen-fisted Time, and slow disease Creeping through every vein, and nerve unstrung, Afflict my shattered frame, undaunted still, Fixed as a mountain ash, that braves the bolts Of angry Jove; though blasted, yet unfallen; Still can my soul in Fancy's mirror view Deeds glorious once, recal the joyous scene In all its splendours decked, o'er the full bowl Recount my triumphs past, urge others on _120 With hand and voice, and point the winding way: Pleased with that social sweet garrulity, The poor disbanded veteran's sole delight. First let the Kennel be the huntsman's care, Upon some little eminence erect, And fronting to the ruddy dawn; its courts On either hand wide opening to receive The sun's all-cheering beams, when mild he shines, And gilds the mountain tops. For much the pack (Roused from their dark alcoves) delight to stretch, _130 And bask in his invigorating ray: Warned by the streaming light and merry lark, Forth rush the jolly clan; with tuneful throats They carol loud, and in grand chorus joined Salute the new-born day. For not alone The vegetable world, but men and brutes Own his reviving influence, and joy At his approach. Fountain of light! if chance[4] Some envious cloud veil thy refulgent brow, In vain the Muses aid; untouched, unstrung, _140 Lies my mute harp, and thy desponding bard Sits darkly musing o'er the unfinished lay. Let no Corinthian pillars prop the dome, A vain expense, on charitable deeds Better disposed, to clothe the tattered wretch, Who shrinks beneath the blast, to feed the poor Pinched with afflictive want. For use, not state, Gracefully plain, let each apartment rise. O'er all let cleanliness preside, no scraps Bestrew the pavement, and no half-picked bones, _150 To kindle fierce debate, or to disgust That nicer sense, on which the sportsman's hope, And all his future triumphs must depend. Soon as the growling pack with eager joy Have lapped their smoking viands, morn or eve, From the full cistern lead the ductile streams, To wash thy court well-paved, nor spare thy pains, For much to health will cleanliness avail. Seek'st thou for hounds to climb the rocky steep, And brush the entangled covert, whose nice scent _160 O'er greasy fallows, and frequented roads Can pick the dubious way? Banish far off Each noisome stench, let no offensive smell Invade thy wide inclosure, but admit The nitrous air, and purifying breeze. Water and shade no less demand thy care: In a large square the adjacent field inclose, There plant in equal ranks the spreading elm, Or fragrant lime; most happy thy design, If at the bottom of thy spacious court, _170 A large canal fed by the crystal brook, From its transparent bosom shall reflect Downward thy structure and inverted grove. Here when the sun's too potent gleams annoy The crowded kennel, and the drooping pack, Restless and faint, loll their unmoistened tongues, And drop their feeble tails; to cooler shades Lead forth the panting tribe; soon shalt thou find The cordial breeze their fainting hearts revive: Tumultuous soon they plunge into the stream, _180 There lave their reeking sides, with greedy joy Gulp down the flying wave; this way and that From shore to shore they swim, while clamour loud And wild uproar torments the troubled flood: Then on the sunny bank they roll and stretch Their dripping limbs, or else in wanton rings Coursing around, pursuing and pursued, The merry multitude disporting play. But here with watchful and observant eye Attend their frolics, which too often end _190 In bloody broils and death. High o'er thy head Wave thy resounding whip, and with a voice Fierce-menacing o'errule the stern debate, And quench their kindling rage; for oft in sport Begun, combat ensues, growling they snarl, Then on their haunches reared, rampant they seize Each other's throats, with teeth and claws in gore Besmeared, they wound, they tear, till on the ground, Panting, half dead the conquered champion lies: Then sudden all the base ignoble crowd _200 Loud-clamouring seize the helpless worried wretch, And thirsting for his blood, drag different ways His mangled carcase on the ensanguined plain. O breasts of pity void! to oppress the weak, To point your vengeance at the friendless head, And with one mutual cry insult the fallen! Emblem too just of man's degenerate race. Others apart by native instinct led, Knowing instructor! 