(12) i.e. "with the scent into a composite and confusing whole."(13) Or, "owing to the relaxed condition of their frames."(14) Lit. "The fruity odours do not, as commingling currents, injurethe trail."
The scent of the line leading to the hare's form lies longer than that of a hare on the run, and for this reason: in proceeding to her form the hare keeps stopping, (15) the other is in rapid motion; consequently, the ground in one case is thickly saturated all along with scent, in the other sparsely and superficially. So, too, scent lies better in woody than on barren ground, since, whilst running to and fro or sitting up, the creature comes in contact with a variety of objects. Everything that earth produces or bears upon her bosom will serve as puss's resting-place. These are her screen, her couch, her canopy; (16) apart, it may be, or close at hand, or at some middle point, among them she lies ensconced. At times, with an effort taxing all her strength, she will spring across to where some jutting point or clinging undergrowth on sea or freshet may attract her.
(15) "The form tracks are made by the hare leisurely proceeding andstopping at times; those on the run quickly."(16) Lit. "Anything and everything will serve to couch under, orabove, within, beside, now at some distance off, and now hard by,and now midway between."
The couching hare (17) constructs her form for the most part in sheltered spots during cold weather and in shady thickets during the hot season, but in spring and autumn on ground exposed to the sun. Not so the running (18) animal, for the simple reason that she is scared out of her wits by the hounds. (19)
(17) "The form-frequenting hare."(18) "Her roving congener," i.e. the hunted hare that squats. Thedistinction drawn is between the form chosen by the hare for herown comfort, and her squatting-place to escape the hounds whenhunted.(19) i.e. "the dogs have turned her head and made her as mad as aMarch hare."
In reclining the hare draws up the thighs under the flanks, (20) putting its fore-legs together, as a rule, and stretching them out, resting its chin on the tips of its feet. It spreads its ears out over the shoulder-blades, and so shelters the tender parts of its body; its hair serves as a protection, (21) being thick and of a downy texture. When awake it keeps on blinking its eyelids, (22) but when asleep the eyelids remain wide open and motionless, and the eyes rigidly fixed; during sleep it moves its nostrils frequently, if awake less often.
(20) Pollux, v. 72.(21) Or, "as a waterproof."(22) So Pollux, ib.
When the earth is bursting with new verdure, (23) fields and farm-lands rather than mountains are their habitat. (24) When tracked by the huntsman their habit is everywhere to await approach, except only in case of some excessive scare during the night, in which case they will be on the move.
(23) "When the ground teems with vegetation."(24) Or, "they frequent cultivated lands," etc.
The fecundity of the hare is extraordinary. The female, having produced one litter, is on the point of producing a second when she is already impregnated for a third. (25)
(25) Re hyper-foetation cf. Pollux, v. 73, ap. Schneid.; Herod. iii.108; Aristot. "H. A." iv. 5; Erastosthenes, "Catasterism," 34;Aelian, "V. H." ii. 12; Plin. "N. H." vii. 55.
The scent of the leveret lies stronger (26) than that of the grown animal. While the limbs are still soft and supple they trail full length on the ground. Every true sportsman, however, will leave these quite young creatures to roam freely. (27) "They are for the goddess." Full-grown yearlings will run their first chase very swiftly, (28) but they cannot keep up the pace; in spite of agility they lack strength.
(26) Cf. Pollux, v. 74.(27) {aphiasi}, cf. Arrian, xxii. 1, "let them go free"; Aesch. "P.V." 666; Plat. "Prot." 320 A.(28) Or, "will make the running over the first ring."
To find the trail you must work the dogs downwards through the cultivated lands, beginning at the top. Any hares that do not come into the tilled districts must be sought in the meadows and the glades; near rivulets, among the stones, or in woody ground. If the quarry makes off, (29) there should be no shouting, that the hounds may not grow too eager and fail to discover the line. When found by the hounds, and the chase has begun, the hare will at times cross streams, bend and double and creep for shelter into clefts and crannied lurking-places; (30) since they have not only the hounds to dread, but eagles also; and, so long as they are yearlings, are apt to be carried off in the clutches of these birds, in the act of crossing some slope or bare hillside. When they are bigger they have the hounds after them to hunt them down and make away with them. The fleetest-footed would appear to be those of the low marsh lands. The vagabond kind (31) addicted to every sort of ground are difficult to hunt, for they know the short cuts, running chiefly up steeps or across flats, over inequalities unequally, and downhill scarcely at all.
