The Master of Game: The Oldest English Book on Hunting — John Shaqi
The Master of Game: The Oldest English Book on HuntingEdward, of Norwich
History
The Master of Game: The Oldest English Book on Hunting
Edward, of Norwich
Hunting -- Early works to 1800
The hare cannot be judged, either by the foot or by her fumes
(excrements), for she always crotieth[18] in one manner, except when
she goeth in her love that hunters call ryding time, for then she
crotieth her fumes more burnt (drier) and smaller, especially the
male. The hare liveth no long time, for with great pain may she pass
the second[19] year, though she be not hunted or slain. She hath bad
sight[20] and great fear to run[21] on account of the great dryness of
her sinews. She windeth far men when they seek her. When hounds grede
of her (seek) and quest her she flieth away for the fear that she hath
of the hounds. Sometimes men find her sitting in her form, and
sometimes she is bitten (taken) by hounds in her form before she
starts. They that abide in the form till they be found are commonly
stout hares, and well running. The hare that runneth with right
standing ears is but little afraid, and is strong, and yet when she
holdeth one ear upright and the other laid low on her ryge (back), she
feareth but little the hounds. An hare that crumps her tail upon her
rump when she starteth out of her form as a coney (does) it is a token
that she is strong and well running. The hare runneth in many diverse
manners, for some run all they are able a whole two miles or three,
and after run and ruse again and then stop still when they can no
more, and let themselves be bitten (by the hounds), although she may
not have been seen all the day. And sometimes she letteth herself be
bitten the first time that she starteth, for she has no more might
(strength). And some run a little while and then abide and squat, and
that they do oft. And then they take their flight as long as they can
run ere they are dead. And some be that abide till they are bitten in
their form, especially when they be young that have not passed half a
year. Men know by the outer side of the hare's leg if she has not
passed a year.[22] And so men should know of a hound, of a fox, and of
a wolf, by a little bone that they have in a bone which is next the
sinews, where there is a little pit (cavity).
[18] Casting her excrements.
[19] A mistake of the old scribes which occurs also in other MSS.; it
should, of course, read "seventh" year. G. de F. has the correct
version.
[20] G. de F. says: "She hears well but has bad sight," p. 43.
[21] "Fear to run" is a mistake occasioned by the similarity of the
two old French words "pouair," power, and "paour" or fear. In those of
the original French MS. of G. de F. examined by us it is certainly
"power" and not "fear." Lavallée in his introduction says the same
thing. See Appendix: Hare.
[22] See Appendix: Hare.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account