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missed the chase； or even if they are ranging close and giving tongue and
sticking to the scent； he cannot see themstill as he tears along he can
interrogate the passer…by： 〃Hilloa there； have you seen my hounds？〃 he
shouts； and having at length ascertained their whereabouts； if they are on
the line； he will post himself close by； and cheer them on； repeating turn
and turn about the name of every hound； and pitching the tone of his voice
sharp or deep； soft or loud； and besides all other familiar calls； if the chase
be on a hillside；＇32＇ he can keep up their spirits with a constant 〃Well
done； good hounds！ well done； good hounds！ good hounds！〃 Or if any are
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at fault； having overshot the line； he will call to them； 〃Back； hounds！ back；
will you！ try back！〃
＇32＇ Or； 〃if the chase sweeps over a mountain…side。〃
As soon as the hounds have got back to （where they missed） the
line；＇33＇ he must cast them round； making many a circle to and fro； and
where the line fails； he should plant a stake＇34＇ as a sign…post to guide the
eye； and so cast round the dogs from that point；＇35＇ till they have found
the right scent； with coaxing and encouragement。 As soon as the line of
scent is clear；＇36＇ off go the dogs； throwing themselves on to it； springing
from side to side； swarming together； conjecturing； and giving signs to one
another； and taking bearings＇37＇ they will not mistakehelter…skelter off
they go in pursuit。 Once they dart off along the line of scent thus hotly； the
huntsman should keep up but without hurrying； or out of zeal they will
overshoot the line。 As soon as they are once more in close neighbourhood
of the hare； and once again have given their master clear indications of the
fact； then let him give what heed he can； she does not move off farther in
sheer terror of the hounds。
＇33＇ ｛prosstosi｝； al。 〃whenever they check。〃
＇34＇ Al。 （1） 〃take a stake or one of the poles as a sign…post；〃 （2）
〃draw a line on the ground。〃
＇35＇ ｛suneirein｝。 Zeune cf。 〃Cyrop。〃 VII。 v。 6； 〃draw the dogs along
by the nets。〃 Blane。
＇36＇ 〃As the scent grows warmer；〃 the translator in 〃Macmillan's
Mag。〃 above referred to。 Aristot。 〃H。 A。〃 ix。 44。 4。
＇37＇ Lit。 〃fixing landmarks for themselves。〃
They meanwhile； with sterns wagging； tumbling and leaping over one
another's backs；＇38＇ at intervals loudly giving tongue； and lifting up their
heads and peering into their master's face； as much as to say； 〃There is no
mistake about it this time；〃＇39＇ will presently of themselves start the hare
and be after her full cry； with bark and clamour。＇40＇ Thereupon； whether
the hare falls into the toils of the funnel net or rushes past outside or inside；
whatever incident betide； the net…keeper must with a shout proclaim the
fact。 Should the hare be caught； the huntsman has only to begin looking
for another； if not； he must follow up the chase once more with like
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encouragement。
＇38＇ Or； 〃whisking their tails and frisking wildly； and jostling
against one another； and leaping over one another at a great rate。〃 Al。
〃over one obstacle； and then another。〃
＇39＇ Or； 〃this is the true line at last。〃
＇40＇ Al。 〃with a crash of tongues。〃
When at length the hounds show symptoms of fatigue； and it is already
late in the day； the time has come for the huntsman to look for his hare that
lies dead…beat； nor must he wittingly leave any patch of green or clod of
earth untested。＇41＇ Backwards and forwards he must try and try again the
ground；＇42＇ to be sure that nothing has been overlooked。 The fact is； the
little creature lies in a small compass； and from fatigue and fear will not
get up。 As he leads the hounds on he will cheer and encourage them；
addressing with many a soft term the docile creature； the self…willed；
stubborn brute more rarely； and to a moderate extent the hound of average
capacity； till he either succeeds in running down or driving into the toils
some victim。＇43＇ After which he will pick up his nets； both small and large
alike； giving every hound a rub down； and return home from the hunting…
field； taking care； if it should chance to be a summer's noon； to halt a bit；
so that the feet of his hounds may not be blistered on the road。
＇41＇ Lit。 〃anything which earth puts forth or bears upon her bosom。〃
＇42＇ Or； 〃Many and many a cast back must he make。〃
＇43＇ The famous stanzas in 〃Venus and Adonis〃 may fitly close this
chapter。
And when thou hast on foot the purblind hare； Mark the poor wretch；
to overshoot his troubles How he outruns the wind and with what care He
cranks and crosses with a thousand doubles： The many musets
through the which he goes Are like a labyrinth to amaze his foes。
Sometimes he runs among a flock of sheep； To make the cunning
hounds mistake their smell； And sometimes where earth…delving conies
keep； To stop the loud pursuers in their yell； And sometimes sorteth
with a herd of deer： Danger deviseth shifts； wit waits on fear：
For there his smell with others being mingled； The hot scent…snuffing
hounds are driven to doubt； Ceasing their clamorous cry till they have
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singled With much ado the cold fault cleanly out： Then do they spend
their mouths： Echo replies； As if another chase were in the skies。
By this； poor Wat； far off upon a hill； Stands on his hinder legs with
listening ear； To hearken if his foes pursue him still： Anon their loud
alarums he doth hear； And now his grief may be compared well
To one sore sick that hears the passing…bell。
Then shalt thou see the dew…bedabbled wretch Turn； and return；
indenting with the way； Each envious brier his weary legs doth scratch；
Each shadow makes him stop； each murmur stay： For misery is
trodden on by many； And being low never relieved by any。
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