(29) Or, "shifts her ground."(30) Or, "in their terror not of dogs only, but of eagles, since up toa year old they are liable to be seized by these birds of preywhile crossing some bottom or bare ground, while if bigger..."(31) {oi... planetai}, see Ael. op. cit. xiii. 14.
Whilst being hunted they are most visible in crossing ground that has been turned up by the plough, if, that is, they have any trace of red about them, or through stubble, owing to reflection. So, too, they are visible enough on beaten paths or roads, presuming these are fairly level, since the bright hue of their coats lights up by contrast. On the other hand, they are not noticeable when they seek the cover of rocks, hills, screes, or scrub, owing to similarity of colour. Getting a fair start of the hounds, they will stop short, sit up and rise themselves up on their haunches, (32) and listen for any bark or other clamour of the hounds hard by; and when the sound reaches them, off and away they go. At times, too, without hearing, merely fancying or persuading themselves that they hear the hounds, they will fall to skipping backwards and forwards along the same trail, (33) interchanging leaps, and interlacing lines of scent, (34) and so make off and away.
(32) Cf. the German "Mannerchen machen," "play the mannikin." Shaks."V. and A." 697 foll.(33) Passage imitated by Arrian, xvi. 1.(34) Lit. "imprinting track upon track," but it is better perhaps toavoid the language of woodcraft at this point.
These animals will give the longest run when found upon the open, there being nothing there to screen the view; the shortest run when started out of thickets, where the very darkness is an obstacle.
There are two distinct kinds of hare—the big kind, which is somewhat dark in colour (35) with a large white patch on the forehead; and the smaller kind, which is yellow-brown with only a little white. The tail of the former kind is variegated in a circle; of the other, white at the side. (36) The eyes of the large kind are slightly inclined to gray; (37) of the smaller, bluish. The black about the tips of the ears is largely spread in the one, but slightly in the other species. Of these two species, the smaller is to be met with in most of the islands, desert and inhabited alike. As regards numbers they are more abundant in the islands than on the mainland; the fact being that in most of these there are no foxes to attack and carry off either the grown animal or its young; nor yet eagles, whose habitat is on lofty mountains rather than the lower type of hills which characterise the islands. (38) Again, sportsmen seldom visit the desert islands, and as to those which are inhabited, the population is but thinly scattered and the folk themselves not addicted to the chase; while in the case of the sacred islands, (39) the importation of dogs is not allowed. If, then, we consider what a small proportion of hares existent at the moment will be hunted down and again the steady increase of the stock through reproduction, the enormous numbers will not be surprising. (40)
(35) {epiperknoi}. Cf. Pollux, v. 67 foll., "mottled with black."Blane.(36) Reading {paraseiron}, perhaps "mottled"; vulg. {paraseron}. Al.{parasuron}, "ecourtee," Gail.(37) {upokharopoi}, "subfulvi," Sturz, i.e. "inclined to tawny"; al."fairly lustrous." Cf. {ommata moi glaukas kharopotera pollon'Athanas}, Theocr. xx. 25; but see Aristot. "H. A." i. 10; "Gen.An." v. 1. 20.(38) Lit. "and those on the islands are for the most part of lowaltitude."(39) e.g. Delos. See Strab. x. 456; Plut. "Mor." 290 B; and so Lagia,Plin. iv. 12.(40) Lit. "As the inhabitants hunt down but a few of them, theseconstantly being added to by reproduction, there must needs be alarge number of them."
The hare has not a keen sight for many reasons. To begin with, its eyes are set too prominently on the skull, and the eyelids are clipped and blear, (41) and afford no protection to the pupils. (42) Naturally the sight is indistinct and purblind. (43) Along with which, although asleep, for the most part it does not enjoy visual repose. (44) Again, its very fleetness of foot contributes largely towards dim-sightedness. It can only take a rapid glance at things in passing, and then off before perceiving what the particular object is. (45)
(41) Or, "defective."(42) Al. "against the sun's rays."(43) Or, "dull and mal-concentrated." See Pollux, v. 69.(44) i.e. "its eyes are not rested, because it sleeps with them open."(45) i.e. "it goes so quick, that before it can notice what theparticular object is, it must avert its gaze to the next, and thenthe next, and so on."