'mong the ranker grass Cull each salubrious plant, with bitter juice _210 Concoctive stored, and potent to allay Each vicious ferment. Thus the hand divine Of Providence, beneficent and kind To all His creatures, for the brutes prescribes A ready remedy, and is Himself Their great physician. Now grown stiff with age, And many a painful chase, the wise old hound Regardless of the frolic pack, attends His master's side, or slumbers at his ease Beneath the bending shade; there many a ring _220 Runs o'er in dreams; now on the doubtful foil Puzzles perplexed, or doubles intricate Cautious unfolds, then winged with all his speed, Bounds o'er the lawn to seize his panting prey: And in imperfect whimperings speaks his joy. A different hound for every different chase Select with judgment; nor the timorous hare O'ermatched destroy, but leave that vile offence To the mean, murderous, coursing crew; intent On blood and spoil. O blast their hopes, just Heaven! _230 And all their painful drudgeries repay With disappointment and severe remorse. But husband thou thy pleasures, and give scope To all her subtle play: by nature led A thousand shifts she tries; to unravel these The industrious beagle twists his waving tail, Through all her labyrinths pursues, and rings Her doleful knell. See there with countenance blithe, And with a courtly grin, the fawning hound Salutes thee cowering, his wide-opening nose _240 Upward he curls, and his large sloe-black eyes Melt in soft blandishments, and humble joy; His glossy skin, or yellow-pied, or blue, In lights or shades by Nature's pencil drawn, Reflects the various tints; his ears and legs Flecked here and there, in gay enamelled pride Rival the speckled pard; his rush-grown tail O'er his broad back bends in an ample arch; On shoulders clean, upright and firm he stands, His round cat foot, straight hams, and wide-spread thighs, _250 And his low-dropping chest, confess his speed, His strength, his wind, or on the steepy hill, Or far-extended plain; in every part So well proportioned, that the nicer skill Of Phidias himself can't blame thy choice. Of such compose thy pack. But here a mean Observe, nor the large hound prefer, of size Gigantic; he in the thick-woven covert Painfully tugs, or in the thorny brake Torn and embarrassed bleeds: but if too small, _260 The pigmy brood in every furrow swims; Moiled in the clogging clay, panting they lag Behind inglorious; or else shivering creep Benumbed and faint beneath the sheltering thorn. For hounds of middle size, active and strong, Will better answer all thy various ends, And crown thy pleasing labours with success. As some brave captain, curious and exact, By his fixed standard forms in equal ranks His gay battalion, as one man they move _270 Step after step, their size the same, their arms Far gleaming, dart the same united blaze: Reviewing generals his merit own; How regular! how just! and all his cares Are well repaid, if mighty George approve. So model thou thy pack, if honour touch Thy generous soul, and the world's just applause. But above all take heed, nor mix thy hounds Of different kinds; discordant sounds shall grate Thy ears offended, and a lagging line _280 Of babbling curs disgrace thy broken pack. But if the amphibious otter be thy chase, Or stately stag, that o'er the woodland reigns; Or if the harmonious thunder of the field Delight thy ravished ears; the deep-flewed hound Breed up with care, strong, heavy, slow, but sure, Whose ears down-hanging from his thick round head Shall sweep the morning dew, whose clanging voice Awake the mountain echo in her cell, And shake the forests: the bold talbot[6] kind _290 Of these the prime, as white as Alpine snows; And great their use of old. Upon the banks Of Tweed, slow winding through the vale, the seat Of war and rapine once, ere Britons knew The sweets of peace, or Anna's dread commands To lasting leagues the haughty rivals awed, There dwelt a pilfering race; well-trained and skilled In all the mysteries of theft, the spoil

