HART-LEAP WELL. Hart Leap Well is a small spring of water, about five miles from Richmond in Yorkshire, and near the side of the road which leads from Richmond to Askrigg. Its name is derived from a remarkable chace, the memory of which is preserved by the monuments spoken of in the second Part of the following Poem, which monuments do now exist as I have there described them. The Knight had ridden down from Wensley moor "Another Horse!"-That shout the Vassal heard, Joy sparkled in the prancing Courser's eyes; The horse and horsemen are a happy pair; A rout this morning left Sir Walter's Hall, Sir Walter, restless as a veering wind, The Knight halloo'd, he chid and cheer'd them on With suppliant gestures and upbraidings stern; But breath and eye-sight fail, and, one by one, The dogs are stretch'd among the mountain fern. Where is the throng, the tumult of the chace ! The bugles that so joyfully were blown? This race it looks not like an earthly race; Sir Walter and the Hart are left alone. The poor Hart toils along the mountain side; Dismounting then, he lean'd against a thorn, He had no follower, dog, nor man, nor boy : He neither smack'd his whip, nor blew his horn, But gaz'd upon the spoil with silent joy. Close to the thorn on which Sir Walter lean'd, Stood his dumb partner in this glorious act; Weak as a lamb the hour that it is yean'd, And foaming like a mountain cataract. Upon his side the Hart was lying stretch'd : His nose half-touch'd a spring beneath a hill, And now, too happy for repose or rest, Was never man in such a joyful case, Sir Walter walk'd all round, north, south and west, And gaz'd, and gaz'd upon that darling place.. And turning up the hill, it was at least Nine roods of sheer ascent, Sir Walter found Three several marks which with his hoofs the beast Had left imprinted on the verdant ground. Sir Walter wiped his face, and cried, " Till now |