The alarm, too, of those hounds for ever at its heels pursuing combines with everything (46) to rob the creature of all prescience; so that for this reason alone it will run its head into a hundred dangers unawares, and fall into the toils. If it held on its course uphill, (47) it would seldom meet with such a fate; but now, through its propensity to circle round and its attachment to the place where it was born and bred, it courts destruction. Owing to its speed it is not often overtaken by the hounds by fair hunting. (48) When caught, it is the victim of a misfortune alien to its physical nature.
(46) {meta touton}, sc. "with these other causes"; al. "with thedogs"; i.e. "like a second nightmare pack."(47) Reading {orthion}, or if {orthon}, transl. "straight on."(48) {kata podas}, i.e. "by running down"; cf. "Mem." II. vi. 9;"Cyrop." I. vi. 40, re two kinds of hound: the one for scent, theother for speed.
The fact is, there is no other animal of equal size which is at all its match in speed. Witness the conformation of its body: the light, small drooping head (narrow in front); (49) the (thin cylindrical) (50) neck, not stiff and of a moderate length; straight shoulder-blades, loosely slung above; the fore-legs attached to them, light and set close together; (51) the undistended chest; (52) the light symmetrical sides; the supple, well-rounded loins; the fleshy buttocks; the somewhat sunken flanks; (53) the hips, well rounded, plump at every part, but with a proper interval above; the long and solid thighs, on the outside tense and not too flabby on the inside; the long, stout lower legs or shanks; the fore-feet, exceedingly pliant, thin, and straight; the hind-feet firm and broad; front and hind alike totally regardless of rough ground; the hind-legs far longer than the fore, inclined outwards somewhat; the fur (54) short and light.
(49) Reading {katophere (stenen ek tou emprosthen)}. See Lenz ad loc.pp. 23, 24. Pollux, v. 69.(50) Reading { (lepton, periphere)}.(51) {sugkola}, al. "compactly knit."(52) Lit. {ou barutonon}, "not deep sounding" = {ou sarkodes}, Pollux,ib.(53) Reading {lagonas ugras lagaras ikanos}.(54) {trikhona}, "the coat."
I say an animal so happily constructed must needs be strong and pliant; the perfection of lightness and agility. If proof of this lightness and agility be needed, here is a fact in illustration. When proceeding quietly, its method of progression is by leaps; no one ever saw or is likely to see a hare walking. What it does is to place the hind-feet in front of the fore-feet and outside them, and so to run, if running one can call it. The action prints itself plainly on snow. The tail is not conducive to swiftness of pace, being ill adapted by its stumpiness to act as a rudder to direct the body. The animal has to do this by means of one or other ear; (55) as may be seen, when she is on the point of being caught by the hounds. (56) At that instant you may see her drop and shoot out aslant one of her ears towards the point of attack, and then, apparently throwing her full weight on that pivot, turn sharp round and in a moment leave her assailants far behind.
(55) So Ael. "N. A." xiii. 14.(56) Pollux, v. 71. For punctuation, see Lenz ad loc. p. 25.
So winsome a creature is it, that to note the whole of the proceedings from the start—the quest by scent, the find, the pack in pursuit full cry, the final capture—a man might well forget all other loves. (57)
(57) See Arrian, xvi. 6, his criticism. Schneid. cf. Plut. "Mor." 1096C. Hermog. iii. 319, 11, ed. Walz.
Here it should be added that the sportsman, who finds himself on cultivated lands, should rigidly keep his hands off the fruits of the season, and leave springs and streams alone. To meddle with them is ugly and base, not to speak of the bad example of lawlessness set to the beholder. During the close season (58) all hunting gear should be taken down and put away.
(58) Al. "wahrend der Jagdferien," Lenz; "on Sundays," as we mightsay. See some remarks on S. 34 in "Hellenica Essays," "Xenophon,"p. 349.
