Hunting-Song

By Richard Hovey

Oh, who would stay indoor, indoor,
When the horn is on the hill? (Bugle: Tarantara!)
With the crisp air stinging, and the huntsmen singing,
And a ten-tined buck to kill!
Before the sun goes down, goes down,
We shall slay the buck of ten; (Bugle: Tarantara!)
And the priest shall say benison, and we shall ha’e venison,
When we come home again.
Let him that loves his ease, his ease,
Keep close and house him fair; (Bugle: Tarantara!)
He’ll still be a stranger to the merry thrill of danger
And the joy of the open air.
But he that loves the hills, the hills,
Let him come out to-day! (Bugle: Tarantara!)
For the horses are neighing, and the hounds are baying,
And the hunt’s up, and away!

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