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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:16:37 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:16:37 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/1180-0.txt b/1180-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2221375 --- /dev/null +++ b/1180-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2812 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1180 *** + +THE SPORTSMAN + +by Xenophon + +Translation by H. G. Dakyns + + + + + Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 B.C. He was a + pupil of Socrates. He marched with the Spartans, + and was exiled from Athens. Sparta gave him land + and property in Scillus, where he lived for many + years before having to move once more, to settle + in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C. + + The Sportsman is a manual on hunting hares, deer + and wild boar, including the topics of dogs, and + the benefits of hunting for the young. + + + + + PREPARER'S NOTE + + This was typed from Dakyns' series, "The Works of Xenophon," a + four-volume set. The complete list of Xenophon's works (though + there is doubt about some of these) is: + + Work Number of books + + The Anabasis 7 + The Hellenica 7 + The Cyropaedia 8 + The Memorabilia 4 + The Symposium 1 + The Economist 1 + On Horsemanship 1 + The Sportsman 1 + The Cavalry General 1 + The Apology 1 + On Revenues 1 + The Hiero 1 + The Agesilaus 1 + The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians 2 + + Text in brackets "{}" is my transliteration of Greek text into + English using an Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. The + diacritical marks have been lost. + + + + +ON HUNTING + +A Sportsman's Manual + +Commonly Called CYNEGETICUS + + + +I + +To the gods themselves is due the discovery, to Apollo and Artemis, +patrons of the chase and protectors of the hound. (1) As a guerdon they +bestowed it upon Cheiron, (2) by reason of his uprightness, and he took +it and was glad, and turned the gift to good account. At his feet +sat many a disciple, to whom he taught the mystery of hunting and of +chivalry (3)--to wit, Cephalus, Asclepius, Melanion, Nestor, Amphiaraus, +Peleus, Telamon, Meleager, Theseus and Hippolytus, Palamedes, Odysseus, +Menestheus, Diomed, Castor and Polydeuces, Machaon and Podaleirius, +Antilochus, Aeneas and Achilles: of whom each in his turn was honoured +by the gods. And let none marvel that of these the greater part, albeit +well-pleasing to the gods, nevertheless were subject to death--which +is the way of nature, (4) but their fame has grown--nor yet that their +prime of manhood so far differed. The lifetime of Cheiron sufficed for +all his scholars; the fact being that Zeus and Cheiron were brethren, +sons of the same father but of different mothers--Zeus of Rhea, and +Cheiron of the nymph Nais; (5) and so it is that, though older than all +of them, he died not before he had taught the youngest--to wit, the boy +Achilles. (6) + + (1) Or, "This thing is the invention of no mortal man, but of Apollo + and Artemis, to whom belong hunting and dogs." For the style of + exordium L. Dind. cf (Ps.) Dion. "Art. rhet." ad in.; Galen, + "Isagog." ad in.; Alex. Aphrodis. "Probl." 2 proem. + + (2) The wisest and "justest of all the centaurs," Hom. "Il." xi. 831. + See Kingsley, "The Heroes," p. 84. + + (3) Or, "the discipline of the hunting field and other noble lore." + + (4) Lit. "since that is nature, but the praise of them grew greatly." + + (5) According to others, Philyra. Pind. "Pyth." iii. 1, {ethelon + Kheirona ke Philuridan}; cf. "Pyth." vi. 22; "Nem." iii. 43. + + (6) See Paus. iii. 18. 12. + +Thanks to the careful heed they paid to dogs and things pertaining to +the chase, thanks also to the other training of their boyhood, all these +greatly excelled, and on the score of virtue were admired. + +If Cephalus was caught into the arms of one that was a goddess, (7) +Asclepius (8) obtained yet greater honour. To him it was given to raise +the dead and to heal the sick, whereby, (9) even as a god among mortal +men, he has obtained to himself imperishable glory. Melanion (10) so far +excelled in zest for toil that he alone of all that flower of chivalry +who were his rivals (11) obtained the prize of noblest wedlock with +Atalanta; while as to Nestor, what need to repeat the well-known tale? +so far and wide for many a day has the fame of his virtue penetrated the +ears of Hellas. (12) + + (7) Hemera (al. Eos). For the rape of Cephalus see Hes. "Theog." 986; + Eur. "Ion," 269; Paus. i. 3. 1; iii. 18. 7. + + (8) Lat. Aesculapius. Father of Podaleirius and Machaon, "the noble + leech," "Il." ii. 731, iv. 194, 219, xi. 518; "Od." iv. 232. + + (9) Cf. "Anab." I. ii. 8; Lincke, "z. Xen. Krit." p. 299. + + (10) Melanion, s. Meilanion, Paus. iii. 12. 9; v. 17. 10; v. 19. 1. + + (11) "Which were his rival suitors." As to Atalanta see Paus. viii. + 45. 2; iii. 24. 2; v. 19. 2; Grote, "H. G." i. 199 foll. + + (12) Lit. "the virtue of Nestor has so far penetrated the ears of + Hellas that I should speak to those who know." See Hom. "Il." i. + 247, and passim. + +Amphiaraus, (13) what time he served as a warrior against Thebes, won +for himself the highest praise; and from heaven obtained the honour of a +deathless life. (14) + + (13) Amphiaraus. Pind. "Nem." ix. 13-27; "Olymp." vi. 11-16; Herod. i. + 52; Paus. ix. 8. 2; 18. 2-4; ii. 23.2; i. 34; Liv. xlv. 27; Cic. + "de Div." i. 40. See Aesch. "Sept. c. Th." 392; Eur. "Phoen." 1122 + foll.; Apollod. iii. 6; Strab. ix. 399, 404. + + (14) Lit. "to be honoured ever living." + +Peleus kindled in the gods desire to give him Thetis, and to hymn their +nuptials at the board of Cheiron. (15) + + (15) For the marriage of Peleus and Thetis see Hom. "Il." xxiv. 61; + cf. Pope's rendering: + +To grace those nuptials from the bright abode Yourselves were present; +when this minstrel god (Well pleased to share the feast) amid the quire +Stood proud to hymn, and tune his youthful lyre ("Homer's Il." xxiv.) + + Prof. Robinson Ellis ("Comment on Catull." lxiv.) cites numerous + passages: Eur. "I. in T." 701 foll., 1036 foll.; Pind. "Isthm." v. + 24; "Pyth." iii. 87-96; Isocr. "Evag." 192. 6; Apoll. Rh. iv. 791; + "Il." xxiv. 61; Hes. "Theog." 1006, and "Epithal." (ap. Tsetz, + "Prol. ad Lycophr."): + +{tris makar Aiakide kai tetrakis olbie Peleu os toisd' en megarois ieron +lekhos eisanabaineis}. + +The mighty Telamon (16) won from the greatest of all states and wedded +her whom he desired, Periboea the daughter of Alcathus; (17) and when +the first of Hellenes, (18) Heracles (19) the son of Zeus, distributed +rewards of valour after taking Troy, to Telamon he gave Hesione. (20) + + (16) See "Il." viii. 283l Paus. i. 42. 1-4. + + (17) Or Alcathous, who rebuilt the walls of Megara by Apollo's aid. + Ov. "Met." viii. 15 foll. + + (18) Reading {o protos}; or if with L. D. {tois protois}, "what time + Heracles was distributing to the heroes of Hellas (lit. the first + of the Hellenes) prizes of valour, to Telamon he gave." + + (19) See Hom. "Il." v. 640; Strab. xiii. 595. + + (20) See Diod. iv. 32; i. 42. + +Of Meleager (21) be it said, whereas the honours which he won are +manifest, the misfortunes on which he fell, when his father (22) in old +age forgot the goddess, were not of his own causing. (23) + + (21) For the legend of Meleager see "Il." ix. 524-599, dramatised by + both Sophocles and Euripides, and in our day by Swinburne, + "Atalanta in Calydon." Cf. Paus. iii. 8. 9; viii. 54. 4; Ov. + "Met." viii. 300; Grote, "H. G." i. 195. + + (22) i.e. Oeneus. "Il." ix. 535. + + (23) Or, "may not be laid to his charge." + +Theseus (24) single-handed destroyed the enemies of collective Hellas; +and in that he greatly enlarged the boundaries of his fatherland, is +still to-day the wonder of mankind. (25) + + (24) See "Mem." II. i. 14; III. v. 10; cf. Isocr. "Phil." 111; Plut. + "Thes." x. foll.; Diod. iv. 59; Ov. "Met." vii. 433. + + (25) Or, "is held in admiration still to-day." See Thuc. ii. 15; + Strab. ix. 397. + +Hippolytus (26) was honoured by our lady Artemis and with her conversed, +(27) and in his latter end, by reason of his sobriety and holiness, was +reckoned among the blest. + + (26) See the play of Euripides. Paus. i. 22; Diod. iv. 62. + + (27) Al. "lived on the lips of men." But cf. Eur. "Hipp." 85, {soi kai + xeneimi kai logois s' ameibomai}. See Frazer, "Golden Bough," i. + 6, for the Hippolytus-Virbius myth. + +Palamedes (28) all his days on earth far outshone those of his own times +in wisdom, and when slain unjustly, won from heaven a vengeance such as +no other mortal man may boast of. (29) Yet died he not at their hands +(30) whom some suppose; else how could the one of them have been +accounted all but best, and the other a compeer of the good? No, not +they, but base men wrought that deed. + + (28) As to Palamedes, son of Nauplius, his genius and treacherous + death, see Grote, "H. G." i. 400; "Mem." IV. ii. 33; "Apol." 26; + Plat. "Apol." 41; "Rep." vii. 522; Eur. fr. "Palam."; Ov. "Met." + xiii. 56; Paus. x. 31. 1; ii. 20. 3. + + (29) For the vengeance see Schol. ad Eur. "Orest." 422; Philostr. + "Her." x. Cf. Strab. viii. 6. 2 (368); Leake, "Morea," ii. 358; + Baedeker, "Greece," 245. + + (30) i.e. Odysseus and Diomed. (S. 11, I confess, strikes me as + somewhat in Xenophon's manner.) See "Mem." IV. ii. 33; "Apol." 26. + +Menestheus, (31) through diligence and patient care, the outcome of the +chase, so far overshot all men in love of toil that even the chiefs +of Hellas must confess themselves inferior in the concerns of war save +Nestor only; and Nestor, it is said, (32) excelled not but alone might +rival him. + + (31) For Menestheus, who led the Athenians against Troy, cf. Hom. + "Il." ii. 552; iv. 327; Philostr. "Her." ii. 16; Paus. ii. 25. 6; + i. 17. 6; Plut. "Thes." 32, 35. + + (32) Or, "so runs the tale," e.g. in "The Catalogue." See "Il." ii. + l.c.: {Nestor oios erizen}, "Only Nestor rivalled him, for he was + the elder by birth" (W. Leaf). + +Odysseus and Diomedes (33) were brilliant for many a single deed of +arms, and mainly to these two was due the taking of Troy town. (34) + + (33) The two heroes are frequently coupled in Homer, e.g. "Il." v. + 519; x. 241, etc. + + (34) Or, "were brilliant in single points, and broadly speaking were + the cause that Troy was taken." See Hygin. "Fab." 108; Virg. + "Aen." ii. 163. + +Castor and Polydeuces, (35) by reason of their glorious display of arts +obtained from Cheiron, and for the high honour and prestige therefrom +derived, are now immortal. + + (35) Castor, Polydeuces, s. Pollux--the great twin brethren. See + Grote, "H. G." i. 232 foll. + +Machaon and Podaleirius (36) were trained in this same lore, and proved +themselves adepts in works of skill, in argument and feats of arms. (37) + + (36) As to the two sons of Asclepius, Machaon and Podaleirius, the + leaders of the Achaeans, see "Il." ii. 728; Schol. ad Pind. + "Pyth." iii. 14; Paus. iii. 26; iv. 3; Strab. vi. 4 (284); Diod. + iv. 71. 4; Grote, "H. G." i. 248. + + (37) Or, "in crafts, in reasonings, and in deeds of war." + +Antilochus, (38) in that he died for his father, obtained so great a +glory that, in the judgment of Hellas, to him alone belongs the title +"philopator," "who loved his father." (39) + + (38) Antilochus, son of Nestor, slain by Memnon. "Od." iv. 186 foll.; + Pind. "Pyth." vi. 28; Philostr. "Her." iv.; "Icon." ii. 281. + + (39) Lit. "to be alone proclaimed Philopator among the Hellenes." Cf. + Plat. "Laws," 730 D, "He shall be proclaimed the great and perfect + citizen, and bear away the palm of virtue"; and for the epithet + see Eur. "Or." 1605; "I. A." 68. + +Aeneas (40) saved the ancestral gods--his father's and his mother's; +(41) yea, and his own father also, whereby he bore off a reputation +for piety so great that to him alone among all on whom they laid their +conquering hand in Troy even the enemy granted not to be despoiled. + + (40) As to Aeneas see Poseidon's speech, "Il." xx. 293 foll.; Grote, + "H. G." i. 413, 427 foll. + + (41) Cf. "Hell." II. iv. 21. + +Achilles, (42) lastly, being nursed in this same training, bequeathed to +after-days memorials so fair, so ample, that to speak or hear concerning +him no man wearies. + + (42) "The highest form that floated before Greek imagination was + Achilles," Hegel, "Lectures on the Philosophy of History" (Eng. + tr. p. 233); and for a beautiful elaboration of that idea, J. A. + Symonds, "Greek Poets," 2nd series, ch. ii. + +Such, by dint of that painstaking care derived from Cheiron, these all +proved themselves; of whom all good men yet still to-day are lovers +and all base men envious. So much so that if throughout the length and +breadth of Hellas misfortunes at any time befell city or king, it was +they who loosed the knot of them; (43) or if all Hellas found herself +confronted with the hosts of the Barbarians in strife and battle, +once again it was these who nerved the arms of Hellenes to victory and +rendered Hellas unconquered and unconquerable. + + (43) Reading {eluonto autous}, or if as L. D., {di autous}, transl. + "thanks to them, they were loosed." + +For my part, then, my advice to the young is, do not despise hunting or +the other training of your boyhood, if you desire to grow up to be +good men, good not only in war but in all else of which the issue is +perfection in thought, word, and deed. + + + +II + +The first efforts of a youth emerging from boyhood should be directed to +the institution of the chase, after which he should come to the rest of +education, provided he have the means and with an eye to the same; if +his means be ample, in a style worthy of the profit to be derived; or, +if they be scant, let him at any rate contribute enthusiasm, in nothing +falling short of the power he possesses. + +What are the aids and implements of divers sorts with which he who would +enter on this field must equip himself? These and the theory of each +in particular I will now explain. With a view to success in the +work, forewarned is forearmed. Nor let such details be looked upon as +insignificant. Without them there will be an end to practical results. +(1) + + (1) Or, "The question suggests itself--how many instruments and of + what sort are required by any one wishing to enter this field? A + list of these I propose to give, not omitting the theoretical side + of the matter in each case, so that whoever lays his hand to this + work may have some knowledge to go upon. It would be a mistake to + regard these details as trivial. In fact, without them the + undertaking might as well be let alone." + +The net-keeper should be a man with a real passion for the work, and +in tongue a Hellene, about twenty years of age, of wiry build, agile at +once and strong, with pluck enough to overcome the toils imposed on him, +(2) and to take pleasure in the work. + + (2) {toutous}, "by this, that, or the other good quality." + +The ordinary small nets should be made of fine Phasian or Carthaginian +(3) flax, and so too should the road nets and the larger hayes. (4) +These small nets should be nine-threaded (made of three strandes, and +each strand of three threads), (5) five spans (6) in depth, (7) and two +palms (8) at the nooses or pockets. (9) There should be no knots in +the cords that run round, which should be so inserted as to run quite +smoothly. (10) The road net should be twelve-threaded, and the larger +net (or haye) sixteen. They may be of different sizes, the former +varying from twelve to twenty-four or thirty feet, the latter from sixty +to one hundred and twenty or one hundred and eighty feet. (11) If larger +they will be unwieldy and hard to manage. Both should be thirty-knotted, +and the interval of the nooses the same as in the ordinary small nets. +At the elbow ends (12) the road net should be furnished with nipples +(13) (or eyes), and the larger sort (the haye) with rings, and both +alike with a running line of twisted cord. The pronged stakes (14) +for the small nets should be ten palms high, (15) as a rule, but there +should be some shorter ones besides; those of unequal length will be +convenient to equalise the height on uneven ground, and those of equal +length on level. They should be sharp-tipped so as to draw out easily +(16) and smooth throughout. Those for the road nets should be twice the +height, (17) and those for the big (haye) nets five spans long, (18) +with small forks, the notches not deep; they should be stout and solid, +of a thickness proportionate to their length. The number of props needed +for the nets will vary--many or few, according to circumstances; a less +number if the tension on the net be great, and a larger number when the +nets are slack. (19) + + (3) Phasian or Carchedonian. Cf. Pollux, v. 26. + + (4) {arkus, enodia, diktua}. + + (5) (L. Dind. brackets.) See Pollux, v. 27, ap. Schn. + + (6) {spithame}, a span (dodrans) = 7 1/2 inches. Herod. ii. 106; + {trispithamos}, Hes. "Op." 424; Plat. "Alc." i. 126 C; Aristot. + "H. A." viii. 28. 5; Polyb. v. 3-6. + + (7) {to megethos}. + + (8) Or, "eight fingers' breadth +" = 6 inches +. {palaiste} or + {palaste}, a palm or four fingers' breadth = 3 inches +. + + (9) {tous brokhous}, a purse or tunnel arrangement with slip loop. + + (10) Reading {upheisthosan de oi peridromoi anammatoi}. Lit. "the + cords that run round should be inserted without knots." See + Pollux, v. 28 foll. + + (11) Lit. "2, 4, 5 fathoms; 10, 20, 30 fathoms." + + (12) {akroleniois}, elbows, Pollux, v. 29; al. {akroliniois}, L. & S., + "on the edges or borders." + + (13) {mastous}, al. "tufts." + + (14) {skhalides}, forks or net props. Cf. Pollux, v. 19. 31. + + (15) i.e. 30 + inches = 2 1/2 + ft., say 36 inches = 3 ft. + + (16) {euperispastoi ta akra}, al. "they should be made so that the + nets can be fitted on and off easily, with sharp points"; or "off + the points easily." + + (17) {siplasiai}, i.e. 20 palms = 60 + inches, say 72, or 6 ft. + + (18) {pentespithamoi}, i.e. 5 x 7 1/2 inches = 37 1/2 inches = 3 ft. 1 + 1/2 inch; al. 5 x 9 inches = 45 inches = 3 ft. 9 inches. + + (19) Or, "if in the particular position the nets are taut, a larger if + they lie slack." + +Lastly, for the purpose of carrying the nets and hayes, for either +sort (20) there must be a bag of calf-skin; and billhooks to cut down +branches and stop gaps in the woods when necessary. (21) + + (20) Reading, with Lenz, {ekaterois}, or if, as C. Gesner conj., {e + ekatera}, transl. "or either separately." + + (21) Or, "for the purpose of felling wood and stopping up gaps where + necessary." + + + +III + +There are two breeds of sporting dogs: the Castorian and the fox-like. +(1) The former get their name from Castor, in memory of the delight +he took in the business of the chase, for which he kept this breed by +preference. (2) The other breed is literally foxy, being the progeny +originally of the dog and the fox, whose natures have in the course of +ages become blent. (3) + + (1) {Kastoriai}, or Laconian, approaching possibly the harrier type; + {alopekides}, i.e. vulpocanine, hybrid between fox and dog. + + (2) Or, "get their appellation from the fact that Castor took delight + in the business of the chase, and kept this breed specially for + the purpose." Al. {diephulaxen}, "propagated and preserved the + breed which we now have." See Darwin, "Animals and Plants under + Domestication," ii. 202, 209. + + (3) Or, "and through lapse of time the twofold characteristics of + their progenitors have become blent." See Timoth. Gaz. ap. + Schneid. ad loc. for an ancient superstition as to breeds. + +Both species present a large proportion of defective animals (4) which +fall short of the type, as being under-sized, or crook-nosed, (5) +or gray-eyed, (6) or near-sighted, or ungainly, or stiff-jointed, or +deficient in strength, thin-haired, lanky, disproportioned, devoid of +pluck or of nose, or unsound of foot. To particularise: an under-sized +dog will, ten to one, break off from the chase (7) faint and flagging +in the performance of his duty owing to mere diminutiveness. An aquiline +nose means no mouth, and consequently an inability to hold the hare +fast. (8) A blinking bluish eye implies defect of vision; (9) just as +want of shape means ugliness. (10) The stiff-limbed dog will come +home limping from the hunting-field; (11) just as want of strength and +thinness of coat go hand in hand with incapacity for toil. (12) +The lanky-legged, unsymmetrical dog, with his shambling gait and +ill-compacted frame, ranges heavily; while the spiritless animal will +leave his work to skulk off out of the sun into shade and lie down. Want +of nose means scenting the hare with difficulty, or only once in a way; +and however courageous he may be, a hound with unsound feet cannot stand +the work, but through foot-soreness will eventually give in. (13) + + (4) Or, "defective specimens (that is to say, the majority) are to be + noted, as follows." + + (5) {grupai}. + + (6) {kharopoi}. Al. Arrian, iv. 4, 5. + + (7) Or, "will probably retire from the chase and throw up the business + through mere diminutiveness." + + (8) Or, "a hook-nosed (? pig-jawed, see Stonehenge, "The Dog," p. 19, + 4th ed.) dog has a bad mouth and cannot hold." + + (9) Or, "a short-sighted, wall-eyed dog has defective vision." + + (10) Or, "they are weedy, ugly brutes as a rule." + + (11) Or, "stiffness of limbs means he will come off." Cf. "Mem." III. + xiii. 6. + + (12) Lit. "a weak, thinly-haired animal is incapable of severe toil." + + (13) Or, "Nor will courage compensate for unsound feet. The toil and + moil will be too great to endure, and owing to the pains in his + feet he will in the end give in." + +Similarly many different modes of hunting a line of scent are to be seen +in the same species of hound. (14) One dog as soon as he has found the +trail will go along without sign or symptom to show that he is on +the scent; another will vibrate his ears only and keep his tail (15) +perfectly still; while a third has just the opposite propensity: he will +keep his ears still and wag with the tip of his tail. Others draw their +ears together, and assuming a solemn air, (16) drop their tails, tuck +them between their legs, and scour along the line. Many do nothing of +the sort. (17) They tear madly about, babbling round the line when they +light upon it, and senselessly trampling out the scent. Others again +will make wide circuits and excursions; either forecasting the line, +(18) they overshoot it and leave the hare itself behind, or every time +they run against the line they fall to conjecture, and when they catch +sight of the quarry are all in a tremor, (19) and will not advance a +step till they see the creature begin to stir. + + (14) Or, "Also the same dogs will exhibit many styles of coursing: one + set as soon as they have got the trail pursue it without a sign, + so there is no means of finding out that the animal is on the + track." + + (15) "Stern." + + (16) Or "with their noses solemnly fixed on the ground and sterns + lowered." + + (17) Or, "have quite a different action"; "exhibit quite another + manner." + + (18) i.e. "they cast forwards to make short cuts," of skirters too + lazy to run the line honestly. + + (19) Reading {tremousi}, "fall a-trembling"; al. {atremousi}, stand + "stock-still"; i.e. are "dwellers." + +A particular sort may be described as hounds which, when hunting or +pursuing, run forward with a frequent eye to the discoveries of the rest +of the pack, because they have no confidence in themselves. Another sort +is over-confident--not letting the cleverer members of the pack go +on ahead, but keeping them back with nonsensical clamour. Others will +wilfully hug every false scent, (20) and with a tremendous display of +eagerness, whatever they chance upon, will take the lead, conscious all +the while they are playing false; (21) whilst another sort again will +behave in a precisely similar style out of sheer ignorance. (22) It is +a poor sort of hound which will not leave a stale line (23) for want of +recognising the true trail. So, too, a hound that cannot distinguish +the trail leading to a hare's form, and scampers over that of a running +hare, hot haste, is no thoroughbred. (24) + + (20) Al. "seem to take pleasure in fondling every lie." + + (21) Or, "fully aware themselves that the whole thing is a make- + believe." + + (22) Or, "do exactly the same thing because they do not know any + better." + + (23) {ek ton trimmon}. Lit. "keep away from beaten paths," and + commonly of footpaths, but here apparently of the hare's habitual + "run," not necessarily lately traversed, still less the true line. + + (24) Lit. "A dog who on the one hand ignores the form track, and on + the other tears swiftly over a running track, is not a well-bred + dog." Al. {ta eunaia}, "traces of the form"; {ta dromaia}, "tracks + of a running hare." See Sturz. s.v. {dromaios}. + +When it comes to the actual chase, some hounds will show great ardour +at first starting, but presently give up from weakness of spirit. Others +will run in too hastily (25) and then balk; and go hopelessly astray, as +if they had lost the sense of hearing altogether. + + (25) So L. & S., {upotheousin} = "cut in before" the rest of the pack + and over-run the scent. Al. "flash in for a time, and then lose + the scent." + +Many a hound will give up the chase and return from mere distaste for +hunting, (26) and not a few from pure affection for mankind. Others with +their clamorous yelping on the line do their best to deceive, as if true +and false were all one to them. (27) There are others that will not do +that, but which in the middle of their running, (28) should they catch +the echo of a sound from some other quarter, will leave their own +business and incontinently tear off towards it. (29) The fact is, (30) +they run on without clear motive, some of them; others taking too much +for granted; and a third set to suit their whims and fancies. Others +simply play at hunting; or from pure jealousy, keep questing about +beside the line, continually rushing along and tumbling over one +another. (31) + + (26) Or, {misotheron}, "out of antipathy to the quarry." For + {philanthropon} cf. Pollux, ib. 64; Hermog. ap. L. Dind. + + (27) Or, "unable apparently to distinguish false from true." See + Sturz, s.v. {poieisthai}. Cf. Plut. "de Exil." 6. Al. "Gaily + substituting false for true." + + (28) "In the heat of the chase." + + (29) "Rush to attack it." + + (30) The fact is, there are as many different modes of following up + the chase almost as there are dogs. Some follow up the chase + {asaphos}, indistinctly; some {polu upolambanousai}, with a good + deal of guess-work; others again {doxazousai}, without conviction, + insincerely; others, {peplasmenos}, out of mere pretence, pure + humbug, make-believe, or {phthoneros}, in a fit of jealousy, + {ekkunousi}, are skirters; al. {ekkinousi}, Sturz, quit the scent. + + (31) Al. "unceasingly tearing along, around, and about it." + +The majority of these defects are due to natural disposition, though +some must be assigned no doubt to want of scientific training. In either +case such hounds are useless, and may well deter the keenest sportsman +from the hunting field. (32) + + (32) Or, "Naturally, dogs like these damp the sportsman's ardour, and + indeed are enough to sicken him altogether with the chase." + +The characters, bodily and other, exhibited by the finer specimens of +the same breed, (33) I will now set forth. + + (33) Or, "The features, points, qualities, whether physical or other, + which characterise the better individuals." But what does Xenophon + mean by {tou autou genous}? + + + +IV + +In the first place, this true type of hound should be of large build; +and, in the next place, furnished with a light small head, broad and +flat in the snout, (1) well knit and sinewy, the lower part of the +forehead puckered into strong wrinkles; eyes set well up (2) in the +head, black and bright; forehead large and broad; the depression between +the eyes pronounced; (3) ears long (4) and thin, without hair on the +under side; neck long and flexible, freely moving on its pivot; (5) +chest broad and fairly fleshy; shoulder-blades detached a little from +the shoulders; (6) the shin-bones of the fore-legs should be small, +straight, round, stout and strong; the elbows straight; ribs (7) not +deep all along, but sloped away obliquely; the loins muscular, in size +a mean between long and short, neither too flexible nor too stiff; (8) +flanks, a mean between large and small; the hips (or "couples") rounded, +fleshy behind, not tied together above, but firmly knitted on the +inside; (9) the lower or under part of the belly (10) slack, and the +belly itself the same, that is, hollow and sunken; tail long, straight, +and pointed; (11) thighs (i.e. hams) stout and compact; shanks (i.e. +lower thighs) long, round, and solid; hind-legs much longer than the +fore-legs, and relatively lean; feet round and cat-like. (12) + + (1) Pollux, v. 7; Arrian, "Cyn." iv. + + (2) {meteora}, prominent.?See Sturz, s.v. + + (3) {tas diakriseis batheias}, lit. "with a deep frontal sinus." + + (4) Reading {makra}, or if {mikra}, "small." + + (5) Al. "well rounded." + + (6) "Shoulder blades standing out a little from the shoulders"; i.e. + "free." + + (7) i.e. "not wholly given up to depth, but well curved"; depth is not + everything unless the ribs be also curved. Schneid. cf. Ov. "Met." + iii. 216, "et substricta gerens Sicyonius ilia Ladon," where the + poet is perhaps describing a greyhound, "chyned like a bream." See + Stonehenge, pp. 21, 22. Xenophon's "Castorians" were more like the + Welsh harrier in build, I presume. + + (8) Or, "neither soft and spongy nor unyielding." See Stoneh., p. 23. + + (9) "Drawn up underneath it," lit. "tucked up." + + (10) Al. "flank," "flanks themselves." + + (11) Or, as we should say, "stern." See Pollux, v. 59; Arrian, v. 9. + + (12) See Stonehenge, p. 24 foll. + +Hounds possessed of these points will be strong in build, and at the +same time light and active; they will have symmetry at once and pace; a +bright, beaming expression; and good mouths. + +In following up scent, (13) see how they show their mettle by rapidly +quitting beaten paths, keeping their heads sloping to the ground, +smiling, as it were to greet the trail; see how they let their ears +drop, how they keep moving their eyes to and fro quickly, flourishing +their sterns. (14) Forwards they should go with many a circle towards +the hare's form, (15) steadily guided by the line, all together. When +they are close to the hare itself, they will make the fact plain to the +huntsman by the quickened pace at which they run, as if they would let +him know by their fury, by the motion of head and eyes, by rapid changes +of gait and gesture, (16) now casting a glance back and now fixing their +gaze steadily forward to the creature's hiding-place, (17) by twistings +and turnings of the body, flinging themselves backwards, forwards, and +sideways, and lastly, by the genuine exaltation of spirits, visible +enough now, and the ecstasy of their pleasure, that they are close upon +the quarry. + + (13) Lit. "Let them follow up the trail." + + (14) Lit. "fawning and wagging their tails." + + (15) Lit. "bed" or "lair." + + (16) Or, "by rapid shiftings of attitude, by looks now thrown backward + and now forwards to the..." Reading {kai apo ton anablemmaton + kai emblemmaton ton epi tas kathedras tou l.}, or if with L. D., + {kai apo ton a. kai emblemmaton eis ton ulen kai anastremmaton ton + epi tas k.}, transl. "now looking back at the huntsman and now + staring hard into the covert, and again right-about-face in the + direction of the hare's sitting-place." + + (17) Lit. "form"; "the place where puss is seated." + +Once she is off, the pack should pursue with vigour. (18) They must +not relax their hold, but with yelp and bark full cry insist on keeping +close and dogging puss at every turn. Twist for twist and turn for turn, +they, too, must follow in a succession of swift and brilliant bursts, +interrupted by frequent doublings; while ever and again they give tongue +and yet again till the very welkin rings. (19) One thing they must not +do, and that is, leave the scent and return crestfallen to the huntsman. +(20) + + (18) Lit. "let them follow up the chase vigorously, and not relax, + with yelp and bark." + + (19) {dikaios}, Sturz, "non temere"; "and not without good reason." + Al. "a right good honest salvo of barks." + + (20) Lit. "Let them not hark back to join the huntsman, and desert the + trail." + +Along with this build and method of working, hounds should possess four +points. They should have pluck, sound feet, keen noses, and sleek coats. +The spirited, plucky hound will prove his mettle by refusing to leave +the chase, however stifling the weather; a good nose is shown by his +capacity for scenting the hare on barren and dry ground exposed to the +sun, and that when the orb is at the zenith; (21) soundness of foot in +the fact that the dog may course over mountains during the same season, +and yet his feet will not be torn to pieces; and a good coat means the +possession of light, thick, soft, and silky hair. (22) + + (21) i.e. "at mid-day"; or, "in the height of summer"; al. "during the + dog-days"; "at the rising of the dog-star." + + (22) See Pollux, ib. 59; Arrian, vi. 1. + +As to the colour proper for a hound, (23) it should not be simply tawny, +nor absolutely black or white, which is not a sign of breeding, but +monotonous--a simplicity suggestive of the wild animal. (24) Accordingly +the red dog should show a bloom of white hair about the muzzle, and +so should the black, the white commonly showing red. On the top of the +thigh the hair should be straight and thick, as also on the loins and on +the lower portion of the stern, but of a moderate thickness only on the +upper parts. + + (23) See Stonehenge, p. 25; Darwin, op. cit. ii. 109. + + (24) But see Pollux, ib. 65, who apparently read {gennaion touto to + aploun alla therides}; al. Arrian, vi. See Jaques de Fouilloux, + "La Venerie" (ap. E. Talbot, "Oeuvres completes de Xenophon," + traduction, ii. 318). + +There is a good deal to be said for taking your hounds frequently into +the mountains; not so much for taking them on to cultivated land. (25) +And for this reason: the fells offer facilities for hunting and for +following the quarry without interruption, while cultivated land, owing +to the number of cross roads and beaten paths, presents opportunities +for neither. Moreover, quite apart from finding a hare, it is an +excellent thing to take your dogs on to rough ground. It is there they +will become sound of foot, and in general the benefit to their physique +in working over such ground will amply repay you. (26) + + (25) Or, "pretty often, and less frequently over." + + (26) Lit. "they must be benefited in their bodies generally by working + over such ground." + +They should be taken out in summer till mid-day; in winter from sunrise +to sundown; in autumn any time except mid-day; and in spring any time +before evening. These times will hit the mean of temperature. (27) + + (27) Or, "You may count on a moderate temperature at these times." + + + +V + +The tracks of hares are long in winter owing to the length of night, and +short for the opposite reason during summer. In winter, however, their +scent does not lie in early morning, when the rime is on the ground, or +earth is frozen. (1) The fact is, hoar frost by its own inherent force +absorbs its heat, whilst black frost freezes it. (2) + + (1) Or, "when there is hoar frost or black frost" (lit. "ice"). + + (2) Or, "the ice congeals them," "encases as it were in itself the + heat," i.e. the warm scent; aliter, "causes the tracks to freeze + at the top." + +The hounds, moreover, with their noses nipped by the cold, (3) cannot +under these conditions (4) use their sense of smell, until the sun +or the mere advance of day dissolves the scent. Then the noses of the +hounds recover, and the scent of the trail begins to exhale itself +perceptibly. (5) + + (3) Reading {malkiosai}, Cobet, "N. Lect." 131. "Mnem." 3, 306; + Rutherford, "N. Phry." p. 135. = "nipped, or numb with cold." For + vulg. {malakiosai} = "whose noses are tender," see Lenz ad loc. + + (4) Lit. "when the tracks are in this case." + + (5) As it evaporates. Aliter, "is perceptible to smell as it is wafted + by the breeze to greet them." + +Heavy dews also will obliterate scent by its depressing effect; (6) and +rains occurring after long intervals, while bringing out odours from +the earth, (7) will render the soil bad for scent until it dries again. +Southerly winds will not improve scent--being moisture-laden they +disperse it; whereas northerly winds, provided the scent has not been +previously destroyed, tend to fix and preserve it. Rains will drown +and wash it away, and so will drizzle; while the moon by her heat +(8)--especially a full moon--will dull its edge; in fact the trail is +rarest--most irregular (9)--at such times, for the hares in their joy +at the light with frolic and gambol (10) literally throw themselves high +into the air and set long intervals between one footfall and another. +Or again, the trail will become confused and misleading when crossed by +that of foxes. (11) + + (6) Cf. Plut. "Q. Nat." 917 F, ap. Schneid. + + (7) Cf. Theophr. "C. Pl." xix. 5, 6; xx. 4. + + (8) Reading {to thermo}. Aristot. "Gen. An." iv. 10. Zeune cf. Plut. + "Symp." iii. 10, 657. Macrob. "Sat." vii. 16; Athen. 276 E. Al. + {to thermon}. See Lenz ad loc., "the moon, especially a full moon, + dulls the heat (or odour) of the tracks." + + (9) Cf. Poll. v. 67; ib. 66. + + (10) "Playing with one another, in the rivalry of sport." + + (11) Lit. "when foxes have gone through before." + +Spring with its tempered mildness is the season to render the scent +clear, except where possibly the soil, bursting with flowers, may +mislead the pack, by mingling the perfume of flowers with the true +scent. (12) In summer scent is thin and indistinct; the earth being +baked through and through absorbs the thinner warmth inherent in the +trail, while the dogs themselves are less keen scented at that season +through the general relaxation of their bodies. (13) In autumn scent +lies clean, all the products of the soil by that time, if cultivable, +being already garnered, or, if wild, withered away with age, so that +the odours of various fruits are no longer a disturbing cause through +blowing on to the line. (14) In winter, summer, and autumn, moreover, +as opposed to spring, the trail of a hare lies for the most part in +straight lines, but in the earlier season it is highly complicated, for +the little creatures are perpetually coupling and particularly at this +season, so that of necessity as they roam together for the purpose they +make the line intricate as described. + + (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, injure + the 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 and + stopping at times; those on the run quickly." + + (16) Lit. "Anything and everything will serve to couch under, or + above, 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. The + distinction drawn is between the form chosen by the hare for her + own comfort, and her squatting-place to escape the hounds when + hunted. + + (19) i.e. "the dogs have turned her head and made her as mad as a + March 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 to + a year old they are liable to be seized by these birds of prey + while 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 to + avoid 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 low + altitude." + + (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, these + constantly being added to by reproduction, there must needs be a + large 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 the + particular object is, it must avert its gaze to the next, and then + the 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 the + dogs"; 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, the + other 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." 1096 + C. 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 might + say. 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 keep + hold (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 the + scent." + + (8) Or, "a late start means the hounds will be robbed of a find and + the 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, referring + solely to the haye nets; the order of the words should be {ta de + diktua teineto en apedois stoikhizeto de, k.t.l.} If so, transl. + "He should stretch the hayes on level ground and fix, etc.; The + road 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 the + edges." + +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 o + kunes}. 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 his + shoulders." 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 along + by 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 jostling + against one another, and leaping over one another at a great + rate." 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 this + chapter. + + And when thou hast on foot the purblind hare, + Mark the poor wretch, to overshoot his troubles + How he outruns the wind and with what care + He cranks and crosses with a thousand doubles: + The many musets through the which he goes + Are 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 singled + With 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 well + To one sore sick that hears the passing-bell. + + Then shalt thou see the dew-bedabbled wretch + Turn, 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, the + bitches to be released from hard work, so that with the repose so + secured 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 dog + named {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, of + foxhounds 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; the + foxhound, p. 54. + + (14) See Arrian's comment and dissent, xxv. 4. + + (15) Lit. "which are at once well shaped and have the spirit for the + chase in them." + + (16) Al. "they will overstrain themselves with the hare in sight, and + break a blood-vessel." See Arrian, xxxi. 4, {regnuntai gar autais + ai 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 understand + the 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 for + game in a well-bred dog is much greater than the appetite for + food, 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 his + suffering, to be given food when hungry for it will arouse in him + affection 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 on + themselves 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 for + Uncle 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, but + this 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 any + direction 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. + + (11) Al. "to envelop the victims in the nets." + + (12) Lit. "whatever the creature is in contact with inside." + + (13) Cf. Aesch. "Prom." 87, {Poto tropo tesd' ekkulisthesei tukhes}. + + (14) Or, "if the creature is not first suffocated in the snow itself." + + (15) See Pollux, v. 50. "She must presently be tired out in the heavy + snow, which balls itself like a fatal clog clinging to the under + part of her hairy feet." + + + +IX + +For hunting fawns (1) and deer, (2) Indian dogs (3) should be employed, +as being strong, large, and fleet-footed, and not devoid of spirit; with +these points they will prove well equal to the toil. + + (1) See Hom. "Il." xxii. 189, x. 361; "Od." iv. 35; Aelian, "N. A." + xiv. 14; xvii. 26; Geopon. xix. 5. + + (2) {e elaphos} (generic, Attic) = hart or hind, of roe (Capreolus + caprea) or red (Cervus elaphus) deer alike, I suppose. See St. + John, "Nat. Hist. and Sport in Moray." + + (3) Of the Persian or Grecian greyhound type perhaps. See Aristot. "H. + A." viii. 28; Aelian, "N. A." viii. 1; Pollux, v. 37, 38, 43; + Plin. "H. N." vii. 2, viii. 28; Oppian, "Cyn." i. 413. + +Quite young fawns (4) should be captured in spring, that being the +season at which the dams calve. (5) Some one should go beforehand +into the rank meadowlands (6) and reconnoitre where the hinds are +congregated, and wherever that may be, the master of the hounds will set +off--with his hounds and a supply of javelins--before daylight to the +place in question. Here he will attach the hounds to trees (7) some +distance off, for fear of their barking, (8) when they catch sight of +the deer. That done he will choose a specular point himself and keep a +sharp look-out. (9) As day breaks he will espy the hinds leading their +fawns to the places where they will lay them severally to rest. (10) +Having made them lie down and suckled them, they will cast anxious +glances this way and that to see that no one watches them; and then they +will severally withdraw to the side opposite and mount guard, each over +her own offspring. The huntsman, who has seen it all, (11) will loose +the dogs, and with javelins in hand himself advance towards the nearest +fawn in the direction of where he saw it laid to rest; carefully noting +the lie of the land, (12) for fear of making some mistake; since the +place itself will present a very different aspect on approach from what +it looked like at a distance. + + (4) See above, v. 14. I do not know that any one has answered + Schneider's question: Quidni sensum eundem servavit homo + religiosus in hinnulis? + + (5) "The fawns (of the roe deer) are born in the spring, usually early + in May," Lydekker, "R. N. H." ii. p. 383; of the red deer + "generally in the early part of June," ib. 346. + + (6) {orgadas} = "gagnages," du Fouilloux, "Comment le veneur doit + aller en queste aux taillis ou gaignages pour voir le cerf a + veue," ap. Talbot, op. cit. i. p. 331. + + (7) Or, "off the wood." + + (8) It seems they were not trained to restrain themselves. + + (9) Or, "set himself to observe from some higher place." Cf. Aristoph. + "Wasps," 361, {nun de xun oplois} | {andres oplitai diataxamenoi} + | {kata tas diodous skopiorountai}. Philostr. 784. + + (10) See Pollux, v. 77; Aristot. "H. A." ix. 5. Mr. Scrope ap. + Lydekker, "R. N. H." ii. p. 346, states that the dam of the red + deer makes her offspring "lie down by a pressure of her nose," + etc. + + (11) Lit. "when he sees these things." + + (12) Or, "the features of the scene"; "the topography." + +When his eye has lit upon the object of his search, he will approach +quite close. The fawn will keep perfectly still, glued (13) as it were +to earth, and with loud bleats suffer itself to be picked up; unless it +happen to be drenched with rain; in which case, it will not stay quiet +in one place. No doubt, the internal moisture of the animal congeals +quickly with the cold (14) and causes it to shift its ground. Caught in +that case it must needs be; but the hounds will have work enough to run +the creature down. (15) The huntsman having seized the fawn, will hand +it to the keeper. The bleating will continue; and the hind, partly +seeing and partly hearing, will bear down full tilt upon the man who has +got her young, in her desire to rescue it. Now is the moment to urge +on the hounds and ply the javelins. And so having mastered this one, he +will proceed against the rest, and employ the same method of the chase +in dealing with them. + + (13) {piesas}, "noosling, nestling, buried." + + (14) "The blood runs cold." + + (15) Or, "but it will give them a good chase; the dogs will have their + work cut out." + +Young fawns may be captured in the way described. Those that are already +big will give more trouble, since they graze with their mothers and +the other deer, and when pursued retire in the middle of the herd or +occasionally in front, but very seldom in the rear. The deer, moreover, +in order to protect their young will do battle with the hounds and +trample them under foot; so that capture is not easy, unless you come at +once to close quarters and scatter the herd, with the result that one or +another of the fawns is isolated. The effort implies (16) a strain, and +the hounds will be left behind in the first heat of the race, since the +very absence of their dams (17) will intensify the young deer's terror, +and the speed of a fawn, that age and size, is quite incredible. (18) +But at the second or third run they will be quickly captured; since +their bodies being young and still unformed cannot hold out long against +fatigue. + + (16) Lit. "after that violent effort." + + (17) Or, "alarm at the absence of the herd will lend the creature + wings." + + (18) Or, "is past compare"; "is beyond all telling." + +Foot-gins (19) or caltrops may be set for deer on mountains, in the +neighbourhood of meadows and streams and wooded glens, on cross-roads +(20) or in tilled fields at spots which they frequent. (21) These gins +should be made of twisted yew twigs (22) stripped of the bark to prevent +their rotting. They should have well-rounded hooplike "crowns" (23) with +alternate rows of nails of wood and iron woven into the coil. (24) The +iron nails should be larger, so that while the wooden ones yield to the +foot, the others may press into it. (25) The noose of the cord which +will be laid upon "the crown" should be woven out of esparto and so +should the rope itself, this kind of grass being least liable to rot. +The rope and noose itself should both alike be stout. The log or clog of +wood attached should be made of common or of holm oak with the bark on, +three spans in length, and a palm in thickness. (26) + + (19) {podostrabai}, podostrabai so called. Cf. "the boot." + + (20) {en tais diodois}, "at points where paths issue," or "cross." + + (21) {pros o ti prosie}, "against whatever they are likely to + approach." + + (22) Or, "should be woven out of Smilax"; "Ebenholz," Lenz; "Ifs," + Gail. + + (23) {tas de stephanas euk. ekh.} "having circular rims." + + (24) {en to plokano} (al. {plokamo}) = the plaited rope, which formed + the {stephane}. See Pollux, v. 32, ap. Schneid. and Lenz. + + (25) Al. "so as to press into the foot, if the wooden ones yield." + + (26) Or, "27 inches x 3." + +To set the trap, dig a hole in the soil to a depth of fifteen inches, +(27) circular in shape, with a circumference at the top exactly +corresponding to the crown and narrowing towards the bottom. For the +rope and wooden clog likewise remove sufficient earth to let them both +be lightly buried. That done, place the foot-gin deep enough to be just +even with the surface of the soil, (28) and round the circle of the +crown the cord-noose. The cord itself and wooden clog must now be +lowered into their respective places. Which done, place on the crown +some rods of spindle-tree, (29) but not so as to stick out beyond the +outer rim; and above these again light leaves, such as the season may +provide. After this put a final coating of earth upon the leaves; in the +first place the surface soil from the holes just dug, and atop of that +some unbroken solid earth from a distance, so that the lie of the trap +may be as much as possible unnoticed by the deer. Any earth left over +should be carried to a distance from the gin. The mere smell of the +newly-turned-up soil will suffice to make the animal suspicious; (30) +and smell it readily she will. + + (27) Or, "remove a mass of soil to the depth of five palms so as to + form a circular hole corresponding in size with the rim above- + named." + + (28) Or, "like a door over the cavity, somewhat below the surface, + flatwise"; i.e. "in a horizontal position." + + (29) So literally, but really Carthamus creticus, a thistle-like plant + used for making spindles (Sprengel ap. L. & S.), the Euonymous + europaeus being our spindle-tree. Aristot. "H. A." ix. 40, 49; + Theocr. iv. 52. + + (30) Lit. "if she once sniffs the new-turned soil the deer grows shy, + and that she will quickly do." See Plat. "Laws," 933 A; "Phaedr." + 242 C; "Mem." II. i. 4. + +The hunter should take his hounds and inspect the traps upon the +mountains, early in the morning if possible, though he should do so also +during the day at other times. Those set on cultivated land must always +be inspected early, before the sun is up in fact, (31) and for this +reason: on the hills, so desert is the region, (32) the creatures may +be caught not only at night but at any time of day; while, on the +cultivated lands, owing to their chronic apprehension of mankind in +daytime, night is the only time. (33) + + (31) "Before the sun is up." + + (32) Or, "thanks to the lonesomeness of the region." + + (33) "It is night or never, owing to the dread of man which haunts the + creature's mind during daytime." + +As soon as the huntsman finds a gin uprooted he will let slip his hounds +and with cheery encouragement (34) follow along the wake of the wooden +clog, with a keen eye to the direction of its march. That for the most +part will be plain enough, since stones will be displaced, and the +furrow which the clog makes as it trails along will be conspicuous on +tilled ground; or if the deer should strike across rough ground, the +rocks will show pieces of bark torn from the clog, and the chase will +consequently be all the easier. (35) + + (34) See vi. 20; "with view-halloo." + + (35) Or, "along that track will not be difficult." + +Should the deer have been caught by one of its fore-feet it will soon +be taken, because in the act of running it will beat and batter its own +face and body; if by the hind-leg, the clog comes trailing along and +must needs impede the action of every limb. Sometimes, too, as it is +whirled along it will come in contact with the forked branches of some +tree, and then unless the animal can snap the rope in twain, she is +fairly caught; there ends the chase. But even so, if caught in this way +or overdone with fatigue, it were well not to come too close the quarry, +should it chance to be a stag, or he will lunge out with his antlers and +his feet; better therefore let fly your javelins from a distance. + +These animals may also be captured without aid of gin or caltrop, by +sheer coursing in hot summer time; they get so tired, they will stand +still to be shot down. If hard pressed they will plunge into the sea or +take to water of any sort in their perplexity, and at times will drop +down from sheer want of breath. (36) + + (36) "From mere shortness of breath." + + + +X + +To cope with the wild boar the huntsman needs to have a variety of dogs, +Indian, Cretan, Locrian, and Laconian, (1) along with a stock of nets, +javelins, boar-spears, and foot-traps. + + (1) For these breeds see Pollux, v. 37: for the Laconian, Pind. "Fr." + 73; Soph. "Aj." 8; cf. Shakesp. "Mids. N. D." iv. 1. 