196
OF HAWKS AND HOUNDS IN ESSEX
" Will Dean11 was our huntsman, at Epping well known
For riding his hunter with grace;
For having a voice of stentorian tone,
And for breeding good hounds for the chase.
" A brave looking stag 'twas our fortune to rouse ;
The victim, appriz'ed of his fate,
Left his companions in quiet to browse,
And leap't o'er the high forest gate.
" Our huntsman was willing to give him some law,
Tho' his hounds were a clamorous crew,
Yet he kept them in check till the moment he saw,
'Twas time for the pack to pursue.
"' The word now was given, they sniff'd up the scent,.
And follow'd the deer in full cry ;
Sure this was the music our Somerville meant,
That was fit to mount up to the sky.
" On Buckett's Hill brow we had sight of the game,.
O'er Fair-Mead he flew like a lark ;
Pass'd Lord Orford's at High Spear 12 that temple of fame
Of old for our seamen to mark.
" With the hounds at his haunches he turn'd off full speed,
Left Loughton's sweet village behind ;
Then dash'd through the Abridge, skim'd over the mead,
And in Hainhault sought shelter to find.
" Full soon he discover'd himself in the wrong,
For our huntsman was up to his art;
And his strong scented slot made the swift-footed throng,.
Unwilling to let him depart.
" All Hainhault he circled with grace and with speed,
Left old Fairlop a distance behind ;
Reach'd the Thames, but his fears made his courage recede,.
And for East Ham that instant inclin'd.
" O'er the pales that encircle the physical grounds,
Sage Fothergill's constant delight;
He flew like a swallow to 'scape from the hounds,
To hide where the waters invite.
" In the lake he took soil to temper his heat,
Where the willows spread wide a cool shade;
But the pack all discerning soon found his retreat,
And the hunters soon followed the lead.
" Ha ! this was a moment of excellent bliss,
The task was the Marquis of Lome's ;
My lord gave the signal, what concord like this,
The chorus of huntsmen and horns.
1111111 1 Of Loughton Bridge, where the Kennels were. See Buxton's "Epping Forest," p. 77 (1884),
12 So called from a lofty spire seen on a clear day at sea.