VI
The equipment of the dogs consists of collar straps, leashes, and surcingles, (1) and the collar should be broad and soft so as not to rub the dog's coat; the leash should have a noose for the hand, (2) and nothing else. The plan of making collar and leash all in one is a clumsy contrivance for keeping a hound in check. (3) The surcingle should be broad in the thongs so as not to gall the hound's flanks, and with spurs stitched on to the leather, to preserve the purity of the breed. (4)
(1) {stelmoniai}, al. {telamonias}, broad belts or girths, corselets.Pollux, v. 55.(2) Pollux, v. 56.(3) Lit. "since those who make the collar out of the leash do not keephold (al. take care) of their hounds well."(4) See "A Day with Xenophon's Harriers," "Macmillan's Mag." Jan.1895, p. 183.
As to taking the hounds out to hunt, no hound ought to be taken out which refuses its food, a conclusive proof that the animal is ailing. Nor again, when a violent wind is blowing, for three good reasons: the scent will not lie, the hounds cannot smell, (5) neither the nets nor hayes will stand. In the absence, however, of any of these hindrances, take them out every other day. (6) Do not let your hounds get into the habit of hunting foxes. Nothing is so ruinous; and just at the moment when you want them, they will not be forthcoming. On the other hand, vary the hunting-ground in taking them out; which will give the pack a wider experience in hunting and their master a better knowledge of the country. The start should be early in the morning, unless the scent is to fail the hounds entirely. (7) The dilatory sportsman robs the pack of finding and himself of profit. (8) Subtle and delicate by nature, scent will not last all day.
(5) "You cannot trust the hound's nose."(6) "Every third day," {dia trites tes emeras}.(7) Lit. "in order that they may not be deprived of following up thescent."(8) Or, "a late start means the hounds will be robbed of a find andthe huntsman of his reward."
The net-keeper should wear a light costume. His business is to fix the nets about the runs, (9) paths, bends, and hollows, and darksome spots, brooks, dry torrents, or perennial mountain streams. These are the places to which the hare chiefly betakes itself for refuge; though there are of course endless others. These, and the side passages into, and exits from them, whether well marked or ill defined, are to be stopped just as day breaks; not too early, so that, in case the line of nets be in the neighbourhood of covert to be searched for game, (10) the animal may not be scared at hearing the thud close by. (11) If, on the contrary, there should be a wide gap between the two points, there is less to hinder making the net lines clear and clean quite early, so that nothing may cling to them. The keeper must fix the forked props slantwise, so as to stand the strain when subjected to tension. He must attach the nooses equally on the points; and see that the props are regularly fixed, raising the pouch towards the middle; (12) and into the slip-rope he must insert a large, long stone, to prevent the net from stretching in the opposite direction, when it has got the hare inside. He will fix the rows of poles with stretches of net sufficiently high to prevent the creature leaping over. (13) In hunting, "no procrastination" should be the motto, since it is sportsmanlike at once and a proof of energy by all means to effect a capture quickly. He will stretch the larger (haye) nets upon level spaces; and proceed to plant the road nets upon roads and at converging points of tracks and footpaths; (14) he must attach the border-ropes to the ground, draw together the elbows or side ends of the nets, fix the forked props between the upper meshes, (15) adjust the skirting ropes upon the tops, and close up gaps.
(9) See Pollux, v. 35.(10) Al. "of the game to be hunted up."(11) {omou}, "e propinquo." Schn. cf. "Cyrop." III. i. 2; VI. iii. 7.(12) Or, "giving the funnel or belly a lift in the middle."{kekruphalon}, Pollux, v. 31.(13) This sentence according to Lenz is out of its place, referringsolely to the haye nets; the order of the words should be {ta dediktua teineto en apedois stoikhizeto de, k.t.l.} If so, transl."He should stretch the hayes on level ground and fix, etc.; Theroad nets should be planted... etc."(14) Al. "at convenient points or where paths converge." See Schneid.s.v. {sumpheronta}.(15) {sardonion}, Pollux, v. 31. Al. "fixing the stakes between theedges."
Then he will play sentinel and go his rounds; if a prop or funnel wants supporting, he will set it up; and when the hare comes with the hounds behind her he will urge her forwards to the toils, with shout and halloa thundering at her heels. When she is fairly entangled, he is to calm the fury of the hounds, without touching them, by soothing, encouraging tones. He is also to signal to the huntsman with a shout, that the quarry is taken, or has escaped this side or that, or that he has not seen it, or where he last caught sight of it. (16)
(16) Or, "'caught,' 'escaped,' (this side or that), 'not seen,''marked.'"
