The noble arte of venerie or hunting VVherein is handled and set out the vertues, nature, and properties of fiutene sundrie chaces togither, with the order and maner how to hunte and kill euery one of them. Translated and collected for the pleasure of all noblemen and gentlemen, out of the best approued authors, which haue written any thing concerning the same: and reduced into such order and proper termes as are vsed here, in this noble realme of England. The contentes vvhereof shall more playnely appeare in the page next followyng.

The report of a Huntesman vpon the sight of an Hart, in pride of greace. Chap. 36. (Book 36)

[illustration]

BEfore the Queene, I come report to make Then husht and peace, for noble Trystrams sake. From out my horne, my fewmets fyrst I drawe, And them present, on leaues, by hunters lawe: And thus I say: my liege, behold and see An Hart of tenne, I hope he harbord bee. For if you marke, his fewmets euery poynt, You shall them finde, long, round, and well annoynt, Knottie and great, withouten prickes or eares, The moystnesse shewes, what venysone he beares.

Then if my Prince, demaund what head he beare, I answere thus, with sober words and cheare: My liege I went, this morning on my quest, My hound did sticke, and seemde to vent some beast. I held him short, and drawing after him, I might behold, the Hart was feeding trym. His head was high, and large in each degree, Well palmed eke, and seemd full sound to be. Of colour broune, he beareth eight and tenne, Of stately heigth, and long he seemed then.

His beame seemd great, in good proportion led, Well burrde and round, well pearled, neare his head. He seemed fayre, tweene blacke and berrie brounde He seemes well fed, by all the signes I found. For when I had, well marked him with eye, I stept aside, to watch where he would lye. And when I so had wayted full an houre, That he might be, at layre and in his bo•…•…re, I cast about, to harbour him full sure. My hound (by sent) did me thereof assure. Entring the thicke, these fewmets did I spy, Which I tooke vp, and layd my markes thereby. In priuie pathes I walkt, and (creeping throw) I found the Slot, of other Harts ynow.

Both yong and olde, I founde of euery syse, But as for him, I hope that still he lyes: So that your grace (by likelyhoode) may him finde, He harbord is, according to my mynde.

Then if she aske, what Slot or view I found, I say, the Slot, or view, was long on ground, The toes were great, the ioyntbones round and short, The shinne bones large, the dewclawes close in port: Short ioynted was he, hollow footed eke, An Hart to hunt, as any man can seeke.