119, 129 + foll. + +To begin with, the hounds must be no ordinary specimens of the species +named, (2) in order to do battle with the beast in question. + + (2) Or, "these hounds of the breed named must not be any ordinary + specimens"; but what does Xenophon mean by {ek toutou tou genous}? + +The nets should be made of the same flaxen cord (3) as those for hares +above described. They should be forty-five threaded in three strands, +each strand consisting of fifteen threads. The height from the upper rim +(4) (i.e. from top to bottom) should be ten meshes, and the depth of the +nooses or pockets one elbow-length (say fifteen inches). (5) The ropes +running round the net should be half as thick again as the cords of the +net; and at the extremities (6) they should be fitted with rings, and +should be inserted (in and out) under the nooses, with the end passing +out through the rings. Fifteen nets will be sufficient. (7) + + (3) i.e. "of Phasian or Cathaginian fine flax." + + (4) {tou koruphaiou}. + + (5) {pugon}. The distance from the elbow to the first joint of the + finger = 20 {daktuloi} = 5 {palaistai} = 1 1/4 ft. + (L. & S.) + + (6) {ep akrois}. Cf. {akreleniois}. + + (7) Reading {ikanai}, vid. Lenz ad loc. and ii. 4. + +The javelins should be of all sorts, (8) having blades of a good breadth +and razor-sharpness, and stout shafts. + + (8) Al. "of various material." See Pollux, v. 20 ap. Schneid. + +The boar-spears should in the first place have blades fifteen inches +long, and in the middle of the socket two solid projecting teeth of +wrought metal, (9) and shafts of cornel-wood a spear-shaft's thickness. + + (9) Wrought of copper (or bronze). + +The foot-traps should resemble those used for deer. + +These hunts should be conducted not singly, (10) but in parties, since +the wild boar can be captured only by the collective energy of several +men, and that not easily. + + (10) Lit. "There should be a band of huntsmen"; or, "It will take the + united energies of several to capture this game." See Hom. "Il." + ix. 543, of the Calydonian boar: + +{ton d' uios Oineos apekteinen Meleagros, polleon ek polion theretoras +andras ageiras kai kunas. ou men gar k' edame pauroisi brotoisin tossos +een, pollous de pures epebes' alegeines.} + + "But him slew Meleagros the son of Oineus, having gathered + together from many cities huntsmen and hounds; for not of few men + could the boar be slain, so mighty was he; and many an one brought + he to the grievous pyre" (W. Leaf). + +I will now explain how each part of the gear is to be used in hunting. + +The company being come to some place where a boar is thought to lie, the +first step is to bring up the pack, (11) which done, they will loose a +single Laconian bitch, and keeping the rest in leash, beat about with +this one hound. (12) As soon as she has got on the boar's track, let +them follow in order, one after another, close on the tracking hound, +who gives the lead to the whole company. (13) Even to the huntsmen +themselves many a mark of the creature will be plain, such as his +footprints on soft portions of the ground, and in the thick undergrowth +of forests broken twigs; and, where there are single trees, the scars +made by his tusks. (14) As she follows up the trail the hound will, as +a general rule, finally arrive at some well-wooded spot; since, as a +general rule, the boar lies ensconced in places of the sort, that are +warm in winter and cool in summer. + + (11) {kunegesion}, "a hunting establishment, huntsmen and hounds, a + pack of hounds," L. & S. cf. Herod. i. 36; Pollux. v. 17. In + Aristot. "H. A." viii. 5. 2, of wolves in a pack; v. {monopeirai}. + {upagein}--"stealthily?" + + (12) Or, "go on a voyage of discovery." + + (13) Reading {te ikhneuouse}, or if vulg. {ikhneusei}, transl. "set + her to follow the trail, at the head of the whole train." + + (14) Schneid. cf. Aristot. "H. A." vi. 18; Plin. viii. 52; Virg. + "Georg." iii. 255, "ipse ruit, dentesque Sabellicus exacuit sus"; + Hom. "Il." xi. 416, xiii. 475; Hes. "Shield," 389; Eur. "Phoen." + 1389; Ovid, "Met." viii. 369. + +As soon as she has reached his lair she will give tongue; but the boar +will not get up, not he, in nine cases out of ten. The huntsman will +thereupon recover the hound, and tie her up also with the rest at a good +distance from the lair. (15) He will then launch his toils into the wild +boar's harbourage, (16) placing the nooses upon any forked branches +of wood to hand. Out of the net itself he must construct a deep +forward-jutting gulf or bosom, posting young shoots on this side and +that within, as stays or beams, (17) so that the rays of light may +penetrate as freely as possible through the nooses into the bosom, (18) +and the interior be as fully lit up as possible when the creature makes +his charge. The string round the top of the net must be attached to +some stout tree, and not to any mere shrub or thorn-bush, since these +light-bending branches will give way to strain on open ground. (19) +All about each net it will be well to stop with timber even places (20) +"where harbrough nis to see," so that the hulking brute may drive a +straight course (21) into the toils without tacking. + + (15) Lit. "accordingly recover the dog, and tie her up also with the + rest," etc. + + (16) {ormous}. Lit. "moorings," i.e. "favourite haunts." Cf. {dusorma} + below. Al. "stelle die Fallnetze auf die Wechsel," Lenz. + + (17) {anteridas}. See a note in the "Class. Rev." X. i. p. 7, by G. S. + Sale: "It can only mean long sticks used as stretchers or + spreaders to hold up the net between and beyond the props." Cf. + Thuc. vii. 36, 2. + + (18) Or, "within the bay of network." + + (19) {sunekhontai en tois psilois ai e}. "Denn diese werden an + unbestandenen Orten durch die Leine niedergezogen," Lenz; + {sunelkontai} conj. Schn.; {sunerkhontai} al., "concurrunt," vid. + Sturz. + + (20) {ta dusorma}, met. from "bad harbourage." Cf. Arsch. "Pers." 448; + "Ag." 194. Cf. Lat. "importunus," also of "rough ground." + + (21) Or, "make his rush." + +As soon as the nets are fixed, the party will come back and let the +hounds slip one and all; then each will snatch up his javelin (22) and +boar-spear, and advance. Some one man, the most practised hand, will +cheer on the hounds, and the rest will follow in good order at some +considerable distance from one another, so as to leave the animal a free +passage; since if he falls into the thick of them as he makes off, there +is a fair chance of being wounded, for he will certainly vent his fury +on the first creature he falls foul of. + + (22) Lit. "then they will take their javelins and boar-spears and + advance." + +As soon as the hounds are near his lair, they will make their onslaught. +The boar, bewildered by the uproar, will rise up and toss the first +hound that ventures to attack him in front. He will then run and fall +into the toils; or if not, then after him full cry. (23) Even if the +ground on which the toils environ him be sloping, he will recover +himself promptly; (24) but if level, he will at once plant himself firm +as a rock, as if deliberating with himself. (25) At that conjuncture +the hounds will press hard upon him, while their masters had best keep +a narrow eye upon the boar and let fly their javelins and a pelt of +stones, being planted in a ring behind him and a good way off, until the +instant when with a forward heave of his body he stretches the net tight +and strains the skirting-rope. Thereupon he who is most skilful of +the company and of the stoutest nerve will advance from the front and +deliver a home thrust with his hunting-spear. + + (23) Or, "a pretty chase must follow." + + (24) Or, "if within the prison of the net the ground be sloping, it + will not take long to make him spring up; he will be up again on + his legs in no time." + + (25) Or, "being concerned about himself." + +Should the animal for all that rain of javelins and stones refuse to +stretch the skirting-rope, should he rather relax (26) in that direction +and make a right-about-face turn bearing down on his assailant, there +is nothing for it, under these circumstances, but to seize a boar-spear, +and advance; firmly clutching it with the left hand forward and with +the right behind; the left is to steady it, and the right to give it +impulse; and so the feet, (27) the left advanced in correspondence with +the left arm, and right with right. As he advances, he will make a lunge +forward with the boar-spear, (27) planting his legs apart not much wider +than in wrestling, (28) and keeping his left side turned towards his +left hand; and then, with his eye fixed steadily on the beast's eye, he +will note every turn and movement of the creature's head. As he brings +down the boar-spear to the thrust, he must take good heed the animal +does not knock it out of his hands by a side movement of the head; (29) +for if so he will follow up the impetus of that rude knock. In case +of that misfortune, the huntsman must throw himself upon his face and +clutch tight hold of the brushwood under him, since if the wild boar +should attack him in that posture, owing to the upward curve of its +tusks, it cannot get under him; (30) whereas if caught erect, he must be +wounded. What will happen then is, that the beast will try to raise him +up, and failing that will stand upon and trample him. + + (26) {epanieis}. See Sturz, s.v. + + (27) Lit. "forwards the left foot will follow the left arm and the + right foot the other." + + (28) "Statum venatoris aprum venabulo excipientis pinxit + Philostratus," "Imag." i. 28, Schn. + + (29) Or, "he will step forward and take one stride not much longer + than that of a wrestler, and thrust forward his boar-spear." + + (30) Cf. Hes. "Shield," 387; Hom. "Il." xii. 148: "Then forth rushed + the twain, and fought in front of the gates like wild boars that + in the mountains abide the assailing crew of men and dogs, and + charging on either flank they crush the wood around them, cutting + it at the root, and the clatter of their tusks waxes loud, till + one smite them and take their life away" (A. Lang). + +From this extremity there is but one means of escape, and one alone, +for the luckless prisoner. One of his fellow-huntsmen must approach with +boar-spear and provoke the boar, making as though he would let fly at +him; but let fly he must not, for fear of hitting the man under him. The +boar, on seeing this, will leave the fallen man, and in rage and fury +turn to grapple his assailant. The other will seize the instant to +spring to his feet, and not forget to clutch his boar-spear as he +rises to his legs again; since rescue cannot be nobly purchased save +by victory. (31) Let him again bring the weapon to bear in the same +fashion, and make a lunge at a point within the shoulder-blade, where +lies the throat; (32) and planting his body firmly press with all his +force. (33) The boar, by dint of his might and battle rage, will still +push on, and were it not that the teeth of the lance-blade hindered, +(34) would push his way up to the holder of the boar-spear even though +the shaft run right through him. (35) + + (31) "Safety can only be won with honour by some master-stroke of + victory." + + (32) {sphage}. Aristot. "H. A." i. 14. 2. "Straight at the jugular." + + (33) Or, "throwing his whole weight on the thrust, press home with all + his force." + + (34) Or, "but for the intervention of the two projecting teeth of the + lance-blade." See the account of the passage of arms between Col. + Pollock and a boar in his "Incidents of Foreign Sport and Travel." + There the man was mounted, but alone. + + (35) Lit. "force his heavy bulk along the shaft right up to the holder + of the boar-spear." + +Nay, so tremendous is the animal's power, that a property which no one +ever would suspect belongs to him. Lay a few hairs upon the tusk of +a boar just dead, and they will shrivel up instantly, (36) so hot are +they, these tusks. Nay, while the creature is living, under fierce +excitement they will be all aglow; or else how comes it that though he +fail to gore the dogs, yet at the blow the fine hairs of their coats are +singed in flecks and patches? (37) + + (36) {euthus}, i.e. "for a few seconds after death." + + (37) The belief is still current, I am told, in parts of India. + +So much and even greater trouble may be loked for from the wild boar +before capture; I speak of the male animal. If it should be a sow that +falls into the toils, the huntsman should run up and prod her, taking +care not to be pushed off his legs and fall, in which case he cannot +escape being trampled on and bitten. Ergo, he will not voluntarily get +under those feet; but if involuntarily he should come to such a pass, +the same means (38) of helping each the other to get up again will +serve, as in the case of the male animal; and when he has regained his +legs, he must ply the boar-spear vigorously till she too has died the +death. + + (38) {dianastaseis}, "the same methods of mutual recovery." + +Wild pigs may be captured further in the following fashion: The nets +are fixed for them at the entrances of woody glens, (39) in coppices and +hollows, and on screes, where there are outlets into rank meadow-lands, +marshes, and clear pools. (40) The appointed person mounts guard at the +nets with his boar-spear, while the others work the dogs, exploring +the best and likeliest spots. As soon as the quarry is found the chase +commences. If then an animal falls into the net, the net-keeper will +grip his boar-spear and (41) advance, when he will ply it as I have +described; if he escape the net, then after him full cry. In hot, sultry +weather the boar may be run down by the hounds and captured. Though a +monster in strength, the creature becomes short of breath and will give +in from sheer exhaustion. + + (39) Al. "at the passages from woodland lakes into oak-coppices." + + (40) {udata}, "waters," lakes, pools, rivers, etc. + + (41) Or, "and proceed to tackle him." + +It is a form of sport which costs the lives of many hounds and endangers +those of the huntsmen themselves. Supposing that the animal has given in +from exhaustion at some moment in the chase, and they are forced to come +to close quarters; (42) whether he has taken to the water, or stands at +bay against some craggy bank, or does not choose to come out from some +thicket (since neither net nor anything else hinders him from bearing +down like a tornado on whoever approaches); still, even so, advance they +must, come what come may, to the attack. And now for a display of that +hardihood which first induced them to indulge a passion not fit for +carpet knights (43)--in other words, they must ply their boar-spears and +assume that poise of body (44) already described, since if one must meet +misfortune, let it not be for want of observing the best rules. (45) + + (42) Reading {prosienai} ({ta probolia}). (The last two words are + probably a gloss, and should be omitted, since {prosienai} (from + {prosiemi}) {ta probolia} = "ply," or "apply their boar-spears," + is hardly Greek.) See Schneid. "Add. et Corr." and L. Dind. ad + loc. + + (43) {ekponein}, "to exercise this passion to the full." + + (44) Lit. "assume their boar-spears and that forward attitude of + body." + + (45) Lit. "it will not be at any rate from behaving correctly." + +Foot-traps are also set for the wild boar, similar to those for deer and +in the same sort of places; the same inspections and methods of pursuit +are needed, with consequent attacks and an appeal to the boar-spear in +the end. + +Any attempt to capture the young pigs will cost the huntsman some rough +work. (46) The young are not left alone, as long as they are small; and +when the hounds have hit upon them or they get wind of something wrong, +they will disappear like magic, vanishing into the forest. As a rule, +both parents attend on their own progeny, and are not pleasant then to +meddle with, being more disposed to do battle for their young than for +themselves. + + (46) Lit. "the piglings will resent it (sc. {to aliskesthai}) + strongly"; al. "the adult (sub. {to therion}) will stand anything + rather." + + + +XI + +Lions, leopards, lynxes, panthers, bears and all other such game are to +be captured in foreign countries--about Mount Pangaeus and Cittus beyond +Macedonia; (1) or again, in Nysa beyond Syria, and upon other mountains +suited to the breeding of large game. + + (1) Of these places, Mt. Pangaeus (mod. Pirnari) (see "Hell." V. ii. + 17), Cittus (s. Cissus, mod. Khortiatzi), N. W. of the Chalcidice, + Mysian Olympus, and Pindus are well known. Nysa has not been + verified hitherto, I think. Sturz cf. Bochart, "Hieroz." Part I. + lib. iii. c. 1, p. 722. Strabo, 637 (xv. 1. 7), mentions a Mount + Nysa in India sacred to Dionysus, and cites Soph. "Frag." 782-- + +{othen kateidon ton bebakkhiomenen brotoisi kleinon Nusan... k.t.l.}, + + but it is a far cry from Xenophon's Syria to India. Possibly it is + to be sought for in the region of Mt. Amanus. + +In the mountains, owing to the difficulty of the ground, (2) some of +these animals are captured by means of poison--the drug aconite--which +the hunters throw down for them, (3) taking care to mix it with the +favourite food of the wild best, near pools and drinking-places or +wherever else they are likely to pay visits. Others of them, as they +descend into the plains at night, may be cut off by parties mounted +upon horseback and well armed, and so captured, but not without causing +considerable danger to their captors. (4) + + (2) Or, "the inaccessibility of their habitats." + + (3) "The method is for the trapper to throw it down mixed with the + food which the particular creature likes best." + + (4) For the poison method see Pollux, v. 82; Plin. "H. N." viii. 27. + +In some cases the custom is to construct large circular pits of some +depth, leaving a single pillar of earth in the centre, on the top of +which at nightfall they set a goat fast-bound, and hedge the pit about +with timber, so as to prevent the wild beasts seeing over, and without a +portal of admission. What happens then is this: the wild beasts, hearing +the bleating in the night, keep scampering round the barrier, and +finding no passage, leap over it, and are caught. (5) + + (5) See "Tales from the Fjeld," Sir George W. Dasent, "Father Bruin in + the Corner." + + + +XII + +With regard to methods of procedure in the hunting-field, enough has +been said. (1) But there are many benefits which the enthusiastic +sportsman may expect to derive from this pursuit. (2) I speak of the +health which will thereby accrue to the physical frame, the quickening +of the eye and ear, the defiance of old age, and last, but not least, +the warlike training which it ensures. To begin with, when some day he +has to tramp along rough ways under arms, the heavy infantry soldier +will not faint or flag--he will stand the toil from being long +accustomed to the same experiences in capturing wild beasts. In the next +place, men so trained will be capable of sleeping on hard couches, +and prove brave guardians of the posts assigned them. In the actual +encounter with the enemy, they will know at once how to attack and to +carry out the word of command as it passes along the lines, because it +was just so in the old hunting days that they captured the wild game. If +posted in the van of battle, they will not desert their ranks, because +endurance is engrained in them. In the rout of the enemy their footsteps +will not falter nor fail: straight as an arrow they will follow the +flying foe, on every kind of ground, through long habituation. (3) Or +if their own army encounter a reverse on wooded and precipitous ground +beset with difficulties, these will be the men to save themselves with +honour and to extricate their friends; since long acquaintance with the +business of the chase has widened their intelligence. (4) + + (1) Or, "Respecting the methods employed in different forms of the + chase, I have said my say." As to the genuineness of this and the + following chapter see L. Dind. ad loc.; K. Lincke, "Xenophon's + Dialog." {peri oikonomias}, p. 132. + + (2) Lit. "this work"; and in reference to the highly Xenophontine + argument which follows see "Hellenica Essays," p. 342; cf. + "Cyrop." I. vi. 28, 39-41. + + (3) "For the sake of 'auld lang syne.'" + + (4) Or, "will place them on the vantage-ground of experts." + +Nay, even under the worst of circumstances, when a whole mob of +fellow-combatants (5) has been put to flight, how often ere now has +a handful (6) of such men, by virtue of their bodily health (7) and +courage, caught the victorious enemy roaming blindly in some intricacy +of ground, renewed the fight, and routed him. Since so it must ever be; +to those whose souls and bodies are in happy case success is near at +hand. (8) + + (5) Or, "allies." + + (6) Or, "a forlorn hope." + + (7) {euexia}, al. {eutaxia}, "by good discipline." + + (8) "Fortune favours the brave," reading {to eutukhesai} (L. D.); or + if {tou eutukhesai}, (vulg.) "those whose health of soul and body + is established are ipso facto nigh unto good fortune." + +It was through knowledge that they owed success against their foes to +such a training, that our own forefathers paid so careful a heed to +the young. (9) Though they had but a scant supply of fruits, it was an +immemorial custom "not to hinder (10) the hunter from hunting any of +earth's offspring"; and in addition, "not to hunt by night (11) within +many furlongs of the city," in order that the adepts in that art might +not rob the young lads of their game. They saw plainly that among the +many pleasures to which youth is prone, this one alone is productive of +the greatest blessings. In other words, it tends to make them sound of +soul and upright, being trained in the real world of actual things (12) +(and, as was said before, our ancestors could not but perceive they owed +their success in war to such instrumentality (13)); and the chase alone +deprives them of none of the other fair and noble pursuits that they may +choose to cultivate, as do those other evil pleasures, which ought never +to be learned. Of such stuff are good soldiers and good generals made. +(14) Naturally, those from whose souls and bodies the sweat of toil +has washed all base and wanton thoughts, who have implanted in them a +passion for manly virtue--these, I say, are the true nobles. (15) Not +theirs will it be to allow their city or its sacred soil to suffer +wrong. + + (9) Al. "looked upon the chase as a pursuit incumbent on the young." + + (10) {me koluein (dia) to meden ton epi te ge phuomenon agreuein}. The + commentators generally omit {dia}, in which case translate as in + text. Lenz reads {un koluein dia meden} (see his note ad v. 34), + and translates (p. 61), "Dass man die Jager nicht hindern solle, + in allem was die Erde hervorbrachte zu jagen," "not to hinder the + huntsmen from ranging over any of the crops which spring from + earth"; (but if so, we should expect {dia medenos}). Sturz, s.v. + {agreuein}, notes "festive," "because the hunter does not hunt + vegetable products." So Gail, "parce que le chasseur rien veut pas + aux productions de la terre." + + (11) Or, "set their face against night-hunting," cf. "Mem." IV. vii. + 4; Plat. "Soph." 220 D; "Stranger: There is one mode of striking + which is done at night, and by the light of a fire, and is called + by the hunters themselves firing, or spearing by firelight" + (Jowett); for which see Scott, "Guy Mannering," ch. x. It seems + "night hunting was not to be practised within a certain + considerable radius, whereby the proficients in that art might + deprive it (lit. in order that they might not deprive) them (the + young huntsmen) of their game." + + (12) Lit. "in truth and reality (not among visionary phantoms)." + + (13) These words are commonly regarded as an addition; and what does + {te} signify? + + (14) Or, "Here you have the making of brave soldiers and generals. + Here in embryo are to be found your future soldiers and generals + worthy the name." + + (15) {outoi aristoi}: these are prima virorum, the true aristocrats. + +Some people tell us it is not right to indulge a taste for hunting, +lest it lead to neglect of home concerns, not knowing that those who are +benefactors of their country and their friends are in proportion all the +more devoted to domestic duties. If lovers of the chase pre-eminently +fit themselves to be useful to the fatherland, that is as much as to say +they will not squander their private means; since with the state itself +the domestic fortunes of each are saved or lost. The real fact is, these +men are saviours, not of their own fortunes only, but of the private +fortunes of the rest, of yours and mine. Yet there are not a few +irrational people amongst these cavillers who, out of jealousy, would +rather perish, thanks to their own baseness, than owe their lives to the +virtue of their neighbours. So true is it that the mass of pleasures are +but evil, (16) to which men succumb, and thereby are incited to adopt +the worse cause in speech and course in action. (17) And with what +result?--from vain and empty arguments they contract emnities, and reap +the fruit of evil deeds, diseases, losses, death--to the undoing of +themselves, their children, and their friends. (18) Having their senses +dulled to things evil, while more than commonly alive to pleasures, how +shall these be turned to good account for the salvation of the state? +Yet from these evils every one will easily hold aloof, if once enamoured +of those joys whose brief I hold, since a chivalrous education teaches +obedience to laws, and renders justice familiar to tongue and ear. (19) + + (16) See "Hellenica Essays," p. 371. + + (17) "To depravity of speech and conduct" (whether as advocates or + performers). See Aristoph. "Clouds." + + (18) Or, "bring down on themselves, their children, and their friends + a spring of misfortunes in the shape of diseases, losses, or even + death." + + (19) "For what does a chivalrous education teach save to obey the law, + and to make the theme of justice familiar to tongue and ear?" + +In the one camp are those who, subjecting themselves ever to new toil +and fresh instruction, have, at the cost of lessons and exercises +painful to themselves, obtained to their several states salvation; +and in the other are those who for the very irksomeness of the process +choose not to be taught, but rather to pass away their days in pleasures +unseasonable--nature's abjects these. (20) Not theirs is it to obey +either laws or good instruction; (21) nay, how should they, who never +toil, discover what a good man ought to be?--in other words, wisdom and +justice are alike beyond their power. Subject to indiscipline, they have +many a fault to find with him who is well educated. + + (20) Lit. "the sorriest of mankind these by nature." + + (21) Or, "virtuous argument"; {logois agathois}, lit. "good words." + +Through the instrumentality of such as these nothing can go well; +whereas every blessing which mankind enjoys has been discovered by the +efforts of the nobler sort. Nobler, I say, are those who choose to toil. +(22) + + (22) Or, "of choice spirits; and who are the choice spirits?--Clearly + those who choose to toil." + +And this has been proved conclusively by a notable example. If we look +back to the men of old who sat at the feet of Cheiron--whose names I +mentioned--we see that it was by dedicating the years of their youth to +the chase (23) that they learnt all their noble lore; and therefrom they +attained to great renown, and are admired even to this day for their +virtue--virtue who numbers all men as her lovers, as is very plain. Only +because of the pains it costs to win her the greater number fall away; +for the achievement of her is hid in obscurity; while the pains that +cleave to her are manifest. Perchance, if only she were endowed with a +visible bodily frame, men would less have neglected her, knowing that +even as she is visible to them, so they also are not hid from her eyes. +For is it not so that when a man moves in the presence of him whom he +dearly loves, (24) he rises to a height above himself, being incapable +of aught base or foul in word or deed in sight of him? (25) But fondly +dreaming that the eye of virtue is closed to them, they are guilty of +many a base thing and foul before her very face, who is hidden +from their eyes. Yet she is present everywhere, being dowered with +immortality; and those who are perfect in goodness (26) she honours, but +the wicked she thrusts aside from honour. If only men could know that +she regards them, how eagerly would they rush to the embrace of toilful +training and tribulation, (27) by which alone she is hardly taken; and +so should they gain the mastery over her, and she should be laid captive +at their feet. + + (23) Or, "that they made their first essay in hunting when mere boys, + and from hunting upwards were taught many noble arts." + + (24) Lit. "is beheld by his beloved." Cf. "Symp." iv. 4; viii. 31. + + (25) Lit. "in order not to be seen of him." + + (26) Lit. "good with respect to her." + + (27) Or, "to those toils and that training." + + + +XIII + +Now what astonishes me in the "sophists," as they are called, (1) is, +that though they profess, the greater part of them, to lead the young to +virtue, they really lead them in the opposite direction. Never have we +set eyes on the man anywhere who owed his goodness to the sophists of +to-day. (2) Nor do their writings contain anything (3) calculated to +make men good, but they have written volumes on vain and frivolous +subjects, in which the young may find pleasures that pall, but the +essence of virtue is not in them. The result of this literature is to +inflict unnecessary waste of time on those who look to learn something +from it all and look in vain, cutting them off from wholesome +occupations and even teaching what is bad. I cannot then but blame them +for certain large offences (4) more than lightly; but as regards the +subject matter of their writings my charge is, that while full of +far-fetched phraseology, (5) of solid wholesome sentiments, by which +the young might be trained to virtue, I see not a vestige. Speaking as a +plain man, I know that to be taught what is good by one's own nature is +best of all, (6) and next best to learn of those who really do know some +good thing rather than of those who have an art to deceive. It may +well be that I fail to express myself in subtle language, (7) nor do +I pretend to aim at subtlety; what I do aim at is to express +rightly-conceived thoughts such as may serve the need of those who have +been nobly disciplined in virtue; for it is not words and names that +give instruction, but thoughts and sentiments worthy the name. + + (1) Cf. Isocr. "Against the Sophists"; "Antidosis"; "Hel. Encom."; + Plat. "Sophist." + + (2) Who are these {oi nun sophistai}? + + (3) Lit. "do they present writings to the world." + + (4) Or, "as to certain weightier matters gravely." + + (5) {remata} = "words and phrases"; {ynomai} = "moral maxims, just + thoughts." + + (6) "Being myself but a private individual and a plain man." According + to Hartman, "A. X. N." p. 350, "ridicule detorquet Hesiodeum": + +{outos men panaristos os auto panta noese esthlos d' au kakeinos os eu +eiponti pithetai}. + + (7) Al. "in true sophistic style." The writer seems to say: "I lack + subtlety of expression (nor is that at all my object); what I do + aim at is to trace with some exactness, to present with the + lucidity appropriate to them, certain thoughts demanded by persons + well educated in the school of virtue." + +Nor am I singular in thus reproaching the modern type of sophist (not +the true philosopher, be it understood); it is a general reproach that +the wisdom he professes consists in word-subtleties, not in ideas. (8) +Certainly it does not escape my notice that an orderly sequence of ideas +adds beauty to the composition: (9) I mean it will be easy to find fault +with what is written incorrectly. (10) Nevertheless, I warrant it is +written in this fashion with an eye to rectitude, to make the reader +wise and good, not more sophistical. For I would wish my writings not to +seem but rather to be useful. I would have them stand the test of ages +in their blamelessness. (11) + + (8) {onomasi}, "in names"; {noemasi}, "thoughts and ideas." + + (9) Or, "I am alive to the advantage to be got from methodic, orderly + expression artistically and morally." + + (10) This passage, since H. Estienne (Stephanus) first wrote against + it "huic loco meae conjecturae succumbunt," has been a puzzle to + all commentators. The words run: {ou lanthanei de me oti kalos kai + exes gegraphthai} ({gegraptai} in the margin of one MS.) {radion + gar estai autois takhu me orthos mempsasthai' kaitoi gegraptai ge + outos k.t.l.} For {takhu me orthos} (1) {takhu ti me orthos}, (2) + {to} (or {ta}) {me orthos}, have been suggested. It is not clear + whether {autois} = {tois sophistais} (e.g. "it will be easy for + these people to lay a finger at once on blots, however unfairly"), + or = {tois suggrammasi} (sc. my(?) compositions; so {auta}, S. 7 + below, {ou gar dokein auta boulomai k.t.l.}) (e.g. "since it will + be easy offhand to find fault with them incorrectly") (or if {ta + me orthos}, "what is incorrect in them"). I append the three + translations of Gail, Lenz, and Talbot. "Je sais combien il est + avantageux de presenter des ouvrages methodiquement ecrits; aussi + par le meme sera-t-il plus facile de prouver aux sophistes leur + futilite!" {radion gar estai} (sub. {emoi}) {mempsasthai outois + takhu (to) me} (sous-entendu) {gegraphthai orthos} (Gail). "Zwar + entgeht mir nicht, dass es schon say die Worte kunstvoll zu + ordnen, denn leichter wird ihnen sonst, schnell, aber mit Unrecht + zu tadeln" (Lenz). "Aussi leur sera-t-il facile de me reprocher + d'ecrire vite et sans ordre" (Talbot). As if {takhu me orthos} + were the reproachful comment of the sophist on the author's + treatise. + + (11) i.e. "the arguments to be blameless at once and irrefutable for + all time." + +That is my point of view. The sophist has quite another--words with him +are for the sake of deception, writing for personal gain; to benefit any +other living soul at all is quite beside his mark. There never was +nor is there now a sage among them to whom the title "wise" could be +applied. No! the appellation "sophist" suffices for each and all, which +among men of common sense (12) sounds like a stigma. My advice then is +to mistrust the sonorous catch-words (13) of the sophist, and not +to despise the reasoned conclusions (14) of the philosopher; for the +sophist is a hunter after the rich and young, the philosopher is the +common friend of all; he neither honours nor despises the fortunes of +men. + + (12) L. Dind. cf. Eur. "Heracl." 370, {tou tauta kalos an eie} | {para + g' eu phronousin}. + + (13) {paraggelmata}. Cf. Aesch. "Ag." 480, "telegraph"; Lys. 121. 32; + Dem. 569. 1; "words of command"; Dion. H. "De Comp." 248, + "instructions, precepts." + + (14) {enthumemata}. + +Nor would I have you envy or imitate those either who recklessly pursue +the path of self-aggrandisement, (15) whether in private or in public +life; but consider well (16) that the best of men, (17) the true +nobility, are discovered by their virtues; (18) they are a laborious +upwards-striving race; whilst the base are in evil plight (19) and are +discovered by their demerits. (20) Since in proportion as they rob the +private citizen of his means and despoil the state (21) they are less +serviceable with a view to the public safety than any private citizen; +(22) and what can be worse or more disgraceful for purposes of war than +the bodily form of people so incapable of toil? (23) Think of huntsmen +by contrast, surrendering to the common weal person and property alike +in perfect condition for service of the citizens. They have both a +battle to wage certainly: only the one set are for attacking beasts; and +the other their own friends. (24) And naturally the assailant of his +own friends does not win the general esteem; (25) whilst the huntsman in +attacking a wild beast may win renown. If successful in his capture, he +was won a victory over a hostile brood; or failing, in the first place, +it is a feather in his cap that his attempt is made against enemies of +the whole community; and secondly, that it is not to the detriment of +man nor for love of gain that the field is taken; and thirdly, as the +outcome of the very attempt, the hunter is improved in many respects, +and all the wiser: by what means we will explain. Were it not for +the very excess of his pains, his well-reasoned devices, his manifold +precautions, he would never capture the quarry at all; since the +antagonists he deals with are doing battle for bare life and in their +native haunts, (26) and are consequently in great force. So that if he +fails to overmatch the beasts by a zest for toil transcending theirs and +plentiful intelligence, the huntsman's labours are in vain. + + (15) Or, "surrender themselves heedlessly to the ways of self- + seeking." But the phraseology here seems to savour of extreme + youth, or else senility. + + (16) {enthumethenta}. Query, in reference to {enthumemata} above? + + (17) Reading {andron}. For the vulg. {auton} see Schneid. ad loc., who + suggests {ton aston}. + + (18) "Recognisable for the better." + + (19) "They are not famous but infamous"; "the bad fare as their name + suggests" (i.e. badly). + + (20) "Recognisable for the worse." + + (21) Or, "what with private extortionsand public peculation." + + (22) {ton idioton}, "laymen," I suppose, as opposed to "professional" + lawyers or politicians. + + (23) "What with their incapacity for hard work, their physique for + purposes of war is a mockery and a sham." + + (24) Cf. Plat. "Soph." + + (25) Or, "earns but an evil reputation in the world." + + (26) "They are being bearded in their dens." + +I go back to my proposition then. Those self-seeking politicians, who +want to feather their own nests, (27) practise to win victories over +their own side, but the sportsman confines himself to the common enemy. +This training of theirs renders the one set more able to cope with the +foreign foe, the others far less able. The hunting of the one is carried +on with self-restraint, of the others with effrontery. The one can look +down with contempt upon maliciousness and sordid love of gain, the other +cannot. The very speech and intonation of the one has melody, of the +other harshness. And with regard to things divine, the one set know no +obstacle to their impiety, the others are of all men the most pious. +Indeed ancient tales affirm (28) that the very gods themselves take +joy in this work (29) as actors and spectators. So that, (30) with due +reflection on these things, the young who act upon my admonitions will +be found, perchance, beloved of heaven and reverent of soul, checked by +the thought that some one of the gods is eyeing their performance. (31) + + (27) Or, "Those people who would fain have the lion's share in the + state." + + (28) Or, "an ancient story obtains." + + (29) Sc. "of the chase." + + (30) Or {uparkhein} = "it may be considered as given." Scheid. cf. + "Pol. Ath." iii. 9, {oste uparkhein demokratian einai}. + + (31) Lit. "that the things in question are beheld by some divinity." + +These are the youths who will prove a blessing to their parents, and not +to their parents only but to the whole state; to every citizen alike and +individual friend. + +Nay, what has sex to do with it? It is not only men enamoured of the +chase that have become heroes, but among women there are also to whom +our lady Artemis has granted a like boon--Atalanta, and Procris, and +many another huntress fair. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sportsman, by Xenophon + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1180 *** diff --git a/1180-h/1180-h.htm b/1180-h/1180-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8bdf9e1 --- /dev/null +++ b/1180-h/1180-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3084 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Sportsman, by Xenophon + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1180 ***</div> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE SPORTSMAN + </h1> + <h2> + ON HUNTING + </h2> + <h3> + A Sportsman's Manual + </h3> + <h3> + Commonly Called CYNEGETICUS + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Xenophon + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translation by H. G. Dakyns + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 B.C. He was a + pupil of Socrates. He marched with the Spartans, + and was exiled from Athens. Sparta gave him land + and property in Scillus, where he lived for many + years before having to move once more, to settle + in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C. + + The Sportsman is a manual on hunting hares, deer + and wild boar, including the topics of dogs, and + the benefits of hunting for the young. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + PREPARER'S NOTE + + This was typed from Dakyns' series, "The Works of Xenophon," a + four-volume set. The complete list of Xenophon's works (though + there is doubt about some of these) is: + + Work Number of books + + The Anabasis 7 + The Hellenica 7 + The Cyropaedia 8 + The Memorabilia 4 + The Symposium 1 + The Economist 1 + On Horsemanship 1 + The Sportsman 1 + The Cavalry General 1 + The Apology 1 + On Revenues 1 + The Hiero 1 + The Agesilaus 1 + The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians 2 + + Text in brackets "{}" is my transliteration of Greek text into + English using an Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. The + diacritical marks have been lost. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> I + </p> + <p> + To the gods themselves is due the discovery, to Apollo and Artemis, + patrons of the chase and protectors of the hound. (1) As a guerdon they + bestowed it upon Cheiron, (2) by reason of his uprightness, and he took it + and was glad, and turned the gift to good account. At his feet sat many a + disciple, to whom he taught the mystery of hunting and of chivalry (3)—to + wit, Cephalus, Asclepius, Melanion, Nestor, Amphiaraus, Peleus, Telamon, + Meleager, Theseus and Hippolytus, Palamedes, Odysseus, Menestheus, Diomed, + Castor and Polydeuces, Machaon and Podaleirius, Antilochus, Aeneas and + Achilles: of whom each in his turn was honoured by the gods. And let none + marvel that of these the greater part, albeit well-pleasing to the gods, + nevertheless were subject to death—which is the way of nature, (4) + but their fame has grown—nor yet that their prime of manhood so far + differed. The lifetime of Cheiron sufficed for all his scholars; the fact + being that Zeus and Cheiron were brethren, sons of the same father but of + different mothers—Zeus of Rhea, and Cheiron of the nymph Nais; (5) + and so it is that, though older than all of them, he died not before he + had taught the youngest—to wit, the boy Achilles. (6) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "This thing is the invention of no mortal man, but of Apollo + and Artemis, to whom belong hunting and dogs." For the style of + exordium L. Dind. cf (Ps.) Dion. "Art. rhet." ad in.; Galen, + "Isagog." ad in.; Alex. Aphrodis. "Probl." 2 proem. + + (2) The wisest and "justest of all the centaurs," Hom. "Il." xi. 831. + See Kingsley, "The Heroes," p. 84. + + (3) Or, "the discipline of the hunting field and other noble lore." + + (4) Lit. "since that is nature, but the praise of them grew greatly." + + (5) According to others, Philyra. Pind. "Pyth." iii. 1, {ethelon + Kheirona ke Philuridan}; cf. "Pyth." vi. 22; "Nem." iii. 43. + + (6) See Paus. iii. 18. 12. +</pre> + <p> + Thanks to the careful heed they paid to dogs and things pertaining to the + chase, thanks also to the other training of their boyhood, all these + greatly excelled, and on the score of virtue were admired. + </p> + <p> + If Cephalus was caught into the arms of one that was a goddess, (7) + Asclepius (8) obtained yet greater honour. To him it was given to raise + the dead and to heal the sick, whereby, (9) even as a god among mortal + men, he has obtained to himself imperishable glory. Melanion (10) so far + excelled in zest for toil that he alone of all that flower of chivalry who + were his rivals (11) obtained the prize of noblest wedlock with Atalanta; + while as to Nestor, what need to repeat the well-known tale? so far and + wide for many a day has the fame of his virtue penetrated the ears of + Hellas. (12) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (7) Hemera (al. Eos). For the rape of Cephalus see Hes. "Theog." 986; + Eur. "Ion," 269; Paus. i. 3. 1; iii. 18. 7. + + (8) Lat. Aesculapius. Father of Podaleirius and Machaon, "the noble + leech," "Il." ii. 731, iv. 194, 219, xi. 518; "Od." iv. 232. + + (9) Cf. "Anab." I. ii. 8; Lincke, "z. Xen. Krit." p. 299. + + (10) Melanion, s. Meilanion, Paus. iii. 12. 9; v. 17. 10; v. 19. 1. + + (11) "Which were his rival suitors." As to Atalanta see Paus. viii. + 45. 2; iii. 24. 2; v. 19. 2; Grote, "H. G." i. 199 foll. + + (12) Lit. "the virtue of Nestor has so far penetrated the ears of + Hellas that I should speak to those who know." See Hom. "Il." i. + 247, and passim. +</pre> + <p> + Amphiaraus, (13) what time he served as a warrior against Thebes, won for + himself the highest praise; and from heaven obtained the honour of a + deathless life. (14) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (13) Amphiaraus. Pind. "Nem." ix. 13-27; "Olymp." vi. 11-16; Herod. i. + 52; Paus. ix. 8. 2; 18. 2-4; ii. 23.2; i. 34; Liv. xlv. 27; Cic. + "de Div." i. 40. See Aesch. "Sept. c. Th." 392; Eur. "Phoen." 1122 + foll.; Apollod. iii. 6; Strab. ix. 399, 404. + + (14) Lit. "to be honoured ever living." +</pre> + <p> + Peleus kindled in the gods desire to give him Thetis, and to hymn their + nuptials at the board of Cheiron. (15) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (15) For the marriage of Peleus and Thetis see Hom. "Il." xxiv. 61; + cf. Pope's rendering: +</pre> + <p> + To grace those nuptials from the bright abode Yourselves were present; + when this minstrel god (Well pleased to share the feast) amid the quire + Stood proud to hymn, and tune his youthful lyre ("Homer's Il." xxiv.) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Prof. Robinson Ellis ("Comment on Catull." lxiv.) cites numerous + passages: Eur. "I. in T." 701 foll., 1036 foll.; Pind. "Isthm." v. + 24; "Pyth." iii. 87-96; Isocr. "Evag." 192. 6; Apoll. Rh. iv. 791; + "Il." xxiv. 61; Hes. "Theog." 1006, and "Epithal." (ap. Tsetz, + "Prol. ad Lycophr."): +</pre> + <p> + {tris makar Aiakide kai tetrakis olbie Peleu os toisd' en megarois ieron + lekhos eisanabaineis}. + </p> + <p> + The mighty Telamon (16) won from the greatest of all states and wedded her + whom he desired, Periboea the daughter of Alcathus; (17) and when the + first of Hellenes, (18) Heracles (19) the son of Zeus, distributed rewards + of valour after taking Troy, to Telamon he gave Hesione. (20) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (16) See "Il." viii. 283l Paus. i. 42. 1-4. + + (17) Or Alcathous, who rebuilt the walls of Megara by Apollo's aid. + Ov. "Met." viii. 15 foll. + + (18) Reading {o protos}; or if with L. D. {tois protois}, "what time + Heracles was distributing to the heroes of Hellas (lit. the first + of the Hellenes) prizes of valour, to Telamon he gave." + + (19) See Hom. "Il." v. 640; Strab. xiii. 595. + + (20) See Diod. iv. 32; i. 42. +</pre> + <p> + Of Meleager (21) be it said, whereas the honours which he won are + manifest, the misfortunes on which he fell, when his father (22) in old + age forgot the goddess, were not of his own causing. (23) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (21) For the legend of Meleager see "Il." ix. 524-599, dramatised by + both Sophocles and Euripides, and in our day by Swinburne, + "Atalanta in Calydon." Cf. Paus. iii. 8. 9; viii. 54. 4; Ov. + "Met." viii. 300; Grote, "H. G." i. 195. + + (22) i.e. Oeneus. "Il." ix. 535. + + (23) Or, "may not be laid to his charge." +</pre> + <p> + Theseus (24) single-handed destroyed the enemies of collective Hellas; and + in that he greatly enlarged the boundaries of his fatherland, is still + to-day the wonder of mankind. (25) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (24) See "Mem." II. i. 14; III. v. 10; cf. Isocr. "Phil." 111; Plut. + "Thes." x. foll.; Diod. iv. 59; Ov. "Met." vii. 433. + + (25) Or, "is held in admiration still to-day." See Thuc. ii. 15; + Strab. ix. 397. +</pre> + <p> + Hippolytus (26) was honoured by our lady Artemis and with her conversed, + (27) and in his latter end, by reason of his sobriety and holiness, was + reckoned among the blest. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (26) See the play of Euripides. Paus. i. 22; Diod. iv. 62. + + (27) Al. "lived on the lips of men." But cf. Eur. "Hipp." 85, {soi kai + xeneimi kai logois s' ameibomai}. See Frazer, "Golden Bough," i. + 6, for the Hippolytus-Virbius myth. +</pre> + <p> + Palamedes (28) all his days on earth far outshone those of his own times + in wisdom, and when slain unjustly, won from heaven a vengeance such as no + other mortal man may boast of. (29) Yet died he not at their hands (30) + whom some suppose; else how could the one of them have been accounted all + but best, and the other a compeer of the good? No, not they, but base men + wrought that deed. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (28) As to Palamedes, son of Nauplius, his genius and treacherous + death, see Grote, "H. G." i. 400; "Mem." IV. ii. 33; "Apol." 26; + Plat. "Apol." 41; "Rep." vii. 522; Eur. fr. "Palam."; Ov. "Met." + xiii. 56; Paus. x. 31. 1; ii. 20. 3. + + (29) For the vengeance see Schol. ad Eur. "Orest." 422; Philostr. + "Her." x. Cf. Strab. viii. 6. 2 (368); Leake, "Morea," ii. 358; + Baedeker, "Greece," 245. + + (30) i.e. Odysseus and Diomed. (S. 11, I confess, strikes me as + somewhat in Xenophon's manner.) See "Mem." IV. ii. 33; "Apol." 26. +</pre> + <p> + Menestheus, (31) through diligence and patient care, the outcome of the + chase, so far overshot all men in love of toil that even the chiefs of + Hellas must confess themselves inferior in the concerns of war save Nestor + only; and Nestor, it is said, (32) excelled not but alone might rival him. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (31) For Menestheus, who led the Athenians against Troy, cf. Hom. + "Il." ii. 552; iv. 327; Philostr. "Her." ii. 16; Paus. ii. 25. 6; + i. 17. 6; Plut. "Thes." 32, 35. + + (32) Or, "so runs the tale," e.g. in "The Catalogue." See "Il." ii. + l.c.: {Nestor oios erizen}, "Only Nestor rivalled him, for he was + the elder by birth" (W. Leaf). +</pre> + <p> + Odysseus and Diomedes (33) were brilliant for many a single deed of arms, + and mainly to these two was due the taking of Troy town. (34) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (33) The two heroes are frequently coupled in Homer, e.g. "Il." v. + 519; x. 241, etc. + + (34) Or, "were brilliant in single points, and broadly speaking were + the cause that Troy was taken." See Hygin. "Fab." 108; Virg. + "Aen." ii. 163. +</pre> + <p> + Castor and Polydeuces, (35) by reason of their glorious display of arts + obtained from Cheiron, and for the high honour and prestige therefrom + derived, are now immortal. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (35) Castor, Polydeuces, s. Pollux—the great twin brethren. See + Grote, "H. G." i. 232 foll. +</pre> + <p> + Machaon and Podaleirius (36) were trained in this same lore, and proved + themselves adepts in works of skill, in argument and feats of arms. (37) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (36) As to the two sons of Asclepius, Machaon and Podaleirius, the + leaders of the Achaeans, see "Il." ii. 728; Schol. ad Pind. + "Pyth." iii. 14; Paus. iii. 26; iv. 3; Strab. vi. 4 (284); Diod. + iv. 71. 4; Grote, "H. G." i. 248. + + (37) Or, "in crafts, in reasonings, and in deeds of war." +</pre> + <p> + Antilochus, (38) in that he died for his father, obtained so great a glory + that, in the judgment of Hellas, to him alone belongs the title + "philopator," "who loved his father." (39) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (38) Antilochus, son of Nestor, slain by Memnon. "Od." iv. 186 foll.; + Pind. "Pyth." vi. 28; Philostr. "Her." iv.; "Icon." ii. 281. + + (39) Lit. "to be alone proclaimed Philopator among the Hellenes." Cf. + Plat. "Laws," 730 D, "He shall be proclaimed the great and perfect + citizen, and bear away the palm of virtue"; and for the epithet + see Eur. "Or." 1605; "I. A." 68. +</pre> + <p> + Aeneas (40) saved the ancestral gods—his father's and his mother's; + (41) yea, and his own father also, whereby he bore off a reputation for + piety so great that to him alone among all on whom they laid their + conquering hand in Troy even the enemy granted not to be despoiled. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (40) As to Aeneas see Poseidon's speech, "Il." xx. 293 foll.; Grote, + "H. G." i. 413, 427 foll. + + (41) Cf. "Hell." II. iv. 21. +</pre> + <p> + Achilles, (42) lastly, being nursed in this same training, bequeathed to + after-days memorials so fair, so ample, that to speak or hear concerning + him no man wearies. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (42) "The highest form that floated before Greek imagination was + Achilles," Hegel, "Lectures on the Philosophy of History" (Eng. + tr. p. 233); and for a beautiful elaboration of that idea, J. A. + Symonds, "Greek Poets," 2nd series, ch. ii. +</pre> + <p> + Such, by dint of that painstaking care derived from Cheiron, these all + proved themselves; of whom all good men yet still to-day are lovers and + all base men envious. So much so that if throughout the length and breadth + of Hellas misfortunes at any time befell city or king, it was they who + loosed the knot of them; (43) or if all Hellas found herself confronted + with the hosts of the Barbarians in strife and battle, once again it was + these who nerved the arms of Hellenes to victory and rendered Hellas + unconquered and unconquerable. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (43) Reading {eluonto autous}, or if as L. D., {di autous}, transl. + "thanks to them, they were loosed." +</pre> + <p> + For my part, then, my advice to the young is, do not despise hunting or + the other training of your boyhood, if you desire to grow up to be good + men, good not only in war but in all else of which the issue is perfection + in thought, word, and deed. + </p> + <p> + II + </p> + <p> + The first efforts of a youth emerging from boyhood should be directed to + the institution of the chase, after which he should come to the rest of + education, provided he have the means and with an eye to the same; if his + means be ample, in a style worthy of the profit to be derived; or, if they + be scant, let him at any rate contribute enthusiasm, in nothing falling + short of the power he possesses. + </p> + <p> + What are the aids and implements of divers sorts with which he who would + enter on this field must equip himself? These and the theory of each in + particular I will now explain. With a view to success in the work, + forewarned is forearmed. Nor let such details be looked upon as + insignificant. Without them there will be an end to practical results. (1) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "The question suggests itself—how many instruments and of + what sort are required by any one wishing to enter this field? A + list of these I propose to give, not omitting the theoretical side + of the matter in each case, so that whoever lays his hand to this + work may have some knowledge to go upon. It would be a mistake to + regard these details as trivial. In fact, without them the + undertaking might as well be let alone." +</pre> + <p> + The net-keeper should be a man with a real passion for the work, and in + tongue a Hellene, about twenty years of age, of wiry build, agile at once + and strong, with pluck enough to overcome the toils imposed on him, (2) + and to take pleasure in the work. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) {toutous}, "by this, that, or the other good quality." +</pre> + <p> + The ordinary small nets should be made of fine Phasian or Carthaginian (3) + flax, and so too should the road nets and the larger hayes. (4) These + small nets should be nine-threaded (made of three strandes, and each + strand of three threads), (5) five spans (6) in depth, (7) and two palms + (8) at the nooses or pockets. (9) There should be no knots in the cords + that run round, which should be so inserted as to run quite smoothly. (10) + The road net should be twelve-threaded, and the larger net (or haye) + sixteen. They may be of different sizes, the former varying from twelve to + twenty-four or thirty feet, the latter from sixty to one hundred and + twenty or one hundred and eighty feet. (11) If larger they will be + unwieldy and hard to manage. Both should be thirty-knotted, and the + interval of the nooses the same as in the ordinary small nets. At the + elbow ends (12) the road net should be furnished with nipples (13) (or + eyes), and the larger sort (the haye) with rings, and both alike with a + running line of twisted cord. The pronged stakes (14) for the small nets + should be ten palms high, (15) as a rule, but there should be some shorter + ones besides; those of unequal length will be convenient to equalise the + height on uneven ground, and those of equal length on level. They should + be sharp-tipped so as to draw out easily (16) and smooth throughout. Those + for the road nets should be twice the height, (17) and those for the big + (haye) nets five spans long, (18) with small forks, the notches not deep; + they should be stout and solid, of a thickness proportionate to their + length. The number of props needed for the nets will vary—many or + few, according to circumstances; a less number if the tension on the net + be great, and a larger number when the nets are slack. (19) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) Phasian or Carchedonian. Cf. Pollux, v. 26. + + (4) {arkus, enodia, diktua}. + + (5) (L. Dind. brackets.) See Pollux, v. 27, ap. Schn. + + (6) {spithame}, a span (dodrans) = 7 1/2 inches. Herod. ii. 106; + {trispithamos}, Hes. "Op." 424; Plat. "Alc." i. 126 C; Aristot. + "H. A." viii. 28. 5; Polyb. v. 3-6. + + (7) {to megethos}. + + (8) Or, "eight fingers' breadth +" = 6 inches +. {palaiste} or + {palaste}, a palm or four fingers' breadth = 3 inches +. + + (9) {tous brokhous}, a purse or tunnel arrangement with slip loop. + + (10) Reading {upheisthosan de oi peridromoi anammatoi}. Lit. "the + cords that run round should be inserted without knots." See + Pollux, v. 28 foll. + + (11) Lit. "2, 4, 5 fathoms; 10, 20, 30 fathoms." + + (12) {akroleniois}, elbows, Pollux, v. 29; al. {akroliniois}, L. & S., + "on the edges or borders." + + (13) {mastous}, al. "tufts." + + (14) {skhalides}, forks or net props. Cf. Pollux, v. 19. 31. + + (15) i.e. 30 + inches = 2 1/2 + ft., say 36 inches = 3 ft. + + (16) {euperispastoi ta akra}, al. "they should be made so that the + nets can be fitted on and off easily, with sharp points"; or "off + the points easily." + + (17) {siplasiai}, i.e. 20 palms = 60 + inches, say 72, or 6 ft. + + (18) {pentespithamoi}, i.e. 5 x 7 1/2 inches = 37 1/2 inches = 3 ft. 1 + 1/2 inch; al. 5 x 9 inches = 45 inches = 3 ft. 9 inches. + + (19) Or, "if in the particular position the nets are taut, a larger if + they lie slack." +</pre> + <p> + Lastly, for the purpose of carrying the nets and hayes, for either sort + (20) there must be a bag of calf-skin; and billhooks to cut down branches + and stop gaps in the woods when necessary. (21) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (20) Reading, with Lenz, {ekaterois}, or if, as C. Gesner conj., {e + ekatera}, transl. "or either separately." + + (21) Or, "for the purpose of felling wood and stopping up gaps where + necessary." +</pre> + <p> + III + </p> + <p> + There are two breeds of sporting dogs: the Castorian and the fox-like. (1) + The former get their name from Castor, in memory of the delight he took in + the business of the chase, for which he kept this breed by preference. (2) + The other breed is literally foxy, being the progeny originally of the dog + and the fox, whose natures have in the course of ages become blent. (3) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) {Kastoriai}, or Laconian, approaching possibly the harrier type; + {alopekides}, i.e. vulpocanine, hybrid between fox and dog. + + (2) Or, "get their appellation from the fact that Castor took delight + in the business of the chase, and kept this breed specially for + the purpose." Al. {diephulaxen}, "propagated and preserved the + breed which we now have." See Darwin, "Animals and Plants under + Domestication," ii. 202, 209. + + (3) Or, "and through lapse of time the twofold characteristics of + their progenitors have become blent." See Timoth. Gaz. ap. + Schneid. ad loc. for an ancient superstition as to breeds. +</pre> + <p> + Both species present a large proportion of defective animals (4) which + fall short of the type, as being under-sized, or crook-nosed, (5) or + gray-eyed, (6) or near-sighted, or ungainly, or stiff-jointed, or + deficient in strength, thin-haired, lanky, disproportioned, devoid of + pluck or of nose, or unsound of foot. To particularise: an under-sized dog + will, ten to one, break off from the chase (7) faint and flagging in the + performance of his duty owing to mere diminutiveness. An aquiline nose + means no mouth, and consequently an inability to hold the hare fast. (8) A + blinking bluish eye implies defect of vision; (9) just as want of shape + means ugliness. (10) The stiff-limbed dog will come home limping from the + hunting-field; (11) just as want of strength and thinness of coat go hand + in hand with incapacity for toil. (12) The lanky-legged, unsymmetrical + dog, with his shambling gait and ill-compacted frame, ranges heavily; + while the spiritless animal will leave his work to skulk off out of the + sun into shade and lie down. Want of nose means scenting the hare with + difficulty, or only once in a way; and however courageous he may be, a + hound with unsound feet cannot stand the work, but through foot-soreness + will eventually give in. (13) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (4) Or, "defective specimens (that is to say, the majority) are to be + noted, as follows." + + (5) {grupai}. + + (6) {kharopoi}. Al. Arrian, iv. 4, 5. + + (7) Or, "will probably retire from the chase and throw up the business + through mere diminutiveness." + + (8) Or, "a hook-nosed (? pig-jawed, see Stonehenge, "The Dog," p. 19, + 4th ed.) dog has a bad mouth and cannot hold." + + (9) Or, "a short-sighted, wall-eyed dog has defective vision." + + (10) Or, "they are weedy, ugly brutes as a rule." + + (11) Or, "stiffness of limbs means he will come off." Cf. "Mem." III. + xiii. 6. + + (12) Lit. "a weak, thinly-haired animal is incapable of severe toil." + + (13) Or, "Nor will courage compensate for unsound feet. The toil and + moil will be too great to endure, and owing to the pains in his + feet he will in the end give in." +</pre> + <p> + Similarly many different modes of hunting a line of scent are to be seen + in the same species of hound. (14) One dog as soon as he has found the + trail will go along without sign or symptom to show that he is on the + scent; another will vibrate his ears only and keep his tail (15) perfectly + still; while a third has just the opposite propensity: he will keep his + ears still and wag with the tip of his tail. Others draw their ears + together, and assuming a solemn air, (16) drop their tails, tuck them + between their legs, and scour along the line. Many do nothing of the sort. + (17) They tear madly about, babbling round the line when they light upon + it, and senselessly trampling out the scent. Others again will make wide + circuits and excursions; either forecasting the line, (18) they overshoot + it and leave the hare itself behind, or every time they run against the + line they fall to conjecture, and when they catch sight of the quarry are + all in a tremor, (19) and will not advance a step till they see the + creature begin to stir. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (14) Or, "Also the same dogs will exhibit many styles of coursing: one + set as soon as they have got the trail pursue it without a sign, + so there is no means of finding out that the animal is on the + track." + + (15) "Stern." + + (16) Or "with their noses solemnly fixed on the ground and sterns + lowered." + + (17) Or, "have quite a different action"; "exhibit quite another + manner." + + (18) i.e. "they cast forwards to make short cuts," of skirters too + lazy to run the line honestly. + + (19) Reading {tremousi}, "fall a-trembling"; al. {atremousi}, stand + "stock-still"; i.e. are "dwellers." +</pre> + <p> + A particular sort may be described as hounds which, when hunting or + pursuing, run forward with a frequent eye to the discoveries of the rest + of the pack, because they have no confidence in themselves. Another sort + is over-confident—not letting the cleverer members of the pack go on + ahead, but keeping them back with nonsensical clamour. Others will + wilfully hug every false scent, (20) and with a tremendous display of + eagerness, whatever they chance upon, will take the lead, conscious all + the while they are playing false; (21) whilst another sort again will + behave in a precisely similar style out of sheer ignorance. (22) It is a + poor sort of hound which will not leave a stale line (23) for want of + recognising the true trail. So, too, a hound that cannot distinguish the + trail leading to a hare's form, and scampers over that of a running hare, + hot haste, is no thoroughbred. (24) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (20) Al. "seem to take pleasure in fondling every lie." + + (21) Or, "fully aware themselves that the whole thing is a make- + believe." + + (22) Or, "do exactly the same thing because they do not know any + better." + + (23) {ek ton trimmon}. Lit. "keep away from beaten paths," and + commonly of footpaths, but here apparently of the hare's habitual + "run," not necessarily lately traversed, still less the true line. + + (24) Lit. "A dog who on the one hand ignores the form track, and on + the other tears swiftly over a running track, is not a well-bred + dog." Al. {ta eunaia}, "traces of the form"; {ta dromaia}, "tracks + of a running hare." See Sturz. s.v. {dromaios}. +</pre> + <p> + When it comes to the actual chase, some hounds will show great ardour at + first starting, but presently give up from weakness of spirit. Others will + run in too hastily (25) and then balk; and go hopelessly astray, as if + they had lost the sense of hearing altogether. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (25) So L. & S., {upotheousin} = "cut in before" the rest of the pack + and over-run the scent. Al. "flash in for a time, and then lose + the scent." +</pre> + <p> + Many a hound will give up the chase and return from mere distaste for + hunting, (26) and not a few from pure affection for mankind. Others with + their clamorous yelping on the line do their best to deceive, as if true + and false were all one to them. (27) There are others that will not do + that, but which in the middle of their running, (28) should they catch the + echo of a sound from some other quarter, will leave their own business and + incontinently tear off towards it. (29) The fact is, (30) they run on + without clear motive, some of them; others taking too much for granted; + and a third set to suit their whims and fancies. Others simply play at + hunting; or from pure jealousy, keep questing about beside the line, + continually rushing along and tumbling over one another. (31) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (26) Or, {misotheron}, "out of antipathy to the quarry." For + {philanthropon} cf. Pollux, ib. 64; Hermog. ap. L. Dind. + + (27) Or, "unable apparently to distinguish false from true." See + Sturz, s.v. {poieisthai}. Cf. Plut. "de Exil." 6. Al. "Gaily + substituting false for true." + + (28) "In the heat of the chase." + + (29) "Rush to attack it." + + (30) The fact is, there are as many different modes of following up + the chase almost as there are dogs. Some follow up the chase + {asaphos}, indistinctly; some {polu upolambanousai}, with a good + deal of guess-work; others again {doxazousai}, without conviction, + insincerely; others, {peplasmenos}, out of mere pretence, pure + humbug, make-believe, or {phthoneros}, in a fit of jealousy, + {ekkunousi}, are skirters; al. {ekkinousi}, Sturz, quit the scent. + + (31) Al. "unceasingly tearing along, around, and about it." +</pre> + <p> + The majority of these defects are due to natural disposition, though some + must be assigned no doubt to want of scientific training. In either case + such hounds are useless, and may well deter the keenest sportsman from the + hunting field. (32) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (32) Or, "Naturally, dogs like these damp the sportsman's ardour, and + indeed are enough to sicken him altogether with the chase." +</pre> + <p> + The characters, bodily and other, exhibited by the finer specimens of the + same breed, (33) I will now set forth. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (33) Or, "The features, points, qualities, whether physical or other, + which characterise the better individuals." But what does Xenophon + mean by {tou autou genous}? +</pre> + <p> + IV + </p> + <p> + In the first place, this true type of hound should be of large build; and, + in the next place, furnished with a light small head, broad and flat in + the snout, (1) well knit and sinewy, the lower part of the forehead + puckered into strong wrinkles; eyes set well up (2) in the head, black and + bright; forehead large and broad; the depression between the eyes + pronounced; (3) ears long (4) and thin, without hair on the under side; + neck long and flexible, freely moving on its pivot; (5) chest broad and + fairly fleshy; shoulder-blades detached a little from the shoulders; (6) + the shin-bones of the fore-legs should be small, straight, round, stout + and strong; the elbows straight; ribs (7) not deep all along, but sloped + away obliquely; the loins muscular, in size a mean between long and short, + neither too flexible nor too stiff; (8) flanks, a mean between large and + small; the hips (or "couples") rounded, fleshy behind, not tied together + above, but firmly knitted on the inside; (9) the lower or under part of + the belly (10) slack, and the belly itself the same, that is, hollow and + sunken; tail long, straight, and pointed; (11) thighs (i.e. hams) stout + and compact; shanks (i.e. lower thighs) long, round, and solid; hind-legs + much longer than the fore-legs, and relatively lean; feet round and + cat-like. (12) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Pollux, v. 7; Arrian, "Cyn." iv. + + (2) {meteora}, prominent.?See Sturz, s.v. + + (3) {tas diakriseis batheias}, lit. "with a deep frontal sinus." + + (4) Reading {makra}, or if {mikra}, "small." + + (5) Al. "well rounded." + + (6) "Shoulder blades standing out a little from the shoulders"; i.e. + "free." + + (7) i.e. "not wholly given up to depth, but well curved"; depth is not + everything unless the ribs be also curved. Schneid. cf. Ov. "Met." + iii. 216, "et substricta gerens Sicyonius ilia Ladon," where the + poet is perhaps describing a greyhound, "chyned like a bream." See + Stonehenge, pp. 21, 22. Xenophon's "Castorians" were more like the + Welsh harrier in build, I presume. + + (8) Or, "neither soft and spongy nor unyielding." See Stoneh., p. 23. + + (9) "Drawn up underneath it," lit. "tucked up." + + (10) Al. "flank," "flanks themselves." + + (11) Or, as we should say, "stern." See Pollux, v. 59; Arrian, v. 9. + + (12) See Stonehenge, p. 24 foll. +</pre> + <p> + Hounds possessed of these points will be strong in build, and at the same + time light and active; they will have symmetry at once and pace; a bright, + beaming expression; and good mouths. + </p> + <p> + In following up scent, (13) see how they show their mettle by rapidly + quitting beaten paths, keeping their heads sloping to the ground, smiling, + as it were to greet the trail; see how they let their ears drop, how they + keep moving their eyes to and fro quickly, flourishing their sterns. (14) + Forwards they should go with many a circle towards the hare's form, (15) + steadily guided by the line, all together. When they are close to the hare + itself, they will make the fact plain to the huntsman by the quickened + pace at which they run, as if they would let him know by their fury, by + the motion of head and eyes, by rapid changes of gait and gesture, (16) + now casting a glance back and now fixing their gaze steadily forward to + the creature's hiding-place, (17) by twistings and turnings of the body, + flinging themselves backwards, forwards, and sideways, and lastly, by the + genuine exaltation of spirits, visible enough now, and the ecstasy of + their pleasure, that they are close upon the quarry. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (13) Lit. "Let them follow up the trail." + + (14) Lit. "fawning and wagging their tails." + + (15) Lit. "bed" or "lair." + + (16) Or, "by rapid shiftings of attitude, by looks now thrown backward + and now forwards to the..." Reading {kai apo ton anablemmaton + kai emblemmaton ton epi tas kathedras tou l.}, or if with L. D., + {kai apo ton a. kai emblemmaton eis ton ulen kai anastremmaton ton + epi tas k.}, transl. "now looking back at the huntsman and now + staring hard into the covert, and again right-about-face in the + direction of the hare's sitting-place." + + (17) Lit. "form"; "the place where puss is seated." +</pre> + <p> + Once she is off, the pack should pursue with vigour. (18) They must not + relax their hold, but with yelp and bark full cry insist on keeping close + and dogging puss at every turn. Twist for twist and turn for turn, they, + too, must follow in a succession of swift and brilliant bursts, + interrupted by frequent doublings; while ever and again they give tongue + and yet again till the very welkin rings. (19) One thing they must not do, + and that is, leave the scent and return crestfallen to the huntsman. (20) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (18) Lit. "let them follow up the chase vigorously, and not relax, + with yelp and bark." + + (19) {dikaios}, Sturz, "non temere"; "and not without good reason." + Al. "a right good honest salvo of barks." + + (20) Lit. "Let them not hark back to join the huntsman, and desert the + trail." +</pre> + <p> + Along with this build and method of working, hounds should possess four + points. They should have pluck, sound feet, keen noses, and sleek coats. + The spirited, plucky hound will prove his mettle by refusing to leave the + chase, however stifling the weather; a good nose is shown by his capacity + for scenting the hare on barren and dry ground exposed to the sun, and + that when the orb is at the zenith; (21) soundness of foot in the fact + that the dog may course over mountains during the same season, and yet his + feet will not be torn to pieces; and a good coat means the possession of + light, thick, soft, and silky hair. (22) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (21) i.e. "at mid-day"; or, "in the height of summer"; al. "during the + dog-days"; "at the rising of the dog-star." + + (22) See Pollux, ib. 59; Arrian, vi. 1. +</pre> + <p> + As to the colour proper for a hound, (23) it should not be simply tawny, + nor absolutely black or white, which is not a sign of breeding, but + monotonous—a simplicity suggestive of the wild animal. (24) + Accordingly the red dog should show a bloom of white hair about the + muzzle, and so should the black, the white commonly showing red. On the + top of the thigh the hair should be straight and thick, as also on the + loins and on the lower portion of the stern, but of a moderate thickness + only on the upper parts. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (23) See Stonehenge, p. 25; Darwin, op. cit. ii. 109. + + (24) But see Pollux, ib. 65, who apparently read {gennaion touto to + aploun alla therides}; al. Arrian, vi. See Jaques de Fouilloux, + "La Venerie" (ap. E. Talbot, "Oeuvres completes de Xenophon," + traduction, ii. 318). +</pre> + <p> + There is a good deal to be said for taking your hounds frequently into the + mountains; not so much for taking them on to cultivated land. (25) And for + this reason: the fells offer facilities for hunting and for following the + quarry without interruption, while cultivated land, owing to the number of + cross roads and beaten paths, presents opportunities for neither. + Moreover, quite apart from finding a hare, it is an excellent thing to + take your dogs on to rough ground. It is there they will become sound of + foot, and in general the benefit to their physique in working over such + ground will amply repay you. (26) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (25) Or, "pretty often, and less frequently over." + + (26) Lit. "they must be benefited in their bodies generally by working + over such ground." +</pre> + <p> + They should be taken out in summer till mid-day; in winter from sunrise to + sundown; in autumn any time except mid-day; and in spring any time before + evening. These times will hit the mean of temperature. (27) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (27) Or, "You may count on a moderate temperature at these times." +</pre> + <p> + V + </p> + <p> + The tracks of hares are long in winter owing to the length of night, and + short for the opposite reason during summer. In winter, however, their + scent does not lie in early morning, when the rime is on the ground, or + earth is frozen. (1) The fact is, hoar frost by its own inherent force + absorbs its heat, whilst black frost freezes it. (2) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "when there is hoar frost or black frost" (lit. "ice"). + + (2) Or, "the ice congeals them," "encases as it were in itself the + heat," i.e. the warm scent; aliter, "causes the tracks to freeze + at the top." +</pre> + <p> + The hounds, moreover, with their noses nipped by the cold, (3) cannot + under these conditions (4) use their sense of smell, until the sun or the + mere advance of day dissolves the scent. Then the noses of the hounds + recover, and the scent of the trail begins to exhale itself perceptibly. + (5) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) Reading {malkiosai}, Cobet, "N. Lect." 131. "Mnem." 3, 306; + Rutherford, "N. Phry." p. 135. = "nipped, or numb with cold." For + vulg. {malakiosai} = "whose noses are tender," see Lenz ad loc. + + (4) Lit. "when the tracks are in this case." + + (5) As it evaporates. Aliter, "is perceptible to smell as it is wafted + by the breeze to greet them." +</pre> + <p> + Heavy dews also will obliterate scent by its depressing effect; (6) and + rains occurring after long intervals, while bringing out odours from the + earth, (7) will render the soil bad for scent until it dries again. + Southerly winds will not improve scent—being moisture-laden they + disperse it; whereas northerly winds, provided the scent has not been + previously destroyed, tend to fix and preserve it. Rains will drown and + wash it away, and so will drizzle; while the moon by her heat (8)—especially + a full moon—will dull its edge; in fact the trail is rarest—most + irregular (9)—at such times, for the hares in their joy at the light + with frolic and gambol (10) literally throw themselves high into the air + and set long intervals between one footfall and another. Or again, the + trail will become confused and misleading when crossed by that of foxes. + (11) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (6) Cf. Plut. "Q. Nat." 917 F, ap. Schneid. + + (7) Cf. Theophr. "C. Pl." xix. 5, 6; xx. 4. + + (8) Reading {to thermo}. Aristot. "Gen. An." iv. 10. Zeune cf. Plut. + "Symp." iii. 10, 657. Macrob. "Sat." vii. 16; Athen. 276 E. Al. + {to thermon}. See Lenz ad loc., "the moon, especially a full moon, + dulls the heat (or odour) of the tracks." + + (9) Cf. Poll. v. 67; ib. 66. + + (10) "Playing with one another, in the rivalry of sport." + + (11) Lit. "when foxes have gone through before." +</pre> + <p> + Spring with its tempered mildness is the season to render the scent clear, + except where possibly the soil, bursting with flowers, may mislead the + pack, by mingling the perfume of flowers with the true scent. (12) In + summer scent is thin and indistinct; the earth being baked through and + through absorbs the thinner warmth inherent in the trail, while the dogs + themselves are less keen scented at that season through the general + relaxation of their bodies. (13) In autumn scent lies clean, all the + products of the soil by that time, if cultivable, being already garnered, + or, if wild, withered away with age, so that the odours of various fruits + are no longer a disturbing cause through blowing on to the line. (14) In + winter, summer, and autumn, moreover, as opposed to spring, the trail of a + hare lies for the most part in straight lines, but in the earlier season + it is highly complicated, for the little creatures are perpetually + coupling and particularly at this season, so that of necessity as they + roam together for the purpose they make the line intricate as described. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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, injure + the trail." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (15) "The form tracks are made by the hare leisurely proceeding and + stopping at times; those on the run quickly." + + (16) Lit. "Anything and everything will serve to couch under, or + above, within, beside, now at some distance off, and now hard by, + and now midway between." +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (17) "The form-frequenting hare." + + (18) "Her roving congener," i.e. the hunted hare that squats. The + distinction drawn is between the form chosen by the hare for her + own comfort, and her squatting-place to escape the hounds when + hunted. + + (19) i.e. "the dogs have turned her head and made her as mad as a + March hare." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (20) Pollux, v. 72. + + (21) Or, "as a waterproof." + + (22) So Pollux, ib. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (23) "When the ground teems with vegetation." + + (24) Or, "they frequent cultivated lands," etc. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (29) Or, "shifts her ground." + + (30) Or, "in their terror not of dogs only, but of eagles, since up to + a year old they are liable to be seized by these birds of prey + while crossing some bottom or bare ground, while if bigger..." + + (31) {oi... planetai}, see Ael. op. cit. xiii. 14. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 to + avoid the language of woodcraft at this point. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 low + altitude." + + (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, these + constantly being added to by reproduction, there must needs be a + large number of them." +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 the + particular object is, it must avert its gaze to the next, and then + the next, and so on." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (46) {meta touton}, sc. "with these other causes"; al. "with the + dogs"; 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, the + other for speed. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (55) So Ael. "N. A." xiii. 14. + + (56) Pollux, v. 71. For punctuation, see Lenz ad loc. p. 25. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (57) See Arrian, xvi. 6, his criticism. Schneid. cf. Plut. "Mor." 1096 + C. Hermog. iii. 319, 11, ed. Walz. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (58) Al. "wahrend der Jagdferien," Lenz; "on Sundays," as we might + say. See some remarks on S. 34 in "Hellenica Essays," "Xenophon," + p. 349. +</pre> + <p> + VI + </p> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 keep + hold (al. take care) of their hounds well." + + (4) See "A Day with Xenophon's Harriers," "Macmillan's Mag." Jan. + 1895, p. 183. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 the + scent." + + (8) Or, "a late start means the hounds will be robbed of a find and + the huntsman of his reward." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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, referring + solely to the haye nets; the order of the words should be {ta de + diktua teineto en apedois stoikhizeto de, k.t.l.} If so, transl. + "He should stretch the hayes on level ground and fix, etc.; The + road 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 the + edges." +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (16) Or, "'caught,' 'escaped,' (this side or that), 'not seen,' + 'marked.'" +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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}. +</pre> + <p> + Still up and down, old sinner, must we pace; 'Twill kill us both, this + vain, long, wearing race (Kennedy). + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (25) See Arrian, xx. 2. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (26) Reading {io kunes, io kunes, sophos ge o kunes, kalos ge o + kunes}. 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 his + shoulders." 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. +</pre> + <p> + 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!" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (31) {apantosi diokousai auton}, al. "come across the huntsman again." +</pre> + <p> + 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!" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (32) Or, "if the chase sweeps over a mountain-side." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 along + by 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." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (38) Or, "whisking their tails and frisking wildly, and jostling + against one another, and leaping over one another at a great + rate." Al. "over one obstacle, and then another." + + (39) Or, "this is the true line at last." + + (40) Al. "with a crash of tongues." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 this + chapter. + + And when thou hast on foot the purblind hare, + Mark the poor wretch, to overshoot his troubles + How he outruns the wind and with what care + He cranks and crosses with a thousand doubles: + The many musets through the which he goes + Are 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 singled + With 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 well + To one sore sick that hears the passing-bell. + + Then shalt thou see the dew-bedabbled wretch + Turn, 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. +</pre> + <p> + VII + </p> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "Winter is the time at which to pair dogs for breeding, the + bitches to be released from hard work, so that with the repose so + secured 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. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) See Arrian, xxxi.; Stonehenge, p. 264. + + (6) Or, "the internal organs get wrong" ({adika}). Cf. "Memorabilia," + IV. iv. 5. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 dog + named {ippokentauros} (cf. "Cyrop." IV. iii. 17). +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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, of + foxhounds and harriers," pp. 284, 285. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (13) For points see the same authority: the harrier, p. 59; the + foxhound, p. 54. + + (14) See Arrian's comment and dissent, xxv. 4. + + (15) Lit. "which are at once well shaped and have the spirit for the + chase in them." + + (16) Al. "they will overstrain themselves with the hare in sight, and + break a blood-vessel." See Arrian, xxxi. 4, {regnuntai gar autais + ai lagones}. + + (17) Or, "are defectively built for the chase." + + (18) Or, "will not suffer such mishap." +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 understand + the nature of the scent"; ib. 284. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (21) {ekkunoi}, cf. Arrian, xxv. 5. + + (22) {poneron mathema}, ib. 9. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (23) {anairontai} sc. {ai arkues}, see above, vi. 26. + + (24) Or, "abandon the practice." + + (25) See Stonehenge, p. 289 (another context): "... the desire for + game in a well-bred dog is much greater than the appetite for + food, unless the stomach has long been deprived of it." +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (26) Or, "If want in itself does not reveal to him the cause of his + suffering, to be given food when hungry for it will arouse in him + affection for the donor." +</pre> + <p> + VIII + </p> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 on + themselves and coming back eventually to the same place." + + (4) Or, "where the end of the string is." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) {tekhnazein}. Cf. Ael. "N. A." vi. 47, ap. Schneid. A fact for + Uncle Remus. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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, but + this she seeks." +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (10) L. Dind. emend. {oudamoi}, "the tracks will not pass in any + direction outwards from such ground." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (11) Al. "to envelop the victims in the nets." + + (12) Lit. "whatever the creature is in contact with inside." + + (13) Cf. Aesch. "Prom." 87, {Poto tropo tesd' ekkulisthesei tukhes}. + + (14) Or, "if the creature is not first suffocated in the snow itself." + + (15) See Pollux, v. 50. "She must presently be tired out in the heavy + snow, which balls itself like a fatal clog clinging to the under + part of her hairy feet." +</pre> + <p> + IX + </p> + <p> + For hunting fawns (1) and deer, (2) Indian dogs (3) should be employed, as + being strong, large, and fleet-footed, and not devoid of spirit; with + these points they will prove well equal to the toil. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) See Hom. "Il." xxii. 189, x. 361; "Od." iv. 35; Aelian, "N. A." + xiv. 14; xvii. 26; Geopon. xix. 5. + + (2) {e elaphos} (generic, Attic) = hart or hind, of roe (Capreolus + caprea) or red (Cervus elaphus) deer alike, I suppose. See St. + John, "Nat. Hist. and Sport in Moray." + + (3) Of the Persian or Grecian greyhound type perhaps. See Aristot. "H. + A." viii. 28; Aelian, "N. A." viii. 1; Pollux, v. 37, 38, 43; + Plin. "H. N." vii. 2, viii. 28; Oppian, "Cyn." i. 413. +</pre> + <p> + Quite young fawns (4) should be captured in spring, that being the season + at which the dams calve. (5) Some one should go beforehand into the rank + meadowlands (6) and reconnoitre where the hinds are congregated, and + wherever that may be, the master of the hounds will set off—with his + hounds and a supply of javelins—before daylight to the place in + question. Here he will attach the hounds to trees (7) some distance off, + for fear of their barking, (8) when they catch sight of the deer. That + done he will choose a specular point himself and keep a sharp look-out. + (9) As day breaks he will espy the hinds leading their fawns to the places + where they will lay them severally to rest. (10) Having made them lie down + and suckled them, they will cast anxious glances this way and that to see + that no one watches them; and then they will severally withdraw to the + side opposite and mount guard, each over her own offspring. The huntsman, + who has seen it all, (11) will loose the dogs, and with javelins in hand + himself advance towards the nearest fawn in the direction of where he saw + it laid to rest; carefully noting the lie of the land, (12) for fear of + making some mistake; since the place itself will present a very different + aspect on approach from what it looked like at a distance. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (4) See above, v. 14. I do not know that any one has answered + Schneider's question: Quidni sensum eundem servavit homo + religiosus in hinnulis? + + (5) "The fawns (of the roe deer) are born in the spring, usually early + in May," Lydekker, "R. N. H." ii. p. 383; of the red deer + "generally in the early part of June," ib. 346. + + (6) {orgadas} = "gagnages," du Fouilloux, "Comment le veneur doit + aller en queste aux taillis ou gaignages pour voir le cerf a + veue," ap. Talbot, op. cit. i. p. 331. + + (7) Or, "off the wood." + + (8) It seems they were not trained to restrain themselves. + + (9) Or, "set himself to observe from some higher place." Cf. Aristoph. + "Wasps," 361, {nun de xun oplois} | {andres oplitai diataxamenoi} + | {kata tas diodous skopiorountai}. Philostr. 784. + + (10) See Pollux, v. 77; Aristot. "H. A." ix. 5. Mr. Scrope ap. + Lydekker, "R. N. H." ii. p. 346, states that the dam of the red + deer makes her offspring "lie down by a pressure of her nose," + etc. + + (11) Lit. "when he sees these things." + + (12) Or, "the features of the scene"; "the topography." +</pre> + <p> + When his eye has lit upon the object of his search, he will approach quite + close. The fawn will keep perfectly still, glued (13) as it were to earth, + and with loud bleats suffer itself to be picked up; unless it happen to be + drenched with rain; in which case, it will not stay quiet in one place. No + doubt, the internal moisture of the animal congeals quickly with the cold + (14) and causes it to shift its ground. Caught in that case it must needs + be; but the hounds will have work enough to run the creature down. (15) + The huntsman having seized the fawn, will hand it to the keeper. The + bleating will continue; and the hind, partly seeing and partly hearing, + will bear down full tilt upon the man who has got her young, in her desire + to rescue it. Now is the moment to urge on the hounds and ply the + javelins. And so having mastered this one, he will proceed against the + rest, and employ the same method of the chase in dealing with them. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (13) {piesas}, "noosling, nestling, buried." + + (14) "The blood runs cold." + + (15) Or, "but it will give them a good chase; the dogs will have their + work cut out." +</pre> + <p> + Young fawns may be captured in the way described. Those that are already + big will give more trouble, since they graze with their mothers and the + other deer, and when pursued retire in the middle of the herd or + occasionally in front, but very seldom in the rear. The deer, moreover, in + order to protect their young will do battle with the hounds and trample + them under foot; so that capture is not easy, unless you come at once to + close quarters and scatter the herd, with the result that one or another + of the fawns is isolated. The effort implies (16) a strain, and the hounds + will be left behind in the first heat of the race, since the very absence + of their dams (17) will intensify the young deer's terror, and the speed + of a fawn, that age and size, is quite incredible. (18) But at the second + or third run they will be quickly captured; since their bodies being young + and still unformed cannot hold out long against fatigue. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (16) Lit. "after that violent effort." + + (17) Or, "alarm at the absence of the herd will lend the creature + wings." + + (18) Or, "is past compare"; "is beyond all telling." +</pre> + <p> + Foot-gins (19) or caltrops may be set for deer on mountains, in the + neighbourhood of meadows and streams and wooded glens, on cross-roads (20) + or in tilled fields at spots which they frequent. (21) These gins should + be made of twisted yew twigs (22) stripped of the bark to prevent their + rotting. They should have well-rounded hooplike "crowns" (23) with + alternate rows of nails of wood and iron woven into the coil. (24) The + iron nails should be larger, so that while the wooden ones yield to the + foot, the others may press into it. (25) The noose of the cord which will + be laid upon "the crown" should be woven out of esparto and so should the + rope itself, this kind of grass being least liable to rot. The rope and + noose itself should both alike be stout. The log or clog of wood attached + should be made of common or of holm oak with the bark on, three spans in + length, and a palm in thickness. (26) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (19) {podostrabai}, podostrabai so called. Cf. "the boot." + + (20) {en tais diodois}, "at points where paths issue," or "cross." + + (21) {pros o ti prosie}, "against whatever they are likely to + approach." + + (22) Or, "should be woven out of Smilax"; "Ebenholz," Lenz; "Ifs," + Gail. + + (23) {tas de stephanas euk. ekh.} "having circular rims." + + (24) {en to plokano} (al. {plokamo}) = the plaited rope, which formed + the {stephane}. See Pollux, v. 32, ap. Schneid. and Lenz. + + (25) Al. "so as to press into the foot, if the wooden ones yield." + + (26) Or, "27 inches x 3." +</pre> + <p> + To set the trap, dig a hole in the soil to a depth of fifteen inches, (27) + circular in shape, with a circumference at the top exactly corresponding + to the crown and narrowing towards the bottom. For the rope and wooden + clog likewise remove sufficient earth to let them both be lightly buried. + That done, place the foot-gin deep enough to be just even with the surface + of the soil, (28) and round the circle of the crown the cord-noose. The + cord itself and wooden clog must now be lowered into their respective + places. Which done, place on the crown some rods of spindle-tree, (29) but + not so as to stick out beyond the outer rim; and above these again light + leaves, such as the season may provide. After this put a final coating of + earth upon the leaves; in the first place the surface soil from the holes + just dug, and atop of that some unbroken solid earth from a distance, so + that the lie of the trap may be as much as possible unnoticed by the deer. + Any earth left over should be carried to a distance from the gin. The mere + smell of the newly-turned-up soil will suffice to make the animal + suspicious; (30) and smell it readily she will. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (27) Or, "remove a mass of soil to the depth of five palms so as to + form a circular hole corresponding in size with the rim above- + named." + + (28) Or, "like a door over the cavity, somewhat below the surface, + flatwise"; i.e. "in a horizontal position." + + (29) So literally, but really Carthamus creticus, a thistle-like plant + used for making spindles (Sprengel ap. L. & S.), the Euonymous + europaeus being our spindle-tree. Aristot. "H. A." ix. 40, 49; + Theocr. iv. 52. + + (30) Lit. "if she once sniffs the new-turned soil the deer grows shy, + and that she will quickly do." See Plat. "Laws," 933 A; "Phaedr." + 242 C; "Mem." II. i. 4. +</pre> + <p> + The hunter should take his hounds and inspect the traps upon the + mountains, early in the morning if possible, though he should do so also + during the day at other times. Those set on cultivated land must always be + inspected early, before the sun is up in fact, (31) and for this reason: + on the hills, so desert is the region, (32) the creatures may be caught + not only at night but at any time of day; while, on the cultivated lands, + owing to their chronic apprehension of mankind in daytime, night is the + only time. (33) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (31) "Before the sun is up." + + (32) Or, "thanks to the lonesomeness of the region." + + (33) "It is night or never, owing to the dread of man which haunts the + creature's mind during daytime." +</pre> + <p> + As soon as the huntsman finds a gin uprooted he will let slip his hounds + and with cheery encouragement (34) follow along the wake of the wooden + clog, with a keen eye to the direction of its march. That for the most + part will be plain enough, since stones will be displaced, and the furrow + which the clog makes as it trails along will be conspicuous on tilled + ground; or if the deer should strike across rough ground, the rocks will + show pieces of bark torn from the clog, and the chase will consequently be + all the easier. (35) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (34) See vi. 20; "with view-halloo." + + (35) Or, "along that track will not be difficult." +</pre> + <p> + Should the deer have been caught by one of its fore-feet it will soon be + taken, because in the act of running it will beat and batter its own face + and body; if by the hind-leg, the clog comes trailing along and must needs + impede the action of every limb. Sometimes, too, as it is whirled along it + will come in contact with the forked branches of some tree, and then + unless the animal can snap the rope in twain, she is fairly caught; there + ends the chase. But even so, if caught in this way or overdone with + fatigue, it were well not to come too close the quarry, should it chance + to be a stag, or he will lunge out with his antlers and his feet; better + therefore let fly your javelins from a distance. + </p> + <p> + These animals may also be captured without aid of gin or caltrop, by sheer + coursing in hot summer time; they get so tired, they will stand still to + be shot down. If hard pressed they will plunge into the sea or take to + water of any sort in their perplexity, and at times will drop down from + sheer want of breath. (36) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (36) "From mere shortness of breath." +</pre> + <p> + X + </p> + <p> + To cope with the wild boar the huntsman needs to have a variety of dogs, + Indian, Cretan, Locrian, and Laconian, (1) along with a stock of nets, + javelins, boar-spears, and foot-traps. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) For these breeds see Pollux, v. 37: for the Laconian, Pind. "Fr." + 73; Soph. "Aj." 8; cf. Shakesp. "Mids. N. D." iv. 1. 119, 129 + foll. +</pre> + <p> + To begin with, the hounds must be no ordinary specimens of the species + named, (2) in order to do battle with the beast in question. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) Or, "these hounds of the breed named must not be any ordinary + specimens"; but what does Xenophon mean by {ek toutou tou genous}? +</pre> + <p> + The nets should be made of the same flaxen cord (3) as those for hares + above described. They should be forty-five threaded in three strands, each + strand consisting of fifteen threads. The height from the upper rim (4) + (i.e. from top to bottom) should be ten meshes, and the depth of the + nooses or pockets one elbow-length (say fifteen inches). (5) The ropes + running round the net should be half as thick again as the cords of the + net; and at the extremities (6) they should be fitted with rings, and + should be inserted (in and out) under the nooses, with the end passing out + through the rings. Fifteen nets will be sufficient. (7) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) i.e. "of Phasian or Cathaginian fine flax." + + (4) {tou koruphaiou}. + + (5) {pugon}. The distance from the elbow to the first joint of the + finger = 20 {daktuloi} = 5 {palaistai} = 1 1/4 ft. + (L. & S.) + + (6) {ep akrois}. Cf. {akreleniois}. + + (7) Reading {ikanai}, vid. Lenz ad loc. and ii. 4. +</pre> + <p> + The javelins should be of all sorts, (8) having blades of a good breadth + and razor-sharpness, and stout shafts. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) Al. "of various material." See Pollux, v. 20 ap. Schneid. +</pre> + <p> + The boar-spears should in the first place have blades fifteen inches long, + and in the middle of the socket two solid projecting teeth of wrought + metal, (9) and shafts of cornel-wood a spear-shaft's thickness. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) Wrought of copper (or bronze). +</pre> + <p> + The foot-traps should resemble those used for deer. + </p> + <p> + These hunts should be conducted not singly, (10) but in parties, since the + wild boar can be captured only by the collective energy of several men, + and that not easily. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (10) Lit. "There should be a band of huntsmen"; or, "It will take the + united energies of several to capture this game." See Hom. "Il." + ix. 543, of the Calydonian boar: +</pre> + <p> + {ton d' uios Oineos apekteinen Meleagros, polleon ek polion theretoras + andras ageiras kai kunas. ou men gar k' edame pauroisi brotoisin tossos + een, pollous de pures epebes' alegeines.} + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "But him slew Meleagros the son of Oineus, having gathered + together from many cities huntsmen and hounds; for not of few men + could the boar be slain, so mighty was he; and many an one brought + he to the grievous pyre" (W. Leaf). +</pre> + <p> + I will now explain how each part of the gear is to be used in hunting. + </p> + <p> + The company being come to some place where a boar is thought to lie, the + first step is to bring up the pack, (11) which done, they will loose a + single Laconian bitch, and keeping the rest in leash, beat about with this + one hound. (12) As soon as she has got on the boar's track, let them + follow in order, one after another, close on the tracking hound, who gives + the lead to the whole company. (13) Even to the huntsmen themselves many a + mark of the creature will be plain, such as his footprints on soft + portions of the ground, and in the thick undergrowth of forests broken + twigs; and, where there are single trees, the scars made by his tusks. + (14) As she follows up the trail the hound will, as a general rule, + finally arrive at some well-wooded spot; since, as a general rule, the + boar lies ensconced in places of the sort, that are warm in winter and + cool in summer. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (11) {kunegesion}, "a hunting establishment, huntsmen and hounds, a + pack of hounds," L. & S. cf. Herod. i. 36; Pollux. v. 17. In + Aristot. "H. A." viii. 5. 2, of wolves in a pack; v. {monopeirai}. + {upagein}—"stealthily?" + + (12) Or, "go on a voyage of discovery." + + (13) Reading {te ikhneuouse}, or if vulg. {ikhneusei}, transl. "set + her to follow the trail, at the head of the whole train." + + (14) Schneid. cf. Aristot. "H. A." vi. 18; Plin. viii. 52; Virg. + "Georg." iii. 255, "ipse ruit, dentesque Sabellicus exacuit sus"; + Hom. "Il." xi. 416, xiii. 475; Hes. "Shield," 389; Eur. "Phoen." + 1389; Ovid, "Met." viii. 369. +</pre> + <p> + As soon as she has reached his lair she will give tongue; but the boar + will not get up, not he, in nine cases out of ten. The huntsman will + thereupon recover the hound, and tie her up also with the rest at a good + distance from the lair. (15) He will then launch his toils into the wild + boar's harbourage, (16) placing the nooses upon any forked branches of + wood to hand. Out of the net itself he must construct a deep + forward-jutting gulf or bosom, posting young shoots on this side and that + within, as stays or beams, (17) so that the rays of light may penetrate as + freely as possible through the nooses into the bosom, (18) and the + interior be as fully lit up as possible when the creature makes his + charge. The string round the top of the net must be attached to some stout + tree, and not to any mere shrub or thorn-bush, since these light-bending + branches will give way to strain on open ground. (19) All about each net + it will be well to stop with timber even places (20) "where harbrough nis + to see," so that the hulking brute may drive a straight course (21) into + the toils without tacking. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (15) Lit. "accordingly recover the dog, and tie her up also with the + rest," etc. + + (16) {ormous}. Lit. "moorings," i.e. "favourite haunts." Cf. {dusorma} + below. Al. "stelle die Fallnetze auf die Wechsel," Lenz. + + (17) {anteridas}. See a note in the "Class. Rev." X. i. p. 7, by G. S. + Sale: "It can only mean long sticks used as stretchers or + spreaders to hold up the net between and beyond the props." Cf. + Thuc. vii. 36, 2. + + (18) Or, "within the bay of network." + + (19) {sunekhontai en tois psilois ai e}. "Denn diese werden an + unbestandenen Orten durch die Leine niedergezogen," Lenz; + {sunelkontai} conj. Schn.; {sunerkhontai} al., "concurrunt," vid. + Sturz. + + (20) {ta dusorma}, met. from "bad harbourage." Cf. Arsch. "Pers." 448; + "Ag." 194. Cf. Lat. "importunus," also of "rough ground." + + (21) Or, "make his rush." +</pre> + <p> + As soon as the nets are fixed, the party will come back and let the hounds + slip one and all; then each will snatch up his javelin (22) and + boar-spear, and advance. Some one man, the most practised hand, will cheer + on the hounds, and the rest will follow in good order at some considerable + distance from one another, so as to leave the animal a free passage; since + if he falls into the thick of them as he makes off, there is a fair chance + of being wounded, for he will certainly vent his fury on the first + creature he falls foul of. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (22) Lit. "then they will take their javelins and boar-spears and + advance." +</pre> + <p> + As soon as the hounds are near his lair, they will make their onslaught. + The boar, bewildered by the uproar, will rise up and toss the first hound + that ventures to attack him in front. He will then run and fall into the + toils; or if not, then after him full cry. (23) Even if the ground on + which the toils environ him be sloping, he will recover himself promptly; + (24) but if level, he will at once plant himself firm as a rock, as if + deliberating with himself. (25) At that conjuncture the hounds will press + hard upon him, while their masters had best keep a narrow eye upon the + boar and let fly their javelins and a pelt of stones, being planted in a + ring behind him and a good way off, until the instant when with a forward + heave of his body he stretches the net tight and strains the + skirting-rope. Thereupon he who is most skilful of the company and of the + stoutest nerve will advance from the front and deliver a home thrust with + his hunting-spear. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (23) Or, "a pretty chase must follow." + + (24) Or, "if within the prison of the net the ground be sloping, it + will not take long to make him spring up; he will be up again on + his legs in no time." + + (25) Or, "being concerned about himself." +</pre> + <p> + Should the animal for all that rain of javelins and stones refuse to + stretch the skirting-rope, should he rather relax (26) in that direction + and make a right-about-face turn bearing down on his assailant, there is + nothing for it, under these circumstances, but to seize a boar-spear, and + advance; firmly clutching it with the left hand forward and with the right + behind; the left is to steady it, and the right to give it impulse; and so + the feet, (27) the left advanced in correspondence with the left arm, and + right with right. As he advances, he will make a lunge forward with the + boar-spear, (27) planting his legs apart not much wider than in wrestling, + (28) and keeping his left side turned towards his left hand; and then, + with his eye fixed steadily on the beast's eye, he will note every turn + and movement of the creature's head. As he brings down the boar-spear to + the thrust, he must take good heed the animal does not knock it out of his + hands by a side movement of the head; (29) for if so he will follow up the + impetus of that rude knock. In case of that misfortune, the huntsman must + throw himself upon his face and clutch tight hold of the brushwood under + him, since if the wild boar should attack him in that posture, owing to + the upward curve of its tusks, it cannot get under him; (30) whereas if + caught erect, he must be wounded. What will happen then is, that the beast + will try to raise him up, and failing that will stand upon and trample + him. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (26) {epanieis}. See Sturz, s.v. + + (27) Lit. "forwards the left foot will follow the left arm and the + right foot the other." + + (28) "Statum venatoris aprum venabulo excipientis pinxit + Philostratus," "Imag." i. 28, Schn. + + (29) Or, "he will step forward and take one stride not much longer + than that of a wrestler, and thrust forward his boar-spear." + + (30) Cf. Hes. "Shield," 387; Hom. "Il." xii. 148: "Then forth rushed + the twain, and fought in front of the gates like wild boars that + in the mountains abide the assailing crew of men and dogs, and + charging on either flank they crush the wood around them, cutting + it at the root, and the clatter of their tusks waxes loud, till + one smite them and take their life away" (A. Lang). +</pre> + <p> + From this extremity there is but one means of escape, and one alone, for + the luckless prisoner. One of his fellow-huntsmen must approach with + boar-spear and provoke the boar, making as though he would let fly at him; + but let fly he must not, for fear of hitting the man under him. The boar, + on seeing this, will leave the fallen man, and in rage and fury turn to + grapple his assailant. The other will seize the instant to spring to his + feet, and not forget to clutch his boar-spear as he rises to his legs + again; since rescue cannot be nobly purchased save by victory. (31) Let + him again bring the weapon to bear in the same fashion, and make a lunge + at a point within the shoulder-blade, where lies the throat; (32) and + planting his body firmly press with all his force. (33) The boar, by dint + of his might and battle rage, will still push on, and were it not that the + teeth of the lance-blade hindered, (34) would push his way up to the + holder of the boar-spear even though the shaft run right through him. (35) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (31) "Safety can only be won with honour by some master-stroke of + victory." + + (32) {sphage}. Aristot. "H. A." i. 14. 2. "Straight at the jugular." + + (33) Or, "throwing his whole weight on the thrust, press home with all + his force." + + (34) Or, "but for the intervention of the two projecting teeth of the + lance-blade." See the account of the passage of arms between Col. + Pollock and a boar in his "Incidents of Foreign Sport and Travel." + There the man was mounted, but alone. + + (35) Lit. "force his heavy bulk along the shaft right up to the holder + of the boar-spear." +</pre> + <p> + Nay, so tremendous is the animal's power, that a property which no one + ever would suspect belongs to him. Lay a few hairs upon the tusk of a boar + just dead, and they will shrivel up instantly, (36) so hot are they, these + tusks. Nay, while the creature is living, under fierce excitement they + will be all aglow; or else how comes it that though he fail to gore the + dogs, yet at the blow the fine hairs of their coats are singed in flecks + and patches? (37) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (36) {euthus}, i.e. "for a few seconds after death." + + (37) The belief is still current, I am told, in parts of India. +</pre> + <p> + So much and even greater trouble may be loked for from the wild boar + before capture; I speak of the male animal. If it should be a sow that + falls into the toils, the huntsman should run up and prod her, taking care + not to be pushed off his legs and fall, in which case he cannot escape + being trampled on and bitten. Ergo, he will not voluntarily get under + those feet; but if involuntarily he should come to such a pass, the same + means (38) of helping each the other to get up again will serve, as in the + case of the male animal; and when he has regained his legs, he must ply + the boar-spear vigorously till she too has died the death. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (38) {dianastaseis}, "the same methods of mutual recovery." +</pre> + <p> + Wild pigs may be captured further in the following fashion: The nets are + fixed for them at the entrances of woody glens, (39) in coppices and + hollows, and on screes, where there are outlets into rank meadow-lands, + marshes, and clear pools. (40) The appointed person mounts guard at the + nets with his boar-spear, while the others work the dogs, exploring the + best and likeliest spots. As soon as the quarry is found the chase + commences. If then an animal falls into the net, the net-keeper will grip + his boar-spear and (41) advance, when he will ply it as I have described; + if he escape the net, then after him full cry. In hot, sultry weather the + boar may be run down by the hounds and captured. Though a monster in + strength, the creature becomes short of breath and will give in from sheer + exhaustion. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (39) Al. "at the passages from woodland lakes into oak-coppices." + + (40) {udata}, "waters," lakes, pools, rivers, etc. + + (41) Or, "and proceed to tackle him." +</pre> + <p> + It is a form of sport which costs the lives of many hounds and endangers + those of the huntsmen themselves. Supposing that the animal has given in + from exhaustion at some moment in the chase, and they are forced to come + to close quarters; (42) whether he has taken to the water, or stands at + bay against some craggy bank, or does not choose to come out from some + thicket (since neither net nor anything else hinders him from bearing down + like a tornado on whoever approaches); still, even so, advance they must, + come what come may, to the attack. And now for a display of that hardihood + which first induced them to indulge a passion not fit for carpet knights + (43)—in other words, they must ply their boar-spears and assume that + poise of body (44) already described, since if one must meet misfortune, + let it not be for want of observing the best rules. (45) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (42) Reading {prosienai} ({ta probolia}). (The last two words are + probably a gloss, and should be omitted, since {prosienai} (from + {prosiemi}) {ta probolia} = "ply," or "apply their boar-spears," + is hardly Greek.) See Schneid. "Add. et Corr." and L. Dind. ad + loc. + + (43) {ekponein}, "to exercise this passion to the full." + + (44) Lit. "assume their boar-spears and that forward attitude of + body." + + (45) Lit. "it will not be at any rate from behaving correctly." +</pre> + <p> + Foot-traps are also set for the wild boar, similar to those for deer and + in the same sort of places; the same inspections and methods of pursuit + are needed, with consequent attacks and an appeal to the boar-spear in the + end. + </p> + <p> + Any attempt to capture the young pigs will cost the huntsman some rough + work. (46) The young are not left alone, as long as they are small; and + when the hounds have hit upon them or they get wind of something wrong, + they will disappear like magic, vanishing into the forest. As a rule, both + parents attend on their own progeny, and are not pleasant then to meddle + with, being more disposed to do battle for their young than for + themselves. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (46) Lit. "the piglings will resent it (sc. {to aliskesthai}) + strongly"; al. "the adult (sub. {to therion}) will stand anything + rather." +</pre> + <p> + XI + </p> + <p> + Lions, leopards, lynxes, panthers, bears and all other such game are to be + captured in foreign countries—about Mount Pangaeus and Cittus beyond + Macedonia; (1) or again, in Nysa beyond Syria, and upon other mountains + suited to the breeding of large game. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Of these places, Mt. Pangaeus (mod. Pirnari) (see "Hell." V. ii. + 17), Cittus (s. Cissus, mod. Khortiatzi), N. W. of the Chalcidice, + Mysian Olympus, and Pindus are well known. Nysa has not been + verified hitherto, I think. Sturz cf. Bochart, "Hieroz." Part I. + lib. iii. c. 1, p. 722. Strabo, 637 (xv. 1. 7), mentions a Mount + Nysa in India sacred to Dionysus, and cites Soph. "Frag." 782— +</pre> + <p> + {othen kateidon ton bebakkhiomenen brotoisi kleinon Nusan... k.t.l.}, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + but it is a far cry from Xenophon's Syria to India. Possibly it is + to be sought for in the region of Mt. Amanus. +</pre> + <p> + In the mountains, owing to the difficulty of the ground, (2) some of these + animals are captured by means of poison—the drug aconite—which + the hunters throw down for them, (3) taking care to mix it with the + favourite food of the wild best, near pools and drinking-places or + wherever else they are likely to pay visits. Others of them, as they + descend into the plains at night, may be cut off by parties mounted upon + horseback and well armed, and so captured, but not without causing + considerable danger to their captors. (4) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) Or, "the inaccessibility of their habitats." + + (3) "The method is for the trapper to throw it down mixed with the + food which the particular creature likes best." + + (4) For the poison method see Pollux, v. 82; Plin. "H. N." viii. 27. +</pre> + <p> + In some cases the custom is to construct large circular pits of some + depth, leaving a single pillar of earth in the centre, on the top of which + at nightfall they set a goat fast-bound, and hedge the pit about with + timber, so as to prevent the wild beasts seeing over, and without a portal + of admission. What happens then is this: the wild beasts, hearing the + bleating in the night, keep scampering round the barrier, and finding no + passage, leap over it, and are caught. (5) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) See "Tales from the Fjeld," Sir George W. Dasent, "Father Bruin in + the Corner." +</pre> + <p> + XII + </p> + <p> + With regard to methods of procedure in the hunting-field, enough has been + said. (1) But there are many benefits which the enthusiastic sportsman may + expect to derive from this pursuit. (2) I speak of the health which will + thereby accrue to the physical frame, the quickening of the eye and ear, + the defiance of old age, and last, but not least, the warlike training + which it ensures. To begin with, when some day he has to tramp along rough + ways under arms, the heavy infantry soldier will not faint or flag—he + will stand the toil from being long accustomed to the same experiences in + capturing wild beasts. In the next place, men so trained will be capable + of sleeping on hard couches, and prove brave guardians of the posts + assigned them. In the actual encounter with the enemy, they will know at + once how to attack and to carry out the word of command as it passes along + the lines, because it was just so in the old hunting days that they + captured the wild game. If posted in the van of battle, they will not + desert their ranks, because endurance is engrained in them. In the rout of + the enemy their footsteps will not falter nor fail: straight as an arrow + they will follow the flying foe, on every kind of ground, through long + habituation. (3) Or if their own army encounter a reverse on wooded and + precipitous ground beset with difficulties, these will be the men to save + themselves with honour and to extricate their friends; since long + acquaintance with the business of the chase has widened their + intelligence. (4) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "Respecting the methods employed in different forms of the + chase, I have said my say." As to the genuineness of this and the + following chapter see L. Dind. ad loc.; K. Lincke, "Xenophon's + Dialog." {peri oikonomias}, p. 132. + + (2) Lit. "this work"; and in reference to the highly Xenophontine + argument which follows see "Hellenica Essays," p. 342; cf. + "Cyrop." I. vi. 28, 39-41. + + (3) "For the sake of 'auld lang syne.'" + + (4) Or, "will place them on the vantage-ground of experts." +</pre> + <p> + Nay, even under the worst of circumstances, when a whole mob of + fellow-combatants (5) has been put to flight, how often ere now has a + handful (6) of such men, by virtue of their bodily health (7) and courage, + caught the victorious enemy roaming blindly in some intricacy of ground, + renewed the fight, and routed him. Since so it must ever be; to those + whose souls and bodies are in happy case success is near at hand. (8) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) Or, "allies." + + (6) Or, "a forlorn hope." + + (7) {euexia}, al. {eutaxia}, "by good discipline." + + (8) "Fortune favours the brave," reading {to eutukhesai} (L. D.); or + if {tou eutukhesai}, (vulg.) "those whose health of soul and body + is established are ipso facto nigh unto good fortune." +</pre> + <p> + It was through knowledge that they owed success against their foes to such + a training, that our own forefathers paid so careful a heed to the young. + (9) Though they had but a scant supply of fruits, it was an immemorial + custom "not to hinder (10) the hunter from hunting any of earth's + offspring"; and in addition, "not to hunt by night (11) within many + furlongs of the city," in order that the adepts in that art might not rob + the young lads of their game. They saw plainly that among the many + pleasures to which youth is prone, this one alone is productive of the + greatest blessings. In other words, it tends to make them sound of soul + and upright, being trained in the real world of actual things (12) (and, + as was said before, our ancestors could not but perceive they owed their + success in war to such instrumentality (13)); and the chase alone deprives + them of none of the other fair and noble pursuits that they may choose to + cultivate, as do those other evil pleasures, which ought never to be + learned. Of such stuff are good soldiers and good generals made. (14) + Naturally, those from whose souls and bodies the sweat of toil has washed + all base and wanton thoughts, who have implanted in them a passion for + manly virtue—these, I say, are the true nobles. (15) Not theirs will + it be to allow their city or its sacred soil to suffer wrong. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) Al. "looked upon the chase as a pursuit incumbent on the young." + + (10) {me koluein (dia) to meden ton epi te ge phuomenon agreuein}. The + commentators generally omit {dia}, in which case translate as in + text. Lenz reads {un koluein dia meden} (see his note ad v. 34), + and translates (p. 61), "Dass man die Jager nicht hindern solle, + in allem was die Erde hervorbrachte zu jagen," "not to hinder the + huntsmen from ranging over any of the crops which spring from + earth"; (but if so, we should expect {dia medenos}). Sturz, s.v. + {agreuein}, notes "festive," "because the hunter does not hunt + vegetable products." So Gail, "parce que le chasseur rien veut pas + aux productions de la terre." + + (11) Or, "set their face against night-hunting," cf. "Mem." IV. vii. + 4; Plat. "Soph." 220 D; "Stranger: There is one mode of striking + which is done at night, and by the light of a fire, and is called + by the hunters themselves firing, or spearing by firelight" + (Jowett); for which see Scott, "Guy Mannering," ch. x. It seems + "night hunting was not to be practised within a certain + considerable radius, whereby the proficients in that art might + deprive it (lit. in order that they might not deprive) them (the + young huntsmen) of their game." + + (12) Lit. "in truth and reality (not among visionary phantoms)." + + (13) These words are commonly regarded as an addition; and what does + {te} signify? + + (14) Or, "Here you have the making of brave soldiers and generals. + Here in embryo are to be found your future soldiers and generals + worthy the name." + + (15) {outoi aristoi}: these are prima virorum, the true aristocrats. +</pre> + <p> + Some people tell us it is not right to indulge a taste for hunting, lest + it lead to neglect of home concerns, not knowing that those who are + benefactors of their country and their friends are in proportion all the + more devoted to domestic duties. If lovers of the chase pre-eminently fit + themselves to be useful to the fatherland, that is as much as to say they + will not squander their private means; since with the state itself the + domestic fortunes of each are saved or lost. The real fact is, these men + are saviours, not of their own fortunes only, but of the private fortunes + of the rest, of yours and mine. Yet there are not a few irrational people + amongst these cavillers who, out of jealousy, would rather perish, thanks + to their own baseness, than owe their lives to the virtue of their + neighbours. So true is it that the mass of pleasures are but evil, (16) to + which men succumb, and thereby are incited to adopt the worse cause in + speech and course in action. (17) And with what result?—from vain + and empty arguments they contract emnities, and reap the fruit of evil + deeds, diseases, losses, death—to the undoing of themselves, their + children, and their friends. (18) Having their senses dulled to things + evil, while more than commonly alive to pleasures, how shall these be + turned to good account for the salvation of the state? Yet from these + evils every one will easily hold aloof, if once enamoured of those joys + whose brief I hold, since a chivalrous education teaches obedience to + laws, and renders justice familiar to tongue and ear. (19) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (16) See "Hellenica Essays," p. 371. + + (17) "To depravity of speech and conduct" (whether as advocates or + performers). See Aristoph. "Clouds." + + (18) Or, "bring down on themselves, their children, and their friends + a spring of misfortunes in the shape of diseases, losses, or even + death." + + (19) "For what does a chivalrous education teach save to obey the law, + and to make the theme of justice familiar to tongue and ear?" +</pre> + <p> + In the one camp are those who, subjecting themselves ever to new toil and + fresh instruction, have, at the cost of lessons and exercises painful to + themselves, obtained to their several states salvation; and in the other + are those who for the very irksomeness of the process choose not to be + taught, but rather to pass away their days in pleasures unseasonable—nature's + abjects these. (20) Not theirs is it to obey either laws or good + instruction; (21) nay, how should they, who never toil, discover what a + good man ought to be?—in other words, wisdom and justice are alike + beyond their power. Subject to indiscipline, they have many a fault to + find with him who is well educated. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (20) Lit. "the sorriest of mankind these by nature." + + (21) Or, "virtuous argument"; {logois agathois}, lit. "good words." +</pre> + <p> + Through the instrumentality of such as these nothing can go well; whereas + every blessing which mankind enjoys has been discovered by the efforts of + the nobler sort. Nobler, I say, are those who choose to toil. (22) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (22) Or, "of choice spirits; and who are the choice spirits?—Clearly + those who choose to toil." +</pre> + <p> + And this has been proved conclusively by a notable example. If we look + back to the men of old who sat at the feet of Cheiron—whose names I + mentioned—we see that it was by dedicating the years of their youth + to the chase (23) that they learnt all their noble lore; and therefrom + they attained to great renown, and are admired even to this day for their + virtue—virtue who numbers all men as her lovers, as is very plain. + Only because of the pains it costs to win her the greater number fall + away; for the achievement of her is hid in obscurity; while the pains that + cleave to her are manifest. Perchance, if only she were endowed with a + visible bodily frame, men would less have neglected her, knowing that even + as she is visible to them, so they also are not hid from her eyes. For is + it not so that when a man moves in the presence of him whom he dearly + loves, (24) he rises to a height above himself, being incapable of aught + base or foul in word or deed in sight of him? (25) But fondly dreaming + that the eye of virtue is closed to them, they are guilty of many a base + thing and foul before her very face, who is hidden from their eyes. Yet + she is present everywhere, being dowered with immortality; and those who + are perfect in goodness (26) she honours, but the wicked she thrusts aside + from honour. If only men could know that she regards them, how eagerly + would they rush to the embrace of toilful training and tribulation, (27) + by which alone she is hardly taken; and so should they gain the mastery + over her, and she should be laid captive at their feet. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (23) Or, "that they made their first essay in hunting when mere boys, + and from hunting upwards were taught many noble arts." + + (24) Lit. "is beheld by his beloved." Cf. "Symp." iv. 4; viii. 31. + + (25) Lit. "in order not to be seen of him." + + (26) Lit. "good with respect to her." + + (27) Or, "to those toils and that training." +</pre> + <p> + XIII + </p> + <p> + Now what astonishes me in the "sophists," as they are called, (1) is, that + though they profess, the greater part of them, to lead the young to + virtue, they really lead them in the opposite direction. Never have we set + eyes on the man anywhere who owed his goodness to the sophists of to-day. + (2) Nor do their writings contain anything (3) calculated to make men + good, but they have written volumes on vain and frivolous subjects, in + which the young may find pleasures that pall, but the essence of virtue is + not in them. The result of this literature is to inflict unnecessary waste + of time on those who look to learn something from it all and look in vain, + cutting them off from wholesome occupations and even teaching what is bad. + I cannot then but blame them for certain large offences (4) more than + lightly; but as regards the subject matter of their writings my charge is, + that while full of far-fetched phraseology, (5) of solid wholesome + sentiments, by which the young might be trained to virtue, I see not a + vestige. Speaking as a plain man, I know that to be taught what is good by + one's own nature is best of all, (6) and next best to learn of those who + really do know some good thing rather than of those who have an art to + deceive. It may well be that I fail to express myself in subtle language, + (7) nor do I pretend to aim at subtlety; what I do aim at is to express + rightly-conceived thoughts such as may serve the need of those who have + been nobly disciplined in virtue; for it is not words and names that give + instruction, but thoughts and sentiments worthy the name. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Cf. Isocr. "Against the Sophists"; "Antidosis"; "Hel. Encom."; + Plat. "Sophist." + + (2) Who are these {oi nun sophistai}? + + (3) Lit. "do they present writings to the world." + + (4) Or, "as to certain weightier matters gravely." + + (5) {remata} = "words and phrases"; {ynomai} = "moral maxims, just + thoughts." + + (6) "Being myself but a private individual and a plain man." According + to Hartman, "A. X. N." p. 350, "ridicule detorquet Hesiodeum": +</pre> + <p> + {outos men panaristos os auto panta noese esthlos d' au kakeinos os eu + eiponti pithetai}. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (7) Al. "in true sophistic style." The writer seems to say: "I lack + subtlety of expression (nor is that at all my object); what I do + aim at is to trace with some exactness, to present with the + lucidity appropriate to them, certain thoughts demanded by persons + well educated in the school of virtue." +</pre> + <p> + Nor am I singular in thus reproaching the modern type of sophist (not the + true philosopher, be it understood); it is a general reproach that the + wisdom he professes consists in word-subtleties, not in ideas. (8) + Certainly it does not escape my notice that an orderly sequence of ideas + adds beauty to the composition: (9) I mean it will be easy to find fault + with what is written incorrectly. (10) Nevertheless, I warrant it is + written in this fashion with an eye to rectitude, to make the reader wise + and good, not more sophistical. For I would wish my writings not to seem + but rather to be useful. I would have them stand the test of ages in their + blamelessness. (11) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) {onomasi}, "in names"; {noemasi}, "thoughts and ideas." + + (9) Or, "I am alive to the advantage to be got from methodic, orderly + expression artistically and morally." + + (10) This passage, since H. Estienne (Stephanus) first wrote against + it "huic loco meae conjecturae succumbunt," has been a puzzle to + all commentators. The words run: {ou lanthanei de me oti kalos kai + exes gegraphthai} ({gegraptai} in the margin of one MS.) {radion + gar estai autois takhu me orthos mempsasthai' kaitoi gegraptai ge + outos k.t.l.} For {takhu me orthos} (1) {takhu ti me orthos}, (2) + {to} (or {ta}) {me orthos}, have been suggested. It is not clear + whether {autois} = {tois sophistais} (e.g. "it will be easy for + these people to lay a finger at once on blots, however unfairly"), + or = {tois suggrammasi} (sc. my(?) compositions; so {auta}, S. 7 + below, {ou gar dokein auta boulomai k.t.l.}) (e.g. "since it will + be easy offhand to find fault with them incorrectly") (or if {ta + me orthos}, "what is incorrect in them"). I append the three + translations of Gail, Lenz, and Talbot. "Je sais combien il est + avantageux de presenter des ouvrages methodiquement ecrits; aussi + par le meme sera-t-il plus facile de prouver aux sophistes leur + futilite!" {radion gar estai} (sub. {emoi}) {mempsasthai outois + takhu (to) me} (sous-entendu) {gegraphthai orthos} (Gail). "Zwar + entgeht mir nicht, dass es schon say die Worte kunstvoll zu + ordnen, denn leichter wird ihnen sonst, schnell, aber mit Unrecht + zu tadeln" (Lenz). "Aussi leur sera-t-il facile de me reprocher + d'ecrire vite et sans ordre" (Talbot). As if {takhu me orthos} + were the reproachful comment of the sophist on the author's + treatise. + + (11) i.e. "the arguments to be blameless at once and irrefutable for + all time." +</pre> + <p> + That is my point of view. The sophist has quite another—words with + him are for the sake of deception, writing for personal gain; to benefit + any other living soul at all is quite beside his mark. There never was nor + is there now a sage among them to whom the title "wise" could be applied. + No! the appellation "sophist" suffices for each and all, which among men + of common sense (12) sounds like a stigma. My advice then is to mistrust + the sonorous catch-words (13) of the sophist, and not to despise the + reasoned conclusions (14) of the philosopher; for the sophist is a hunter + after the rich and young, the philosopher is the common friend of all; he + neither honours nor despises the fortunes of men. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (12) L. Dind. cf. Eur. "Heracl." 370, {tou tauta kalos an eie} | {para + g' eu phronousin}. + + (13) {paraggelmata}. Cf. Aesch. "Ag." 480, "telegraph"; Lys. 121. 32; + Dem. 569. 1; "words of command"; Dion. H. "De Comp." 248, + "instructions, precepts." + + (14) {enthumemata}. +</pre> + <p> + Nor would I have you envy or imitate those either who recklessly pursue + the path of self-aggrandisement, (15) whether in private or in public + life; but consider well (16) that the best of men, (17) the true nobility, + are discovered by their virtues; (18) they are a laborious + upwards-striving race; whilst the base are in evil plight (19) and are + discovered by their demerits. (20) Since in proportion as they rob the + private citizen of his means and despoil the state (21) they are less + serviceable with a view to the public safety than any private citizen; + (22) and what can be worse or more disgraceful for purposes of war than + the bodily form of people so incapable of toil? (23) Think of huntsmen by + contrast, surrendering to the common weal person and property alike in + perfect condition for service of the citizens. They have both a battle to + wage certainly: only the one set are for attacking beasts; and the other + their own friends. (24) And naturally the assailant of his own friends + does not win the general esteem; (25) whilst the huntsman in attacking a + wild beast may win renown. If successful in his capture, he was won a + victory over a hostile brood; or failing, in the first place, it is a + feather in his cap that his attempt is made against enemies of the whole + community; and secondly, that it is not to the detriment of man nor for + love of gain that the field is taken; and thirdly, as the outcome of the + very attempt, the hunter is improved in many respects, and all the wiser: + by what means we will explain. Were it not for the very excess of his + pains, his well-reasoned devices, his manifold precautions, he would never + capture the quarry at all; since the antagonists he deals with are doing + battle for bare life and in their native haunts, (26) and are consequently + in great force. So that if he fails to overmatch the beasts by a zest for + toil transcending theirs and plentiful intelligence, the huntsman's + labours are in vain. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (15) Or, "surrender themselves heedlessly to the ways of self- + seeking." But the phraseology here seems to savour of extreme + youth, or else senility. + + (16) {enthumethenta}. Query, in reference to {enthumemata} above? + + (17) Reading {andron}. For the vulg. {auton} see Schneid. ad loc., who + suggests {ton aston}. + + (18) "Recognisable for the better." + + (19) "They are not famous but infamous"; "the bad fare as their name + suggests" (i.e. badly). + + (20) "Recognisable for the worse." + + (21) Or, "what with private extortionsand public peculation." + + (22) {ton idioton}, "laymen," I suppose, as opposed to "professional" + lawyers or politicians. + + (23) "What with their incapacity for hard work, their physique for + purposes of war is a mockery and a sham." + + (24) Cf. Plat. "Soph." + + (25) Or, "earns but an evil reputation in the world." + + (26) "They are being bearded in their dens." +</pre> + <p> + I go back to my proposition then. Those self-seeking politicians, who want + to feather their own nests, (27) practise to win victories over their own + side, but the sportsman confines himself to the common enemy. This + training of theirs renders the one set more able to cope with the foreign + foe, the others far less able. The hunting of the one is carried on with + self-restraint, of the others with effrontery. The one can look down with + contempt upon maliciousness and sordid love of gain, the other cannot. The + very speech and intonation of the one has melody, of the other harshness. + And with regard to things divine, the one set know no obstacle to their + impiety, the others are of all men the most pious. Indeed ancient tales + affirm (28) that the very gods themselves take joy in this work (29) as + actors and spectators. So that, (30) with due reflection on these things, + the young who act upon my admonitions will be found, perchance, beloved of + heaven and reverent of soul, checked by the thought that some one of the + gods is eyeing their performance. (31) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (27) Or, "Those people who would fain have the lion's share in the + state." + + (28) Or, "an ancient story obtains." + + (29) Sc. "of the chase." + + (30) Or {uparkhein} = "it may be considered as given." Scheid. cf. + "Pol. Ath." iii. 9, {oste uparkhein demokratian einai}. + + (31) Lit. "that the things in question are beheld by some divinity." +</pre> + <p> + These are the youths who will prove a blessing to their parents, and not + to their parents only but to the whole state; to every citizen alike and + individual friend. + </p> + <p> + Nay, what has sex to do with it? It is not only men enamoured of the chase + that have become heroes, but among women there are also to whom our lady + Artemis has granted a like boon—Atalanta, and Procris, and many + another huntress fair. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1180 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Sportsman + On Hunting, A Sportsman's Manual, Commonly Called Cynegeticus + +Author: Xenophon + +Translator: H. G. Dakyns + +Release Date: September 15, 2008 [EBook #1180] +Last Updated: January 15, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPORTSMAN *** + + + + +Produced by John Bickers, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE SPORTSMAN + </h1> + <h2> + ON HUNTING + </h2> + <h3> + A Sportsman's Manual + </h3> + <h3> + Commonly Called CYNEGETICUS + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Xenophon + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translation by H. G. Dakyns + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 B.C. He was a + pupil of Socrates. He marched with the Spartans, + and was exiled from Athens. Sparta gave him land + and property in Scillus, where he lived for many + years before having to move once more, to settle + in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C. + + The Sportsman is a manual on hunting hares, deer + and wild boar, including the topics of dogs, and + the benefits of hunting for the young. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + PREPARER'S NOTE + + This was typed from Dakyns' series, "The Works of Xenophon," a + four-volume set. The complete list of Xenophon's works (though + there is doubt about some of these) is: + + Work Number of books + + The Anabasis 7 + The Hellenica 7 + The Cyropaedia 8 + The Memorabilia 4 + The Symposium 1 + The Economist 1 + On Horsemanship 1 + The Sportsman 1 + The Cavalry General 1 + The Apology 1 + On Revenues 1 + The Hiero 1 + The Agesilaus 1 + The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians 2 + + Text in brackets "{}" is my transliteration of Greek text into + English using an Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. The + diacritical marks have been lost. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> I + </p> + <p> + To the gods themselves is due the discovery, to Apollo and Artemis, + patrons of the chase and protectors of the hound. (1) As a guerdon they + bestowed it upon Cheiron, (2) by reason of his uprightness, and he took it + and was glad, and turned the gift to good account. At his feet sat many a + disciple, to whom he taught the mystery of hunting and of chivalry (3)—to + wit, Cephalus, Asclepius, Melanion, Nestor, Amphiaraus, Peleus, Telamon, + Meleager, Theseus and Hippolytus, Palamedes, Odysseus, Menestheus, Diomed, + Castor and Polydeuces, Machaon and Podaleirius, Antilochus, Aeneas and + Achilles: of whom each in his turn was honoured by the gods. And let none + marvel that of these the greater part, albeit well-pleasing to the gods, + nevertheless were subject to death—which is the way of nature, (4) + but their fame has grown—nor yet that their prime of manhood so far + differed. The lifetime of Cheiron sufficed for all his scholars; the fact + being that Zeus and Cheiron were brethren, sons of the same father but of + different mothers—Zeus of Rhea, and Cheiron of the nymph Nais; (5) + and so it is that, though older than all of them, he died not before he + had taught the youngest—to wit, the boy Achilles. (6) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "This thing is the invention of no mortal man, but of Apollo + and Artemis, to whom belong hunting and dogs." For the style of + exordium L. Dind. cf (Ps.) Dion. "Art. rhet." ad in.; Galen, + "Isagog." ad in.; Alex. Aphrodis. "Probl." 2 proem. + + (2) The wisest and "justest of all the centaurs," Hom. "Il." xi. 831. + See Kingsley, "The Heroes," p. 84. + + (3) Or, "the discipline of the hunting field and other noble lore." + + (4) Lit. "since that is nature, but the praise of them grew greatly." + + (5) According to others, Philyra. Pind. "Pyth." iii. 1, {ethelon + Kheirona ke Philuridan}; cf. "Pyth." vi. 22; "Nem." iii. 43. + + (6) See Paus. iii. 18. 12. +</pre> + <p> + Thanks to the careful heed they paid to dogs and things pertaining to the + chase, thanks also to the other training of their boyhood, all these + greatly excelled, and on the score of virtue were admired. + </p> + <p> + If Cephalus was caught into the arms of one that was a goddess, (7) + Asclepius (8) obtained yet greater honour. To him it was given to raise + the dead and to heal the sick, whereby, (9) even as a god among mortal + men, he has obtained to himself imperishable glory. Melanion (10) so far + excelled in zest for toil that he alone of all that flower of chivalry who + were his rivals (11) obtained the prize of noblest wedlock with Atalanta; + while as to Nestor, what need to repeat the well-known tale? so far and + wide for many a day has the fame of his virtue penetrated the ears of + Hellas. (12) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (7) Hemera (al. Eos). For the rape of Cephalus see Hes. "Theog." 986; + Eur. "Ion," 269; Paus. i. 3. 1; iii. 18. 7. + + (8) Lat. Aesculapius. Father of Podaleirius and Machaon, "the noble + leech," "Il." ii. 731, iv. 194, 219, xi. 518; "Od." iv. 232. + + (9) Cf. "Anab." I. ii. 8; Lincke, "z. Xen. Krit." p. 299. + + (10) Melanion, s. Meilanion, Paus. iii. 12. 9; v. 17. 10; v. 19. 1. + + (11) "Which were his rival suitors." As to Atalanta see Paus. viii. + 45. 2; iii. 24. 2; v. 19. 2; Grote, "H. G." i. 199 foll. + + (12) Lit. "the virtue of Nestor has so far penetrated the ears of + Hellas that I should speak to those who know." See Hom. "Il." i. + 247, and passim. +</pre> + <p> + Amphiaraus, (13) what time he served as a warrior against Thebes, won for + himself the highest praise; and from heaven obtained the honour of a + deathless life. (14) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (13) Amphiaraus. Pind. "Nem." ix. 13-27; "Olymp." vi. 11-16; Herod. i. + 52; Paus. ix. 8. 2; 18. 2-4; ii. 23.2; i. 34; Liv. xlv. 27; Cic. + "de Div." i. 40. See Aesch. "Sept. c. Th." 392; Eur. "Phoen." 1122 + foll.; Apollod. iii. 6; Strab. ix. 399, 404. + + (14) Lit. "to be honoured ever living." +</pre> + <p> + Peleus kindled in the gods desire to give him Thetis, and to hymn their + nuptials at the board of Cheiron. (15) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (15) For the marriage of Peleus and Thetis see Hom. "Il." xxiv. 61; + cf. Pope's rendering: +</pre> + <p> + To grace those nuptials from the bright abode Yourselves were present; + when this minstrel god (Well pleased to share the feast) amid the quire + Stood proud to hymn, and tune his youthful lyre ("Homer's Il." xxiv.) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Prof. Robinson Ellis ("Comment on Catull." lxiv.) cites numerous + passages: Eur. "I. in T." 701 foll., 1036 foll.; Pind. "Isthm." v. + 24; "Pyth." iii. 87-96; Isocr. "Evag." 192. 6; Apoll. Rh. iv. 791; + "Il." xxiv. 61; Hes. "Theog." 1006, and "Epithal." (ap. Tsetz, + "Prol. ad Lycophr."): +</pre> + <p> + {tris makar Aiakide kai tetrakis olbie Peleu os toisd' en megarois ieron + lekhos eisanabaineis}. + </p> + <p> + The mighty Telamon (16) won from the greatest of all states and wedded her + whom he desired, Periboea the daughter of Alcathus; (17) and when the + first of Hellenes, (18) Heracles (19) the son of Zeus, distributed rewards + of valour after taking Troy, to Telamon he gave Hesione. (20) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (16) See "Il." viii. 283l Paus. i. 42. 1-4. + + (17) Or Alcathous, who rebuilt the walls of Megara by Apollo's aid. + Ov. "Met." viii. 15 foll. + + (18) Reading {o protos}; or if with L. D. {tois protois}, "what time + Heracles was distributing to the heroes of Hellas (lit. the first + of the Hellenes) prizes of valour, to Telamon he gave." + + (19) See Hom. "Il." v. 640; Strab. xiii. 595. + + (20) See Diod. iv. 32; i. 42. +</pre> + <p> + Of Meleager (21) be it said, whereas the honours which he won are + manifest, the misfortunes on which he fell, when his father (22) in old + age forgot the goddess, were not of his own causing. (23) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (21) For the legend of Meleager see "Il." ix. 524-599, dramatised by + both Sophocles and Euripides, and in our day by Swinburne, + "Atalanta in Calydon." Cf. Paus. iii. 8. 9; viii. 54. 4; Ov. + "Met." viii. 300; Grote, "H. G." i. 195. + + (22) i.e. Oeneus. "Il." ix. 535. + + (23) Or, "may not be laid to his charge." +</pre> + <p> + Theseus (24) single-handed destroyed the enemies of collective Hellas; and + in that he greatly enlarged the boundaries of his fatherland, is still + to-day the wonder of mankind. (25) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (24) See "Mem." II. i. 14; III. v. 10; cf. Isocr. "Phil." 111; Plut. + "Thes." x. foll.; Diod. iv. 59; Ov. "Met." vii. 433. + + (25) Or, "is held in admiration still to-day." See Thuc. ii. 15; + Strab. ix. 397. +</pre> + <p> + Hippolytus (26) was honoured by our lady Artemis and with her conversed, + (27) and in his latter end, by reason of his sobriety and holiness, was + reckoned among the blest. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (26) See the play of Euripides. Paus. i. 22; Diod. iv. 62. + + (27) Al. "lived on the lips of men." But cf. Eur. "Hipp." 85, {soi kai + xeneimi kai logois s' ameibomai}. See Frazer, "Golden Bough," i. + 6, for the Hippolytus-Virbius myth. +</pre> + <p> + Palamedes (28) all his days on earth far outshone those of his own times + in wisdom, and when slain unjustly, won from heaven a vengeance such as no + other mortal man may boast of. (29) Yet died he not at their hands (30) + whom some suppose; else how could the one of them have been accounted all + but best, and the other a compeer of the good? No, not they, but base men + wrought that deed. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (28) As to Palamedes, son of Nauplius, his genius and treacherous + death, see Grote, "H. G." i. 400; "Mem." IV. ii. 33; "Apol." 26; + Plat. "Apol." 41; "Rep." vii. 522; Eur. fr. "Palam."; Ov. "Met." + xiii. 56; Paus. x. 31. 1; ii. 20. 3. + + (29) For the vengeance see Schol. ad Eur. "Orest." 422; Philostr. + "Her." x. Cf. Strab. viii. 6. 2 (368); Leake, "Morea," ii. 358; + Baedeker, "Greece," 245. + + (30) i.e. Odysseus and Diomed. (S. 11, I confess, strikes me as + somewhat in Xenophon's manner.) See "Mem." IV. ii. 33; "Apol." 26. +</pre> + <p> + Menestheus, (31) through diligence and patient care, the outcome of the + chase, so far overshot all men in love of toil that even the chiefs of + Hellas must confess themselves inferior in the concerns of war save Nestor + only; and Nestor, it is said, (32) excelled not but alone might rival him. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (31) For Menestheus, who led the Athenians against Troy, cf. Hom. + "Il." ii. 552; iv. 327; Philostr. "Her." ii. 16; Paus. ii. 25. 6; + i. 17. 6; Plut. "Thes." 32, 35. + + (32) Or, "so runs the tale," e.g. in "The Catalogue." See "Il." ii. + l.c.: {Nestor oios erizen}, "Only Nestor rivalled him, for he was + the elder by birth" (W. Leaf). +</pre> + <p> + Odysseus and Diomedes (33) were brilliant for many a single deed of arms, + and mainly to these two was due the taking of Troy town. (34) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (33) The two heroes are frequently coupled in Homer, e.g. "Il." v. + 519; x. 241, etc. + + (34) Or, "were brilliant in single points, and broadly speaking were + the cause that Troy was taken." See Hygin. "Fab." 108; Virg. + "Aen." ii. 163. +</pre> + <p> + Castor and Polydeuces, (35) by reason of their glorious display of arts + obtained from Cheiron, and for the high honour and prestige therefrom + derived, are now immortal. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (35) Castor, Polydeuces, s. Pollux—the great twin brethren. See + Grote, "H. G." i. 232 foll. +</pre> + <p> + Machaon and Podaleirius (36) were trained in this same lore, and proved + themselves adepts in works of skill, in argument and feats of arms. (37) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (36) As to the two sons of Asclepius, Machaon and Podaleirius, the + leaders of the Achaeans, see "Il." ii. 728; Schol. ad Pind. + "Pyth." iii. 14; Paus. iii. 26; iv. 3; Strab. vi. 4 (284); Diod. + iv. 71. 4; Grote, "H. G." i. 248. + + (37) Or, "in crafts, in reasonings, and in deeds of war." +</pre> + <p> + Antilochus, (38) in that he died for his father, obtained so great a glory + that, in the judgment of Hellas, to him alone belongs the title + "philopator," "who loved his father." (39) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (38) Antilochus, son of Nestor, slain by Memnon. "Od." iv. 186 foll.; + Pind. "Pyth." vi. 28; Philostr. "Her." iv.; "Icon." ii. 281. + + (39) Lit. "to be alone proclaimed Philopator among the Hellenes." Cf. + Plat. "Laws," 730 D, "He shall be proclaimed the great and perfect + citizen, and bear away the palm of virtue"; and for the epithet + see Eur. "Or." 1605; "I. A." 68. +</pre> + <p> + Aeneas (40) saved the ancestral gods—his father's and his mother's; + (41) yea, and his own father also, whereby he bore off a reputation for + piety so great that to him alone among all on whom they laid their + conquering hand in Troy even the enemy granted not to be despoiled. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (40) As to Aeneas see Poseidon's speech, "Il." xx. 293 foll.; Grote, + "H. G." i. 413, 427 foll. + + (41) Cf. "Hell." II. iv. 21. +</pre> + <p> + Achilles, (42) lastly, being nursed in this same training, bequeathed to + after-days memorials so fair, so ample, that to speak or hear concerning + him no man wearies. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (42) "The highest form that floated before Greek imagination was + Achilles," Hegel, "Lectures on the Philosophy of History" (Eng. + tr. p. 233); and for a beautiful elaboration of that idea, J. A. + Symonds, "Greek Poets," 2nd series, ch. ii. +</pre> + <p> + Such, by dint of that painstaking care derived from Cheiron, these all + proved themselves; of whom all good men yet still to-day are lovers and + all base men envious. So much so that if throughout the length and breadth + of Hellas misfortunes at any time befell city or king, it was they who + loosed the knot of them; (43) or if all Hellas found herself confronted + with the hosts of the Barbarians in strife and battle, once again it was + these who nerved the arms of Hellenes to victory and rendered Hellas + unconquered and unconquerable. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (43) Reading {eluonto autous}, or if as L. D., {di autous}, transl. + "thanks to them, they were loosed." +</pre> + <p> + For my part, then, my advice to the young is, do not despise hunting or + the other training of your boyhood, if you desire to grow up to be good + men, good not only in war but in all else of which the issue is perfection + in thought, word, and deed. + </p> + <p> + II + </p> + <p> + The first efforts of a youth emerging from boyhood should be directed to + the institution of the chase, after which he should come to the rest of + education, provided he have the means and with an eye to the same; if his + means be ample, in a style worthy of the profit to be derived; or, if they + be scant, let him at any rate contribute enthusiasm, in nothing falling + short of the power he possesses. + </p> + <p> + What are the aids and implements of divers sorts with which he who would + enter on this field must equip himself? These and the theory of each in + particular I will now explain. With a view to success in the work, + forewarned is forearmed. Nor let such details be looked upon as + insignificant. Without them there will be an end to practical results. (1) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "The question suggests itself—how many instruments and of + what sort are required by any one wishing to enter this field? A + list of these I propose to give, not omitting the theoretical side + of the matter in each case, so that whoever lays his hand to this + work may have some knowledge to go upon. It would be a mistake to + regard these details as trivial. In fact, without them the + undertaking might as well be let alone." +</pre> + <p> + The net-keeper should be a man with a real passion for the work, and in + tongue a Hellene, about twenty years of age, of wiry build, agile at once + and strong, with pluck enough to overcome the toils imposed on him, (2) + and to take pleasure in the work. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) {toutous}, "by this, that, or the other good quality." +</pre> + <p> + The ordinary small nets should be made of fine Phasian or Carthaginian (3) + flax, and so too should the road nets and the larger hayes. (4) These + small nets should be nine-threaded (made of three strandes, and each + strand of three threads), (5) five spans (6) in depth, (7) and two palms + (8) at the nooses or pockets. (9) There should be no knots in the cords + that run round, which should be so inserted as to run quite smoothly. (10) + The road net should be twelve-threaded, and the larger net (or haye) + sixteen. They may be of different sizes, the former varying from twelve to + twenty-four or thirty feet, the latter from sixty to one hundred and + twenty or one hundred and eighty feet. (11) If larger they will be + unwieldy and hard to manage. Both should be thirty-knotted, and the + interval of the nooses the same as in the ordinary small nets. At the + elbow ends (12) the road net should be furnished with nipples (13) (or + eyes), and the larger sort (the haye) with rings, and both alike with a + running line of twisted cord. The pronged stakes (14) for the small nets + should be ten palms high, (15) as a rule, but there should be some shorter + ones besides; those of unequal length will be convenient to equalise the + height on uneven ground, and those of equal length on level. They should + be sharp-tipped so as to draw out easily (16) and smooth throughout. Those + for the road nets should be twice the height, (17) and those for the big + (haye) nets five spans long, (18) with small forks, the notches not deep; + they should be stout and solid, of a thickness proportionate to their + length. The number of props needed for the nets will vary—many or + few, according to circumstances; a less number if the tension on the net + be great, and a larger number when the nets are slack. (19) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) Phasian or Carchedonian. Cf. Pollux, v. 26. + + (4) {arkus, enodia, diktua}. + + (5) (L. Dind. brackets.) See Pollux, v. 27, ap. Schn. + + (6) {spithame}, a span (dodrans) = 7 1/2 inches. Herod. ii. 106; + {trispithamos}, Hes. "Op." 424; Plat. "Alc." i. 126 C; Aristot. + "H. A." viii. 28. 5; Polyb. v. 3-6. + + (7) {to megethos}. + + (8) Or, "eight fingers' breadth +" = 6 inches +. {palaiste} or + {palaste}, a palm or four fingers' breadth = 3 inches +. + + (9) {tous brokhous}, a purse or tunnel arrangement with slip loop. + + (10) Reading {upheisthosan de oi peridromoi anammatoi}. Lit. "the + cords that run round should be inserted without knots." See + Pollux, v. 28 foll. + + (11) Lit. "2, 4, 5 fathoms; 10, 20, 30 fathoms." + + (12) {akroleniois}, elbows, Pollux, v. 29; al. {akroliniois}, L. & S., + "on the edges or borders." + + (13) {mastous}, al. "tufts." + + (14) {skhalides}, forks or net props. Cf. Pollux, v. 19. 31. + + (15) i.e. 30 + inches = 2 1/2 + ft., say 36 inches = 3 ft. + + (16) {euperispastoi ta akra}, al. "they should be made so that the + nets can be fitted on and off easily, with sharp points"; or "off + the points easily." + + (17) {siplasiai}, i.e. 20 palms = 60 + inches, say 72, or 6 ft. + + (18) {pentespithamoi}, i.e. 5 x 7 1/2 inches = 37 1/2 inches = 3 ft. 1 + 1/2 inch; al. 5 x 9 inches = 45 inches = 3 ft. 9 inches. + + (19) Or, "if in the particular position the nets are taut, a larger if + they lie slack." +</pre> + <p> + Lastly, for the purpose of carrying the nets and hayes, for either sort + (20) there must be a bag of calf-skin; and billhooks to cut down branches + and stop gaps in the woods when necessary. (21) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (20) Reading, with Lenz, {ekaterois}, or if, as C. Gesner conj., {e + ekatera}, transl. "or either separately." + + (21) Or, "for the purpose of felling wood and stopping up gaps where + necessary." +</pre> + <p> + III + </p> + <p> + There are two breeds of sporting dogs: the Castorian and the fox-like. (1) + The former get their name from Castor, in memory of the delight he took in + the business of the chase, for which he kept this breed by preference. (2) + The other breed is literally foxy, being the progeny originally of the dog + and the fox, whose natures have in the course of ages become blent. (3) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) {Kastoriai}, or Laconian, approaching possibly the harrier type; + {alopekides}, i.e. vulpocanine, hybrid between fox and dog. + + (2) Or, "get their appellation from the fact that Castor took delight + in the business of the chase, and kept this breed specially for + the purpose." Al. {diephulaxen}, "propagated and preserved the + breed which we now have." See Darwin, "Animals and Plants under + Domestication," ii. 202, 209. + + (3) Or, "and through lapse of time the twofold characteristics of + their progenitors have become blent." See Timoth. Gaz. ap. + Schneid. ad loc. for an ancient superstition as to breeds. +</pre> + <p> + Both species present a large proportion of defective animals (4) which + fall short of the type, as being under-sized, or crook-nosed, (5) or + gray-eyed, (6) or near-sighted, or ungainly, or stiff-jointed, or + deficient in strength, thin-haired, lanky, disproportioned, devoid of + pluck or of nose, or unsound of foot. To particularise: an under-sized dog + will, ten to one, break off from the chase (7) faint and flagging in the + performance of his duty owing to mere diminutiveness. An aquiline nose + means no mouth, and consequently an inability to hold the hare fast. (8) A + blinking bluish eye implies defect of vision; (9) just as want of shape + means ugliness. (10) The stiff-limbed dog will come home limping from the + hunting-field; (11) just as want of strength and thinness of coat go hand + in hand with incapacity for toil. (12) The lanky-legged, unsymmetrical + dog, with his shambling gait and ill-compacted frame, ranges heavily; + while the spiritless animal will leave his work to skulk off out of the + sun into shade and lie down. Want of nose means scenting the hare with + difficulty, or only once in a way; and however courageous he may be, a + hound with unsound feet cannot stand the work, but through foot-soreness + will eventually give in. (13) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (4) Or, "defective specimens (that is to say, the majority) are to be + noted, as follows." + + (5) {grupai}. + + (6) {kharopoi}. Al. Arrian, iv. 4, 5. + + (7) Or, "will probably retire from the chase and throw up the business + through mere diminutiveness." + + (8) Or, "a hook-nosed (? pig-jawed, see Stonehenge, "The Dog," p. 19, + 4th ed.) dog has a bad mouth and cannot hold." + + (9) Or, "a short-sighted, wall-eyed dog has defective vision." + + (10) Or, "they are weedy, ugly brutes as a rule." + + (11) Or, "stiffness of limbs means he will come off." Cf. "Mem." III. + xiii. 6. + + (12) Lit. "a weak, thinly-haired animal is incapable of severe toil." + + (13) Or, "Nor will courage compensate for unsound feet. The toil and + moil will be too great to endure, and owing to the pains in his + feet he will in the end give in." +</pre> + <p> + Similarly many different modes of hunting a line of scent are to be seen + in the same species of hound. (14) One dog as soon as he has found the + trail will go along without sign or symptom to show that he is on the + scent; another will vibrate his ears only and keep his tail (15) perfectly + still; while a third has just the opposite propensity: he will keep his + ears still and wag with the tip of his tail. Others draw their ears + together, and assuming a solemn air, (16) drop their tails, tuck them + between their legs, and scour along the line. Many do nothing of the sort. + (17) They tear madly about, babbling round the line when they light upon + it, and senselessly trampling out the scent. Others again will make wide + circuits and excursions; either forecasting the line, (18) they overshoot + it and leave the hare itself behind, or every time they run against the + line they fall to conjecture, and when they catch sight of the quarry are + all in a tremor, (19) and will not advance a step till they see the + creature begin to stir. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (14) Or, "Also the same dogs will exhibit many styles of coursing: one + set as soon as they have got the trail pursue it without a sign, + so there is no means of finding out that the animal is on the + track." + + (15) "Stern." + + (16) Or "with their noses solemnly fixed on the ground and sterns + lowered." + + (17) Or, "have quite a different action"; "exhibit quite another + manner." + + (18) i.e. "they cast forwards to make short cuts," of skirters too + lazy to run the line honestly. + + (19) Reading {tremousi}, "fall a-trembling"; al. {atremousi}, stand + "stock-still"; i.e. are "dwellers." +</pre> + <p> + A particular sort may be described as hounds which, when hunting or + pursuing, run forward with a frequent eye to the discoveries of the rest + of the pack, because they have no confidence in themselves. Another sort + is over-confident—not letting the cleverer members of the pack go on + ahead, but keeping them back with nonsensical clamour. Others will + wilfully hug every false scent, (20) and with a tremendous display of + eagerness, whatever they chance upon, will take the lead, conscious all + the while they are playing false; (21) whilst another sort again will + behave in a precisely similar style out of sheer ignorance. (22) It is a + poor sort of hound which will not leave a stale line (23) for want of + recognising the true trail. So, too, a hound that cannot distinguish the + trail leading to a hare's form, and scampers over that of a running hare, + hot haste, is no thoroughbred. (24) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (20) Al. "seem to take pleasure in fondling every lie." + + (21) Or, "fully aware themselves that the whole thing is a make- + believe." + + (22) Or, "do exactly the same thing because they do not know any + better." + + (23) {ek ton trimmon}. Lit. "keep away from beaten paths," and + commonly of footpaths, but here apparently of the hare's habitual + "run," not necessarily lately traversed, still less the true line. + + (24) Lit. "A dog who on the one hand ignores the form track, and on + the other tears swiftly over a running track, is not a well-bred + dog." Al. {ta eunaia}, "traces of the form"; {ta dromaia}, "tracks + of a running hare." See Sturz. s.v. {dromaios}. +</pre> + <p> + When it comes to the actual chase, some hounds will show great ardour at + first starting, but presently give up from weakness of spirit. Others will + run in too hastily (25) and then balk; and go hopelessly astray, as if + they had lost the sense of hearing altogether. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (25) So L. & S., {upotheousin} = "cut in before" the rest of the pack + and over-run the scent. Al. "flash in for a time, and then lose + the scent." +</pre> + <p> + Many a hound will give up the chase and return from mere distaste for + hunting, (26) and not a few from pure affection for mankind. Others with + their clamorous yelping on the line do their best to deceive, as if true + and false were all one to them. (27) There are others that will not do + that, but which in the middle of their running, (28) should they catch the + echo of a sound from some other quarter, will leave their own business and + incontinently tear off towards it. (29) The fact is, (30) they run on + without clear motive, some of them; others taking too much for granted; + and a third set to suit their whims and fancies. Others simply play at + hunting; or from pure jealousy, keep questing about beside the line, + continually rushing along and tumbling over one another. (31) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (26) Or, {misotheron}, "out of antipathy to the quarry." For + {philanthropon} cf. Pollux, ib. 64; Hermog. ap. L. Dind. + + (27) Or, "unable apparently to distinguish false from true." See + Sturz, s.v. {poieisthai}. Cf. Plut. "de Exil." 6. Al. "Gaily + substituting false for true." + + (28) "In the heat of the chase." + + (29) "Rush to attack it." + + (30) The fact is, there are as many different modes of following up + the chase almost as there are dogs. Some follow up the chase + {asaphos}, indistinctly; some {polu upolambanousai}, with a good + deal of guess-work; others again {doxazousai}, without conviction, + insincerely; others, {peplasmenos}, out of mere pretence, pure + humbug, make-believe, or {phthoneros}, in a fit of jealousy, + {ekkunousi}, are skirters; al. {ekkinousi}, Sturz, quit the scent. + + (31) Al. "unceasingly tearing along, around, and about it." +</pre> + <p> + The majority of these defects are due to natural disposition, though some + must be assigned no doubt to want of scientific training. In either case + such hounds are useless, and may well deter the keenest sportsman from the + hunting field. (32) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (32) Or, "Naturally, dogs like these damp the sportsman's ardour, and + indeed are enough to sicken him altogether with the chase." +</pre> + <p> + The characters, bodily and other, exhibited by the finer specimens of the + same breed, (33) I will now set forth. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (33) Or, "The features, points, qualities, whether physical or other, + which characterise the better individuals." But what does Xenophon + mean by {tou autou genous}? +</pre> + <p> + IV + </p> + <p> + In the first place, this true type of hound should be of large build; and, + in the next place, furnished with a light small head, broad and flat in + the snout, (1) well knit and sinewy, the lower part of the forehead + puckered into strong wrinkles; eyes set well up (2) in the head, black and + bright; forehead large and broad; the depression between the eyes + pronounced; (3) ears long (4) and thin, without hair on the under side; + neck long and flexible, freely moving on its pivot; (5) chest broad and + fairly fleshy; shoulder-blades detached a little from the shoulders; (6) + the shin-bones of the fore-legs should be small, straight, round, stout + and strong; the elbows straight; ribs (7) not deep all along, but sloped + away obliquely; the loins muscular, in size a mean between long and short, + neither too flexible nor too stiff; (8) flanks, a mean between large and + small; the hips (or "couples") rounded, fleshy behind, not tied together + above, but firmly knitted on the inside; (9) the lower or under part of + the belly (10) slack, and the belly itself the same, that is, hollow and + sunken; tail long, straight, and pointed; (11) thighs (i.e. hams) stout + and compact; shanks (i.e. lower thighs) long, round, and solid; hind-legs + much longer than the fore-legs, and relatively lean; feet round and + cat-like. (12) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Pollux, v. 7; Arrian, "Cyn." iv. + + (2) {meteora}, prominent.?See Sturz, s.v. + + (3) {tas diakriseis batheias}, lit. "with a deep frontal sinus." + + (4) Reading {makra}, or if {mikra}, "small." + + (5) Al. "well rounded." + + (6) "Shoulder blades standing out a little from the shoulders"; i.e. + "free." + + (7) i.e. "not wholly given up to depth, but well curved"; depth is not + everything unless the ribs be also curved. Schneid. cf. Ov. "Met." + iii. 216, "et substricta gerens Sicyonius ilia Ladon," where the + poet is perhaps describing a greyhound, "chyned like a bream." See + Stonehenge, pp. 21, 22. Xenophon's "Castorians" were more like the + Welsh harrier in build, I presume. + + (8) Or, "neither soft and spongy nor unyielding." See Stoneh., p. 23. + + (9) "Drawn up underneath it," lit. "tucked up." + + (10) Al. "flank," "flanks themselves." + + (11) Or, as we should say, "stern." See Pollux, v. 59; Arrian, v. 9. + + (12) See Stonehenge, p. 24 foll. +</pre> + <p> + Hounds possessed of these points will be strong in build, and at the same + time light and active; they will have symmetry at once and pace; a bright, + beaming expression; and good mouths. + </p> + <p> + In following up scent, (13) see how they show their mettle by rapidly + quitting beaten paths, keeping their heads sloping to the ground, smiling, + as it were to greet the trail; see how they let their ears drop, how they + keep moving their eyes to and fro quickly, flourishing their sterns. (14) + Forwards they should go with many a circle towards the hare's form, (15) + steadily guided by the line, all together. When they are close to the hare + itself, they will make the fact plain to the huntsman by the quickened + pace at which they run, as if they would let him know by their fury, by + the motion of head and eyes, by rapid changes of gait and gesture, (16) + now casting a glance back and now fixing their gaze steadily forward to + the creature's hiding-place, (17) by twistings and turnings of the body, + flinging themselves backwards, forwards, and sideways, and lastly, by the + genuine exaltation of spirits, visible enough now, and the ecstasy of + their pleasure, that they are close upon the quarry. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (13) Lit. "Let them follow up the trail." + + (14) Lit. "fawning and wagging their tails." + + (15) Lit. "bed" or "lair." + + (16) Or, "by rapid shiftings of attitude, by looks now thrown backward + and now forwards to the..." Reading {kai apo ton anablemmaton + kai emblemmaton ton epi tas kathedras tou l.}, or if with L. D., + {kai apo ton a. kai emblemmaton eis ton ulen kai anastremmaton ton + epi tas k.}, transl. "now looking back at the huntsman and now + staring hard into the covert, and again right-about-face in the + direction of the hare's sitting-place." + + (17) Lit. "form"; "the place where puss is seated." +</pre> + <p> + Once she is off, the pack should pursue with vigour. (18) They must not + relax their hold, but with yelp and bark full cry insist on keeping close + and dogging puss at every turn. Twist for twist and turn for turn, they, + too, must follow in a succession of swift and brilliant bursts, + interrupted by frequent doublings; while ever and again they give tongue + and yet again till the very welkin rings. (19) One thing they must not do, + and that is, leave the scent and return crestfallen to the huntsman. (20) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (18) Lit. "let them follow up the chase vigorously, and not relax, + with yelp and bark." + + (19) {dikaios}, Sturz, "non temere"; "and not without good reason." + Al. "a right good honest salvo of barks." + + (20) Lit. "Let them not hark back to join the huntsman, and desert the + trail." +</pre> + <p> + Along with this build and method of working, hounds should possess four + points. They should have pluck, sound feet, keen noses, and sleek coats. + The spirited, plucky hound will prove his mettle by refusing to leave the + chase, however stifling the weather; a good nose is shown by his capacity + for scenting the hare on barren and dry ground exposed to the sun, and + that when the orb is at the zenith; (21) soundness of foot in the fact + that the dog may course over mountains during the same season, and yet his + feet will not be torn to pieces; and a good coat means the possession of + light, thick, soft, and silky hair. (22) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (21) i.e. "at mid-day"; or, "in the height of summer"; al. "during the + dog-days"; "at the rising of the dog-star." + + (22) See Pollux, ib. 59; Arrian, vi. 1. +</pre> + <p> + As to the colour proper for a hound, (23) it should not be simply tawny, + nor absolutely black or white, which is not a sign of breeding, but + monotonous—a simplicity suggestive of the wild animal. (24) + Accordingly the red dog should show a bloom of white hair about the + muzzle, and so should the black, the white commonly showing red. On the + top of the thigh the hair should be straight and thick, as also on the + loins and on the lower portion of the stern, but of a moderate thickness + only on the upper parts. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (23) See Stonehenge, p. 25; Darwin, op. cit. ii. 109. + + (24) But see Pollux, ib. 65, who apparently read {gennaion touto to + aploun alla therides}; al. Arrian, vi. See Jaques de Fouilloux, + "La Venerie" (ap. E. Talbot, "Oeuvres completes de Xenophon," + traduction, ii. 318). +</pre> + <p> + There is a good deal to be said for taking your hounds frequently into the + mountains; not so much for taking them on to cultivated land. (25) And for + this reason: the fells offer facilities for hunting and for following the + quarry without interruption, while cultivated land, owing to the number of + cross roads and beaten paths, presents opportunities for neither. + Moreover, quite apart from finding a hare, it is an excellent thing to + take your dogs on to rough ground. It is there they will become sound of + foot, and in general the benefit to their physique in working over such + ground will amply repay you. (26) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (25) Or, "pretty often, and less frequently over." + + (26) Lit. "they must be benefited in their bodies generally by working + over such ground." +</pre> + <p> + They should be taken out in summer till mid-day; in winter from sunrise to + sundown; in autumn any time except mid-day; and in spring any time before + evening. These times will hit the mean of temperature. (27) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (27) Or, "You may count on a moderate temperature at these times." +</pre> + <p> + V + </p> + <p> + The tracks of hares are long in winter owing to the length of night, and + short for the opposite reason during summer. In winter, however, their + scent does not lie in early morning, when the rime is on the ground, or + earth is frozen. (1) The fact is, hoar frost by its own inherent force + absorbs its heat, whilst black frost freezes it. (2) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "when there is hoar frost or black frost" (lit. "ice"). + + (2) Or, "the ice congeals them," "encases as it were in itself the + heat," i.e. the warm scent; aliter, "causes the tracks to freeze + at the top." +</pre> + <p> + The hounds, moreover, with their noses nipped by the cold, (3) cannot + under these conditions (4) use their sense of smell, until the sun or the + mere advance of day dissolves the scent. Then the noses of the hounds + recover, and the scent of the trail begins to exhale itself perceptibly. + (5) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) Reading {malkiosai}, Cobet, "N. Lect." 131. "Mnem." 3, 306; + Rutherford, "N. Phry." p. 135. = "nipped, or numb with cold." For + vulg. {malakiosai} = "whose noses are tender," see Lenz ad loc. + + (4) Lit. "when the tracks are in this case." + + (5) As it evaporates. Aliter, "is perceptible to smell as it is wafted + by the breeze to greet them." +</pre> + <p> + Heavy dews also will obliterate scent by its depressing effect; (6) and + rains occurring after long intervals, while bringing out odours from the + earth, (7) will render the soil bad for scent until it dries again. + Southerly winds will not improve scent—being moisture-laden they + disperse it; whereas northerly winds, provided the scent has not been + previously destroyed, tend to fix and preserve it. Rains will drown and + wash it away, and so will drizzle; while the moon by her heat (8)—especially + a full moon—will dull its edge; in fact the trail is rarest—most + irregular (9)—at such times, for the hares in their joy at the light + with frolic and gambol (10) literally throw themselves high into the air + and set long intervals between one footfall and another. Or again, the + trail will become confused and misleading when crossed by that of foxes. + (11) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (6) Cf. Plut. "Q. Nat." 917 F, ap. Schneid. + + (7) Cf. Theophr. "C. Pl." xix. 5, 6; xx. 4. + + (8) Reading {to thermo}. Aristot. "Gen. An." iv. 10. Zeune cf. Plut. + "Symp." iii. 10, 657. Macrob. "Sat." vii. 16; Athen. 276 E. Al. + {to thermon}. See Lenz ad loc., "the moon, especially a full moon, + dulls the heat (or odour) of the tracks." + + (9) Cf. Poll. v. 67; ib. 66. + + (10) "Playing with one another, in the rivalry of sport." + + (11) Lit. "when foxes have gone through before." +</pre> + <p> + Spring with its tempered mildness is the season to render the scent clear, + except where possibly the soil, bursting with flowers, may mislead the + pack, by mingling the perfume of flowers with the true scent. (12) In + summer scent is thin and indistinct; the earth being baked through and + through absorbs the thinner warmth inherent in the trail, while the dogs + themselves are less keen scented at that season through the general + relaxation of their bodies. (13) In autumn scent lies clean, all the + products of the soil by that time, if cultivable, being already garnered, + or, if wild, withered away with age, so that the odours of various fruits + are no longer a disturbing cause through blowing on to the line. (14) In + winter, summer, and autumn, moreover, as opposed to spring, the trail of a + hare lies for the most part in straight lines, but in the earlier season + it is highly complicated, for the little creatures are perpetually + coupling and particularly at this season, so that of necessity as they + roam together for the purpose they make the line intricate as described. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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, injure + the trail." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (15) "The form tracks are made by the hare leisurely proceeding and + stopping at times; those on the run quickly." + + (16) Lit. "Anything and everything will serve to couch under, or + above, within, beside, now at some distance off, and now hard by, + and now midway between." +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (17) "The form-frequenting hare." + + (18) "Her roving congener," i.e. the hunted hare that squats. The + distinction drawn is between the form chosen by the hare for her + own comfort, and her squatting-place to escape the hounds when + hunted. + + (19) i.e. "the dogs have turned her head and made her as mad as a + March hare." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (20) Pollux, v. 72. + + (21) Or, "as a waterproof." + + (22) So Pollux, ib. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (23) "When the ground teems with vegetation." + + (24) Or, "they frequent cultivated lands," etc. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (29) Or, "shifts her ground." + + (30) Or, "in their terror not of dogs only, but of eagles, since up to + a year old they are liable to be seized by these birds of prey + while crossing some bottom or bare ground, while if bigger..." + + (31) {oi... planetai}, see Ael. op. cit. xiii. 14. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 to + avoid the language of woodcraft at this point. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 low + altitude." + + (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, these + constantly being added to by reproduction, there must needs be a + large number of them." +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 the + particular object is, it must avert its gaze to the next, and then + the next, and so on." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (46) {meta touton}, sc. "with these other causes"; al. "with the + dogs"; 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, the + other for speed. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (55) So Ael. "N. A." xiii. 14. + + (56) Pollux, v. 71. For punctuation, see Lenz ad loc. p. 25. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (57) See Arrian, xvi. 6, his criticism. Schneid. cf. Plut. "Mor." 1096 + C. Hermog. iii. 319, 11, ed. Walz. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (58) Al. "wahrend der Jagdferien," Lenz; "on Sundays," as we might + say. See some remarks on S. 34 in "Hellenica Essays," "Xenophon," + p. 349. +</pre> + <p> + VI + </p> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 keep + hold (al. take care) of their hounds well." + + (4) See "A Day with Xenophon's Harriers," "Macmillan's Mag." Jan. + 1895, p. 183. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 the + scent." + + (8) Or, "a late start means the hounds will be robbed of a find and + the huntsman of his reward." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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, referring + solely to the haye nets; the order of the words should be {ta de + diktua teineto en apedois stoikhizeto de, k.t.l.} If so, transl. + "He should stretch the hayes on level ground and fix, etc.; The + road 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 the + edges." +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (16) Or, "'caught,' 'escaped,' (this side or that), 'not seen,' + 'marked.'" +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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}. +</pre> + <p> + Still up and down, old sinner, must we pace; 'Twill kill us both, this + vain, long, wearing race (Kennedy). + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (25) See Arrian, xx. 2. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (26) Reading {io kunes, io kunes, sophos ge o kunes, kalos ge o + kunes}. 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 his + shoulders." 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. +</pre> + <p> + 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!" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (31) {apantosi diokousai auton}, al. "come across the huntsman again." +</pre> + <p> + 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!" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (32) Or, "if the chase sweeps over a mountain-side." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 along + by 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." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (38) Or, "whisking their tails and frisking wildly, and jostling + against one another, and leaping over one another at a great + rate." Al. "over one obstacle, and then another." + + (39) Or, "this is the true line at last." + + (40) Al. "with a crash of tongues." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 this + chapter. + + And when thou hast on foot the purblind hare, + Mark the poor wretch, to overshoot his troubles + How he outruns the wind and with what care + He cranks and crosses with a thousand doubles: + The many musets through the which he goes + Are 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 singled + With 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 well + To one sore sick that hears the passing-bell. + + Then shalt thou see the dew-bedabbled wretch + Turn, 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. +</pre> + <p> + VII + </p> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "Winter is the time at which to pair dogs for breeding, the + bitches to be released from hard work, so that with the repose so + secured 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. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) See Arrian, xxxi.; Stonehenge, p. 264. + + (6) Or, "the internal organs get wrong" ({adika}). Cf. "Memorabilia," + IV. iv. 5. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 dog + named {ippokentauros} (cf. "Cyrop." IV. iii. 17). +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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, of + foxhounds and harriers," pp. 284, 285. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (13) For points see the same authority: the harrier, p. 59; the + foxhound, p. 54. + + (14) See Arrian's comment and dissent, xxv. 4. + + (15) Lit. "which are at once well shaped and have the spirit for the + chase in them." + + (16) Al. "they will overstrain themselves with the hare in sight, and + break a blood-vessel." See Arrian, xxxi. 4, {regnuntai gar autais + ai lagones}. + + (17) Or, "are defectively built for the chase." + + (18) Or, "will not suffer such mishap." +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 understand + the nature of the scent"; ib. 284. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (21) {ekkunoi}, cf. Arrian, xxv. 5. + + (22) {poneron mathema}, ib. 9. +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (23) {anairontai} sc. {ai arkues}, see above, vi. 26. + + (24) Or, "abandon the practice." + + (25) See Stonehenge, p. 289 (another context): "... the desire for + game in a well-bred dog is much greater than the appetite for + food, unless the stomach has long been deprived of it." +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (26) Or, "If want in itself does not reveal to him the cause of his + suffering, to be given food when hungry for it will arouse in him + affection for the donor." +</pre> + <p> + VIII + </p> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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 on + themselves and coming back eventually to the same place." + + (4) Or, "where the end of the string is." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) {tekhnazein}. Cf. Ael. "N. A." vi. 47, ap. Schneid. A fact for + Uncle Remus. +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (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, but + this she seeks." +</pre> + <p> + 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) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (10) L. Dind. emend. {oudamoi}, "the tracks will not pass in any + direction outwards from such ground." +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (11) Al. "to envelop the victims in the nets." + + (12) Lit. "whatever the creature is in contact with inside." + + (13) Cf. Aesch. "Prom." 87, {Poto tropo tesd' ekkulisthesei tukhes}. + + (14) Or, "if the creature is not first suffocated in the snow itself." + + (15) See Pollux, v. 50. "She must presently be tired out in the heavy + snow, which balls itself like a fatal clog clinging to the under + part of her hairy feet." +</pre> + <p> + IX + </p> + <p> + For hunting fawns (1) and deer, (2) Indian dogs (3) should be employed, as + being strong, large, and fleet-footed, and not devoid of spirit; with + these points they will prove well equal to the toil. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) See Hom. "Il." xxii. 189, x. 361; "Od." iv. 35; Aelian, "N. A." + xiv. 14; xvii. 26; Geopon. xix. 5. + + (2) {e elaphos} (generic, Attic) = hart or hind, of roe (Capreolus + caprea) or red (Cervus elaphus) deer alike, I suppose. See St. + John, "Nat. Hist. and Sport in Moray." + + (3) Of the Persian or Grecian greyhound type perhaps. See Aristot. "H. + A." viii. 28; Aelian, "N. A." viii. 1; Pollux, v. 37, 38, 43; + Plin. "H. N." vii. 2, viii. 28; Oppian, "Cyn." i. 413. +</pre> + <p> + Quite young fawns (4) should be captured in spring, that being the season + at which the dams calve. (5) Some one should go beforehand into the rank + meadowlands (6) and reconnoitre where the hinds are congregated, and + wherever that may be, the master of the hounds will set off—with his + hounds and a supply of javelins—before daylight to the place in + question. Here he will attach the hounds to trees (7) some distance off, + for fear of their barking, (8) when they catch sight of the deer. That + done he will choose a specular point himself and keep a sharp look-out. + (9) As day breaks he will espy the hinds leading their fawns to the places + where they will lay them severally to rest. (10) Having made them lie down + and suckled them, they will cast anxious glances this way and that to see + that no one watches them; and then they will severally withdraw to the + side opposite and mount guard, each over her own offspring. The huntsman, + who has seen it all, (11) will loose the dogs, and with javelins in hand + himself advance towards the nearest fawn in the direction of where he saw + it laid to rest; carefully noting the lie of the land, (12) for fear of + making some mistake; since the place itself will present a very different + aspect on approach from what it looked like at a distance. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (4) See above, v. 14. I do not know that any one has answered + Schneider's question: Quidni sensum eundem servavit homo + religiosus in hinnulis? + + (5) "The fawns (of the roe deer) are born in the spring, usually early + in May," Lydekker, "R. N. H." ii. p. 383; of the red deer + "generally in the early part of June," ib. 346. + + (6) {orgadas} = "gagnages," du Fouilloux, "Comment le veneur doit + aller en queste aux taillis ou gaignages pour voir le cerf a + veue," ap. Talbot, op. cit. i. p. 331. + + (7) Or, "off the wood." + + (8) It seems they were not trained to restrain themselves. + + (9) Or, "set himself to observe from some higher place." Cf. Aristoph. + "Wasps," 361, {nun de xun oplois} | {andres oplitai diataxamenoi} + | {kata tas diodous skopiorountai}. Philostr. 784. + + (10) See Pollux, v. 77; Aristot. "H. A." ix. 5. Mr. Scrope ap. + Lydekker, "R. N. H." ii. p. 346, states that the dam of the red + deer makes her offspring "lie down by a pressure of her nose," + etc. + + (11) Lit. "when he sees these things." + + (12) Or, "the features of the scene"; "the topography." +</pre> + <p> + When his eye has lit upon the object of his search, he will approach quite + close. The fawn will keep perfectly still, glued (13) as it were to earth, + and with loud bleats suffer itself to be picked up; unless it happen to be + drenched with rain; in which case, it will not stay quiet in one place. No + doubt, the internal moisture of the animal congeals quickly with the cold + (14) and causes it to shift its ground. Caught in that case it must needs + be; but the hounds will have work enough to run the creature down. (15) + The huntsman having seized the fawn, will hand it to the keeper. The + bleating will continue; and the hind, partly seeing and partly hearing, + will bear down full tilt upon the man who has got her young, in her desire + to rescue it. Now is the moment to urge on the hounds and ply the + javelins. And so having mastered this one, he will proceed against the + rest, and employ the same method of the chase in dealing with them. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (13) {piesas}, "noosling, nestling, buried." + + (14) "The blood runs cold." + + (15) Or, "but it will give them a good chase; the dogs will have their + work cut out." +</pre> + <p> + Young fawns may be captured in the way described. Those that are already + big will give more trouble, since they graze with their mothers and the + other deer, and when pursued retire in the middle of the herd or + occasionally in front, but very seldom in the rear. The deer, moreover, in + order to protect their young will do battle with the hounds and trample + them under foot; so that capture is not easy, unless you come at once to + close quarters and scatter the herd, with the result that one or another + of the fawns is isolated. The effort implies (16) a strain, and the hounds + will be left behind in the first heat of the race, since the very absence + of their dams (17) will intensify the young deer's terror, and the speed + of a fawn, that age and size, is quite incredible. (18) But at the second + or third run they will be quickly captured; since their bodies being young + and still unformed cannot hold out long against fatigue. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (16) Lit. "after that violent effort." + + (17) Or, "alarm at the absence of the herd will lend the creature + wings." + + (18) Or, "is past compare"; "is beyond all telling." +</pre> + <p> + Foot-gins (19) or caltrops may be set for deer on mountains, in the + neighbourhood of meadows and streams and wooded glens, on cross-roads (20) + or in tilled fields at spots which they frequent. (21) These gins should + be made of twisted yew twigs (22) stripped of the bark to prevent their + rotting. They should have well-rounded hooplike "crowns" (23) with + alternate rows of nails of wood and iron woven into the coil. (24) The + iron nails should be larger, so that while the wooden ones yield to the + foot, the others may press into it. (25) The noose of the cord which will + be laid upon "the crown" should be woven out of esparto and so should the + rope itself, this kind of grass being least liable to rot. The rope and + noose itself should both alike be stout. The log or clog of wood attached + should be made of common or of holm oak with the bark on, three spans in + length, and a palm in thickness. (26) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (19) {podostrabai}, podostrabai so called. Cf. "the boot." + + (20) {en tais diodois}, "at points where paths issue," or "cross." + + (21) {pros o ti prosie}, "against whatever they are likely to + approach." + + (22) Or, "should be woven out of Smilax"; "Ebenholz," Lenz; "Ifs," + Gail. + + (23) {tas de stephanas euk. ekh.} "having circular rims." + + (24) {en to plokano} (al. {plokamo}) = the plaited rope, which formed + the {stephane}. See Pollux, v. 32, ap. Schneid. and Lenz. + + (25) Al. "so as to press into the foot, if the wooden ones yield." + + (26) Or, "27 inches x 3." +</pre> + <p> + To set the trap, dig a hole in the soil to a depth of fifteen inches, (27) + circular in shape, with a circumference at the top exactly corresponding + to the crown and narrowing towards the bottom. For the rope and wooden + clog likewise remove sufficient earth to let them both be lightly buried. + That done, place the foot-gin deep enough to be just even with the surface + of the soil, (28) and round the circle of the crown the cord-noose. The + cord itself and wooden clog must now be lowered into their respective + places. Which done, place on the crown some rods of spindle-tree, (29) but + not so as to stick out beyond the outer rim; and above these again light + leaves, such as the season may provide. After this put a final coating of + earth upon the leaves; in the first place the surface soil from the holes + just dug, and atop of that some unbroken solid earth from a distance, so + that the lie of the trap may be as much as possible unnoticed by the deer. + Any earth left over should be carried to a distance from the gin. The mere + smell of the newly-turned-up soil will suffice to make the animal + suspicious; (30) and smell it readily she will. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (27) Or, "remove a mass of soil to the depth of five palms so as to + form a circular hole corresponding in size with the rim above- + named." + + (28) Or, "like a door over the cavity, somewhat below the surface, + flatwise"; i.e. "in a horizontal position." + + (29) So literally, but really Carthamus creticus, a thistle-like plant + used for making spindles (Sprengel ap. L. & S.), the Euonymous + europaeus being our spindle-tree. Aristot. "H. A." ix. 40, 49; + Theocr. iv. 52. + + (30) Lit. "if she once sniffs the new-turned soil the deer grows shy, + and that she will quickly do." See Plat. "Laws," 933 A; "Phaedr." + 242 C; "Mem." II. i. 4. +</pre> + <p> + The hunter should take his hounds and inspect the traps upon the + mountains, early in the morning if possible, though he should do so also + during the day at other times. Those set on cultivated land must always be + inspected early, before the sun is up in fact, (31) and for this reason: + on the hills, so desert is the region, (32) the creatures may be caught + not only at night but at any time of day; while, on the cultivated lands, + owing to their chronic apprehension of mankind in daytime, night is the + only time. (33) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (31) "Before the sun is up." + + (32) Or, "thanks to the lonesomeness of the region." + + (33) "It is night or never, owing to the dread of man which haunts the + creature's mind during daytime." +</pre> + <p> + As soon as the huntsman finds a gin uprooted he will let slip his hounds + and with cheery encouragement (34) follow along the wake of the wooden + clog, with a keen eye to the direction of its march. That for the most + part will be plain enough, since stones will be displaced, and the furrow + which the clog makes as it trails along will be conspicuous on tilled + ground; or if the deer should strike across rough ground, the rocks will + show pieces of bark torn from the clog, and the chase will consequently be + all the easier. (35) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (34) See vi. 20; "with view-halloo." + + (35) Or, "along that track will not be difficult." +</pre> + <p> + Should the deer have been caught by one of its fore-feet it will soon be + taken, because in the act of running it will beat and batter its own face + and body; if by the hind-leg, the clog comes trailing along and must needs + impede the action of every limb. Sometimes, too, as it is whirled along it + will come in contact with the forked branches of some tree, and then + unless the animal can snap the rope in twain, she is fairly caught; there + ends the chase. But even so, if caught in this way or overdone with + fatigue, it were well not to come too close the quarry, should it chance + to be a stag, or he will lunge out with his antlers and his feet; better + therefore let fly your javelins from a distance. + </p> + <p> + These animals may also be captured without aid of gin or caltrop, by sheer + coursing in hot summer time; they get so tired, they will stand still to + be shot down. If hard pressed they will plunge into the sea or take to + water of any sort in their perplexity, and at times will drop down from + sheer want of breath. (36) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (36) "From mere shortness of breath." +</pre> + <p> + X + </p> + <p> + To cope with the wild boar the huntsman needs to have a variety of dogs, + Indian, Cretan, Locrian, and Laconian, (1) along with a stock of nets, + javelins, boar-spears, and foot-traps. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) For these breeds see Pollux, v. 37: for the Laconian, Pind. "Fr." + 73; Soph. "Aj." 8; cf. Shakesp. "Mids. N. D." iv. 1. 119, 129 + foll. +</pre> + <p> + To begin with, the hounds must be no ordinary specimens of the species + named, (2) in order to do battle with the beast in question. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) Or, "these hounds of the breed named must not be any ordinary + specimens"; but what does Xenophon mean by {ek toutou tou genous}? +</pre> + <p> + The nets should be made of the same flaxen cord (3) as those for hares + above described. They should be forty-five threaded in three strands, each + strand consisting of fifteen threads. The height from the upper rim (4) + (i.e. from top to bottom) should be ten meshes, and the depth of the + nooses or pockets one elbow-length (say fifteen inches). (5) The ropes + running round the net should be half as thick again as the cords of the + net; and at the extremities (6) they should be fitted with rings, and + should be inserted (in and out) under the nooses, with the end passing out + through the rings. Fifteen nets will be sufficient. (7) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) i.e. "of Phasian or Cathaginian fine flax." + + (4) {tou koruphaiou}. + + (5) {pugon}. The distance from the elbow to the first joint of the + finger = 20 {daktuloi} = 5 {palaistai} = 1 1/4 ft. + (L. & S.) + + (6) {ep akrois}. Cf. {akreleniois}. + + (7) Reading {ikanai}, vid. Lenz ad loc. and ii. 4. +</pre> + <p> + The javelins should be of all sorts, (8) having blades of a good breadth + and razor-sharpness, and stout shafts. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) Al. "of various material." See Pollux, v. 20 ap. Schneid. +</pre> + <p> + The boar-spears should in the first place have blades fifteen inches long, + and in the middle of the socket two solid projecting teeth of wrought + metal, (9) and shafts of cornel-wood a spear-shaft's thickness. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) Wrought of copper (or bronze). +</pre> + <p> + The foot-traps should resemble those used for deer. + </p> + <p> + These hunts should be conducted not singly, (10) but in parties, since the + wild boar can be captured only by the collective energy of several men, + and that not easily. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (10) Lit. "There should be a band of huntsmen"; or, "It will take the + united energies of several to capture this game." See Hom. "Il." + ix. 543, of the Calydonian boar: +</pre> + <p> + {ton d' uios Oineos apekteinen Meleagros, polleon ek polion theretoras + andras ageiras kai kunas. ou men gar k' edame pauroisi brotoisin tossos + een, pollous de pures epebes' alegeines.} + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "But him slew Meleagros the son of Oineus, having gathered + together from many cities huntsmen and hounds; for not of few men + could the boar be slain, so mighty was he; and many an one brought + he to the grievous pyre" (W. Leaf). +</pre> + <p> + I will now explain how each part of the gear is to be used in hunting. + </p> + <p> + The company being come to some place where a boar is thought to lie, the + first step is to bring up the pack, (11) which done, they will loose a + single Laconian bitch, and keeping the rest in leash, beat about with this + one hound. (12) As soon as she has got on the boar's track, let them + follow in order, one after another, close on the tracking hound, who gives + the lead to the whole company. (13) Even to the huntsmen themselves many a + mark of the creature will be plain, such as his footprints on soft + portions of the ground, and in the thick undergrowth of forests broken + twigs; and, where there are single trees, the scars made by his tusks. + (14) As she follows up the trail the hound will, as a general rule, + finally arrive at some well-wooded spot; since, as a general rule, the + boar lies ensconced in places of the sort, that are warm in winter and + cool in summer. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (11) {kunegesion}, "a hunting establishment, huntsmen and hounds, a + pack of hounds," L. & S. cf. Herod. i. 36; Pollux. v. 17. In + Aristot. "H. A." viii. 5. 2, of wolves in a pack; v. {monopeirai}. + {upagein}—"stealthily?" + + (12) Or, "go on a voyage of discovery." + + (13) Reading {te ikhneuouse}, or if vulg. {ikhneusei}, transl. "set + her to follow the trail, at the head of the whole train." + + (14) Schneid. cf. Aristot. "H. A." vi. 18; Plin. viii. 52; Virg. + "Georg." iii. 255, "ipse ruit, dentesque Sabellicus exacuit sus"; + Hom. "Il." xi. 416, xiii. 475; Hes. "Shield," 389; Eur. "Phoen." + 1389; Ovid, "Met." viii. 369. +</pre> + <p> + As soon as she has reached his lair she will give tongue; but the boar + will not get up, not he, in nine cases out of ten. The huntsman will + thereupon recover the hound, and tie her up also with the rest at a good + distance from the lair. (15) He will then launch his toils into the wild + boar's harbourage, (16) placing the nooses upon any forked branches of + wood to hand. Out of the net itself he must construct a deep + forward-jutting gulf or bosom, posting young shoots on this side and that + within, as stays or beams, (17) so that the rays of light may penetrate as + freely as possible through the nooses into the bosom, (18) and the + interior be as fully lit up as possible when the creature makes his + charge. The string round the top of the net must be attached to some stout + tree, and not to any mere shrub or thorn-bush, since these light-bending + branches will give way to strain on open ground. (19) All about each net + it will be well to stop with timber even places (20) "where harbrough nis + to see," so that the hulking brute may drive a straight course (21) into + the toils without tacking. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (15) Lit. "accordingly recover the dog, and tie her up also with the + rest," etc. + + (16) {ormous}. Lit. "moorings," i.e. "favourite haunts." Cf. {dusorma} + below. Al. "stelle die Fallnetze auf die Wechsel," Lenz. + + (17) {anteridas}. See a note in the "Class. Rev." X. i. p. 7, by G. S. + Sale: "It can only mean long sticks used as stretchers or + spreaders to hold up the net between and beyond the props." Cf. + Thuc. vii. 36, 2. + + (18) Or, "within the bay of network." + + (19) {sunekhontai en tois psilois ai e}. "Denn diese werden an + unbestandenen Orten durch die Leine niedergezogen," Lenz; + {sunelkontai} conj. Schn.; {sunerkhontai} al., "concurrunt," vid. + Sturz. + + (20) {ta dusorma}, met. from "bad harbourage." Cf. Arsch. "Pers." 448; + "Ag." 194. Cf. Lat. "importunus," also of "rough ground." + + (21) Or, "make his rush." +</pre> + <p> + As soon as the nets are fixed, the party will come back and let the hounds + slip one and all; then each will snatch up his javelin (22) and + boar-spear, and advance. Some one man, the most practised hand, will cheer + on the hounds, and the rest will follow in good order at some considerable + distance from one another, so as to leave the animal a free passage; since + if he falls into the thick of them as he makes off, there is a fair chance + of being wounded, for he will certainly vent his fury on the first + creature he falls foul of. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (22) Lit. "then they will take their javelins and boar-spears and + advance." +</pre> + <p> + As soon as the hounds are near his lair, they will make their onslaught. + The boar, bewildered by the uproar, will rise up and toss the first hound + that ventures to attack him in front. He will then run and fall into the + toils; or if not, then after him full cry. (23) Even if the ground on + which the toils environ him be sloping, he will recover himself promptly; + (24) but if level, he will at once plant himself firm as a rock, as if + deliberating with himself. (25) At that conjuncture the hounds will press + hard upon him, while their masters had best keep a narrow eye upon the + boar and let fly their javelins and a pelt of stones, being planted in a + ring behind him and a good way off, until the instant when with a forward + heave of his body he stretches the net tight and strains the + skirting-rope. Thereupon he who is most skilful of the company and of the + stoutest nerve will advance from the front and deliver a home thrust with + his hunting-spear. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (23) Or, "a pretty chase must follow." + + (24) Or, "if within the prison of the net the ground be sloping, it + will not take long to make him spring up; he will be up again on + his legs in no time." + + (25) Or, "being concerned about himself." +</pre> + <p> + Should the animal for all that rain of javelins and stones refuse to + stretch the skirting-rope, should he rather relax (26) in that direction + and make a right-about-face turn bearing down on his assailant, there is + nothing for it, under these circumstances, but to seize a boar-spear, and + advance; firmly clutching it with the left hand forward and with the right + behind; the left is to steady it, and the right to give it impulse; and so + the feet, (27) the left advanced in correspondence with the left arm, and + right with right. As he advances, he will make a lunge forward with the + boar-spear, (27) planting his legs apart not much wider than in wrestling, + (28) and keeping his left side turned towards his left hand; and then, + with his eye fixed steadily on the beast's eye, he will note every turn + and movement of the creature's head. As he brings down the boar-spear to + the thrust, he must take good heed the animal does not knock it out of his + hands by a side movement of the head; (29) for if so he will follow up the + impetus of that rude knock. In case of that misfortune, the huntsman must + throw himself upon his face and clutch tight hold of the brushwood under + him, since if the wild boar should attack him in that posture, owing to + the upward curve of its tusks, it cannot get under him; (30) whereas if + caught erect, he must be wounded. What will happen then is, that the beast + will try to raise him up, and failing that will stand upon and trample + him. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (26) {epanieis}. See Sturz, s.v. + + (27) Lit. "forwards the left foot will follow the left arm and the + right foot the other." + + (28) "Statum venatoris aprum venabulo excipientis pinxit + Philostratus," "Imag." i. 28, Schn. + + (29) Or, "he will step forward and take one stride not much longer + than that of a wrestler, and thrust forward his boar-spear." + + (30) Cf. Hes. "Shield," 387; Hom. "Il." xii. 148: "Then forth rushed + the twain, and fought in front of the gates like wild boars that + in the mountains abide the assailing crew of men and dogs, and + charging on either flank they crush the wood around them, cutting + it at the root, and the clatter of their tusks waxes loud, till + one smite them and take their life away" (A. Lang). +</pre> + <p> + From this extremity there is but one means of escape, and one alone, for + the luckless prisoner. One of his fellow-huntsmen must approach with + boar-spear and provoke the boar, making as though he would let fly at him; + but let fly he must not, for fear of hitting the man under him. The boar, + on seeing this, will leave the fallen man, and in rage and fury turn to + grapple his assailant. The other will seize the instant to spring to his + feet, and not forget to clutch his boar-spear as he rises to his legs + again; since rescue cannot be nobly purchased save by victory. (31) Let + him again bring the weapon to bear in the same fashion, and make a lunge + at a point within the shoulder-blade, where lies the throat; (32) and + planting his body firmly press with all his force. (33) The boar, by dint + of his might and battle rage, will still push on, and were it not that the + teeth of the lance-blade hindered, (34) would push his way up to the + holder of the boar-spear even though the shaft run right through him. (35) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (31) "Safety can only be won with honour by some master-stroke of + victory." + + (32) {sphage}. Aristot. "H. A." i. 14. 2. "Straight at the jugular." + + (33) Or, "throwing his whole weight on the thrust, press home with all + his force." + + (34) Or, "but for the intervention of the two projecting teeth of the + lance-blade." See the account of the passage of arms between Col. + Pollock and a boar in his "Incidents of Foreign Sport and Travel." + There the man was mounted, but alone. + + (35) Lit. "force his heavy bulk along the shaft right up to the holder + of the boar-spear." +</pre> + <p> + Nay, so tremendous is the animal's power, that a property which no one + ever would suspect belongs to him. Lay a few hairs upon the tusk of a boar + just dead, and they will shrivel up instantly, (36) so hot are they, these + tusks. Nay, while the creature is living, under fierce excitement they + will be all aglow; or else how comes it that though he fail to gore the + dogs, yet at the blow the fine hairs of their coats are singed in flecks + and patches? (37) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (36) {euthus}, i.e. "for a few seconds after death." + + (37) The belief is still current, I am told, in parts of India. +</pre> + <p> + So much and even greater trouble may be loked for from the wild boar + before capture; I speak of the male animal. If it should be a sow that + falls into the toils, the huntsman should run up and prod her, taking care + not to be pushed off his legs and fall, in which case he cannot escape + being trampled on and bitten. Ergo, he will not voluntarily get under + those feet; but if involuntarily he should come to such a pass, the same + means (38) of helping each the other to get up again will serve, as in the + case of the male animal; and when he has regained his legs, he must ply + the boar-spear vigorously till she too has died the death. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (38) {dianastaseis}, "the same methods of mutual recovery." +</pre> + <p> + Wild pigs may be captured further in the following fashion: The nets are + fixed for them at the entrances of woody glens, (39) in coppices and + hollows, and on screes, where there are outlets into rank meadow-lands, + marshes, and clear pools. (40) The appointed person mounts guard at the + nets with his boar-spear, while the others work the dogs, exploring the + best and likeliest spots. As soon as the quarry is found the chase + commences. If then an animal falls into the net, the net-keeper will grip + his boar-spear and (41) advance, when he will ply it as I have described; + if he escape the net, then after him full cry. In hot, sultry weather the + boar may be run down by the hounds and captured. Though a monster in + strength, the creature becomes short of breath and will give in from sheer + exhaustion. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (39) Al. "at the passages from woodland lakes into oak-coppices." + + (40) {udata}, "waters," lakes, pools, rivers, etc. + + (41) Or, "and proceed to tackle him." +</pre> + <p> + It is a form of sport which costs the lives of many hounds and endangers + those of the huntsmen themselves. Supposing that the animal has given in + from exhaustion at some moment in the chase, and they are forced to come + to close quarters; (42) whether he has taken to the water, or stands at + bay against some craggy bank, or does not choose to come out from some + thicket (since neither net nor anything else hinders him from bearing down + like a tornado on whoever approaches); still, even so, advance they must, + come what come may, to the attack. And now for a display of that hardihood + which first induced them to indulge a passion not fit for carpet knights + (43)—in other words, they must ply their boar-spears and assume that + poise of body (44) already described, since if one must meet misfortune, + let it not be for want of observing the best rules. (45) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (42) Reading {prosienai} ({ta probolia}). (The last two words are + probably a gloss, and should be omitted, since {prosienai} (from + {prosiemi}) {ta probolia} = "ply," or "apply their boar-spears," + is hardly Greek.) See Schneid. "Add. et Corr." and L. Dind. ad + loc. + + (43) {ekponein}, "to exercise this passion to the full." + + (44) Lit. "assume their boar-spears and that forward attitude of + body." + + (45) Lit. "it will not be at any rate from behaving correctly." +</pre> + <p> + Foot-traps are also set for the wild boar, similar to those for deer and + in the same sort of places; the same inspections and methods of pursuit + are needed, with consequent attacks and an appeal to the boar-spear in the + end. + </p> + <p> + Any attempt to capture the young pigs will cost the huntsman some rough + work. (46) The young are not left alone, as long as they are small; and + when the hounds have hit upon them or they get wind of something wrong, + they will disappear like magic, vanishing into the forest. As a rule, both + parents attend on their own progeny, and are not pleasant then to meddle + with, being more disposed to do battle for their young than for + themselves. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (46) Lit. "the piglings will resent it (sc. {to aliskesthai}) + strongly"; al. "the adult (sub. {to therion}) will stand anything + rather." +</pre> + <p> + XI + </p> + <p> + Lions, leopards, lynxes, panthers, bears and all other such game are to be + captured in foreign countries—about Mount Pangaeus and Cittus beyond + Macedonia; (1) or again, in Nysa beyond Syria, and upon other mountains + suited to the breeding of large game. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Of these places, Mt. Pangaeus (mod. Pirnari) (see "Hell." V. ii. + 17), Cittus (s. Cissus, mod. Khortiatzi), N. W. of the Chalcidice, + Mysian Olympus, and Pindus are well known. Nysa has not been + verified hitherto, I think. Sturz cf. Bochart, "Hieroz." Part I. + lib. iii. c. 1, p. 722. Strabo, 637 (xv. 1. 7), mentions a Mount + Nysa in India sacred to Dionysus, and cites Soph. "Frag." 782— +</pre> + <p> + {othen kateidon ton bebakkhiomenen brotoisi kleinon Nusan... k.t.l.}, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + but it is a far cry from Xenophon's Syria to India. Possibly it is + to be sought for in the region of Mt. Amanus. +</pre> + <p> + In the mountains, owing to the difficulty of the ground, (2) some of these + animals are captured by means of poison—the drug aconite—which + the hunters throw down for them, (3) taking care to mix it with the + favourite food of the wild best, near pools and drinking-places or + wherever else they are likely to pay visits. Others of them, as they + descend into the plains at night, may be cut off by parties mounted upon + horseback and well armed, and so captured, but not without causing + considerable danger to their captors. (4) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) Or, "the inaccessibility of their habitats." + + (3) "The method is for the trapper to throw it down mixed with the + food which the particular creature likes best." + + (4) For the poison method see Pollux, v. 82; Plin. "H. N." viii. 27. +</pre> + <p> + In some cases the custom is to construct large circular pits of some + depth, leaving a single pillar of earth in the centre, on the top of which + at nightfall they set a goat fast-bound, and hedge the pit about with + timber, so as to prevent the wild beasts seeing over, and without a portal + of admission. What happens then is this: the wild beasts, hearing the + bleating in the night, keep scampering round the barrier, and finding no + passage, leap over it, and are caught. (5) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) See "Tales from the Fjeld," Sir George W. Dasent, "Father Bruin in + the Corner." +</pre> + <p> + XII + </p> + <p> + With regard to methods of procedure in the hunting-field, enough has been + said. (1) But there are many benefits which the enthusiastic sportsman may + expect to derive from this pursuit. (2) I speak of the health which will + thereby accrue to the physical frame, the quickening of the eye and ear, + the defiance of old age, and last, but not least, the warlike training + which it ensures. To begin with, when some day he has to tramp along rough + ways under arms, the heavy infantry soldier will not faint or flag—he + will stand the toil from being long accustomed to the same experiences in + capturing wild beasts. In the next place, men so trained will be capable + of sleeping on hard couches, and prove brave guardians of the posts + assigned them. In the actual encounter with the enemy, they will know at + once how to attack and to carry out the word of command as it passes along + the lines, because it was just so in the old hunting days that they + captured the wild game. If posted in the van of battle, they will not + desert their ranks, because endurance is engrained in them. In the rout of + the enemy their footsteps will not falter nor fail: straight as an arrow + they will follow the flying foe, on every kind of ground, through long + habituation. (3) Or if their own army encounter a reverse on wooded and + precipitous ground beset with difficulties, these will be the men to save + themselves with honour and to extricate their friends; since long + acquaintance with the business of the chase has widened their + intelligence. (4) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "Respecting the methods employed in different forms of the + chase, I have said my say." As to the genuineness of this and the + following chapter see L. Dind. ad loc.; K. Lincke, "Xenophon's + Dialog." {peri oikonomias}, p. 132. + + (2) Lit. "this work"; and in reference to the highly Xenophontine + argument which follows see "Hellenica Essays," p. 342; cf. + "Cyrop." I. vi. 28, 39-41. + + (3) "For the sake of 'auld lang syne.'" + + (4) Or, "will place them on the vantage-ground of experts." +</pre> + <p> + Nay, even under the worst of circumstances, when a whole mob of + fellow-combatants (5) has been put to flight, how often ere now has a + handful (6) of such men, by virtue of their bodily health (7) and courage, + caught the victorious enemy roaming blindly in some intricacy of ground, + renewed the fight, and routed him. Since so it must ever be; to those + whose souls and bodies are in happy case success is near at hand. (8) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) Or, "allies." + + (6) Or, "a forlorn hope." + + (7) {euexia}, al. {eutaxia}, "by good discipline." + + (8) "Fortune favours the brave," reading {to eutukhesai} (L. D.); or + if {tou eutukhesai}, (vulg.) "those whose health of soul and body + is established are ipso facto nigh unto good fortune." +</pre> + <p> + It was through knowledge that they owed success against their foes to such + a training, that our own forefathers paid so careful a heed to the young. + (9) Though they had but a scant supply of fruits, it was an immemorial + custom "not to hinder (10) the hunter from hunting any of earth's + offspring"; and in addition, "not to hunt by night (11) within many + furlongs of the city," in order that the adepts in that art might not rob + the young lads of their game. They saw plainly that among the many + pleasures to which youth is prone, this one alone is productive of the + greatest blessings. In other words, it tends to make them sound of soul + and upright, being trained in the real world of actual things (12) (and, + as was said before, our ancestors could not but perceive they owed their + success in war to such instrumentality (13)); and the chase alone deprives + them of none of the other fair and noble pursuits that they may choose to + cultivate, as do those other evil pleasures, which ought never to be + learned. Of such stuff are good soldiers and good generals made. (14) + Naturally, those from whose souls and bodies the sweat of toil has washed + all base and wanton thoughts, who have implanted in them a passion for + manly virtue—these, I say, are the true nobles. (15) Not theirs will + it be to allow their city or its sacred soil to suffer wrong. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) Al. "looked upon the chase as a pursuit incumbent on the young." + + (10) {me koluein (dia) to meden ton epi te ge phuomenon agreuein}. The + commentators generally omit {dia}, in which case translate as in + text. Lenz reads {un koluein dia meden} (see his note ad v. 34), + and translates (p. 61), "Dass man die Jager nicht hindern solle, + in allem was die Erde hervorbrachte zu jagen," "not to hinder the + huntsmen from ranging over any of the crops which spring from + earth"; (but if so, we should expect {dia medenos}). Sturz, s.v. + {agreuein}, notes "festive," "because the hunter does not hunt + vegetable products." So Gail, "parce que le chasseur rien veut pas + aux productions de la terre." + + (11) Or, "set their face against night-hunting," cf. "Mem." IV. vii. + 4; Plat. "Soph." 220 D; "Stranger: There is one mode of striking + which is done at night, and by the light of a fire, and is called + by the hunters themselves firing, or spearing by firelight" + (Jowett); for which see Scott, "Guy Mannering," ch. x. It seems + "night hunting was not to be practised within a certain + considerable radius, whereby the proficients in that art might + deprive it (lit. in order that they might not deprive) them (the + young huntsmen) of their game." + + (12) Lit. "in truth and reality (not among visionary phantoms)." + + (13) These words are commonly regarded as an addition; and what does + {te} signify? + + (14) Or, "Here you have the making of brave soldiers and generals. + Here in embryo are to be found your future soldiers and generals + worthy the name." + + (15) {outoi aristoi}: these are prima virorum, the true aristocrats. +</pre> + <p> + Some people tell us it is not right to indulge a taste for hunting, lest + it lead to neglect of home concerns, not knowing that those who are + benefactors of their country and their friends are in proportion all the + more devoted to domestic duties. If lovers of the chase pre-eminently fit + themselves to be useful to the fatherland, that is as much as to say they + will not squander their private means; since with the state itself the + domestic fortunes of each are saved or lost. The real fact is, these men + are saviours, not of their own fortunes only, but of the private fortunes + of the rest, of yours and mine. Yet there are not a few irrational people + amongst these cavillers who, out of jealousy, would rather perish, thanks + to their own baseness, than owe their lives to the virtue of their + neighbours. So true is it that the mass of pleasures are but evil, (16) to + which men succumb, and thereby are incited to adopt the worse cause in + speech and course in action. (17) And with what result?—from vain + and empty arguments they contract emnities, and reap the fruit of evil + deeds, diseases, losses, death—to the undoing of themselves, their + children, and their friends. (18) Having their senses dulled to things + evil, while more than commonly alive to pleasures, how shall these be + turned to good account for the salvation of the state? Yet from these + evils every one will easily hold aloof, if once enamoured of those joys + whose brief I hold, since a chivalrous education teaches obedience to + laws, and renders justice familiar to tongue and ear. (19) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (16) See "Hellenica Essays," p. 371. + + (17) "To depravity of speech and conduct" (whether as advocates or + performers). See Aristoph. "Clouds." + + (18) Or, "bring down on themselves, their children, and their friends + a spring of misfortunes in the shape of diseases, losses, or even + death." + + (19) "For what does a chivalrous education teach save to obey the law, + and to make the theme of justice familiar to tongue and ear?" +</pre> + <p> + In the one camp are those who, subjecting themselves ever to new toil and + fresh instruction, have, at the cost of lessons and exercises painful to + themselves, obtained to their several states salvation; and in the other + are those who for the very irksomeness of the process choose not to be + taught, but rather to pass away their days in pleasures unseasonable—nature's + abjects these. (20) Not theirs is it to obey either laws or good + instruction; (21) nay, how should they, who never toil, discover what a + good man ought to be?—in other words, wisdom and justice are alike + beyond their power. Subject to indiscipline, they have many a fault to + find with him who is well educated. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (20) Lit. "the sorriest of mankind these by nature." + + (21) Or, "virtuous argument"; {logois agathois}, lit. "good words." +</pre> + <p> + Through the instrumentality of such as these nothing can go well; whereas + every blessing which mankind enjoys has been discovered by the efforts of + the nobler sort. Nobler, I say, are those who choose to toil. (22) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (22) Or, "of choice spirits; and who are the choice spirits?—Clearly + those who choose to toil." +</pre> + <p> + And this has been proved conclusively by a notable example. If we look + back to the men of old who sat at the feet of Cheiron—whose names I + mentioned—we see that it was by dedicating the years of their youth + to the chase (23) that they learnt all their noble lore; and therefrom + they attained to great renown, and are admired even to this day for their + virtue—virtue who numbers all men as her lovers, as is very plain. + Only because of the pains it costs to win her the greater number fall + away; for the achievement of her is hid in obscurity; while the pains that + cleave to her are manifest. Perchance, if only she were endowed with a + visible bodily frame, men would less have neglected her, knowing that even + as she is visible to them, so they also are not hid from her eyes. For is + it not so that when a man moves in the presence of him whom he dearly + loves, (24) he rises to a height above himself, being incapable of aught + base or foul in word or deed in sight of him? (25) But fondly dreaming + that the eye of virtue is closed to them, they are guilty of many a base + thing and foul before her very face, who is hidden from their eyes. Yet + she is present everywhere, being dowered with immortality; and those who + are perfect in goodness (26) she honours, but the wicked she thrusts aside + from honour. If only men could know that she regards them, how eagerly + would they rush to the embrace of toilful training and tribulation, (27) + by which alone she is hardly taken; and so should they gain the mastery + over her, and she should be laid captive at their feet. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (23) Or, "that they made their first essay in hunting when mere boys, + and from hunting upwards were taught many noble arts." + + (24) Lit. "is beheld by his beloved." Cf. "Symp." iv. 4; viii. 31. + + (25) Lit. "in order not to be seen of him." + + (26) Lit. "good with respect to her." + + (27) Or, "to those toils and that training." +</pre> + <p> + XIII + </p> + <p> + Now what astonishes me in the "sophists," as they are called, (1) is, that + though they profess, the greater part of them, to lead the young to + virtue, they really lead them in the opposite direction. Never have we set + eyes on the man anywhere who owed his goodness to the sophists of to-day. + (2) Nor do their writings contain anything (3) calculated to make men + good, but they have written volumes on vain and frivolous subjects, in + which the young may find pleasures that pall, but the essence of virtue is + not in them. The result of this literature is to inflict unnecessary waste + of time on those who look to learn something from it all and look in vain, + cutting them off from wholesome occupations and even teaching what is bad. + I cannot then but blame them for certain large offences (4) more than + lightly; but as regards the subject matter of their writings my charge is, + that while full of far-fetched phraseology, (5) of solid wholesome + sentiments, by which the young might be trained to virtue, I see not a + vestige. Speaking as a plain man, I know that to be taught what is good by + one's own nature is best of all, (6) and next best to learn of those who + really do know some good thing rather than of those who have an art to + deceive. It may well be that I fail to express myself in subtle language, + (7) nor do I pretend to aim at subtlety; what I do aim at is to express + rightly-conceived thoughts such as may serve the need of those who have + been nobly disciplined in virtue; for it is not words and names that give + instruction, but thoughts and sentiments worthy the name. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Cf. Isocr. "Against the Sophists"; "Antidosis"; "Hel. Encom."; + Plat. "Sophist." + + (2) Who are these {oi nun sophistai}? + + (3) Lit. "do they present writings to the world." + + (4) Or, "as to certain weightier matters gravely." + + (5) {remata} = "words and phrases"; {ynomai} = "moral maxims, just + thoughts." + + (6) "Being myself but a private individual and a plain man." According + to Hartman, "A. X. N." p. 350, "ridicule detorquet Hesiodeum": +</pre> + <p> + {outos men panaristos os auto panta noese esthlos d' au kakeinos os eu + eiponti pithetai}. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (7) Al. "in true sophistic style." The writer seems to say: "I lack + subtlety of expression (nor is that at all my object); what I do + aim at is to trace with some exactness, to present with the + lucidity appropriate to them, certain thoughts demanded by persons + well educated in the school of virtue." +</pre> + <p> + Nor am I singular in thus reproaching the modern type of sophist (not the + true philosopher, be it understood); it is a general reproach that the + wisdom he professes consists in word-subtleties, not in ideas. (8) + Certainly it does not escape my notice that an orderly sequence of ideas + adds beauty to the composition: (9) I mean it will be easy to find fault + with what is written incorrectly. (10) Nevertheless, I warrant it is + written in this fashion with an eye to rectitude, to make the reader wise + and good, not more sophistical. For I would wish my writings not to seem + but rather to be useful. I would have them stand the test of ages in their + blamelessness. (11) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) {onomasi}, "in names"; {noemasi}, "thoughts and ideas." + + (9) Or, "I am alive to the advantage to be got from methodic, orderly + expression artistically and morally." + + (10) This passage, since H. Estienne (Stephanus) first wrote against + it "huic loco meae conjecturae succumbunt," has been a puzzle to + all commentators. The words run: {ou lanthanei de me oti kalos kai + exes gegraphthai} ({gegraptai} in the margin of one MS.) {radion + gar estai autois takhu me orthos mempsasthai' kaitoi gegraptai ge + outos k.t.l.} For {takhu me orthos} (1) {takhu ti me orthos}, (2) + {to} (or {ta}) {me orthos}, have been suggested. It is not clear + whether {autois} = {tois sophistais} (e.g. "it will be easy for + these people to lay a finger at once on blots, however unfairly"), + or = {tois suggrammasi} (sc. my(?) compositions; so {auta}, S. 7 + below, {ou gar dokein auta boulomai k.t.l.}) (e.g. "since it will + be easy offhand to find fault with them incorrectly") (or if {ta + me orthos}, "what is incorrect in them"). I append the three + translations of Gail, Lenz, and Talbot. "Je sais combien il est + avantageux de presenter des ouvrages methodiquement ecrits; aussi + par le meme sera-t-il plus facile de prouver aux sophistes leur + futilite!" {radion gar estai} (sub. {emoi}) {mempsasthai outois + takhu (to) me} (sous-entendu) {gegraphthai orthos} (Gail). "Zwar + entgeht mir nicht, dass es schon say die Worte kunstvoll zu + ordnen, denn leichter wird ihnen sonst, schnell, aber mit Unrecht + zu tadeln" (Lenz). "Aussi leur sera-t-il facile de me reprocher + d'ecrire vite et sans ordre" (Talbot). As if {takhu me orthos} + were the reproachful comment of the sophist on the author's + treatise. + + (11) i.e. "the arguments to be blameless at once and irrefutable for + all time." +</pre> + <p> + That is my point of view. The sophist has quite another—words with + him are for the sake of deception, writing for personal gain; to benefit + any other living soul at all is quite beside his mark. There never was nor + is there now a sage among them to whom the title "wise" could be applied. + No! the appellation "sophist" suffices for each and all, which among men + of common sense (12) sounds like a stigma. My advice then is to mistrust + the sonorous catch-words (13) of the sophist, and not to despise the + reasoned conclusions (14) of the philosopher; for the sophist is a hunter + after the rich and young, the philosopher is the common friend of all; he + neither honours nor despises the fortunes of men. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (12) L. Dind. cf. Eur. "Heracl." 370, {tou tauta kalos an eie} | {para + g' eu phronousin}. + + (13) {paraggelmata}. Cf. Aesch. "Ag." 480, "telegraph"; Lys. 121. 32; + Dem. 569. 1; "words of command"; Dion. H. "De Comp." 248, + "instructions, precepts." + + (14) {enthumemata}. +</pre> + <p> + Nor would I have you envy or imitate those either who recklessly pursue + the path of self-aggrandisement, (15) whether in private or in public + life; but consider well (16) that the best of men, (17) the true nobility, + are discovered by their virtues; (18) they are a laborious + upwards-striving race; whilst the base are in evil plight (19) and are + discovered by their demerits. (20) Since in proportion as they rob the + private citizen of his means and despoil the state (21) they are less + serviceable with a view to the public safety than any private citizen; + (22) and what can be worse or more disgraceful for purposes of war than + the bodily form of people so incapable of toil? (23) Think of huntsmen by + contrast, surrendering to the common weal person and property alike in + perfect condition for service of the citizens. They have both a battle to + wage certainly: only the one set are for attacking beasts; and the other + their own friends. (24) And naturally the assailant of his own friends + does not win the general esteem; (25) whilst the huntsman in attacking a + wild beast may win renown. If successful in his capture, he was won a + victory over a hostile brood; or failing, in the first place, it is a + feather in his cap that his attempt is made against enemies of the whole + community; and secondly, that it is not to the detriment of man nor for + love of gain that the field is taken; and thirdly, as the outcome of the + very attempt, the hunter is improved in many respects, and all the wiser: + by what means we will explain. Were it not for the very excess of his + pains, his well-reasoned devices, his manifold precautions, he would never + capture the quarry at all; since the antagonists he deals with are doing + battle for bare life and in their native haunts, (26) and are consequently + in great force. So that if he fails to overmatch the beasts by a zest for + toil transcending theirs and plentiful intelligence, the huntsman's + labours are in vain. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (15) Or, "surrender themselves heedlessly to the ways of self- + seeking." But the phraseology here seems to savour of extreme + youth, or else senility. + + (16) {enthumethenta}. Query, in reference to {enthumemata} above? + + (17) Reading {andron}. For the vulg. {auton} see Schneid. ad loc., who + suggests {ton aston}. + + (18) "Recognisable for the better." + + (19) "They are not famous but infamous"; "the bad fare as their name + suggests" (i.e. badly). + + (20) "Recognisable for the worse." + + (21) Or, "what with private extortionsand public peculation." + + (22) {ton idioton}, "laymen," I suppose, as opposed to "professional" + lawyers or politicians. + + (23) "What with their incapacity for hard work, their physique for + purposes of war is a mockery and a sham." + + (24) Cf. Plat. "Soph." + + (25) Or, "earns but an evil reputation in the world." + + (26) "They are being bearded in their dens." +</pre> + <p> + I go back to my proposition then. Those self-seeking politicians, who want + to feather their own nests, (27) practise to win victories over their own + side, but the sportsman confines himself to the common enemy. This + training of theirs renders the one set more able to cope with the foreign + foe, the others far less able. The hunting of the one is carried on with + self-restraint, of the others with effrontery. The one can look down with + contempt upon maliciousness and sordid love of gain, the other cannot. The + very speech and intonation of the one has melody, of the other harshness. + And with regard to things divine, the one set know no obstacle to their + impiety, the others are of all men the most pious. Indeed ancient tales + affirm (28) that the very gods themselves take joy in this work (29) as + actors and spectators. So that, (30) with due reflection on these things, + the young who act upon my admonitions will be found, perchance, beloved of + heaven and reverent of soul, checked by the thought that some one of the + gods is eyeing their performance. (31) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (27) Or, "Those people who would fain have the lion's share in the + state." + + (28) Or, "an ancient story obtains." + + (29) Sc. "of the chase." + + (30) Or {uparkhein} = "it may be considered as given." Scheid. cf. + "Pol. Ath." iii. 9, {oste uparkhein demokratian einai}. + + (31) Lit. "that the things in question are beheld by some divinity." +</pre> + <p> + These are the youths who will prove a blessing to their parents, and not + to their parents only but to the whole state; to every citizen alike and + individual friend. + </p> + <p> + Nay, what has sex to do with it? It is not only men enamoured of the chase + that have become heroes, but among women there are also to whom our lady + Artemis has granted a like boon—Atalanta, and Procris, and many + another huntress fair. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sportsman, by Xenophon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPORTSMAN *** + +***** This file should be named 1180-h.htm or 1180-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/8/1180/ + +Produced by John Bickers, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Sportsman + On Hunting, A Sportsman's Manual, Commonly Called Cynegeticus + +Author: Xenophon + +Translator: H. G. Dakyns + +Posting Date: September 15, 2008 [EBook #1180] +Release Date: January, 1998 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPORTSMAN *** + + + + +Produced by John Bickers + + + + + +THE SPORTSMAN + +by Xenophon + +Translation by H. G. Dakyns + + + + + Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 B.C. He was a + pupil of Socrates. He marched with the Spartans, + and was exiled from Athens. Sparta gave him land + and property in Scillus, where he lived for many + years before having to move once more, to settle + in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C. + + The Sportsman is a manual on hunting hares, deer + and wild boar, including the topics of dogs, and + the benefits of hunting for the young. + + + + + PREPARER'S NOTE + + This was typed from Dakyns' series, "The Works of Xenophon," a + four-volume set. The complete list of Xenophon's works (though + there is doubt about some of these) is: + + Work Number of books + + The Anabasis 7 + The Hellenica 7 + The Cyropaedia 8 + The Memorabilia 4 + The Symposium 1 + The Economist 1 + On Horsemanship 1 + The Sportsman 1 + The Cavalry General 1 + The Apology 1 + On Revenues 1 + The Hiero 1 + The Agesilaus 1 + The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians 2 + + Text in brackets "{}" is my transliteration of Greek text into + English using an Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. The + diacritical marks have been lost. + + + + +ON HUNTING + +A Sportsman's Manual + +Commonly Called CYNEGETICUS + + + +I + +To the gods themselves is due the discovery, to Apollo and Artemis, +patrons of the chase and protectors of the hound. (1) As a guerdon they +bestowed it upon Cheiron, (2) by reason of his uprightness, and he took +it and was glad, and turned the gift to good account. At his feet +sat many a disciple, to whom he taught the mystery of hunting and of +chivalry (3)--to wit, Cephalus, Asclepius, Melanion, Nestor, Amphiaraus, +Peleus, Telamon, Meleager, Theseus and Hippolytus, Palamedes, Odysseus, +Menestheus, Diomed, Castor and Polydeuces, Machaon and Podaleirius, +Antilochus, Aeneas and Achilles: of whom each in his turn was honoured +by the gods. And let none marvel that of these the greater part, albeit +well-pleasing to the gods, nevertheless were subject to death--which +is the way of nature, (4) but their fame has grown--nor yet that their +prime of manhood so far differed. The lifetime of Cheiron sufficed for +all his scholars; the fact being that Zeus and Cheiron were brethren, +sons of the same father but of different mothers--Zeus of Rhea, and +Cheiron of the nymph Nais; (5) and so it is that, though older than all +of them, he died not before he had taught the youngest--to wit, the boy +Achilles. (6) + + (1) Or, "This thing is the invention of no mortal man, but of Apollo + and Artemis, to whom belong hunting and dogs." For the style of + exordium L. Dind. cf (Ps.) Dion. "Art. rhet." ad in.; Galen, + "Isagog." ad in.; Alex. Aphrodis. "Probl." 2 proem. + + (2) The wisest and "justest of all the centaurs," Hom. "Il." xi. 831. + See Kingsley, "The Heroes," p. 84. + + (3) Or, "the discipline of the hunting field and other noble lore." + + (4) Lit. "since that is nature, but the praise of them grew greatly." + + (5) According to others, Philyra. Pind. "Pyth." iii. 1, {ethelon + Kheirona ke Philuridan}; cf. "Pyth." vi. 22; "Nem." iii. 43. + + (6) See Paus. iii. 18. 12. + +Thanks to the careful heed they paid to dogs and things pertaining to +the chase, thanks also to the other training of their boyhood, all these +greatly excelled, and on the score of virtue were admired. + +If Cephalus was caught into the arms of one that was a goddess, (7) +Asclepius (8) obtained yet greater honour. To him it was given to raise +the dead and to heal the sick, whereby, (9) even as a god among mortal +men, he has obtained to himself imperishable glory. Melanion (10) so far +excelled in zest for toil that he alone of all that flower of chivalry +who were his rivals (11) obtained the prize of noblest wedlock with +Atalanta; while as to Nestor, what need to repeat the well-known tale? +so far and wide for many a day has the fame of his virtue penetrated the +ears of Hellas. (12) + + (7) Hemera (al. Eos). For the rape of Cephalus see Hes. "Theog." 986; + Eur. "Ion," 269; Paus. i. 3. 1; iii. 18. 7. + + (8) Lat. Aesculapius. Father of Podaleirius and Machaon, "the noble + leech," "Il." ii. 731, iv. 194, 219, xi. 518; "Od." iv. 232. + + (9) Cf. "Anab." I. ii. 8; Lincke, "z. Xen. Krit." p. 299. + + (10) Melanion, s. Meilanion, Paus. iii. 12. 9; v. 17. 10; v. 19. 1. + + (11) "Which were his rival suitors." As to Atalanta see Paus. viii. + 45. 2; iii. 24. 2; v. 19. 2; Grote, "H. G." i. 199 foll. + + (12) Lit. "the virtue of Nestor has so far penetrated the ears of + Hellas that I should speak to those who know." See Hom. "Il." i. + 247, and passim. + +Amphiaraus, (13) what time he served as a warrior against Thebes, won +for himself the highest praise; and from heaven obtained the honour of a +deathless life. (14) + + (13) Amphiaraus. Pind. "Nem." ix. 13-27; "Olymp." vi. 11-16; Herod. i. + 52; Paus. ix. 8. 2; 18. 2-4; ii. 23.2; i. 34; Liv. xlv. 27; Cic. + "de Div." i. 40. See Aesch. "Sept. c. Th." 392; Eur. "Phoen." 1122 + foll.; Apollod. iii. 6; Strab. ix. 399, 404. + + (14) Lit. "to be honoured ever living." + +Peleus kindled in the gods desire to give him Thetis, and to hymn their +nuptials at the board of Cheiron. (15) + + (15) For the marriage of Peleus and Thetis see Hom. "Il." xxiv. 61; + cf. Pope's rendering: + +To grace those nuptials from the bright abode Yourselves were present; +when this minstrel god (Well pleased to share the feast) amid the quire +Stood proud to hymn, and tune his youthful lyre ("Homer's Il." xxiv.) + + Prof. Robinson Ellis ("Comment on Catull." lxiv.) cites numerous + passages: Eur. "I. in T." 701 foll., 1036 foll.; Pind. "Isthm." v. + 24; "Pyth." iii. 87-96; Isocr. "Evag." 192. 6; Apoll. Rh. iv. 791; + "Il." xxiv. 61; Hes. "Theog." 1006, and "Epithal." (ap. Tsetz, + "Prol. ad Lycophr."): + +{tris makar Aiakide kai tetrakis olbie Peleu os toisd' en megarois ieron +lekhos eisanabaineis}. + +The mighty Telamon (16) won from the greatest of all states and wedded +her whom he desired, Periboea the daughter of Alcathus; (17) and when +the first of Hellenes, (18) Heracles (19) the son of Zeus, distributed +rewards of valour after taking Troy, to Telamon he gave Hesione. (20) + + (16) See "Il." viii. 283l Paus. i. 42. 1-4. + + (17) Or Alcathous, who rebuilt the walls of Megara by Apollo's aid. + Ov. "Met." viii. 15 foll. + + (18) Reading {o protos}; or if with L. D. {tois protois}, "what time + Heracles was distributing to the heroes of Hellas (lit. the first + of the Hellenes) prizes of valour, to Telamon he gave." + + (19) See Hom. "Il." v. 640; Strab. xiii. 595. + + (20) See Diod. iv. 32; i. 42. + +Of Meleager (21) be it said, whereas the honours which he won are +manifest, the misfortunes on which he fell, when his father (22) in old +age forgot the goddess, were not of his own causing. (23) + + (21) For the legend of Meleager see "Il." ix. 524-599, dramatised by + both Sophocles and Euripides, and in our day by Swinburne, + "Atalanta in Calydon." Cf. Paus. iii. 8. 9; viii. 54. 4; Ov. + "Met." viii. 300; Grote, "H. G." i. 195. + + (22) i.e. Oeneus. "Il." ix. 535. + + (23) Or, "may not be laid to his charge." + +Theseus (24) single-handed destroyed the enemies of collective Hellas; +and in that he greatly enlarged the boundaries of his fatherland, is +still to-day the wonder of mankind. (25) + + (24) See "Mem." II. i. 14; III. v. 10; cf. Isocr. "Phil." 111; Plut. + "Thes." x. foll.; Diod. iv. 59; Ov. "Met." vii. 433. + + (25) Or, "is held in admiration still to-day." See Thuc. ii. 15; + Strab. ix. 397. + +Hippolytus (26) was honoured by our lady Artemis and with her conversed, +(27) and in his latter end, by reason of his sobriety and holiness, was +reckoned among the blest. + + (26) See the play of Euripides. Paus. i. 22; Diod. iv. 62. + + (27) Al. "lived on the lips of men." But cf. Eur. "Hipp." 85, {soi kai + xeneimi kai logois s' ameibomai}. See Frazer, "Golden Bough," i. + 6, for the Hippolytus-Virbius myth. + +Palamedes (28) all his days on earth far outshone those of his own times +in wisdom, and when slain unjustly, won from heaven a vengeance such as +no other mortal man may boast of. (29) Yet died he not at their hands +(30) whom some suppose; else how could the one of them have been +accounted all but best, and the other a compeer of the good? No, not +they, but base men wrought that deed. + + (28) As to Palamedes, son of Nauplius, his genius and treacherous + death, see Grote, "H. G." i. 400; "Mem." IV. ii. 33; "Apol." 26; + Plat. "Apol." 41; "Rep." vii. 522; Eur. fr. "Palam."; Ov. "Met." + xiii. 56; Paus. x. 31. 1; ii. 20. 3. + + (29) For the vengeance see Schol. ad Eur. "Orest." 422; Philostr. + "Her." x. Cf. Strab. viii. 6. 2 (368); Leake, "Morea," ii. 358; + Baedeker, "Greece," 245. + + (30) i.e. Odysseus and Diomed. (S. 11, I confess, strikes me as + somewhat in Xenophon's manner.) See "Mem." IV. ii. 33; "Apol." 26. + +Menestheus, (31) through diligence and patient care, the outcome of the +chase, so far overshot all men in love of toil that even the chiefs +of Hellas must confess themselves inferior in the concerns of war save +Nestor only; and Nestor, it is said, (32) excelled not but alone might +rival him. + + (31) For Menestheus, who led the Athenians against Troy, cf. Hom. + "Il." ii. 552; iv. 327; Philostr. "Her." ii. 16; Paus. ii. 25. 6; + i. 17. 6; Plut. "Thes." 32, 35. + + (32) Or, "so runs the tale," e.g. in "The Catalogue." See "Il." ii. + l.c.: {Nestor oios erizen}, "Only Nestor rivalled him, for he was + the elder by birth" (W. Leaf). + +Odysseus and Diomedes (33) were brilliant for many a single deed of +arms, and mainly to these two was due the taking of Troy town. (34) + + (33) The two heroes are frequently coupled in Homer, e.g. "Il." v. + 519; x. 241, etc. + + (34) Or, "were brilliant in single points, and broadly speaking were + the cause that Troy was taken." See Hygin. "Fab." 108; Virg. + "Aen." ii. 163. + +Castor and Polydeuces, (35) by reason of their glorious display of arts +obtained from Cheiron, and for the high honour and prestige therefrom +derived, are now immortal. + + (35) Castor, Polydeuces, s. Pollux--the great twin brethren. See + Grote, "H. G." i. 232 foll. + +Machaon and Podaleirius (36) were trained in this same lore, and proved +themselves adepts in works of skill, in argument and feats of arms. (37) + + (36) As to the two sons of Asclepius, Machaon and Podaleirius, the + leaders of the Achaeans, see "Il." ii. 728; Schol. ad Pind. + "Pyth." iii. 14; Paus. iii. 26; iv. 3; Strab. vi. 4 (284); Diod. + iv. 71. 4; Grote, "H. G." i. 248. + + (37) Or, "in crafts, in reasonings, and in deeds of war." + +Antilochus, (38) in that he died for his father, obtained so great a +glory that, in the judgment of Hellas, to him alone belongs the title +"philopator," "who loved his father." (39) + + (38) Antilochus, son of Nestor, slain by Memnon. "Od." iv. 186 foll.; + Pind. "Pyth." vi. 28; Philostr. "Her." iv.; "Icon." ii. 281. + + (39) Lit. "to be alone proclaimed Philopator among the Hellenes." Cf. + Plat. "Laws," 730 D, "He shall be proclaimed the great and perfect + citizen, and bear away the palm of virtue"; and for the epithet + see Eur. "Or." 1605; "I. A." 68. + +Aeneas (40) saved the ancestral gods--his father's and his mother's; +(41) yea, and his own father also, whereby he bore off a reputation +for piety so great that to him alone among all on whom they laid their +conquering hand in Troy even the enemy granted not to be despoiled. + + (40) As to Aeneas see Poseidon's speech, "Il." xx. 293 foll.; Grote, + "H. G." i. 413, 427 foll. + + (41) Cf. "Hell." II. iv. 21. + +Achilles, (42) lastly, being nursed in this same training, bequeathed to +after-days memorials so fair, so ample, that to speak or hear concerning +him no man wearies. + + (42) "The highest form that floated before Greek imagination was + Achilles," Hegel, "Lectures on the Philosophy of History" (Eng. + tr. p. 233); and for a beautiful elaboration of that idea, J. A. + Symonds, "Greek Poets," 2nd series, ch. ii. + +Such, by dint of that painstaking care derived from Cheiron, these all +proved themselves; of whom all good men yet still to-day are lovers +and all base men envious. So much so that if throughout the length and +breadth of Hellas misfortunes at any time befell city or king, it was +they who loosed the knot of them; (43) or if all Hellas found herself +confronted with the hosts of the Barbarians in strife and battle, +once again it was these who nerved the arms of Hellenes to victory and +rendered Hellas unconquered and unconquerable. + + (43) Reading {eluonto autous}, or if as L. D., {di autous}, transl. + "thanks to them, they were loosed." + +For my part, then, my advice to the young is, do not despise hunting or +the other training of your boyhood, if you desire to grow up to be +good men, good not only in war but in all else of which the issue is +perfection in thought, word, and deed. + + + +II + +The first efforts of a youth emerging from boyhood should be directed to +the institution of the chase, after which he should come to the rest of +education, provided he have the means and with an eye to the same; if +his means be ample, in a style worthy of the profit to be derived; or, +if they be scant, let him at any rate contribute enthusiasm, in nothing +falling short of the power he possesses. + +What are the aids and implements of divers sorts with which he who would +enter on this field must equip himself? These and the theory of each +in particular I will now explain. With a view to success in the +work, forewarned is forearmed. Nor let such details be looked upon as +insignificant. Without them there will be an end to practical results. +(1) + + (1) Or, "The question suggests itself--how many instruments and of + what sort are required by any one wishing to enter this field? A + list of these I propose to give, not omitting the theoretical side + of the matter in each case, so that whoever lays his hand to this + work may have some knowledge to go upon. It would be a mistake to + regard these details as trivial. In fact, without them the + undertaking might as well be let alone." + +The net-keeper should be a man with a real passion for the work, and +in tongue a Hellene, about twenty years of age, of wiry build, agile at +once and strong, with pluck enough to overcome the toils imposed on him, +(2) and to take pleasure in the work. + + (2) {toutous}, "by this, that, or the other good quality." + +The ordinary small nets should be made of fine Phasian or Carthaginian +(3) flax, and so too should the road nets and the larger hayes. (4) +These small nets should be nine-threaded (made of three strandes, and +each strand of three threads), (5) five spans (6) in depth, (7) and two +palms (8) at the nooses or pockets. (9) There should be no knots in +the cords that run round, which should be so inserted as to run quite +smoothly. (10) The road net should be twelve-threaded, and the larger +net (or haye) sixteen. They may be of different sizes, the former +varying from twelve to twenty-four or thirty feet, the latter from sixty +to one hundred and twenty or one hundred and eighty feet. (11) If larger +they will be unwieldy and hard to manage. Both should be thirty-knotted, +and the interval of the nooses the same as in the ordinary small nets. +At the elbow ends (12) the road net should be furnished with nipples +(13) (or eyes), and the larger sort (the haye) with rings, and both +alike with a running line of twisted cord. The pronged stakes (14) +for the small nets should be ten palms high, (15) as a rule, but there +should be some shorter ones besides; those of unequal length will be +convenient to equalise the height on uneven ground, and those of equal +length on level. They should be sharp-tipped so as to draw out easily +(16) and smooth throughout. Those for the road nets should be twice the +height, (17) and those for the big (haye) nets five spans long, (18) +with small forks, the notches not deep; they should be stout and solid, +of a thickness proportionate to their length. The number of props needed +for the nets will vary--many or few, according to circumstances; a less +number if the tension on the net be great, and a larger number when the +nets are slack. (19) + + (3) Phasian or Carchedonian. Cf. Pollux, v. 26. + + (4) {arkus, enodia, diktua}. + + (5) (L. Dind. brackets.) See Pollux, v. 27, ap. Schn. + + (6) {spithame}, a span (dodrans) = 7 1/2 inches. Herod. ii. 106; + {trispithamos}, Hes. "Op." 424; Plat. "Alc." i. 126 C; Aristot. + "H. A." viii. 28. 5; Polyb. v. 3-6. + + (7) {to megethos}. + + (8) Or, "eight fingers' breadth +" = 6 inches +. {palaiste} or + {palaste}, a palm or four fingers' breadth = 3 inches +. + + (9) {tous brokhous}, a purse or tunnel arrangement with slip loop. + + (10) Reading {upheisthosan de oi peridromoi anammatoi}. Lit. "the + cords that run round should be inserted without knots." See + Pollux, v. 28 foll. + + (11) Lit. "2, 4, 5 fathoms; 10, 20, 30 fathoms." + + (12) {akroleniois}, elbows, Pollux, v. 29; al. {akroliniois}, L. & S., + "on the edges or borders." + + (13) {mastous}, al. "tufts." + + (14) {skhalides}, forks or net props. Cf. Pollux, v. 19. 31. + + (15) i.e. 30 + inches = 2 1/2 + ft., say 36 inches = 3 ft. + + (16) {euperispastoi ta akra}, al. "they should be made so that the + nets can be fitted on and off easily, with sharp points"; or "off + the points easily." + + (17) {siplasiai}, i.e. 20 palms = 60 + inches, say 72, or 6 ft. + + (18) {pentespithamoi}, i.e. 5 x 7 1/2 inches = 37 1/2 inches = 3 ft. 1 + 1/2 inch; al. 5 x 9 inches = 45 inches = 3 ft. 9 inches. + + (19) Or, "if in the particular position the nets are taut, a larger if + they lie slack." + +Lastly, for the purpose of carrying the nets and hayes, for either +sort (20) there must be a bag of calf-skin; and billhooks to cut down +branches and stop gaps in the woods when necessary. (21) + + (20) Reading, with Lenz, {ekaterois}, or if, as C. Gesner conj., {e + ekatera}, transl. "or either separately." + + (21) Or, "for the purpose of felling wood and stopping up gaps where + necessary." + + + +III + +There are two breeds of sporting dogs: the Castorian and the fox-like. +(1) The former get their name from Castor, in memory of the delight +he took in the business of the chase, for which he kept this breed by +preference. (2) The other breed is literally foxy, being the progeny +originally of the dog and the fox, whose natures have in the course of +ages become blent. (3) + + (1) {Kastoriai}, or Laconian, approaching possibly the harrier type; + {alopekides}, i.e. vulpocanine, hybrid between fox and dog. + + (2) Or, "get their appellation from the fact that Castor took delight + in the business of the chase, and kept this breed specially for + the purpose." Al. {diephulaxen}, "propagated and preserved the + breed which we now have." See Darwin, "Animals and Plants under + Domestication," ii. 202, 209. + + (3) Or, "and through lapse of time the twofold characteristics of + their progenitors have become blent." See Timoth. Gaz. ap. + Schneid. ad loc. for an ancient superstition as to breeds. + +Both species present a large proportion of defective animals (4) which +fall short of the type, as being under-sized, or crook-nosed, (5) +or gray-eyed, (6) or near-sighted, or ungainly, or stiff-jointed, or +deficient in strength, thin-haired, lanky, disproportioned, devoid of +pluck or of nose, or unsound of foot. To particularise: an under-sized +dog will, ten to one, break off from the chase (7) faint and flagging +in the performance of his duty owing to mere diminutiveness. An aquiline +nose means no mouth, and consequently an inability to hold the hare +fast. (8) A blinking bluish eye implies defect of vision; (9) just as +want of shape means ugliness. (10) The stiff-limbed dog will come +home limping from the hunting-field; (11) just as want of strength and +thinness of coat go hand in hand with incapacity for toil. (12) +The lanky-legged, unsymmetrical dog, with his shambling gait and +ill-compacted frame, ranges heavily; while the spiritless animal will +leave his work to skulk off out of the sun into shade and lie down. Want +of nose means scenting the hare with difficulty, or only once in a way; +and however courageous he may be, a hound with unsound feet cannot stand +the work, but through foot-soreness will eventually give in. (13) + + (4) Or, "defective specimens (that is to say, the majority) are to be + noted, as follows." + + (5) {grupai}. + + (6) {kharopoi}. Al. Arrian, iv. 4, 5. + + (7) Or, "will probably retire from the chase and throw up the business + through mere diminutiveness." + + (8) Or, "a hook-nosed (? pig-jawed, see Stonehenge, "The Dog," p. 19, + 4th ed.) dog has a bad mouth and cannot hold." + + (9) Or, "a short-sighted, wall-eyed dog has defective vision." + + (10) Or, "they are weedy, ugly brutes as a rule." + + (11) Or, "stiffness of limbs means he will come off." Cf. "Mem." III. + xiii. 6. + + (12) Lit. "a weak, thinly-haired animal is incapable of severe toil." + + (13) Or, "Nor will courage compensate for unsound feet. The toil and + moil will be too great to endure, and owing to the pains in his + feet he will in the end give in." + +Similarly many different modes of hunting a line of scent are to be seen +in the same species of hound. (14) One dog as soon as he has found the +trail will go along without sign or symptom to show that he is on +the scent; another will vibrate his ears only and keep his tail (15) +perfectly still; while a third has just the opposite propensity: he will +keep his ears still and wag with the tip of his tail. Others draw their +ears together, and assuming a solemn air, (16) drop their tails, tuck +them between their legs, and scour along the line. Many do nothing of +the sort. (17) They tear madly about, babbling round the line when they +light upon it, and senselessly trampling out the scent. Others again +will make wide circuits and excursions; either forecasting the line, +(18) they overshoot it and leave the hare itself behind, or every time +they run against the line they fall to conjecture, and when they catch +sight of the quarry are all in a tremor, (19) and will not advance a +step till they see the creature begin to stir. + + (14) Or, "Also the same dogs will exhibit many styles of coursing: one + set as soon as they have got the trail pursue it without a sign, + so there is no means of finding out that the animal is on the + track." + + (15) "Stern." + + (16) Or "with their noses solemnly fixed on the ground and sterns + lowered." + + (17) Or, "have quite a different action"; "exhibit quite another + manner." + + (18) i.e. "they cast forwards to make short cuts," of skirters too + lazy to run the line honestly. + + (19) Reading {tremousi}, "fall a-trembling"; al. {atremousi}, stand + "stock-still"; i.e. are "dwellers." + +A particular sort may be described as hounds which, when hunting or +pursuing, run forward with a frequent eye to the discoveries of the rest +of the pack, because they have no confidence in themselves. Another sort +is over-confident--not letting the cleverer members of the pack go +on ahead, but keeping them back with nonsensical clamour. Others will +wilfully hug every false scent, (20) and with a tremendous display of +eagerness, whatever they chance upon, will take the lead, conscious all +the while they are playing false; (21) whilst another sort again will +behave in a precisely similar style out of sheer ignorance. (22) It is +a poor sort of hound which will not leave a stale line (23) for want of +recognising the true trail. So, too, a hound that cannot distinguish +the trail leading to a hare's form, and scampers over that of a running +hare, hot haste, is no thoroughbred. (24) + + (20) Al. "seem to take pleasure in fondling every lie." + + (21) Or, "fully aware themselves that the whole thing is a make- + believe." + + (22) Or, "do exactly the same thing because they do not know any + better." + + (23) {ek ton trimmon}. Lit. "keep away from beaten paths," and + commonly of footpaths, but here apparently of the hare's habitual + "run," not necessarily lately traversed, still less the true line. + + (24) Lit. "A dog who on the one hand ignores the form track, and on + the other tears swiftly over a running track, is not a well-bred + dog." Al. {ta eunaia}, "traces of the form"; {ta dromaia}, "tracks + of a running hare." See Sturz. s.v. {dromaios}. + +When it comes to the actual chase, some hounds will show great ardour +at first starting, but presently give up from weakness of spirit. Others +will run in too hastily (25) and then balk; and go hopelessly astray, as +if they had lost the sense of hearing altogether. + + (25) So L. & S., {upotheousin} = "cut in before" the rest of the pack + and over-run the scent. Al. "flash in for a time, and then lose + the scent." + +Many a hound will give up the chase and return from mere distaste for +hunting, (26) and not a few from pure affection for mankind. Others with +their clamorous yelping on the line do their best to deceive, as if true +and false were all one to them. (27) There are others that will not do +that, but which in the middle of their running, (28) should they catch +the echo of a sound from some other quarter, will leave their own +business and incontinently tear off towards it. (29) The fact is, (30) +they run on without clear motive, some of them; others taking too much +for granted; and a third set to suit their whims and fancies. Others +simply play at hunting; or from pure jealousy, keep questing about +beside the line, continually rushing along and tumbling over one +another. (31) + + (26) Or, {misotheron}, "out of antipathy to the quarry." For + {philanthropon} cf. Pollux, ib. 64; Hermog. ap. L. Dind. + + (27) Or, "unable apparently to distinguish false from true." See + Sturz, s.v. {poieisthai}. Cf. Plut. "de Exil." 6. Al. "Gaily + substituting false for true." + + (28) "In the heat of the chase." + + (29) "Rush to attack it." + + (30) The fact is, there are as many different modes of following up + the chase almost as there are dogs. Some follow up the chase + {asaphos}, indistinctly; some {polu upolambanousai}, with a good + deal of guess-work; others again {doxazousai}, without conviction, + insincerely; others, {peplasmenos}, out of mere pretence, pure + humbug, make-believe, or {phthoneros}, in a fit of jealousy, + {ekkunousi}, are skirters; al. {ekkinousi}, Sturz, quit the scent. + + (31) Al. "unceasingly tearing along, around, and about it." + +The majority of these defects are due to natural disposition, though +some must be assigned no doubt to want of scientific training. In either +case such hounds are useless, and may well deter the keenest sportsman +from the hunting field. (32) + + (32) Or, "Naturally, dogs like these damp the sportsman's ardour, and + indeed are enough to sicken him altogether with the chase." + +The characters, bodily and other, exhibited by the finer specimens of +the same breed, (33) I will now set forth. + + (33) Or, "The features, points, qualities, whether physical or other, + which characterise the better individuals." But what does Xenophon + mean by {tou autou genous}? + + + +IV + +In the first place, this true type of hound should be of large build; +and, in the next place, furnished with a light small head, broad and +flat in the snout, (1) well knit and sinewy, the lower part of the +forehead puckered into strong wrinkles; eyes set well up (2) in the +head, black and bright; forehead large and broad; the depression between +the eyes pronounced; (3) ears long (4) and thin, without hair on the +under side; neck long and flexible, freely moving on its pivot; (5) +chest broad and fairly fleshy; shoulder-blades detached a little from +the shoulders; (6) the shin-bones of the fore-legs should be small, +straight, round, stout and strong; the elbows straight; ribs (7) not +deep all along, but sloped away obliquely; the loins muscular, in size +a mean between long and short, neither too flexible nor too stiff; (8) +flanks, a mean between large and small; the hips (or "couples") rounded, +fleshy behind, not tied together above, but firmly knitted on the +inside; (9) the lower or under part of the belly (10) slack, and the +belly itself the same, that is, hollow and sunken; tail long, straight, +and pointed; (11) thighs (i.e. hams) stout and compact; shanks (i.e. +lower thighs) long, round, and solid; hind-legs much longer than the +fore-legs, and relatively lean; feet round and cat-like. (12) + + (1) Pollux, v. 7; Arrian, "Cyn." iv. + + (2) {meteora}, prominent.?See Sturz, s.v. + + (3) {tas diakriseis batheias}, lit. "with a deep frontal sinus." + + (4) Reading {makra}, or if {mikra}, "small." + + (5) Al. "well rounded." + + (6) "Shoulder blades standing out a little from the shoulders"; i.e. + "free." + + (7) i.e. "not wholly given up to depth, but well curved"; depth is not + everything unless the ribs be also curved. Schneid. cf. Ov. "Met." + iii. 216, "et substricta gerens Sicyonius ilia Ladon," where the + poet is perhaps describing a greyhound, "chyned like a bream." See + Stonehenge, pp. 21, 22. Xenophon's "Castorians" were more like the + Welsh harrier in build, I presume. + + (8) Or, "neither soft and spongy nor unyielding." See Stoneh., p. 23. + + (9) "Drawn up underneath it," lit. "tucked up." + + (10) Al. "flank," "flanks themselves." + + (11) Or, as we should say, "stern." See Pollux, v. 59; Arrian, v. 9. + + (12) See Stonehenge, p. 24 foll. + +Hounds possessed of these points will be strong in build, and at the +same time light and active; they will have symmetry at once and pace; a +bright, beaming expression; and good mouths. + +In following up scent, (13) see how they show their mettle by rapidly +quitting beaten paths, keeping their heads sloping to the ground, +smiling, as it were to greet the trail; see how they let their ears +drop, how they keep moving their eyes to and fro quickly, flourishing +their sterns. (14) Forwards they should go with many a circle towards +the hare's form, (15) steadily guided by the line, all together. When +they are close to the hare itself, they will make the fact plain to the +huntsman by the quickened pace at which they run, as if they would let +him know by their fury, by the motion of head and eyes, by rapid changes +of gait and gesture, (16) now casting a glance back and now fixing their +gaze steadily forward to the creature's hiding-place, (17) by twistings +and turnings of the body, flinging themselves backwards, forwards, and +sideways, and lastly, by the genuine exaltation of spirits, visible +enough now, and the ecstasy of their pleasure, that they are close upon +the quarry. + + (13) Lit. "Let them follow up the trail." + + (14) Lit. "fawning and wagging their tails." + + (15) Lit. "bed" or "lair." + + (16) Or, "by rapid shiftings of attitude, by looks now thrown backward + and now forwards to the..." Reading {kai apo ton anablemmaton + kai emblemmaton ton epi tas kathedras tou l.