The sportsman himself should sally forth in a loose, light hunting dress, (17) and footgear (18) to match; he should carry a stout stick in his hand, the net-keeper following. They should proceed to the hunting-field in silence, to prevent the hare, if by chance there should be one close by, from making off at the sound of voices. When they have reached the covert, he will tie the hounds to trees, each separately, so that they can be easily slipped from the leash, and proceed to fix the nets, funnel and hayes, as above described. When that is done, and while the net-keeper mounts guard, the master himself will take the hounds and sally forth to rouse the game. (19) Then with prayer and promise to Apollo and to Artemis, our Lady of the Chase, (20) to share with them the produce of spoil, he lets slip a single hound, the cunningest at scenting of the pack. (If it be winter, the hour will be sunrise, or if summer, before day-dawn, and in the other seasons at some hour midway.) As soon as the hound has unravelled the true line (21) he will let slip another; and then, if these carry on the line, at rapid intervals he will slip the others one by one; and himself follow, without too great hurry, (22) addressing each of the dogs by name every now and then, but not too frequently, for fear of over-exciting them before the proper moment.
(17) {emelemenen} = neglige, plain, unpretentious.(18) Pollux, v. 18.(19) Al. "intent on the working of the pack."(20) "To thee thy share of this chase, Lord Apollo; and thine to thee,O Huntress Queen!"(21) Or, "carries a line straight away from the many that interlace."(22) Or, "without forcing the pace."
Meanwhile the hounds are busily at work; onwards they press with eager spirit, disentangling the line, double or treble, as the case may be. (23) To and fro they weave a curious web, (24) now across, now parallel with the line, (25) whose threads are interlaced, here overlapped, and here revolving in a circle; now straight, now crooked; here close, there rare; at one time clear enough, at another dimly owned. Past one another the hounds jostle—tails waving fast, ears dropt, and eyes flashing.
(23) "Discovering two or three scents, as the case may be";"unravelling her line, be it single or double."(24) {prophoreisthai} = {diazesthai}, Pollux, vii. 52. Schneid. cf.Aristoph. "Birds," 4, {apoloumeth' allos ten odon prophoroumeno}.
Still up and down, old sinner, must we pace; 'Twill kill us both, this vain, long, wearing race (Kennedy).
(25) See Arrian, xx. 2.
But when they are really close to the hare they will make the matter plain to the huntsman by various signs—the quivering of their bodies backwards and forwards, sterns and all; the ardour meaning business; the rush and emulaton; the hurry-scurry to be first; the patient following-up of the whole pack; at one moment massed together, and at another separated; and once again the steady onward rush. At last they have reached the hare's form, and are in the act to spring upon her. But she on a sudden will start up and bring about her ears the barking clamour of the whole pack as she makes off full speed. Then as the chase grows hot, the view halloo! of the huntsman may be heard: "So ho, good hounds! that's she! cleverly now, good hounds! so ho, good hounds!" (26) And so, wrapping his cloak (27) about his left arm, and snatching up his club, he joins the hounds in the race after the hare, taking care not to get in their way, (28) which would stop proceedings. (29) The hare, once off, is quickly out of sight of her pursuers; but, as a rule, will make a circuit back to the place where she was found. (30)
(26) Reading {io kunes, io kunes, sophos ge o kunes, kalos ge okunes}. Al. {io kunes, io kakos} = "To her, dogs! that won't do!""Ho, ho, Hunde! Ho, ho, falsch! Recht so, Hunde! schon so, Hunde!"(Lenz).(27) {o ampekhetai}, "the shawl or plaid which he carries on hisshoulders." See Pollux, v. 10.(28) "Not to head the chase." Sir Alex. Grant, "Xen." p. 167.(29) {aporon}, "which would be awkward" (see Arrian, xxv. 8).(30) "Where the nets are set," Sir A. Grant. See his comment, l.c.
