Middletown transcript., 1870-01-08
THE FOX CHASE.

THE FOX CHASE.
Messrs Benjamin +. Kanely and James r.
Hoffecker having trapped n fine red fox some
days since, turned it loose upon the "Levels,"
near Mr. Kanelys residence, on Wednesday NOR
ming. Quite o number of huntsmen with their
hounds were present to join in the sport, but
Reynard gave them "leg-bail," and reached his
borough in safety. On Thursday about p. NJ.
n much more exciting chase took place. The fox
had been trapped by the same gentlemen, on the
Manor, and was turned loose in Mr. VIM. Green's
field, near the town, in the presence of large
number of spectators, who lined tho house-tops,
mounted the fences, and occupied every knoll, in
order to get good view of the chase. When
the fox was let out Of the bag, he galoped off at
u little distance then stopped and turned round
and deliberately surveyed the multitude. Then
he started off again, in gentle trot, seeming to
be in no hurry TO get to cover, but the shouts OF
the multitude accelerated his speed, and he dash
ed off into long lope, after having stopped sew
eral times to survey the crowd he was leaving
behind him. The dogs, fine pack of one dozen,
were then called, and scenting the trail 'gave
tongue" and dashed off in fine style; and after
running about mile, the fox doubled" and
fox and hounds and huntsmen, all crossed the
fields in full view of the spectators between the
town and the residence of Mr.. Il. II. Cochran.
The excitement was now at its height, and the
sight beautiful to look upon. The fox made foI
the Levels" and was captured back of Mr. Ii.
i. IIanson's residence, after an exciting chase Of
an hour and a half
The following spirited poem is graphic pic
ture of the chase, and comes in very appropos
Whilst reading it one almost feels as if MOUNTED
and dashing onward to the cry Of tally ho
bark ! forwardr'
AT earliest ray of bushing morn,
The huntsman winds his merry horn,
And with wild and thrilling strain
Awakes an eager hunting train:
And bids them, with all speed prepare
With him his noble sport to share.
The gallant hunter in his stall,
Impatient hears this pleasing CALI
| With spurning hoof, he paws the ground,
lie champs his bit and looks around.
| On high he waves his lofty crest,
| Erects his ears, expands his chest,
| And like the rainbow arch, his neck
| Is curv'd, tho not with BRIDES check
Restless he stands, with nostrils wide,
And with his neghings seems to chidc
| The huntsmen, for their long delay,
For eager he pants to hark away.
| The hound awakcs, he lifts his head
And hal. reluctant, leaves his bed,
| Now rubs his sides so gaunt and lean,
Now rolls upon the dewy green,
And liven'd by the stirring scene,
Now bears himself with prouder micn,
And now his deep and mellow note,
But half-suppress' d, breaks from his throat,
And busted round the huntsman' $ heels,
Shows what eager haste he feels,
At the first blush of dawning day,
On the bold chase to bark away.
A hasty meal with sportsman grace,
And all are ready for the chase;
Again the huntsman winds his horn,
And far away its notes are borne,
Der fields and woods and to the dells,
Where lonely Echo, always dwells,
And she repeats its martial note,
To hills and dalcs cen more remote;
Repeating oft this pleasing sound,
She wakes her fairy sisters round.
The morn's so calm, so still the air,
That Reynard absent from his lair,
Has heard that horn, and quick conlain,
lie steals along the dewy plain;
And now he seeks the tangled brake
To hide him by the scdgy lake,
When oft before the batfled pack,
Have failed to trace his stealthy track.
This morn howcv'r, his hopes are vain
For now the huutsmans noisy train,
Searching close the broken dale
Have CHANGED upon his devious trail.
Hark from the dale that swelling cry,
r From coverlids old Reynard hie
Then springng from his hidden bed
lie shakes his sides of dusky red,
And tho the object of the chase,
He feels cnliven'd for the race;
But mindful of his subtitle guile
lie battles still the pack awhile.
! lIark bark away the huntsmen shout,
The trail old Ranger has made out.
: The eager pack hark to that cry,
C To Ranger aid they quickly fly;
|, Here, Uneas of the pack takes lead,
t And all dash off at lively speed
: llark tally no the fox is seem
Il He's bounding from yon copse of green
Der fields he passes like the wind
9 The yelling pack are far behind.
l. The well-trained hounds with firm intent
d Are tracking close upon the scent;
r. The chase is liyened with their cry
IT As all the pack together vic;
l. Their music on the morning floats,
e In pleasing strains and cheering notes
f The huntsmen, two, with ardor keen
Course er the fields and meadows green,
And urge their gallant steeds apace,
in To win the trophy of the chase.
OF Now in the chase, when hours have sped,
K, The pack have gained upon old Red,
IN Then tired Reynard, faint and weak,
Id Is forced the tangled glade to seek;
m Where doubling DER his wiley track,
IT. lie throws at fault the eager pack;
This fault howev'r will not avail,
II For Blue Bitch's warm upon the trail;
H. llark list the music of the hounds,
10 That from yon dell so loud resounds
,'s There's music in that babbling cry
o. 1t tells the pack are gath'ring nigh;
90 1t fills Old Shammus' breast with cheer,
And brings to Reynard nought but fear.
o- Within dark and dreary glen,
m 4 Mid rocks sly Reynard has his den,
H- Where from the hounds, he safe can hide,
Cd And all their hate could there deride,
M To reach this glen, the distance great,
he And should he fail, he knows his fate
do No other vile has he to try,
The pack re pressing on so nigh;
Then from the glade he boldly breaks,
Id And for his den his course he takes.
ans 1Iarkl tally no that shout again,
an Tells Reynard's seen upon the plain:
wn Hark tally ho that thrilling sound
rod Now adds new yigor to each hound
IIark tally no with quickened speed,
Each huntsman urges on his steed,
of IIark tally ho with yell and shout
900 The chase has thickened to rout;
all Hark Hark the hounds old Reynard sp
ing Then sharp and eager is their cry:
, it One moment more and in their hate,
VI They've sealed in death poor Reynards ia