}, or if with L. D., + {kai apo ton a. kai emblemmaton eis ton ulen kai anastremmaton ton + epi tas k.}, transl. "now looking back at the huntsman and now + staring hard into the covert, and again right-about-face in the + direction of the hare's sitting-place." + + (17) Lit. "form"; "the place where puss is seated." + +Once she is off, the pack should pursue with vigour. (18) They must +not relax their hold, but with yelp and bark full cry insist on keeping +close and dogging puss at every turn. Twist for twist and turn for turn, +they, too, must follow in a succession of swift and brilliant bursts, +interrupted by frequent doublings; while ever and again they give tongue +and yet again till the very welkin rings. (19) One thing they must not +do, and that is, leave the scent and return crestfallen to the huntsman. +(20) + + (18) Lit. "let them follow up the chase vigorously, and not relax, + with yelp and bark." + + (19) {dikaios}, Sturz, "non temere"; "and not without good reason." + Al. "a right good honest salvo of barks." + + (20) Lit. "Let them not hark back to join the huntsman, and desert the + trail." + +Along with this build and method of working, hounds should possess four +points. They should have pluck, sound feet, keen noses, and sleek coats. +The spirited, plucky hound will prove his mettle by refusing to leave +the chase, however stifling the weather; a good nose is shown by his +capacity for scenting the hare on barren and dry ground exposed to the +sun, and that when the orb is at the zenith; (21) soundness of foot in +the fact that the dog may course over mountains during the same season, +and yet his feet will not be torn to pieces; and a good coat means the +possession of light, thick, soft, and silky hair. (22) + + (21) i.e. "at mid-day"; or, "in the height of summer"; al. "during the + dog-days"; "at the rising of the dog-star." + + (22) See Pollux, ib. 59; Arrian, vi. 1. + +As to the colour proper for a hound, (23) it should not be simply tawny, +nor absolutely black or white, which is not a sign of breeding, but +monotonous--a simplicity suggestive of the wild animal. (24) Accordingly +the red dog should show a bloom of white hair about the muzzle, and +so should the black, the white commonly showing red. On the top of the +thigh the hair should be straight and thick, as also on the loins and on +the lower portion of the stern, but of a moderate thickness only on the +upper parts. + + (23) See Stonehenge, p. 25; Darwin, op. cit. ii. 109. + + (24) But see Pollux, ib. 65, who apparently read {gennaion touto to + aploun alla therides}; al. Arrian, vi. See Jaques de Fouilloux, + "La Venerie" (ap. E. Talbot, "Oeuvres completes de Xenophon," + traduction, ii. 318). + +There is a good deal to be said for taking your hounds frequently into +the mountains; not so much for taking them on to cultivated land. (25) +And for this reason: the fells offer facilities for hunting and for +following the quarry without interruption, while cultivated land, owing +to the number of cross roads and beaten paths, presents opportunities +for neither. Moreover, quite apart from finding a hare, it is an +excellent thing to take your dogs on to rough ground. It is there they +will become sound of foot, and in general the benefit to their physique +in working over such ground will amply repay you. (26) + + (25) Or, "pretty often, and less frequently over." + + (26) Lit. "they must be benefited in their bodies generally by working + over such ground." + +They should be taken out in summer till mid-day; in winter from sunrise +to sundown; in autumn any time except mid-day; and in spring any time +before evening. These times will hit the mean of temperature. (27) + + (27) Or, "You may count on a moderate temperature at these times." + + + +V + +The tracks of hares are long in winter owing to the length of night, and +short for the opposite reason during summer. In winter, however, their +scent does not lie in early morning, when the rime is on the ground, or +earth is frozen. (1) The fact is, hoar frost by its own inherent force +absorbs its heat, whilst black frost freezes it. (2) + + (1) Or, "when there is hoar frost or black frost" (lit. "ice"). + + (2) Or, "the ice congeals them," "encases as it were in itself the + heat," i.e. the warm scent; aliter, "causes the tracks to freeze + at the top." + +The hounds, moreover, with their noses nipped by the cold, (3) cannot +under these conditions (4) use their sense of smell, until the sun +or the mere advance of day dissolves the scent. Then the noses of the +hounds recover, and the scent of the trail begins to exhale itself +perceptibly. (5) + + (3) Reading {malkiosai}, Cobet, "N. Lect." 131. "Mnem." 3, 306; + Rutherford, "N. Phry." p. 135. = "nipped, or numb with cold." For + vulg. {malakiosai} = "whose noses are tender," see Lenz ad loc. + + (4) Lit. "when the tracks are in this case." + + (5) As it evaporates. Aliter, "is perceptible to smell as it is wafted + by the breeze to greet them." + +Heavy dews also will obliterate scent by its depressing effect; (6) and +rains occurring after long intervals, while bringing out odours from +the earth, (7) will render the soil bad for scent until it dries again. +Southerly winds will not improve scent--being moisture-laden they +disperse it; whereas northerly winds, provided the scent has not been +previously destroyed, tend to fix and preserve it. Rains will drown +and wash it away, and so will drizzle; while the moon by her heat +(8)--especially a full moon--will dull its edge; in fact the trail is +rarest--most irregular (9)--at such times, for the hares in their joy +at the light with frolic and gambol (10) literally throw themselves high +into the air and set long intervals between one footfall and another. +Or again, the trail will become confused and misleading when crossed by +that of foxes. (11) + + (6) Cf. Plut. "Q. Nat." 917 F, ap. Schneid. + + (7) Cf. Theophr. "C. Pl." xix. 5, 6; xx. 4. + + (8) Reading {to thermo}. Aristot. "Gen. An." iv. 10. Zeune cf. Plut. + "Symp." iii. 10, 657. Macrob. "Sat." vii. 16; Athen. 276 E. Al. + {to thermon}. See Lenz ad loc., "the moon, especially a full moon, + dulls the heat (or odour) of the tracks." + + (9) Cf. Poll. v. 67; ib. 66. + + (10) "Playing with one another, in the rivalry of sport." + + (11) Lit. "when foxes have gone through before." + +Spring with its tempered mildness is the season to render the scent +clear, except where possibly the soil, bursting with flowers, may +mislead the pack, by mingling the perfume of flowers with the true +scent. (12) In summer scent is thin and indistinct; the earth being +baked through and through absorbs the thinner warmth inherent in the +trail, while the dogs themselves are less keen scented at that season +through the general relaxation of their bodies. (13) In autumn scent +lies clean, all the products of the soil by that time, if cultivable, +being already garnered, or, if wild, withered away with age, so that +the odours of various fruits are no longer a disturbing cause through +blowing on to the line. (14) In winter, summer, and autumn, moreover, +as opposed to spring, the trail of a hare lies for the most part in +straight lines, but in the earlier season it is highly complicated, for +the little creatures are perpetually coupling and particularly at this +season, so that of necessity as they roam together for the purpose they +make the line intricate as described. + + (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, injure + the 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 and + stopping at times; those on the run quickly." + + (16) Lit. "Anything and everything will serve to couch under, or + above, 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. The + distinction drawn is between the form chosen by the hare for her + own comfort, and her squatting-place to escape the hounds when + hunted. + + (19) i.e. "the dogs have turned her head and made her as mad as a + March 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 to + a year old they are liable to be seized by these birds of prey + while 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 to + avoid 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 low + altitude." + + (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, these + constantly being added to by reproduction, there must needs be a + large 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 the + particular object is, it must avert its gaze to the next, and then + the 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 the + dogs"; 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, the + other 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." 1096 + C. 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 might + say. 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 keep + hold (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 the + scent." + + (8) Or, "a late start means the hounds will be robbed of a find and + the 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, referring + solely to the haye nets; the order of the words should be {ta de + diktua teineto en apedois stoikhizeto de, k.t.l.} If so, transl. + "He should stretch the hayes on level ground and fix, etc.; The + road 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 the + edges." + +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 o + kunes}. 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 his + shoulders." 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 along + by 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 jostling + against one another, and leaping over one another at a great + rate." 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 this + chapter. + + And when thou hast on foot the purblind hare, + Mark the poor wretch, to overshoot his troubles + How he outruns the wind and with what care + He cranks and crosses with a thousand doubles: + The many musets through the which he goes + Are 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 singled + With 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 well + To one sore sick that hears the passing-bell. + + Then shalt thou see the dew-bedabbled wretch + Turn, 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, the + bitches to be released from hard work, so that with the repose so + secured 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 dog + named {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, of + foxhounds 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; the + foxhound, p. 54. + + (14) See Arrian's comment and dissent, xxv. 4. + + (15) Lit. "which are at once well shaped and have the spirit for the + chase in them." + + (16) Al. "they will overstrain themselves with the hare in sight, and + break a blood-vessel." See Arrian, xxxi. 4, {regnuntai gar autais + ai 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 understand + the 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 for + game in a well-bred dog is much greater than the appetite for + food, 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 his + suffering, to be given food when hungry for it will arouse in him + affection 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 on + themselves 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 for + Uncle 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, but + this 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 any + direction 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. + + (11) Al. "to envelop the victims in the nets." + + (12) Lit. "whatever the creature is in contact with inside." + + (13) Cf. Aesch. "Prom." 87, {Poto tropo tesd' ekkulisthesei tukhes}. + + (14) Or, "if the creature is not first suffocated in the snow itself." + + (15) See Pollux, v. 50. "She must presently be tired out in the heavy + snow, which balls itself like a fatal clog clinging to the under + part of her hairy feet." + + + +IX + +For hunting fawns (1) and deer, (2) Indian dogs (3) should be employed, +as being strong, large, and fleet-footed, and not devoid of spirit; with +these points they will prove well equal to the toil. + + (1) See Hom. "Il." xxii. 189, x. 361; "Od." iv. 35; Aelian, "N. A." + xiv. 14; xvii. 26; Geopon. xix. 5. + + (2) {e elaphos} (generic, Attic) = hart or hind, of roe (Capreolus + caprea) or red (Cervus elaphus) deer alike, I suppose. See St. + John, "Nat. Hist. and Sport in Moray." + + (3) Of the Persian or Grecian greyhound type perhaps. See Aristot. "H. + A." viii. 28; Aelian, "N. A." viii. 1; Pollux, v. 37, 38, 43; + Plin. "H. N." vii. 2, viii. 28; Oppian, "Cyn." i. 413. + +Quite young fawns (4) should be captured in spring, that being the +season at which the dams calve. (5) Some one should go beforehand +into the rank meadowlands (6) and reconnoitre where the hinds are +congregated, and wherever that may be, the master of the hounds will set +off--with his hounds and a supply of javelins--before daylight to the +place in question. Here he will attach the hounds to trees (7) some +distance off, for fear of their barking, (8) when they catch sight of +the deer. That done he will choose a specular point himself and keep a +sharp look-out. (9) As day breaks he will espy the hinds leading their +fawns to the places where they will lay them severally to rest. (10) +Having made them lie down and suckled them, they will cast anxious +glances this way and that to see that no one watches them; and then they +will severally withdraw to the side opposite and mount guard, each over +her own offspring. The huntsman, who has seen it all, (11) will loose +the dogs, and with javelins in hand himself advance towards the nearest +fawn in the direction of where he saw it laid to rest; carefully noting +the lie of the land, (12) for fear of making some mistake; since the +place itself will present a very different aspect on approach from what +it looked like at a distance. + + (4) See above, v. 14. I do not know that any one has answered + Schneider's question: Quidni sensum eundem servavit homo + religiosus in hinnulis? + + (5) "The fawns (of the roe deer) are born in the spring, usually early + in May," Lydekker, "R. N. H." ii. p. 383; of the red deer + "generally in the early part of June," ib. 346. + + (6) {orgadas} = "gagnages," du Fouilloux, "Comment le veneur doit + aller en queste aux taillis ou gaignages pour voir le cerf a + veue," ap. Talbot, op. cit. i. p. 331. + + (7) Or, "off the wood." + + (8) It seems they were not trained to restrain themselves. + + (9) Or, "set himself to observe from some higher place." Cf. Aristoph. + "Wasps," 361, {nun de xun oplois} | {andres oplitai diataxamenoi} + | {kata tas diodous skopiorountai}. Philostr. 784. + + (10) See Pollux, v. 77; Aristot. "H. A." ix. 5. Mr. Scrope ap. + Lydekker, "R. N. H." ii. p. 346, states that the dam of the red + deer makes her offspring "lie down by a pressure of her nose," + etc. + + (11) Lit. "when he sees these things." + + (12) Or, "the features of the scene"; "the topography." + +When his eye has lit upon the object of his search, he will approach +quite close. The fawn will keep perfectly still, glued (13) as it were +to earth, and with loud bleats suffer itself to be picked up; unless it +happen to be drenched with rain; in which case, it will not stay quiet +in one place. No doubt, the internal moisture of the animal congeals +quickly with the cold (14) and causes it to shift its ground. Caught in +that case it must needs be; but the hounds will have work enough to run +the creature down. (15) The huntsman having seized the fawn, will hand +it to the keeper. The bleating will continue; and the hind, partly +seeing and partly hearing, will bear down full tilt upon the man who has +got her young, in her desire to rescue it. Now is the moment to urge +on the hounds and ply the javelins. And so having mastered this one, he +will proceed against the rest, and employ the same method of the chase +in dealing with them. + + (13) {piesas}, "noosling, nestling, buried." + + (14) "The blood runs cold." + + (15) Or, "but it will give them a good chase; the dogs will have their + work cut out." + +Young fawns may be captured in the way described. Those that are already +big will give more trouble, since they graze with their mothers and +the other deer, and when pursued retire in the middle of the herd or +occasionally in front, but very seldom in the rear. The deer, moreover, +in order to protect their young will do battle with the hounds and +trample them under foot; so that capture is not easy, unless you come at +once to close quarters and scatter the herd, with the result that one or +another of the fawns is isolated. The effort implies (16) a strain, and +the hounds will be left behind in the first heat of the race, since the +very absence of their dams (17) will intensify the young deer's terror, +and the speed of a fawn, that age and size, is quite incredible. (18) +But at the second or third run they will be quickly captured; since +their bodies being young and still unformed cannot hold out long against +fatigue. + + (16) Lit. "after that violent effort." + + (17) Or, "alarm at the absence of the herd will lend the creature + wings." + + (18) Or, "is past compare"; "is beyond all telling." + +Foot-gins (19) or caltrops may be set for deer on mountains, in the +neighbourhood of meadows and streams and wooded glens, on cross-roads +(20) or in tilled fields at spots which they frequent. (21) These gins +should be made of twisted yew twigs (22) stripped of the bark to prevent +their rotting. They should have well-rounded hooplike "crowns" (23) with +alternate rows of nails of wood and iron woven into the coil. (24) The +iron nails should be larger, so that while the wooden ones yield to the +foot, the others may press into it. (25) The noose of the cord which +will be laid upon "the crown" should be woven out of esparto and so +should the rope itself, this kind of grass being least liable to rot. +The rope and noose itself should both alike be stout. The log or clog of +wood attached should be made of common or of holm oak with the bark on, +three spans in length, and a palm in thickness. (26) + + (19) {podostrabai}, podostrabai so called. Cf. "the boot." + + (20) {en tais diodois}, "at points where paths issue," or "cross." + + (21) {pros o ti prosie}, "against whatever they are likely to + approach." + + (22) Or, "should be woven out of Smilax"; "Ebenholz," Lenz; "Ifs," + Gail. + + (23) {tas de stephanas euk. ekh.} "having circular rims." + + (24) {en to plokano} (al. {plokamo}) = the plaited rope, which formed + the {stephane}. See Pollux, v. 32, ap. Schneid. and Lenz. + + (25) Al. "so as to press into the foot, if the wooden ones yield." + + (26) Or, "27 inches x 3." + +To set the trap, dig a hole in the soil to a depth of fifteen inches, +(27) circular in shape, with a circumference at the top exactly +corresponding to the crown and narrowing towards the bottom. For the +rope and wooden clog likewise remove sufficient earth to let them both +be lightly buried. That done, place the foot-gin deep enough to be just +even with the surface of the soil, (28) and round the circle of the +crown the cord-noose. The cord itself and wooden clog must now be +lowered into their respective places. Which done, place on the crown +some rods of spindle-tree, (29) but not so as to stick out beyond the +outer rim; and above these again light leaves, such as the season may +provide. After this put a final coating of earth upon the leaves; in the +first place the surface soil from the holes just dug, and atop of that +some unbroken solid earth from a distance, so that the lie of the trap +may be as much as possible unnoticed by the deer. Any earth left over +should be carried to a distance from the gin. The mere smell of the +newly-turned-up soil will suffice to make the animal suspicious; (30) +and smell it readily she will. + + (27) Or, "remove a mass of soil to the depth of five palms so as to + form a circular hole corresponding in size with the rim above- + named." + + (28) Or, "like a door over the cavity, somewhat below the surface, + flatwise"; i.e. "in a horizontal position." + + (29) So literally, but really Carthamus creticus, a thistle-like plant + used for making spindles (Sprengel ap. L. & S.), the Euonymous + europaeus being our spindle-tree. Aristot. "H. A." ix. 40, 49; + Theocr. iv. 52. + + (30) Lit. "if she once sniffs the new-turned soil the deer grows shy, + and that she will quickly do." See Plat. "Laws," 933 A; "Phaedr." + 242 C; "Mem." II. i. 4. + +The hunter should take his hounds and inspect the traps upon the +mountains, early in the morning if possible, though he should do so also +during the day at other times. Those set on cultivated land must always +be inspected early, before the sun is up in fact, (31) and for this +reason: on the hills, so desert is the region, (32) the creatures may +be caught not only at night but at any time of day; while, on the +cultivated lands, owing to their chronic apprehension of mankind in +daytime, night is the only time. (33) + + (31) "Before the sun is up." + + (32) Or, "thanks to the lonesomeness of the region." + + (33) "It is night or never, owing to the dread of man which haunts the + creature's mind during daytime." + +As soon as the huntsman finds a gin uprooted he will let slip his hounds +and with cheery encouragement (34) follow along the wake of the wooden +clog, with a keen eye to the direction of its march. That for the most +part will be plain enough, since stones will be displaced, and the +furrow which the clog makes as it trails along will be conspicuous on +tilled ground; or if the deer should strike across rough ground, the +rocks will show pieces of bark torn from the clog, and the chase will +consequently be all the easier. (35) + + (34) See vi. 20; "with view-halloo." + + (35) Or, "along that track will not be difficult." + +Should the deer have been caught by one of its fore-feet it will soon +be taken, because in the act of running it will beat and batter its own +face and body; if by the hind-leg, the clog comes trailing along and +must needs impede the action of every limb. Sometimes, too, as it is +whirled along it will come in contact with the forked branches of some +tree, and then unless the animal can snap the rope in twain, she is +fairly caught; there ends the chase. But even so, if caught in this way +or overdone with fatigue, it were well not to come too close the quarry, +should it chance to be a stag, or he will lunge out with his antlers and +his feet; better therefore let fly your javelins from a distance. + +These animals may also be captured without aid of gin or caltrop, by +sheer coursing in hot summer time; they get so tired, they will stand +still to be shot down. If hard pressed they will plunge into the sea or +take to water of any sort in their perplexity, and at times will drop +down from sheer want of breath. (36) + + (36) "From mere shortness of breath." + + + +X + +To cope with the wild boar the huntsman needs to have a variety of dogs, +Indian, Cretan, Locrian, and Laconian, (1) along with a stock of nets, +javelins, boar-spears, and foot-traps. + + (1) For these breeds see Pollux, v. 37: for the Laconian, Pind. "Fr." + 73; Soph. "Aj." 8; cf. Shakesp. "Mids. N. D." iv. 1. 119, 129 + foll. + +To begin with, the hounds must be no ordinary specimens of the species +named, (2) in order to do battle with the beast in question. + + (2) Or, "these hounds of the breed named must not be any ordinary + specimens"; but what does Xenophon mean by {ek toutou tou genous}? + +The nets should be made of the same flaxen cord (3) as those for hares +above described. They should be forty-five threaded in three strands, +each strand consisting of fifteen threads. The height from the upper rim +(4) (i.e. from top to bottom) should be ten meshes, and the depth of the +nooses or pockets one elbow-length (say fifteen inches). (5) The ropes +running round the net should be half as thick again as the cords of the +net; and at the extremities (6) they should be fitted with rings, and +should be inserted (in and out) under the nooses, with the end passing +out through the rings. Fifteen nets will be sufficient. (7) + + (3) i.e. "of Phasian or Cathaginian fine flax." + + (4) {tou koruphaiou}. + + (5) {pugon}. The distance from the elbow to the first joint of the + finger = 20 {daktuloi} = 5 {palaistai} = 1 1/4 ft. + (L. & S.) + + (6) {ep akrois}. Cf. {akreleniois}. + + (7) Reading {ikanai}, vid. Lenz ad loc. and ii. 4. + +The javelins should be of all sorts, (8) having blades of a good breadth +and razor-sharpness, and stout shafts. + + (8) Al. "of various material." See Pollux, v. 20 ap. Schneid. + +The boar-spears should in the first place have blades fifteen inches +long, and in the middle of the socket two solid projecting teeth of +wrought metal, (9) and shafts of cornel-wood a spear-shaft's thickness. + + (9) Wrought of copper (or bronze). + +The foot-traps should resemble those used for deer. + +These hunts should be conducted not singly, (10) but in parties, since +the wild boar can be captured only by the collective energy of several +men, and that not easily. + + (10) Lit. "There should be a band of huntsmen"; or, "It will take the + united energies of several to capture this game." See Hom. "Il." + ix. 543, of the Calydonian boar: + +{ton d' uios Oineos apekteinen Meleagros, polleon ek polion theretoras +andras ageiras kai kunas. ou men gar k' edame pauroisi brotoisin tossos +een, pollous de pures epebes' alegeines.} + + "But him slew Meleagros the son of Oineus, having gathered + together from many cities huntsmen and hounds; for not of few men + could the boar be slain, so mighty was he; and many an one brought + he to the grievous pyre" (W. Leaf). + +I will now explain how each part of the gear is to be used in hunting. + +The company being come to some place where a boar is thought to lie, the +first step is to bring up the pack, (11) which done, they will loose a +single Laconian bitch, and keeping the rest in leash, beat about with +this one hound. (12) As soon as she has got on the boar's track, let +them follow in order, one after another, close on the tracking hound, +who gives the lead to the whole company. (13) Even to the huntsmen +themselves many a mark of the creature will be plain, such as his +footprints on soft portions of the ground, and in the thick undergrowth +of forests broken twigs; and, where there are single trees, the scars +made by his tusks. (14) As she follows up the trail the hound will, as +a general rule, finally arrive at some well-wooded spot; since, as a +general rule, the boar lies ensconced in places of the sort, that are +warm in winter and cool in summer. + + (11) {kunegesion}, "a hunting establishment, huntsmen and hounds, a + pack of hounds," L. & S. cf. Herod. i. 36; Pollux. v. 17. In + Aristot. "H. A." viii. 5. 2, of wolves in a pack; v. {monopeirai}. + {upagein}--"stealthily?" + + (12) Or, "go on a voyage of discovery." + + (13) Reading {te ikhneuouse}, or if vulg. {ikhneusei}, transl. "set + her to follow the trail, at the head of the whole train." + + (14) Schneid. cf. Aristot. "H. A." vi. 18; Plin. viii. 52; Virg. + "Georg." iii. 255, "ipse ruit, dentesque Sabellicus exacuit sus"; + Hom. "Il." xi. 416, xiii. 475; Hes. "Shield," 389; Eur. "Phoen." + 1389; Ovid, "Met." viii. 369. + +As soon as she has reached his lair she will give tongue; but the boar +will not get up, not he, in nine cases out of ten. The huntsman will +thereupon recover the hound, and tie her up also with the rest at a good +distance from the lair. (15) He will then launch his toils into the wild +boar's harbourage, (16) placing the nooses upon any forked branches +of wood to hand. Out of the net itself he must construct a deep +forward-jutting gulf or bosom, posting young shoots on this side and +that within, as stays or beams, (17) so that the rays of light may +penetrate as freely as possible through the nooses into the bosom, (18) +and the interior be as fully lit up as possible when the creature makes +his charge. The string round the top of the net must be attached to +some stout tree, and not to any mere shrub or thorn-bush, since these +light-bending branches will give way to strain on open ground. (19) +All about each net it will be well to stop with timber even places (20) +"where harbrough nis to see," so that the hulking brute may drive a +straight course (21) into the toils without tacking. + + (15) Lit. "accordingly recover the dog, and tie her up also with the + rest," etc. + + (16) {ormous}. Lit. "moorings," i.e. "favourite haunts." Cf. {dusorma} + below. Al. "stelle die Fallnetze auf die Wechsel," Lenz. + + (17) {anteridas}. See a note in the "Class. Rev." X. i. p. 7, by G. S. + Sale: "It can only mean long sticks used as stretchers or + spreaders to hold up the net between and beyond the props." Cf. + Thuc. vii. 36, 2. + + (18) Or, "within the bay of network." + + (19) {sunekhontai en tois psilois ai e}. "Denn diese werden an + unbestandenen Orten durch die Leine niedergezogen," Lenz; + {sunelkontai} conj. Schn.; {sunerkhontai} al., "concurrunt," vid. + Sturz. + + (20) {ta dusorma}, met. from "bad harbourage." Cf. Arsch. "Pers." 448; + "Ag." 194. Cf. Lat. "importunus," also of "rough ground." + + (21) Or, "make his rush." + +As soon as the nets are fixed, the party will come back and let the +hounds slip one and all; then each will snatch up his javelin (22) and +boar-spear, and advance. Some one man, the most practised hand, will +cheer on the hounds, and the rest will follow in good order at some +considerable distance from one another, so as to leave the animal a free +passage; since if he falls into the thick of them as he makes off, there +is a fair chance of being wounded, for he will certainly vent his fury +on the first creature he falls foul of. + + (22) Lit. "then they will take their javelins and boar-spears and + advance." + +As soon as the hounds are near his lair, they will make their onslaught. +The boar, bewildered by the uproar, will rise up and toss the first +hound that ventures to attack him in front. He will then run and fall +into the toils; or if not, then after him full cry. (23) Even if the +ground on which the toils environ him be sloping, he will recover +himself promptly; (24) but if level, he will at once plant himself firm +as a rock, as if deliberating with himself. (25) At that conjuncture +the hounds will press hard upon him, while their masters had best keep +a narrow eye upon the boar and let fly their javelins and a pelt of +stones, being planted in a ring behind him and a good way off, until the +instant when with a forward heave of his body he stretches the net tight +and strains the skirting-rope. Thereupon he who is most skilful of +the company and of the stoutest nerve will advance from the front and +deliver a home thrust with his hunting-spear. + + (23) Or, "a pretty chase must follow." + + (24) Or, "if within the prison of the net the ground be sloping, it + will not take long to make him spring up; he will be up again on + his legs in no time." + + (25) Or, "being concerned about himself." + +Should the animal for all that rain of javelins and stones refuse to +stretch the skirting-rope, should he rather relax (26) in that direction +and make a right-about-face turn bearing down on his assailant, there +is nothing for it, under these circumstances, but to seize a boar-spear, +and advance; firmly clutching it with the left hand forward and with +the right behind; the left is to steady it, and the right to give it +impulse; and so the feet, (27) the left advanced in correspondence with +the left arm, and right with right. As he advances, he will make a lunge +forward with the boar-spear, (27) planting his legs apart not much wider +than in wrestling, (28) and keeping his left side turned towards his +left hand; and then, with his eye fixed steadily on the beast's eye, he +will note every turn and movement of the creature's head. As he brings +down the boar-spear to the thrust, he must take good heed the animal +does not knock it out of his hands by a side movement of the head; (29) +for if so he will follow up the impetus of that rude knock. In case +of that misfortune, the huntsman must throw himself upon his face and +clutch tight hold of the brushwood under him, since if the wild boar +should attack him in that posture, owing to the upward curve of its +tusks, it cannot get under him; (30) whereas if caught erect, he must be +wounded. What will happen then is, that the beast will try to raise him +up, and failing that will stand upon and trample him. + + (26) {epanieis}. See Sturz, s.v. + + (27) Lit. "forwards the left foot will follow the left arm and the + right foot the other." + + (28) "Statum venatoris aprum venabulo excipientis pinxit + Philostratus," "Imag." i. 28, Schn. + + (29) Or, "he will step forward and take one stride not much longer + than that of a wrestler, and thrust forward his boar-spear." + + (30) Cf. Hes. "Shield," 387; Hom. "Il." xii. 148: "Then forth rushed + the twain, and fought in front of the gates like wild boars that + in the mountains abide the assailing crew of men and dogs, and + charging on either flank they crush the wood around them, cutting + it at the root, and the clatter of their tusks waxes loud, till + one smite them and take their life away" (A. Lang). + +From this extremity there is but one means of escape, and one alone, +for the luckless prisoner. One of his fellow-huntsmen must approach with +boar-spear and provoke the boar, making as though he would let fly at +him; but let fly he must not, for fear of hitting the man under him. The +boar, on seeing this, will leave the fallen man, and in rage and fury +turn to grapple his assailant. The other will seize the instant to +spring to his feet, and not forget to clutch his boar-spear as he +rises to his legs again; since rescue cannot be nobly purchased save +by victory. (31) Let him again bring the weapon to bear in the same +fashion, and make a lunge at a point within the shoulder-blade, where +lies the throat; (32) and planting his body firmly press with all his +force. (33) The boar, by dint of his might and battle rage, will still +push on, and were it not that the teeth of the lance-blade hindered, +(34) would push his way up to the holder of the boar-spear even though +the shaft run right through him. (35) + + (31) "Safety can only be won with honour by some master-stroke of + victory." + + (32) {sphage}. Aristot. "H. A." i. 14. 2. "Straight at the jugular." + + (33) Or, "throwing his whole weight on the thrust, press home with all + his force." + + (34) Or, "but for the intervention of the two projecting teeth of the + lance-blade." See the account of the passage of arms between Col. + Pollock and a boar in his "Incidents of Foreign Sport and Travel." + There the man was mounted, but alone. + + (35) Lit. "force his heavy bulk along the shaft right up to the holder + of the boar-spear." + +Nay, so tremendous is the animal's power, that a property which no one +ever would suspect belongs to him. Lay a few hairs upon the tusk of +a boar just dead, and they will shrivel up instantly, (36) so hot are +they, these tusks. Nay, while the creature is living, under fierce +excitement they will be all aglow; or else how comes it that though he +fail to gore the dogs, yet at the blow the fine hairs of their coats are +singed in flecks and patches? (37) + + (36) {euthus}, i.e. "for a few seconds after death." + + (37) The belief is still current, I am told, in parts of India. + +So much and even greater trouble may be loked for from the wild boar +before capture; I speak of the male animal. If it should be a sow that +falls into the toils, the huntsman should run up and prod her, taking +care not to be pushed off his legs and fall, in which case he cannot +escape being trampled on and bitten. Ergo, he will not voluntarily get +under those feet; but if involuntarily he should come to such a pass, +the same means (38) of helping each the other to get up again will +serve, as in the case of the male animal; and when he has regained his +legs, he must ply the boar-spear vigorously till she too has died the +death. + + (38) {dianastaseis}, "the same methods of mutual recovery." + +Wild pigs may be captured further in the following fashion: The nets +are fixed for them at the entrances of woody glens, (39) in coppices and +hollows, and on screes, where there are outlets into rank meadow-lands, +marshes, and clear pools. (40) The appointed person mounts guard at the +nets with his boar-spear, while the others work the dogs, exploring +the best and likeliest spots. As soon as the quarry is found the chase +commences. If then an animal falls into the net, the net-keeper will +grip his boar-spear and (41) advance, when he will ply it as I have +described; if he escape the net, then after him full cry. In hot, sultry +weather the boar may be run down by the hounds and captured. Though a +monster in strength, the creature becomes short of breath and will give +in from sheer exhaustion. + + (39) Al. "at the passages from woodland lakes into oak-coppices." + + (40) {udata}, "waters," lakes, pools, rivers, etc. + + (41) Or, "and proceed to tackle him." + +It is a form of sport which costs the lives of many hounds and endangers +those of the huntsmen themselves. Supposing that the animal has given in +from exhaustion at some moment in the chase, and they are forced to come +to close quarters; (42) whether he has taken to the water, or stands at +bay against some craggy bank, or does not choose to come out from some +thicket (since neither net nor anything else hinders him from bearing +down like a tornado on whoever approaches); still, even so, advance they +must, come what come may, to the attack. And now for a display of that +hardihood which first induced them to indulge a passion not fit for +carpet knights (43)--in other words, they must ply their boar-spears and +assume that poise of body (44) already described, since if one must meet +misfortune, let it not be for want of observing the best rules. (45) + + (42) Reading {prosienai} ({ta probolia}). (The last two words are + probably a gloss, and should be omitted, since {prosienai} (from + {prosiemi}) {ta probolia} = "ply," or "apply their boar-spears," + is hardly Greek.) See Schneid. "Add. et Corr." and L. Dind. ad + loc. + + (43) {ekponein}, "to exercise this passion to the full." + + (44) Lit. "assume their boar-spears and that forward attitude of + body." + + (45) Lit. "it will not be at any rate from behaving correctly." + +Foot-traps are also set for the wild boar, similar to those for deer and +in the same sort of places; the same inspections and methods of pursuit +are needed, with consequent attacks and an appeal to the boar-spear in +the end. + +Any attempt to capture the young pigs will cost the huntsman some rough +work. (46) The young are not left alone, as long as they are small; and +when the hounds have hit upon them or they get wind of something wrong, +they will disappear like magic, vanishing into the forest. As a rule, +both parents attend on their own progeny, and are not pleasant then to +meddle with, being more disposed to do battle for their young than for +themselves. + + (46) Lit. "the piglings will resent it (sc. {to aliskesthai}) + strongly"; al. "the adult (sub. {to therion}) will stand anything + rather." + + + +XI + +Lions, leopards, lynxes, panthers, bears and all other such game are to +be captured in foreign countries--about Mount Pangaeus and Cittus beyond +Macedonia; (1) or again, in Nysa beyond Syria, and upon other mountains +suited to the breeding of large game. + + (1) Of these places, Mt. Pangaeus (mod. Pirnari) (see "Hell." V. ii. + 17), Cittus (s. Cissus, mod. Khortiatzi), N. W. of the Chalcidice, + Mysian Olympus, and Pindus are well known. Nysa has not been + verified hitherto, I think. Sturz cf. Bochart, "Hieroz." Part I. + lib. iii. c. 1, p. 722. Strabo, 637 (xv. 1. 7), mentions a Mount + Nysa in India sacred to Dionysus, and cites Soph. "Frag." 782-- + +{othen kateidon ton bebakkhiomenen brotoisi kleinon Nusan... k.t.l.}, + + but it is a far cry from Xenophon's Syria to India. Possibly it is + to be sought for in the region of Mt. Amanus. + +In the mountains, owing to the difficulty of the ground, (2) some of +these animals are captured by means of poison--the drug aconite--which +the hunters throw down for them, (3) taking care to mix it with the +favourite food of the wild best, near pools and drinking-places or +wherever else they are likely to pay visits. Others of them, as they +descend into the plains at night, may be cut off by parties mounted +upon horseback and well armed, and so captured, but not without causing +considerable danger to their captors. (4) + + (2) Or, "the inaccessibility of their habitats." + + (3) "The method is for the trapper to throw it down mixed with the + food which the particular creature likes best." + + (4) For the poison method see Pollux, v. 82; Plin. "H. N." viii. 27. + +In some cases the custom is to construct large circular pits of some +depth, leaving a single pillar of earth in the centre, on the top of +which at nightfall they set a goat fast-bound, and hedge the pit about +with timber, so as to prevent the wild beasts seeing over, and without a +portal of admission. What happens then is this: the wild beasts, hearing +the bleating in the night, keep scampering round the barrier, and +finding no passage, leap over it, and are caught. (5) + + (5) See "Tales from the Fjeld," Sir George W. Dasent, "Father Bruin in + the Corner." + + + +XII + +With regard to methods of procedure in the hunting-field, enough has +been said. (1) But there are many benefits which the enthusiastic +sportsman may expect to derive from this pursuit. (2) I speak of the +health which will thereby accrue to the physical frame, the quickening +of the eye and ear, the defiance of old age, and last, but not least, +the warlike training which it ensures. To begin with, when some day he +has to tramp along rough ways under arms, the heavy infantry soldier +will not faint or flag--he will stand the toil from being long +accustomed to the same experiences in capturing wild beasts. In the next +place, men so trained will be capable of sleeping on hard couches, +and prove brave guardians of the posts assigned them. In the actual +encounter with the enemy, they will know at once how to attack and to +carry out the word of command as it passes along the lines, because it +was just so in the old hunting days that they captured the wild game. If +posted in the van of battle, they will not desert their ranks, because +endurance is engrained in them. In the rout of the enemy their footsteps +will not falter nor fail: straight as an arrow they will follow the +flying foe, on every kind of ground, through long habituation. (3) Or +if their own army encounter a reverse on wooded and precipitous ground +beset with difficulties, these will be the men to save themselves with +honour and to extricate their friends; since long acquaintance with the +business of the chase has widened their intelligence. (4) + + (1) Or, "Respecting the methods employed in different forms of the + chase, I have said my say." As to the genuineness of this and the + following chapter see L. Dind. ad loc.; K. Lincke, "Xenophon's + Dialog." {peri oikonomias}, p. 132. + + (2) Lit. "this work"; and in reference to the highly Xenophontine + argument which follows see "Hellenica Essays," p. 342; cf. + "Cyrop." I. vi. 28, 39-41. + + (3) "For the sake of 'auld lang syne.'" + + (4) Or, "will place them on the vantage-ground of experts." + +Nay, even under the worst of circumstances, when a whole mob of +fellow-combatants (5) has been put to flight, how often ere now has +a handful (6) of such men, by virtue of their bodily health (7) and +courage, caught the victorious enemy roaming blindly in some intricacy +of ground, renewed the fight, and routed him. Since so it must ever be; +to those whose souls and bodies are in happy case success is near at +hand. (8) + + (5) Or, "allies." + + (6) Or, "a forlorn hope." + + (7) {euexia}, al. {eutaxia}, "by good discipline." + + (8) "Fortune favours the brave," reading {to eutukhesai} (L. D.); or + if {tou eutukhesai}, (vulg.) "those whose health of soul and body + is established are ipso facto nigh unto good fortune." + +It was through knowledge that they owed success against their foes to +such a training, that our own forefathers paid so careful a heed to +the young. (9) Though they had but a scant supply of fruits, it was an +immemorial custom "not to hinder (10) the hunter from hunting any of +earth's offspring"; and in addition, "not to hunt by night (11) within +many furlongs of the city," in order that the adepts in that art might +not rob the young lads of their game. They saw plainly that among the +many pleasures to which youth is prone, this one alone is productive of +the greatest blessings. In other words, it tends to make them sound of +soul and upright, being trained in the real world of actual things (12) +(and, as was said before, our ancestors could not but perceive they owed +their success in war to such instrumentality (13)); and the chase alone +deprives them of none of the other fair and noble pursuits that they may +choose to cultivate, as do those other evil pleasures, which ought never +to be learned. Of such stuff are good soldiers and good generals made. +(14) Naturally, those from whose souls and bodies the sweat of toil +has washed all base and wanton thoughts, who have implanted in them a +passion for manly virtue--these, I say, are the true nobles. (15) Not +theirs will it be to allow their city or its sacred soil to suffer +wrong. + + (9) Al. "looked upon the chase as a pursuit incumbent on the young." + + (10) {me koluein (dia) to meden ton epi te ge phuomenon agreuein}. The + commentators generally omit {dia}, in which case translate as in + text. Lenz reads {un koluein dia meden} (see his note ad v. 34), + and translates (p. 61), "Dass man die Jager nicht hindern solle, + in allem was die Erde hervorbrachte zu jagen," "not to hinder the + huntsmen from ranging over any of the crops which spring from + earth"; (but if so, we should expect {dia medenos}). Sturz, s.v. + {agreuein}, notes "festive," "because the hunter does not hunt + vegetable products." So Gail, "parce que le chasseur rien veut pas + aux productions de la terre." + + (11) Or, "set their face against night-hunting," cf. "Mem." IV. vii. + 4; Plat. "Soph." 220 D; "Stranger: There is one mode of striking + which is done at night, and by the light of a fire, and is called + by the hunters themselves firing, or spearing by firelight" + (Jowett); for which see Scott, "Guy Mannering," ch. x. It seems + "night hunting was not to be practised within a certain + considerable radius, whereby the proficients in that art might + deprive it (lit. in order that they might not deprive) them (the + young huntsmen) of their game." + + (12) Lit. "in truth and reality (not among visionary phantoms)." + + (13) These words are commonly regarded as an addition; and what does + {te} signify? + + (14) Or, "Here you have the making of brave soldiers and generals. + Here in embryo are to be found your future soldiers and generals + worthy the name." + + (15) {outoi aristoi}: these are prima virorum, the true aristocrats. + +Some people tell us it is not right to indulge a taste for hunting, +lest it lead to neglect of home concerns, not knowing that those who are +benefactors of their country and their friends are in proportion all the +more devoted to domestic duties. If lovers of the chase pre-eminently +fit themselves to be useful to the fatherland, that is as much as to say +they will not squander their private means; since with the state itself +the domestic fortunes of each are saved or lost. The real fact is, these +men are saviours, not of their own fortunes only, but of the private +fortunes of the rest, of yours and mine. Yet there are not a few +irrational people amongst these cavillers who, out of jealousy, would +rather perish, thanks to their own baseness, than owe their lives to the +virtue of their neighbours. So true is it that the mass of pleasures are +but evil, (16) to which men succumb, and thereby are incited to adopt +the worse cause in speech and course in action. (17) And with what +result?--from vain and empty arguments they contract emnities, and reap +the fruit of evil deeds, diseases, losses, death--to the undoing of +themselves, their children, and their friends. (18) Having their senses +dulled to things evil, while more than commonly alive to pleasures, how +shall these be turned to good account for the salvation of the state? +Yet from these evils every one will easily hold aloof, if once enamoured +of those joys whose brief I hold, since a chivalrous education teaches +obedience to laws, and renders justice familiar to tongue and ear. (19) + + (16) See "Hellenica Essays," p. 371. + + (17) "To depravity of speech and conduct" (whether as advocates or + performers). See Aristoph. "Clouds." + + (18) Or, "bring down on themselves, their children, and their friends + a spring of misfortunes in the shape of diseases, losses, or even + death." + + (19) "For what does a chivalrous education teach save to obey the law, + and to make the theme of justice familiar to tongue and ear?" + +In the one camp are those who, subjecting themselves ever to new toil +and fresh instruction, have, at the cost of lessons and exercises +painful to themselves, obtained to their several states salvation; +and in the other are those who for the very irksomeness of the process +choose not to be taught, but rather to pass away their days in pleasures +unseasonable--nature's abjects these. (20) Not theirs is it to obey +either laws or good instruction; (21) nay, how should they, who never +toil, discover what a good man ought to be?--in other words, wisdom and +justice are alike beyond their power. Subject to indiscipline, they have +many a fault to find with him who is well educated. + + (20) Lit. "the sorriest of mankind these by nature." + + (21) Or, "virtuous argument"; {logois agathois}, lit. "good words." + +Through the instrumentality of such as these nothing can go well; +whereas every blessing which mankind enjoys has been discovered by the +efforts of the nobler sort. Nobler, I say, are those who choose to toil. +(22) + + (22) Or, "of choice spirits; and who are the choice spirits?