He must shout then to the keeper, "Mark her, boy, mark her! hey, lad! hey, lad!" and the latter will make known whether the hare is caught or not. Supposing the hare to be caught in her first ring, the huntsman has only to call in the hounds and beat up another. If not, his business is to follow up the pack full speed, and not give in, but on through thick and through thin, for toil is sweet. And if again they chance upon her in the chevy, (31) his cheery shout will be heard once more, "Right so! right so, hounds! forward on, good hounds!"
(31) {apantosi diokousai auton}, al. "come across the huntsman again."
But if the pack have got too long a start of him, and he cannot overtake them, however eagerly he follows up the hunt—perhaps he has altogether missed the chase, or even if they are ranging close and giving tongue and sticking to the scent, he cannot see them—still 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 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 mistake—helter-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 alongby 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 encouragement.
(38) Or, "whisking their tails and frisking wildly, and jostlingagainst one another, and leaping over one another at a greatrate." 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 thischapter.And when thou hast on foot the purblind hare,Mark the poor wretch, to overshoot his troublesHow he outruns the wind and with what careHe cranks and crosses with a thousand doubles:The many musets through the which he goesAre 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 singledWith 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 wellTo one sore sick that hears the passing-bell.Then shalt thou see the dew-bedabbled wretchTurn, 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.
VII
For breeding purposes choose winter, and release the bitches from hard work; (1) which will enable them to profit by repose and to produce a fine progeny towards spring, since that season is the best to promote the growth of the young dogs. The bitch is in heat for fourteen days, (2) and the moment at which to put her to the male, with a view to rapid and successful impregnation, is when the heat is passing off. Choose a good dog for the purpose. When the bitch is ready to whelp she should not be taken out hunting continuously, but at intervals sufficient to avoid a miscarriage through her over-love of toil. The period of gestation lasts for sixty days. When littered the puppies should be left to ther own dam, and not placed under another bitch; foster-nursing does not promote growth in the same way, whilst nothing is so good for them as their own mother's milk and her breath, (3) and the tenderness of her caresses. (4)
(1) Or, "Winter is the time at which to pair dogs for breeding, thebitches to be released from hard work, so that with the repose sosecured they may produce a fine litter in spring."(2) Lit. "this necessity holds." Cf. Aristot. "H. A." vi. 20; Arrian,xxvii., xxxi. 3.(3) Cf. Eur. "Tro." 753, {o khrotos edu pneuma}.(4) Cf. Arrian, xxx. 2; Pollux, v. 50; Columella, vii. 12, 12, ap.Schneid.
Presently, when the puppies are strong enough to roam about, they should be given milk (5) for a whole year, along with what will form their staple diet in the future, but nothing else. A heavy diet will distort the legs of a young dog, engender disease in other limbs, and the internal mechanism will get out of order. (6)
(5) See Arrian, xxxi.; Stonehenge, p. 264.(6) Or, "the internal organs get wrong" ({adika}). Cf. "Memorabilia,"IV. iv. 5.
They should have short names given them, which will be easy to call out. (7) The following may serve as specimens:—Psyche, Pluck, Buckler, Spigot, Lance, Lurcher, Watch, Keeper, Brigade, Fencer, Butcher, Blazer, Prowess, Craftsman, Forester, Counsellor, Spoiler, Hurry, Fury, Growler, Riot, Bloomer, Rome, Blossom, Hebe, Hilary, Jolity, Gazer, Eyebright, Much, Force, Trooper, Bustle, Bubbler, Rockdove, Stubborn, Yelp, Killer, Pele-mele, Strongboy, Sky, Sunbeam, Bodkin, Wistful, Gnome, Tracks, Dash. (8)