Their only substance, feuds and war their sport: Not more expert in every fraudful art _300 The arch felon was of old, who by the tail Drew back his lowing prize: in vain his wiles, In vain the shelter of the covering rock, In vain the sooty cloud, and ruddy flames That issued from his mouth; for soon he paid His forfeit life: a debt how justly due To wronged Alcides, and avenging Heaven! Veiled in the shades of night they ford the stream,

Then prowling far and near, whate'er they seize Becomes their prey; nor flocks nor herds are safe, _310 Nor stalls protect the steer, nor strong barred doors Secure the favourite horse. Soon as the morn Reveals his wrongs, with ghastly visage wan The plundered owner stands, and from his lips A thousand thronging curses burst their way: He calls his stout allies, and in a line His faithful hound he leads, then with a voice That utters loud his rage, attentive cheers: Soon the sagacious brute, his curling tail

Flourished in air, low-bending plies around _320 His busy nose, the steaming vapour snuff Inquisitive, nor leaves one turf untried, Till conscious of the recent stains, his heart Beats quick; his snuffling nose, his active tail Attest his joy; then with deep opening mouth That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims The audacious felon; foot by foot he marks His winding way, while all the listening crowd Applaud his reasonings. O'er the watery ford, Dry sandy heaths, and stony barren hill, _330 O'er beaten paths, with men and beasts distained, Unerring he pursues; till at the cot Arrived, and seizing by his guilty throat The caitiff' vile, redeems the captive prey: So exquisitely delicate his sense! Should some more curious sportsman here inquire, Whence this sagacity, this wondrous power Of tracing step by step, or man or brute?

What guide invisible points out their way, O'er the dank marsh, bleak hill, and sandy plain? _340 The courteous Muse shall the dark cause reveal. The blood that from the heart incessant rolls In many a crimson tide, then here and there In smaller rills disparted, as it flows Propelled, the serous particles evade Through the open pores, and with the ambient air Entangling mix. As fuming vapours rise, And hang upon the gently purling brook, There by the incumbent atmosphere compressed, The panting chase grows warmer as he flies, _350 And through the net-work of the skin perspires; Leaves a long-streaming trail behind, which by The cooler air condensed, remains, unless By some rude storm dispersed, or rarefied By the meridian sun's intenser heat. To every shrub the warm effluvia cling, Hang on the grass, impregnate earth and skies. With nostrils opening wide, o'er hill, o'er dale, The vigorous hounds pursue, with every breath Inhale the grateful steam, quick pleasures sting _360 Their tingling nerves, while they their thanks repay, And in triumphant melody confess The titillating joy. Thus on the air Depend the hunter's hopes. When ruddy streaks At eve forebode a blustering stormy day, Or lowering clouds blacken the mountain's brow, When nipping frosts, and the keen biting blasts Of the dry parching east, menace the trees With tender blossoms teeming, kindly spare Thy sleeping pack, in their warm beds of straw _370 Low-sinking at their ease; listless they shrink Into some dark recess, nor hear thy voice Though oft invoked; or haply if thy call Rouse up the slumbering tribe, with heavy eyes Glazed, lifeless, dull, downward they drop their tails Inverted; high on their bent backs erect Their pointed bristles stare, or 'mong the tufts Of ranker weeds, each stomach-healing plant Curious they crop, sick, spiritless, forlorn. These inauspicious days, on other cares _380 Employ thy precious hours; the improving friend With open arms embrace, and from his lips Glean science, seasoned with good-natured wit. But if the inclement skies and angry Jove Forbid the pleasing intercourse, thy books Invite thy ready hand, each sacred page Rich with the wise remarks of heroes old. Converse familiar with the illustrious dead; With great examples of old Greece or Rome Enlarge thy free-born heart, and bless kind Heaven, _390 That Britain yet enjoys dear Liberty, That balm of life, that sweetest blessing, cheap Though purchased with our blood. Well-bred, polite, Credit thy calling. See! how mean, how low, The bookless sauntering youth, proud of the scut That dignifies his cap, his flourished belt, And rusty couples jingling by his side. Be thou of other mould; and know that such Transporting pleasures were by Heaven ordained Wisdom's relief, and Virtue's great reward. _400

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