(7) Cf. Arrian, xxxi. 2; Oppian, "Cyn," i. 443; ap. Schneid.(8) The following is Xenophon's list:—{Psukhe} = Soul{Thumos} = Spirit{Porpax} = Hasp of shield{Sturax} = Spike of spear at the butt end{Logkhe} = Lance{Lokhos} = Ambush, or "Company"{Phroura} = Watch{Phulax} = Guard{Taxis} = Order, Rank, Post, Brigade{Xiphon} = Swordsman{Phonax} = Slaughterer, cf. "King Death"{Phlegon} = Blazer{'Alke} = Prowess, Victory{Teukhon} = Craftsman{'Uleus} = Woodsman, "Dashwood"{Medas} = Counsellor{Porthon} = Spoiler, "Rob Roy"{Sperkhon} = Hastener, "Rocket"{'Orge} = Fury, Rage{Bremon} = Growler, Roarer{'Ubris} = Hybris, Riot, Insolence{Thallon} = Blooming, "Gaudy"{'Rome} = Strength, "Romeo"{'Antheus} = Blossom{'Eba} = Youth{Getheus} = Gladsome{Khara} = Joy{Leusson} = Gazer{Augo} = Daybeam{Polus} = Much{Bia} = Force{Stikhon} = Stepping in rank and file{Spoude} = Much ado{Bruas} = Gusher{Oinas} = (1) Vine, (2) Rockdove. See Aristot. "H. A." v. 13,14; i. 3, 10; Ael. "N. A." iv. 58. = Columba livia =rockdove, the colour of ripening grapes; al. {oinas} =the vine.{Sterros} = "Stiff," "King Sturdy"{Krauge} = Clamour. Cf. Plat. "Rep." 607 B.{Kainon} = Killer{Turbas} = "Topsy-turvy"{Sthenon} = Strong man{Aither} = Ether{'Aktis} = Ray of light{Aikhme} = Spear-point{Nors} = Clever (girl){Gnome} = Maxim{Stibon} = Tracker{'Orme} = Dash. So Arrian ("Cyn." viii. 5) named his favourite hound.For other names see Herodian, {peri mon. l} (on monosyllables),12. 7; "Corp. Inscr." iv. p. 184, n. 8319; Arrian, v. 6, xix.;Colum. vii. 12, 13. According to Pollux, v. 47, Xenophon had a dognamed {ippokentauros} (cf. "Cyrop." IV. iii. 17).
The young hounds may be taken out to the chase at the age of eight months (9) if bitches, or if males at the age of ten. They should not be let loose on the trail of a hare sitting, (10) but should be kept attached by long leashes and allowed to follow on a line while scenting, (11) with free scope to run along the trail. (12)
(9) Cf. Pollux, v. 54; al. Arrian, xxv., xxvi.(10) Pollux, v. 12.(11) "The dogs that are trailing," Blane.(12) See Stonehenge, "Entering of greyhound and deerhound, offoxhounds and harriers," pp. 284, 285.
As soon as a hare is found, provided the young hounds have the right points (13) for running, they should not be let loose straight off: the huntsman should wait until the hare has got a good start and is out of sight, then let the young hounds go. (14) The result of letting slip young hounds, possessed of all the requisite points and full of pluck, (15) is that the sight of the hare will make them strain too violently and pull them to bits, (16) while their frames are as yet unknit; a catastrophe against which every sportsman should strenuously guard. If, on the other hand, the young hounds do not promise well for running, (17) there is no harm in letting them go. From the start they will give up all hope of striking the hare, and consequently escape the injury in question. (18)
(13) For points see the same authority: the harrier, p. 59; thefoxhound, p. 54.(14) See Arrian's comment and dissent, xxv. 4.(15) Lit. "which are at once well shaped and have the spirit for thechase in them."(16) Al. "they will overstrain themselves with the hare in sight, andbreak a blood-vessel." See Arrian, xxxi. 4, {regnuntai gar autaisai lagones}.(17) Or, "are defectively built for the chase."(18) Or, "will not suffer such mishap."
As to the trail of a hare on the run, there is no harm in letting them follow it up till they overtake her. (19) When the hare is caught the carcass should be given to the young hounds to tear in pieces. (20)
(19) Perhaps read {eos an thelosi}, "as long as they choose." The MSS.have {elthosi}.(20) See Stonehenge, p. 287, "blooded, so as to make him understandthe nature of the scent"; ib. 284.
As soon as these young hounds refuse to stay close to the nets and begin to scatter, they must be called back; till they have been accustomed to find the hare by following her up; or else, if not taught to quest for her (time after time) in proper style, they may end by becoming skirters (21)—a bad education. (22)
(21) {ekkunoi}, cf. Arrian, xxv. 5.(22) {poneron mathema}, ib. 9.
As long as they are pups, they should have their food given them near the nets, when these are being taken up, (23) so that if from inexperience they should lose their way on the hunting-field, they may come back for it and not be altogether lost. In time they will be quit of this instinct themselves, (24) when their hostile feeling towards the animal is developed, and they will be more concerned about the quarry than disposed to give their food a thought. (25)
(23) {anairontai} sc. {ai arkues}, see above, vi. 26.(24) Or, "abandon the practice."(25) See Stonehenge, p. 289 (another context): "... the desire forgame in a well-bred dog is much greater than the appetite forfood, unless the stomach has long been deprived of it."
As a rule, the master should give the dogs their food with his own hand; since, however much the animal may be in want of food without his knowing who is to blame for that, it is impossible to have his hunger satisfied without his forming an affection for his benefactor. (26)
(26) Or, "If want in itself does not reveal to him the cause of hissuffering, to be given food when hungry for it will arouse in himaffection for the donor."
VIII
The time to track hares is after a fall of snow deep enough to conceal the ground completely. As long as there are black patches intermixed, the hare will be hard to find. It is true that outside these the tracks will remain visible for a long time, when the snow comes down with a north wind blowing, because the snow does not melt immediately; but if the wind be mild with gleams of sunshine, they will not last long, because the snow is quickly thawed. When it snows steadily and without intermission there is nothing to be done; the tracks will be covered up. Nor, again, if there be a strong wind blowing, which will whirl and drift the snow about and obliterate the tracks. It will not do to take the hounds into the field in that case; (1) since owing to excessive frost the snow will blister (2) the feet and noses of the dogs and destroy the hare's scent. Then is the time for the sportsman to take the haye nets and set off with a comrade up to the hills, and leave the cultivated lands behind; and when he has got upon the tracks to follow up the clue. If the tracks are much involved, and he follows them only to find himself back again ere along at the same place, (3) he must make a series of circuits and sweep round the medley of tracks, till he finds out where they really lead. (4)
(1) Lit. "I say it is no use setting out with dogs to this chase."(2) {kaei}. Cf. Arrian, xiv. 5.(3) Reading {ekonta} sc. {ton kunegeten...} or if {ekonta, kuklous}(sc. {ta ikhne}), transl. "if the tracks are involved, doubling onthemselves and coming back eventually to the same place."(4) Or, "where the end of the string is."
The hare makes many windings, being at a loss to find a resting-place, and at the same time she is accustomed to deal subtly (5) in her method of progression, because her footsteps lead perpetually to her pursuit.
(5) {tekhnazein}. Cf. Ael. "N. A." vi. 47, ap. Schneid. A fact forUncle Remus.
As soon as the track is clear, (6) the huntsman will push on a little farther; and it will bring him either to some embowered spot (7) or craggy bank; since gusts of wind will drift the snow beyond such spots, whereby a store of couching-places (8) is reserved (9); and that is what puss seeks.
(6) "Discovered."(7) "Thicket or overhanging crag."(8) {eunasima}, "places well adapted for a form."(9) Al. "many places suited for her form are left aside by puss, butthis she seeks."
If the tracks conduct the huntsman to this kind of covert he had better not approach too near, for fear the creature should move off. Let him make a circuit round; the chances are that she is there; and that will soon be clear; for if so, the tracks will not trend outwards from the place at any point. (10)
(10) L. Dind. emend. {oudamoi}, "the tracks will not pass in anydirection outwards from such ground."
And now when it is clear that puss is there, there let her bide; she will not sir; let him set off and seek another, before the tracks are indistinct; being careful only to note the time of day; so that, in case he discovers others, there will be daylight enough for him to set up the nets. (11) When the final moment has come, he will stretch the big haye nets round the first one and then the other victim (precisely as in the case of one of those black thawed patches above named), so as to enclose within the toils whatever the creature is resting on. (12) As soon as the nets are posted, up he must go and start her. If she contrive to extricate herself from the nets, (13) he must after her, following her tracks; and presently he will find himself at a second similar piece of ground (unless, as is not improbable, she smothers herself in the snow beforehand). (14) Accordingly he must discover where she is and spread his toils once more; and, if she has energy still left, pursue the chase. Even without the nets, caught she will be, from sheer fatigue, (15) owing to the depth of the snow, which balls itself under her shaggy feet and clings to her, a sheer dead weight.