--Clearly + those who choose to toil." + +And this has been proved conclusively by a notable example. If we look +back to the men of old who sat at the feet of Cheiron--whose names I +mentioned--we see that it was by dedicating the years of their youth to +the chase (23) that they learnt all their noble lore; and therefrom they +attained to great renown, and are admired even to this day for their +virtue--virtue who numbers all men as her lovers, as is very plain. Only +because of the pains it costs to win her the greater number fall away; +for the achievement of her is hid in obscurity; while the pains that +cleave to her are manifest. Perchance, if only she were endowed with a +visible bodily frame, men would less have neglected her, knowing that +even as she is visible to them, so they also are not hid from her eyes. +For is it not so that when a man moves in the presence of him whom he +dearly loves, (24) he rises to a height above himself, being incapable +of aught base or foul in word or deed in sight of him? (25) But fondly +dreaming that the eye of virtue is closed to them, they are guilty of +many a base thing and foul before her very face, who is hidden +from their eyes. Yet she is present everywhere, being dowered with +immortality; and those who are perfect in goodness (26) she honours, but +the wicked she thrusts aside from honour. If only men could know that +she regards them, how eagerly would they rush to the embrace of toilful +training and tribulation, (27) by which alone she is hardly taken; and +so should they gain the mastery over her, and she should be laid captive +at their feet. + + (23) Or, "that they made their first essay in hunting when mere boys, + and from hunting upwards were taught many noble arts." + + (24) Lit. "is beheld by his beloved." Cf. "Symp." iv. 4; viii. 31. + + (25) Lit. "in order not to be seen of him." + + (26) Lit. "good with respect to her." + + (27) Or, "to those toils and that training." + + + +XIII + +Now what astonishes me in the "sophists," as they are called, (1) is, +that though they profess, the greater part of them, to lead the young to +virtue, they really lead them in the opposite direction. Never have we +set eyes on the man anywhere who owed his goodness to the sophists of +to-day. (2) Nor do their writings contain anything (3) calculated to +make men good, but they have written volumes on vain and frivolous +subjects, in which the young may find pleasures that pall, but the +essence of virtue is not in them. The result of this literature is to +inflict unnecessary waste of time on those who look to learn something +from it all and look in vain, cutting them off from wholesome +occupations and even teaching what is bad. I cannot then but blame them +for certain large offences (4) more than lightly; but as regards the +subject matter of their writings my charge is, that while full of +far-fetched phraseology, (5) of solid wholesome sentiments, by which +the young might be trained to virtue, I see not a vestige. Speaking as a +plain man, I know that to be taught what is good by one's own nature is +best of all, (6) and next best to learn of those who really do know some +good thing rather than of those who have an art to deceive. It may +well be that I fail to express myself in subtle language, (7) nor do +I pretend to aim at subtlety; what I do aim at is to express +rightly-conceived thoughts such as may serve the need of those who have +been nobly disciplined in virtue; for it is not words and names that +give instruction, but thoughts and sentiments worthy the name. + + (1) Cf. Isocr. "Against the Sophists"; "Antidosis"; "Hel. Encom."; + Plat. "Sophist." + + (2) Who are these {oi nun sophistai}? + + (3) Lit. "do they present writings to the world." + + (4) Or, "as to certain weightier matters gravely." + + (5) {remata} = "words and phrases"; {ynomai} = "moral maxims, just + thoughts." + + (6) "Being myself but a private individual and a plain man." According + to Hartman, "A. X. N." p. 350, "ridicule detorquet Hesiodeum": + +{outos men panaristos os auto panta noese esthlos d' au kakeinos os eu +eiponti pithetai}. + + (7) Al. "in true sophistic style." The writer seems to say: "I lack + subtlety of expression (nor is that at all my object); what I do + aim at is to trace with some exactness, to present with the + lucidity appropriate to them, certain thoughts demanded by persons + well educated in the school of virtue." + +Nor am I singular in thus reproaching the modern type of sophist (not +the true philosopher, be it understood); it is a general reproach that +the wisdom he professes consists in word-subtleties, not in ideas. (8) +Certainly it does not escape my notice that an orderly sequence of ideas +adds beauty to the composition: (9) I mean it will be easy to find fault +with what is written incorrectly. (10) Nevertheless, I warrant it is +written in this fashion with an eye to rectitude, to make the reader +wise and good, not more sophistical. For I would wish my writings not to +seem but rather to be useful. I would have them stand the test of ages +in their blamelessness. (11) + + (8) {onomasi}, "in names"; {noemasi}, "thoughts and ideas." + + (9) Or, "I am alive to the advantage to be got from methodic, orderly + expression artistically and morally." + + (10) This passage, since H. Estienne (Stephanus) first wrote against + it "huic loco meae conjecturae succumbunt," has been a puzzle to + all commentators. The words run: {ou lanthanei de me oti kalos kai + exes gegraphthai} ({gegraptai} in the margin of one MS.) {radion + gar estai autois takhu me orthos mempsasthai' kaitoi gegraptai ge + outos k.t.l.} For {takhu me orthos} (1) {takhu ti me orthos}, (2) + {to} (or {ta}) {me orthos}, have been suggested. It is not clear + whether {autois} = {tois sophistais} (e.g. "it will be easy for + these people to lay a finger at once on blots, however unfairly"), + or = {tois suggrammasi} (sc. my(?) compositions; so {auta}, S. 7 + below, {ou gar dokein auta boulomai k.t.l.}) (e.g. "since it will + be easy offhand to find fault with them incorrectly") (or if {ta + me orthos}, "what is incorrect in them"). I append the three + translations of Gail, Lenz, and Talbot. "Je sais combien il est + avantageux de presenter des ouvrages methodiquement ecrits; aussi + par le meme sera-t-il plus facile de prouver aux sophistes leur + futilite!" {radion gar estai} (sub. {emoi}) {mempsasthai outois + takhu (to) me} (sous-entendu) {gegraphthai orthos} (Gail). "Zwar + entgeht mir nicht, dass es schon say die Worte kunstvoll zu + ordnen, denn leichter wird ihnen sonst, schnell, aber mit Unrecht + zu tadeln" (Lenz). "Aussi leur sera-t-il facile de me reprocher + d'ecrire vite et sans ordre" (Talbot). As if {takhu me orthos} + were the reproachful comment of the sophist on the author's + treatise. + + (11) i.e. "the arguments to be blameless at once and irrefutable for + all time." + +That is my point of view. The sophist has quite another--words with him +are for the sake of deception, writing for personal gain; to benefit any +other living soul at all is quite beside his mark. There never was +nor is there now a sage among them to whom the title "wise" could be +applied. No! the appellation "sophist" suffices for each and all, which +among men of common sense (12) sounds like a stigma. My advice then is +to mistrust the sonorous catch-words (13) of the sophist, and not +to despise the reasoned conclusions (14) of the philosopher; for the +sophist is a hunter after the rich and young, the philosopher is the +common friend of all; he neither honours nor despises the fortunes of +men. + + (12) L. Dind. cf. Eur. "Heracl." 370, {tou tauta kalos an eie} | {para + g' eu phronousin}. + + (13) {paraggelmata}. Cf. Aesch. "Ag." 480, "telegraph"; Lys. 121. 32; + Dem. 569. 1; "words of command"; Dion. H. "De Comp." 248, + "instructions, precepts." + + (14) {enthumemata}. + +Nor would I have you envy or imitate those either who recklessly pursue +the path of self-aggrandisement, (15) whether in private or in public +life; but consider well (16) that the best of men, (17) the true +nobility, are discovered by their virtues; (18) they are a laborious +upwards-striving race; whilst the base are in evil plight (19) and are +discovered by their demerits. (20) Since in proportion as they rob the +private citizen of his means and despoil the state (21) they are less +serviceable with a view to the public safety than any private citizen; +(22) and what can be worse or more disgraceful for purposes of war than +the bodily form of people so incapable of toil? (23) Think of huntsmen +by contrast, surrendering to the common weal person and property alike +in perfect condition for service of the citizens. They have both a +battle to wage certainly: only the one set are for attacking beasts; and +the other their own friends. (24) And naturally the assailant of his +own friends does not win the general esteem; (25) whilst the huntsman in +attacking a wild beast may win renown. If successful in his capture, he +was won a victory over a hostile brood; or failing, in the first place, +it is a feather in his cap that his attempt is made against enemies of +the whole community; and secondly, that it is not to the detriment of +man nor for love of gain that the field is taken; and thirdly, as the +outcome of the very attempt, the hunter is improved in many respects, +and all the wiser: by what means we will explain. Were it not for +the very excess of his pains, his well-reasoned devices, his manifold +precautions, he would never capture the quarry at all; since the +antagonists he deals with are doing battle for bare life and in their +native haunts, (26) and are consequently in great force. So that if he +fails to overmatch the beasts by a zest for toil transcending theirs and +plentiful intelligence, the huntsman's labours are in vain. + + (15) Or, "surrender themselves heedlessly to the ways of self- + seeking." But the phraseology here seems to savour of extreme + youth, or else senility. + + (16) {enthumethenta}. Query, in reference to {enthumemata} above? + + (17) Reading {andron}. For the vulg. {auton} see Schneid. ad loc., who + suggests {ton aston}. + + (18) "Recognisable for the better." + + (19) "They are not famous but infamous"; "the bad fare as their name + suggests" (i.e. badly). + + (20) "Recognisable for the worse." + + (21) Or, "what with private extortionsand public peculation." + + (22) {ton idioton}, "laymen," I suppose, as opposed to "professional" + lawyers or politicians. + + (23) "What with their incapacity for hard work, their physique for + purposes of war is a mockery and a sham." + + (24) Cf. Plat. "Soph." + + (25) Or, "earns but an evil reputation in the world." + + (26) "They are being bearded in their dens." + +I go back to my proposition then. Those self-seeking politicians, who +want to feather their own nests, (27) practise to win victories over +their own side, but the sportsman confines himself to the common enemy. +This training of theirs renders the one set more able to cope with the +foreign foe, the others far less able. The hunting of the one is carried +on with self-restraint, of the others with effrontery. The one can look +down with contempt upon maliciousness and sordid love of gain, the other +cannot. The very speech and intonation of the one has melody, of the +other harshness. And with regard to things divine, the one set know no +obstacle to their impiety, the others are of all men the most pious. +Indeed ancient tales affirm (28) that the very gods themselves take +joy in this work (29) as actors and spectators. So that, (30) with due +reflection on these things, the young who act upon my admonitions will +be found, perchance, beloved of heaven and reverent of soul, checked by +the thought that some one of the gods is eyeing their performance. (31) + + (27) Or, "Those people who would fain have the lion's share in the + state." + + (28) Or, "an ancient story obtains." + + (29) Sc. "of the chase." + + (30) Or {uparkhein} = "it may be considered as given." Scheid. cf. + "Pol. Ath." iii. 9, {oste uparkhein demokratian einai}. + + (31) Lit. "that the things in question are beheld by some divinity." + +These are the youths who will prove a blessing to their parents, and not +to their parents only but to the whole state; to every citizen alike and +individual friend. + +Nay, what has sex to do with it? It is not only men enamoured of the +chase that have become heroes, but among women there are also to whom +our lady Artemis has granted a like boon--Atalanta, and Procris, and +many another huntress fair. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sportsman, by Xenophon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPORTSMAN *** + +***** This file should be named 1180.txt or 1180.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/8/1180/ + +Produced by John Bickers + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Dakyns +#12 in our series of Xenophon translations by Dakyns + + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the copyright laws for your country before posting these files!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. Do not remove this. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of Volunteers and Donations* + +Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get Etexts, and +further information is included below. We need your donations. + + +The Sportsman + +by Xenophon + +Translation by H. G. 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Sparta gave him land +and property in Scillus, where he lived for many +years before having to move once more, to settle +in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C. + +The Sportsman is a manual on hunting hares, deer +and wild boar, including the topics of dogs, and +the benefits of hunting for the young. + + + + +PREPARER'S NOTE + +This was typed from Dakyns' series, "The Works of Xenophon," a +four-volume set. The complete list of Xenophon's works (though +there is doubt about some of these) is: + +Work Number of books + +The Anabasis 7 +The Hellenica 7 +The Cyropaedia 8 +The Memorabilia 4 +The Symposium 1 +The Economist 1 +On Horsemanship 1 +The Sportsman 1 +The Cavalry General 1 +The Apology 1 +On Revenues 1 +The Hiero 1 +The Agesilaus 1 +The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians 2 + +Text in brackets "{}" is my transliteration of Greek text into +English using an Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. The +diacritical marks have been lost. + + + + +ON HUNTING +A Sportsman's Manual + +Commonly Called + +CYNEGETICUS + + + +I + +To the gods themselves is due the discovery, to Apollo and Artemis, +patrons of the chase and protectors of the hound.[1] As a guerdon they +bestowed it upon Cheiron,[2] by reason of his uprightness, and he took +it and was glad, and turned the gift to good account. At his feet sat +many a disciple, to whom he taught the mystery of hunting and of +chivalry[3]--to wit, Cephalus, Asclepius, Melanion, Nestor, +Amphiaraus, Peleus, Telamon, Meleager, Theseus and Hippolytus, +Palamedes, Odysseus, Menestheus, Diomed, Castor and Polydeuces, +Machaon and Podaleirius, Antilochus, Aeneas and Achilles: of whom each +in his turn was honoured by the gods. And let none marvel that of +these the greater part, albeit well-pleasing to the gods, nevertheless +were subject to death--which is the way of nature,[4] but their fame +has grown--nor yet that their prime of manhood so far differed. The +lifetime of Cheiron sufficed for all his scholars; the fact being that +Zeus and Cheiron were brethren, sons of the same father but of +different mothers--Zeus of Rhea, and Cheiron of the nymph Nais;[5] and +so it is that, though older than all of them, he died not before he +had taught the youngest--to wit, the boy Achilles.[6] + +[1] Or, "This thing is the invention of no mortal man, but of Apollo + and Artemis, to whom belong hunting and dogs." For the style of + exordium L. Dind. cf (Ps.) Dion. "Art. rhet." ad in.; Galen, + "Isagog." ad in.; Alex. Aphrodis. "Probl." 2 proem. + +[2] The wisest and "justest of all the centaurs," Hom. "Il." xi. 831. + See Kingsley, "The Heroes," p. 84. + +[3] Or, "the discipline of the hunting field and other noble lore." + +[4] Lit. "since that is nature, but the praise of them grew greatly." + +[5] According to others, Philyra. Pind. "Pyth." iii. 1, {ethelon + Kheirona ke Philuridan}; cf. "Pyth." vi. 22; "Nem." iii. 43. + +[6] See Paus. iii. 18. 12. + +Thanks to the careful heed they paid to dogs and things pertaining to +the chase, thanks also to the other training of their boyhood, all +these greatly excelled, and on the score of virtue were admired. + +If Cephalus was caught into the arms of one that was a goddess,[7] +Asclepius[8] obtained yet greater honour. To him it was given to raise +the dead and to heal the sick, whereby,[9] even as a god among mortal +men, he has obtained to himself imperishable glory. Melanion[10] so +far excelled in zest for toil that he alone of all that flower of +chivalry who were his rivals[11] obtained the prize of noblest wedlock +with Atalanta; while as to Nestor, what need to repeat the well-known +tale? so far and wide for many a day has the fame of his virtue +penetrated the ears of Hellas.[12] + +[7] Hemera (al. Eos). For the rape of Cephalus see Hes. "Theog." 986; + Eur. "Ion," 269; Paus. i. 3. 1; iii. 18. 7. + +[8] Lat. Aesculapius. Father of Podaleirius and Machaon, "the noble + leech," "Il." ii. 731, iv. 194, 219, xi. 518; "Od." iv. 232. + +[9] Cf. "Anab." I. ii. 8; Lincke, "z. Xen. Krit." p. 299. + +[10] Melanion, s. Meilanion, Paus. iii. 12. 9; v. 17. 10; v. 19. 1. + +[11] "Which were his rival suitors." As to Atalanta see Paus. viii. + 45. 2; iii. 24. 2; v. 19. 2; Grote, "H. G." i. 199 foll. + +[12] Lit. "the virtue of Nestor has so far penetrated the ears of + Hellas that I should speak to those who know." See Hom. "Il." i. + 247, and passim. + +Amphiaraus,[13] what time he served as a warrior against Thebes, won +for himself the highest praise; and from heaven obtained the honour of +a deathless life.[14] + +[13] Amphiaraus. Pind. "Nem." ix. 13-27; "Olymp." vi. 11-16; Herod. i. + 52; Paus. ix. 8. 2; 18. 2-4; ii. 23.2; i. 34; Liv. xlv. 27; Cic. + "de Div." i. 40. See Aesch. "Sept. c. Th." 392; Eur. "Phoen." 1122 + foll.; Apollod. iii. 6; Strab. ix. 399, 404. + +[14] Lit. "to be honoured ever living." + +Peleus kindled in the gods desire to give him Thetis, and to hymn +their nuptials at the board of Cheiron.[15] + +[15] For the marriage of Peleus and Thetis see Hom. "Il." xxiv. 61; + cf. Pope's rendering: + +To grace those nuptials from the bright abode +Yourselves were present; when this minstrel god +(Well pleased to share the feast) amid the quire +Stood proud to hymn, and tune his youthful lyre +("Homer's Il." xxiv.) + + Prof. Robinson Ellis ("Comment on Catull." lxiv.) cites numerous + passages: Eur. "I. in T." 701 foll., 1036 foll.; Pind. "Isthm." v. + 24; "Pyth." iii. 87-96; Isocr. "Evag." 192. 6; Apoll. Rh. iv. 791; + "Il." xxiv. 61; Hes. "Theog." 1006, and "Epithal." (ap. Tsetz, + "Prol. ad Lycophr.): + +{tris makar Aiakide kai tetrakis olbie Peleu +os toisd' en megarois ieron lekhos eisanabaineis}. + +The mighty Telamon[16] won from the greatest of all states and wedded +her whom he desired, Periboea the daughter of Alcathus;[17] and when +the first of Hellenes,[18] Heracles[19] the son of Zeus, distributed +rewards of valour after taking Troy, to Telamon he gave Hesione.[20] + +[16] See "Il." viii. 283l Paus. i. 42. 1-4. + +[17] Or Alcathous, who rebuilt the walls of Megara by Apollo's aid. + Ov. "Met." viii. 15 foll. + +[18] Reading {o protos}; or if with L. D. {tois protois}, "what time + Heracles was distributing to the heroes of Hellas (lit. the first + of the Hellenes) prizes of valour, to Telamon he gave." + +[19] See Hom. "Il." v. 640; Strab. xiii. 595. + +[20] See Diod. iv. 32; i. 42. + +Of Meleager[21] be it said, whereas the honours which he won are +manifest, the misfortunes on which he fell, when his father[22] in old +age forgot the goddess, were not of his own causing.[23] + +[21] For the legend of Meleager see "Il." ix. 524-599, dramatised by + both Sophocles and Euripides, and in our day by Swinburne, + "Atalanta in Calydon." Cf. Paus. iii. 8. 9; viii. 54. 4; Ov. + "Met." viii. 300; Grote, "H. G." i. 195. + +[22] i.e. Oeneus. "Il." ix. 535. + +[23] Or, "may not be laid to his charge." + +Theseus[24] single-handed destroyed the enemies of collective Hellas; +and in that he greatly enlarged the boundaries of his fatherland, is +still to-day the wonder of mankind.[25] + +[24] See "Mem." II. i. 14; III. v. 10; cf. Isocr. "Phil." 111; Plut. + "Thes." x. foll.; Diod. iv. 59; Ov. "Met." vii. 433. + +[25] Or, "is held in admiration still to-day." See Thuc. ii. 15; + Strab. ix. 397. + +Hippolytus[26] was honoured by our lady Artemis and with her +conversed,[27] and in his latter end, by reason of his sobriety and +holiness, was reckoned among the blest. + +[26] See the play of Euripides. Paus. i. 22; Diod. iv. 62. + +[27] Al. "lived on the lips of men." But cf. Eur. "Hipp." 85, {soi kai + xeneimi kai logois s' ameibomai}. See Frazer, "Golden Bough," i. + 6, for the Hippolytus-Virbius myth. + +Palamedes[28] all his days on earth far outshone those of his own +times in wisdom, and when slain unjustly, won from heaven a vengeance +such as no other mortal man may boast of.[29] Yet died he not at their +hands[30] whom some suppose; else how could the one of them have been +accounted all but best, and the other a compeer of the good? No, not +they, but base men wrought that deed. + +[28] As to Palamedes, son of Nauplius, his genius and treacherous + death, see Grote, "H. G." i. 400; "Mem." IV. ii. 33; "Apol." 26; + Plat. "Apol." 41; "Rep." vii. 522; Eur. fr. "Palam."; Ov. "Met." + xiii. 56; Paus. x. 31. 1; ii. 20. 3. + +[29] For the vengeance see Schol. ad Eur. "Orest." 422; Philostr. + "Her." x. Cf. Strab. viii. 6. 2 (368); Leake, "Morea," ii. 358; + Baedeker, "Greece," 245. + +[30] i.e. Odysseus and Diomed. (S. 11, I confess, strikes me as + somewhat in Xenophon's manner.) See "Mem." IV. ii. 33; "Apol." 26. + +Menestheus,[31] through diligence and patient care, the outcome of the +chase, so far overshot all men in love of toil that even the chiefs of +Hellas must confess themselves inferior in the concerns of war save +Nestor only; and Nestor, it is said,[32] excelled not but alone might +rival him. + +[31] For Menestheus, who led the Athenians against Troy, cf. Hom. + "Il." ii. 552; iv. 327; Philostr. "Her." ii. 16; Paus. ii. 25. 6; + i. 17. 6; Plut. "Thes." 32, 35. + +[32] Or, "so runs the tale," e.g. in "The Catalogue." See "Il." ii. + l.c.: {Nestor oios erizen}, "Only Nestor rivalled him, for he was + the elder by birth" (W. Leaf). + +Odysseus and Diomedes[33] were brilliant for many a single deed of +arms, and mainly to these two was due the taking of Troy town.[34] + +[33] The two heroes are frequently coupled in Homer, e.g. "Il." v. + 519; x. 241, etc. + +[34] Or, "were brilliant in single points, and broadly speaking were + the cause that Troy was taken." See Hygin. "Fab." 108; Virg. + "Aen." ii. 163. + +Castor and Polydeuces,[35] by reason of their glorious display of arts +obtained from Cheiron, and for the high honour and prestige therefrom +derived, are now immortal. + +[35] Castor, Polydeuces, s. Pollux--the great twin brethren. See + Grote, "H. G." i. 232 foll. + +Machaon and Podaleirius[36] were trained in this same lore, and proved +themselves adepts in works of skill, in argument and feats of +arms.[37] + +[36] As to the two sons of Asclepius, Machaon and Podaleirius, the + leaders of the Achaeans, see "Il." ii. 728; Schol. ad Pind. + "Pyth." iii. 14; Paus. iii. 26; iv. 3; Strab. vi. 4 (284); Diod. + iv. 71. 4; Grote, "H. G." i. 248. + +[37] Or, "in crafts, in reasonings, and in deeds of war." + +Antilochus,[38] in that he died for his father, obtained so great a +glory that, in the judgment of Hellas, to him alone belongs the title +"philopator," "who loved his father."[39] + +[38] Antilochus, son of Nestor, slain by Memnon. "Od." iv. 186 foll.; + Pind. "Pyth." vi. 28; Philostr. "Her." iv.; "Icon." ii. 281. + +[39] Lit. "to be alone proclaimed Philopator among the Hellenes." Cf. + Plat. "Laws," 730 D, "He shall be proclaimed the great and perfect + citizen, and bear away the palm of virtue"; and for the epithet + see Eur. "Or." 1605; "I. A." 68. + +Aeneas[40] saved the ancestral gods--his father's and his +mother's;[41] yea, and his own father also, whereby he bore off a +reputation for piety so great that to him alone among all on whom they +laid their conquering hand in Troy even the enemy granted not to be +despoiled. + +[40] As to Aeneas see Poseidon's speech, "Il." xx. 293 foll.; Grote, + "H. G." i. 413, 427 foll. + +[41] Cf. "Hell." II. iv. 21. + +Achilles,[42] lastly, being nursed in this same training, bequeathed +to after-days memorials so fair, so ample, that to speak or hear +concerning him no man wearies. + +[42] "The highest form that floated before Greek imagination was + Achilles," Hegel, "Lectures on the Philosophy of History" (Eng. + tr. p. 233); and for a beautiful elaboration of that idea, J. A. + Symonds, "Greek Poets," 2nd series, ch. ii. + +Such, by dint of that paintstaking care derived from Cheiron, these +all proved themselves; of whom all good men yet still to-day are +lovers and all base men envious. So much so that if throughout the +length and breadth of Hellas misfortunes at any time befell city or +king, it was they who loosed the knot of them;[43] or if all Hellas +found herself confronted with the hosts of the Barbarians in strife +and battle, once again it was these who nerved the arms of Hellenes to +victory and rendered Hellas unconquered and unconquerable. + +[43] Reading {eluonto autous}, or if as L. D., {di autous}, transl. + "thanks to them, they were loosed." + +For my part, then, my advice to the young is, do not despise hunting +or the other training of your boyhood, if you desire to grow up to be +good men, good not only in war but in all else of which the issue is +perfection in thought, word, and deed. + + + +II + +The first efforts of a youth emerging from boyhood should be directed +to the institution of the chase, after which he should come to the +rest of education, provided he have the means and with an eye to the +same; if his means be ample, in a style worthy of the profit to be +derived; or, if they be scant, let him at any rate contribute +enthusiasm, in nothing falling short of the power he possesses. + +What are the aids and implements of divers sorts with which he who +would enter on this field must equip himself? These and the theory of +each in particular I will now explain. With a view to success in the +work, forewarned is forearmed. Nor let such details be looked upon as +insignificant. Without them there will be an end to practical +results.[1] + +[1] Or, "The question suggests itself--how many instruments and of + what sort are required by any one wishing to enter this field? A + list of these I propose to give, not omitting the theoretical side + of the matter in each case, so that whoever lays his hand to this + work may have some knowledge to go upon. It would be a mistake to + regard these details as trivial. In fact, without them the + undertaking might as well be let alone." + +The net-keeper should be a man with a real passion for the work, and +in tongue a Hellene, about twenty years of age, of wiry build, agile +at once and strong, with pluck enough to overcome the toils imposed on +him,[2] and to take pleasure in the work. + +[2] {toutous}, "by this, that, or the other good quality." + +The ordinary small nets should be made of fine Phasian or +Carthaginian[3] flax, and so too should the road nets and the larger +hayes.[4] These small nets should be nine-threaded [made of three +strandes, and each strand of three threads],[5] five spans[6] in +depth,[7] and two palms[8] at the nooses or pockets.[9] There should +be no knots in the cords that run round, which should be so inserted +as to run quite smoothly.[10] The road net should be twelve-threaded, +and the larger net (or haye) sixteen. They may be of different sizes, +the former varying from twelve to twenty-four or thirty feet, the +latter from sixty to one hundred and twenty or one hundred and eighty +feet.[11] If larger they will be unwieldy and hard to manage. Both +should be thirty-knotted, and the interval of the nooses the same as +in the ordinary small nets. At the elbow ends[12] the road net should +be furnished with nipples[13] (or eyes), and the larger sort (the +haye) with rings, and both alike with a running line of twisted cord. +The pronged stakes[14] for the small nets should be ten palms +high,[15] as a rule, but there should be some shorter ones besides; +those of unequal length will be convenient to equalise the height on +uneven ground, and those of equal length on level. They should be +sharp-tipped so as to draw out easily[16] and smooth throughout. Those +for the road nets should be twice the height,[17] and those for the +big (haye) nets five spans long,[18] with small forks, the notches not +deep; they should be stout and solid, of a thickness proportionate to +their length. The number of props needed for the nets will vary--many +or few, according to circumstances; a less number if the tension on +the net be great, and a larger number when the nets are slack.[19] + +[3] Phasian or Carchedonian. Cf. Pollux, v. 26. + +[4] {arkus, enodia, diktua}. + +[5] [L. Dind. brackets.] See Pollux, v. 27, ap. Schn. + +[6] {spithame}, a span (dodrans) = 7 1/2 inches. Herod. ii. 106; + {trispithamos}, Hes. "Op." 424; Plat. "Alc." i. 126 C; Aristot. + "H. A." viii. 28. 5; Polyb. v. 3-6. + +[7] {to megethos}. + +[8] Or, "eight fingers' breadth +" = 6 inches +. {palaiste} or + {palaste}, a palm or four fingers' breadth = 3 inches +. + +[9] {tous brokhous}, a purse or tunnel arrangement with slip loop. + +[10] Reading {upheisthosan de oi peridromoi anammatoi}. Lit. "the + cords that run round should be inserted without knots." See + Pollux, v. 28 foll. + +[11] Lit. "2, 4, 5 fathoms; 10, 20, 30 fathoms." + +[12] {akroleniois}, elbows, Pollux, v. 29; al. {akroliniois}, L. & S., + "on the edges or borders." + +[13] {mastous}, al. "tufts." + +[14] {skhalides}, forks or net props. Cf. Pollux, v. 19. 31. + +[15] i.e. 30 + inches = 2 1/2 + ft., say 36 inches = 3 ft. + +[16] {euperispastoi ta akra}, al. "they should be made so that the + nets can be fitted on and off easily, with sharp points"; or "off + the points easily." + +[17] {siplasiai}, i.e. 20 palms = 60 + inches, say 72, or 6 ft. + +[18] {pentespithamoi}, i.e. 5 x 7 1/2 inches = 37 1/2 inches = 3 ft. 1 + 1/2 inch; al. 5 x 9 inches = 45 inches = 3 ft. 9 inches. + +[19] Or, "if in the particular position the nets are taut, a larger if + they lie slack." + +Lastly, for the purpose of carrying the nets and hayes, for either +sort[20] there must be a bag of calf-skin; and billhooks to cut down +branches and stop gaps in the woods when necessary.[21] + +[20] Reading, with Lenz, {ekaterois}, or if, as C. Gesner conj., {e + ekatera}, transl. "or either separately." + +[21] Or, "for the purpose of felling wood and stopping up gaps where + necessary." + + + +III + +There are two breeds of sporting dogs: the Castorian and the fox- +like.[1] The former get their name from Castor, in memory of the +delight he took in the business of the chase, for which he kept this +breed by preference.[2] The other breed is literally foxy, being the +progeny originally of the dog and the fox, whose natures have in the +course of ages become blent.[3] + +[1] {Kastoriai}, or Laconian, approaching possibly the harrier type; + {alopekides}, i.e. vulpocanine, hybrid between fox and dog. + +[2] Or, "get their appellation from the fact that Castor took delight + in the business of the chase, and kept this breed specially for + the purpose." Al. {diephulaxen}, "propagated and preserved the + breed which we now have." See Darwin, "Animals and Plants under + Domestication," ii. 202, 209. + +[3] Or, "and through lapse of time the twofold characteristics of + their progenitors have become blent." See Timoth. Gaz. ap. + Schneid. ad loc. for an ancient superstition as to breeds. + +Both species present a large proportion of defective animals[4] which +fall short of the type, as being under-sized, or crook-nosed,[5] or +gray-eyed,[6] or near-sighted, or ungainly, or stiff-jointed, or +deficient in strength, thin-haired, lanky, disproportioned, devoid of +pluck or of nose, or unsound of foot. To particularise: an under-sized +dog will, ten to one, break off from the chase[7] faint and flagging +in the performance of his duty owing to mere diminutiveness. An +aquiline nose means no mouth, and consequently an inability to hold +the hare fast.[8] A blinking bluish eye implies defect of vision;[9] +just as want of shape means ugliness.[10] The stiff-limbed dog will +come home limping from the hunting-field;[11] just as want of strength +and thinness of coat go hand in hand with incapacity for toil.[12] The +lanky-legged, unsymmetrical dog, with his shambling gait and ill- +compacted frame, ranges heavily; while the spiritless animal will +leave his work to skulk off out of the sun into shade and lie down. +Want of nose means scenting the hare with difficulty, or only once in +a way; and however courageous he may be, a hound with unsound feet +cannot stand the work, but through foot-soreness will eventually give +in.[13] + +[4] Or, "defective specimens (that is to say, the majority) are to be + noted, as follows." + +[5] {grupai}. + +[6] {kharopoi}. Al. Arrian, iv. 4, 5. + +[7] Or, "will probably retire from the chase and throw up the business + through mere diminutiveness." + +[8] Or, "a hook-nosed (? pig-jawed, see Stonehenge, "The Dog," p. 19, + 4th ed.) dog has a bad mouth and cannot hold." + +[9] Or, "a short-sighted, wall-eyed dog has defective vision." + +[10] Or, "they are weedy, ugly brutes as a rule." + +[11] Or, "stiffness of limbs means he will come off." Cf. "Mem." III. + xiii. 6. + +[12] Lit. "a weak, thinly-haired animal is incapable of severe toil." + +[13] Or, "Nor will courage compensate for unsound feet. The toil and + moil will be too great to endure, and owing to the pains in his + feet he will in the end give in." + +Similarly many different modes of hunting a line of scent are to be +seen in the same species of hound.[14] One dog as soon as he has found +the trail will go along without sign or symptom to show that he is on +the scent; another will vibrate his ears only and keep his tail[15] +perfectly still; while a third has just the opposite propensity: he +will keep his ears still and wag with the tip of his tail. Others draw +their ears together, and assuming a solemn air,[16] drop their tails, +tuck them between their legs, and scour along the line. Many do +nothing of the sort.[17] They tear madly about, babbling round the +line when they light upon it, and senselessly trampling out the scent. +Others again will make wide circuits and excursions; either +forecasting the line,[18] they overshoot it and leave the hare itself +behind, or every time they run against the line they fall to +conjecture, and when they catch sight of the quarry are all in a +tremor,[19] and will not advance a step till they see the creature +begin to stir. + +[14] Or, "Also the same dogs will exhibit many styles of coursing: one + set as soon as they have got the trail pursue it without a sign, + so there is no means of finding out that the animal is on the + track." + +[15] "Stern." + +[16] Or "with their noses solemnly fixed on the ground and sterns + lowered." + +[17] Or, "have quite a different action"; "exhibit quite another + manner." + +[18] i.e. "they cast forwards to make short cuts," of skirters too + lazy to run the line honestly. + +[19] Reading {tremousi}, "fall a-trembling"; al. {atremousi}, stand + stock-still"; i.e. are "dwellers." + +A particular sort may be described as hounds which, when hunting or +pursuing, run forward with a frequent eye to the discoveries of the +rest of the pack, because they have no confidence in themselves. +Another sort is over-confident--not letting the cleverer members of +the pack go on ahead, but keeping them back with nonsensical clamour. +Others will wilfully hug every false scent,[20] and with a tremendous +display of eagerness, whatever they chance upon, will take the lead, +conscious all the while they are playing false;[21] whilst another +sort again will behave in a precisely similar style out of sheer +ignorance.[22] It is a poor sort of hound which will not leave a stale +line[23] for want of recognising the true trail. So, too, a hound that +cannot distinguish the trail leading to a hare's form, and scampers +over that of a running hare, hot haste, is no thoroughbred.[24] + +[20] Al. "seem to take pleasure in fondling every lie." + +[21] Or, "fully aware themselves that the whole thing is a make- + believe." + +[22] Or, "do exactly the same thing because they do not know any + better." + +[23] {ek ton trimmon}. Lit. "keep away from beaten paths," and + commonly of footpaths, but here apparently of the hare's habitual + "run," not necessarily lately traversed, still less the true line. + +[24] Lit. "A dog who on the one hand ignores the form track, and on + the other tears swiftly over a running track, is not a well-bred + dog." Al. {ta eunaia}, "traces of the form"; {ta dromaia}, "tracks + of a running hare." See Sturz. s.v. {dromaios}. + +When it comes to the actual chase, some hounds will show great ardour +at first starting, but presently give up from weakness of spirit. +Others will run in too hastily[25] and then balk; and go hopelessly +astray, as if they had lost the sense of hearing altogether. + +[25] So L. & S., {upotheousin} = "cut in before" the rest of the pack + and over-run the scent. Al. "flash in for a time, and then lose + the scent." + +Many a hound will give up the chase and return from mere distaste for +hunting,[26] and not a few from pure affection for mankind. Others +with their clamorous yelping on the line do their best to deceive, as +if true and false were all one to them.[27] There are others that will +not do that, but which in the middle of their running,[28] should they +catch the echo of a sound from some other quarter, will leave their +own business and incontinently tear off towards it.[29] The fact +is,[30] they run on without clear motive, some of them; others taking +too much for granted; and a third set to suit their whims and fancies. +Others simply play at hunting; or from pure jealousy, keep questing +about beside the line, continually rushing along and tumbling over one +another.[31] + +[26] Or, {misotheron}, "out of antipathy to the quarry." For + {philanthropon} cf. Pollux, ib. 64; Hermog. ap. L. Dind. + +[27] Or, "unable apparently to distinguish false from true." See + Sturz, s.v. {poieisthai}. Cf. Plut. "de Exil." 6. Al. "Gaily + substituting false for true." + +[28] "In the heat of the chase." + +[29] "Rush to attack it." + +[30] The fact is, there are as many different modes of following up + the chase almost as there are dogs. Some follow up the chase + {asaphos}, indistinctly; some {polu upolambanousai}, with a good + deal of guess-work; others again {doxazousai}, without conviction, + insincerely; others, {peplasmenos}, out of mere pretence, pure + humbug, make-believe, or {phthoneros}, in a fit of jealousy, + {ekkunousi}, are skirters; al. {ekkinousi}, Sturz, quit the scent. + +[31] Al. "unceasingly tearing along, around, and about it." + +The majority of these defects are due to natural disposition, though +some must be assigned no doubt to want of scientific training. In +either case such hounds are useless, and may well deter the keenest +sportsman from the hunting field.[32] + +[32] Or, "Naturally, dogs like these damp the sportsman's ardour, and + indeed are enough to sicken him altogether with the chase." + +The characters, bodily and other, exhibited by the finer specimens of +the same breed,[33] I will now set forth. + +[33] Or, "The features, points, qualities, whether physical or other, + which characterise the better indidivuals." But what does Xenophon + mean by {tou autou genous}? + + + +IV + +In the first place, this true type of hound should be of large build; +and, in the next place, furnished with a light small head, broad and +flat in the snout,[1] well knit and sinewy, the lower part of the +forehead puckered into strong wrinkles; eyes set well up[2] in the +head, black and bright; forehead large and broad; the depression +between the eyes pronounced;[3] ears long[4] and thin, without hair on +the under side; neck long and flexible, freely moving on its pivot;[5] +chest broad and fairly fleshy; shoulder-blades detached a little from +the shoulders;[6] the shin-bones of the fore-legs should be small, +straight, round, stout and strong; the elbows straight; ribs[7] not +deep all along, but sloped away obliquely; the loins muscular, in size +a mean between long and short, neither too flexible nor too stiff;[8] +flanks, a mean between large and small; the hips (or "couples") +rounded, fleshy behind, not tied together above, but firmly knitted on +the inside;[9] the lower or under part of the belly[10] slack, and the +belly itself the same, that is, hollow and sunken; tail long, +straight, and pointed;[11] thighs (i.e. hams) stout and compact; +shanks (i.e. lower thighs) long, round, and solid; hind-legs much +longer than the fore-legs, and relatively lean; feet round and cat- +like.[12] + +[1] Pollux, v. 7; Arrian, "Cyn." iv. + +[2] {meteora}, prominent. ?See Sturz, s.v. + +[3] {tas diakriseis batheias}, lit. "with a deep frontal sinus." + +[4] Reading {makra}, or if {mikra}, "small." + +[5] Al. "well rounded." + +[6] "Shoulder blades standing out a little from the shoulders"; i.e. + "free." + +[7] i.e. "not wholly given up to depth, but well curved"; depth is not + everything unless the ribs be also curved. Schneid. cf. Ov. "Met." + iii. 216, "et substricta gerens Sicyonius ilia Ladon," where the + poet is perhaps describing a greyhound, "chyned like a bream." See + Stonehenge, pp. 21, 22. Xenophon's "Castorians" were more like the + Welsh harrier in build, I presume. + +[8] Or, "neither soft and spongy nor unyielding." See Stoneh., p. 23. + +[9] "Drawn up underneath it," lit. "tucked up." + +[10] Al. "flank," "flanks themselves." + +[11] Or, as we should say, "stern." See Pollux, v. 59; Arrian, v. 9. + +[12] See Stonehenge, p. 24 foll. + +Hounds possessed of these points will be strong in build, and at the +same time light and active; they will have symmetry at once and pace; +a bright, beaming expression; and good mouths. + +In following up scent,[13] see how they show their mettle by rapidly +quitting beaten paths, keeping their heads sloping to the ground, +smiling, as it were to greet the trail; see how they let their ears +drop, how they keep moving their eyes to and fro quickly, flourishing +their sterns.[14] Forwards they should go with many a circle towards +the hare's form,[15] steadily guided by the line, all together. When +they are close to the hare itself, they will make the fact plain to +the huntsman by the quickened pace at which they run, as if they would +let him know by their fury, by the motion of head and eyes, by rapid +changes of gait and gesture,[16] now casting a glance back and now +fixing their gaze steadily forward to the creature's hiding-place,[17] +by twistings and turnings of the body, flinging themselves backwards, +forwards, and sideways, and lastly, by the genuine exaltation of +spirits, visible enough now, and the ecstasy of their pleasure, that +they are close upon the quarry. + +[13] Lit. "Let them follow up the trail." + +[14] Lit. "fawning and wagging their tails." + +[15] Lit. "bed" or "lair." + +[16] Or, "by rapid shiftings of attitude, by looks now thrown backward + and now forwards to the . . ." Reading {kai apo ton anablemmaton + kai emblemmaton ton epi tas kathedras tou l.}, or if with L. D., + {kai apo ton a. kai emblemmaton eis ton ulen kai anastremmaton ton + epi tas k.}, transl. "now looking back at the huntsman and now + staring hard into the covert, and again right-about-face in the + direction of the hare's sitting-place." + +[17] Lit. "form"; "the place where puss is seated." + +Once she is off, the pack should pursue with vigour.[18] They must not +relax their hold, but with yelp and bark full cry insist on keeping +close and dogging puss at every turn. Twist for twist and turn for +turn, they, too, must follow in a succession of swift and brilliant +bursts, interrupted by frequent doublings; while ever and again they +give tongue and yet again till the very welkin rings.[19] One thing +they must not do, and that is, leave the scent and return crestfallen +to the huntsman.[20] + +[18] Lit. "let them follow up the chase vigorously, and not relax, + with yelp and bark." + +[19] {dikaios}, Sturz, "non temere"; "and not without good reason." + Al. "a right good honest salvo of barks." + +[20] Lit. "Let them not hark back to join the huntsman, and desert the + trail." + +Along with this build and method of working, hounds should possess +four points. They should have pluck, sound feet, keen noses, and sleek +coats. The spirited, plucky hound will prove his mettle by refusing to +leave the chase, however stifling the weather; a good nose is shown by +his capacity for scenting the hare on barren and dry ground exposed to +the sun, and that when the orb is at the zenith;[21] soundness of foot +in the fact that the dog may course over mountains during the same +season, and yet his feet will not be torn to pieces; and a good coat +means the possession of light, thick, soft, and silky hair.[22] + +[21] i.e. "at mid-day"; or, "in the height of summer"; al. "during the + dog-days"; "at the rising of the dog-star." + +[22] See Pollux, ib. 59; Arrian, vi. 1. + +As to the colour proper for a hound,[23] it should not be simply +tawny, nor absolutely black or white, which is not a sign of breeding, +but monotonous--a simplicity suggestive of the wild animal.[24] +Accordingly the red dog should show a bloom of white hair about the +muzzle, and so should the black, the white commonly showing red. On +the top of the thigh the hair should be straight and thick, as also on +the loins and on the lower portion of the stern, but of a moderate +thickness only on the upper parts. + +[23] See Stonehenge, p. 25; Darwin, op. cit. ii. 109. + +[24] But see Pollux, ib. 65, who apparently read {gennaion touto to + aploun alla therides}; al. Arrian, vi. See Jaques de Fouilloux, + "La Venerie" (ap. E. Talbot, "Oeuvres completes de Xenophon," + traduction, ii. 318). + +There is a good deal to be said for taking your hounds frequently into +the mountains; not so much for taking them on to cultivated land.[25] +And for this reason: the fells offer facilities for hunting and for +following the quarry without interruption, while cultivated land, +owing to the number of cross roads and beaten paths, presents +opportunities for neither. Moreover, quite apart from finding a hare, +it is an excellent thing to take your dogs on to rough ground. It is +there they will become sound of foot, and in general the benefit to +their physique in working over such ground will amply repay you.[26] + +[25] Or, "pretty often, and less frequently over." + +[26] Lit. "they must be benefited in their bodies generally by working + over such ground." + +They should be taken out in summer till mid-day; in winter from +sunrise to sundown; in autumn any time except mid-day; and in spring +any time before evening. These times will hit the mean of +temperature.[27] + +[27] Or, "You may count on a moderate temperature at these times." + + + +V + +The tracks of hares are long in winter owing to the length of night, +and short for the opposite reason during summer. In winter, however, +their scent does not lie in early morning, when the rime is on the +ground, or earth is frozen.[1] The fact is, hoar frost by its own +inherent force absorbs its heat, whilst black frost freezes it.[2] + +[1] Or, "when there is hoar frost or black frost" (lit. "ice"). + +[2] Or, "the ice congeals them," "encases as it were in itself the + heat," i.e. the warm scent; aliter, "causes the tracks to freeze + at the top." + +The hounds, moreover, with their noses nipped by the cold,[3] cannot +under these conditions[4] use their sense of smell, until the sun or +the mere advance of day dissolves the scent. Then the noses of the +hounds recover, and the scent of the trail begins to exhale itself +perceptibly.[5] + +[3] Reading {malkiosai}, Cobet, "N. Lect." 131. "Mnem." 3, 306; + Rutherford, "N. Phry." p. 135. = "nipped, or numb with cold." For + vulg. {malakiosai} = "whose noses are tender," see Lenz ad loc. + +[4] Lit. "when the tracks are in this case." + +[5] As it evaporates. Aliter, "is perceptible to smell as it is wafted + by the breeze to greet them." + +Heavy dews also will obliterate scent by its depressing effect;[6] and +rains occurring after long intervals, while bringing out odours from +the earth,[7] will render the soil bad for scent until it dries again. +Southerly winds will not improve scent--being moisture-laden they +disperse it; whereas northerly winds, provided the scent has not been +previously destroyed, tend to fix and preserve it. Rains will drown +and wash it away, and so will drizzle; while the moon by her heat[8]-- +especially a full moon--will dull its edge; in fact the trail is +rarest--most irregular[9]--at such times, for the hares in their joy +at the light with frolic and gambol[10] literally throw themselves +high into the air and set long intervals between one footfall and +another. Or again, the trail will become confused and misleading when +crossed by that of foxes.[11] + +[6] Cf. Plut. "Q. Nat." 917 F, ap. Schneid. + +[7] Cf. Theophr. "C. Pl." xix. 5, 6; xx. 4. + +[8] Reading {to thermo}. Aristot. "Gen. An." iv. 10. Zeune cf. Plut. + "Symp." iii. 10, 657. Macrob. "Sat." vii. 16; Athen. 276 E. Al. + {to thermon}. See Lenz ad loc., "the moon, especially a full moon, + dulls the heat (or odour) of the tracks." + +[9] Cf. Poll. v. 67; ib. 66. + +[10] "Playing with one another, in the rivalry of sport." + +[11] Lit. "when foxes have gone through before." + +Spring with its tempered mildness is the season to render the scent +clear, except where possibly the soil, bursting with flowers, may +mislead the pack, by mingling the perfume of flowers with the true +scent.[12] In summer scent is thin and indistinct; the earth being +baked through and through absorbs the thinner warmth inherent in the +trail, while the dogs themselves are less keen scented at that season +through the general relaxation of their bodies.[13] In autumn scent +lies clean, all the products of the soil by that time, if cultivable, +being already garnered, or, if wild, withered away with age, so that +the odours of various fruits are no longer a disturbing cause through +blowing on to the line.[14] In winter, summer, and autumn, moreover, +as opposed to spring, the trail of a hare lies for the most part in +straight lines, but in the earlier season it is highly complicated, +for the little creatures are perpetually coupling and particularly at +this season, so that of necessity as they roam together for the +purpose they make the line intricate as described. + +[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, injure + the 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 and + stopping at times; those on the run quickly." + +[16] Lit. "Anything and everything will serve to couch under, or + above, 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. The + distinction drawn is between the form chosen by the hare for her + own comfort, and her squatting-place to escape the hounds when + hunted. + +[19] i.e. "the dogs have turned her head and made her as mad as a + March 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 to + a year old they are liable to be seized by these birds of prey + while 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 to + avoid 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 low + altitude." + +[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, these + constantly being added to by reproduction, there must needs be a + large 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 the + particular object is, it must avert its gaze to the next, and then + the 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 the + dogs"; 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, the + other 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." 1096 + C. 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 might + say. 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 keep + hold (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 the + scent." + +[8] Or, "a late start means the hounds will be robbed of a find and + the 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, referring + solely to the haye nets; the order of the words should be {ta de + diktua teineto en apedois stoikhizeto de, k.t.l.} If so, transl. + "He should stretch the hayes on level ground and fix, etc.; The + road 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 the + edges." + +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 o + kunes}. 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 his + shoulders." 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 along + by 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 jostling + against one another, and leaping over one another at a great + rate." 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 this + chapter. + +And when thou hast on foot the purblind hare, +Mark the poor wretch, to overshoot his troubles +How he outruns the wind and with what care +He cranks and crosses with a thousand doubles: + The many musets through the which he goes + Are 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 singled +With 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 well + To one sore sick that hears the passing-bell. + +Then shalt thou see the dew-bedabbled wretch +Turn, 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, the + bitches to be released from hard work, so that with the repose so + secured 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 dog + named {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, of + foxhounds 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; the + foxhound, p. 54. + +[14] See Arrian's comment and dissent, xxv. 4. + +[15] Lit. "which are at once well shaped and have the spirit for the + chase in them." + +[16] Al. "they will overstrain themselves with the hare in sight, and + break a blood-vessel." See Arrian, xxxi. 4, {regnuntai gar autais + ai 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 understand + the 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 for + game in a well-bred dog is much greater than the appetite for + food, 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 his + suffering, to be given food when hungry for it will arouse in him + affection 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 on + themselves 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 for + Uncle 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, but + this 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 any + direction 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. + +[11] Al. "to envelop the victims in the nets." + +[12] Lit. "whatever the creature is in contact with inside." + +[13] Cf. Aesch. "Prom." 87, Poto tropo tesd' ekkulisthesei tukhes}. + +[14] Or, "if the creature is not first suffocated in the snow itself." + +[15] See Pollux, v. 50. "She must presently be tired out in the heavy + snow, which balls itself like a fatal clog clinging to the under + part of her hairy feet." + + + +IX + +For hunting fawns[1] and deer,[2] Indian dogs[3] should be employed, +as being strong, large, and fleet-footed, and not devoid of spirit; +with these points they will prove well equal to the toil. + +[1] See Hom. "Il." xxii. 189, x. 361; "Od." iv. 35; Aelian, "N. A." + xiv. 14; xvii. 26; Geopon. xix. 5. + +[2] {e elaphos} (generic, Attic) = hart or hind, of roe (Capreolus + caprea) or red (Cervus elaphus) deer alike, I suppose. See St. + John, "Nat. Hist. and Sport in Moray." + +[3] Of the Persian or Grecian greyhound type perhaps. See Aristot. "H. + A." viii. 28; Aelian, "N. A." viii. 1; Pollux, v. 37, 38, 43; + Plin. "H. N." vii. 2, viii. 28; Oppian, "Cyn." i. 413. + +Quite young fawns[4] should be captured in spring, that being the +season at which the dams calve.[5] Some one should go beforehand into +the rank meadowlands[6] and reconnoitre where the hinds are +congregated, and wherever that may be, the master of the hounds will +set off--with his hounds and a supply of javelins--before daylight to +the place in question. Here he will attach the hounds to trees[7] some +distance off, for fear of their barking,[8] when they catch sight of +the deer. That done he will choose a specular point himself and keep a +sharp look-out.[9] As day breaks he will espy the hinds leading their +fawns to the places where they will lay them severally to rest.[10] +Having made them lie down and suckled them, they will cast anxious +glances this way and that to see that no one watches them; and then +they will severally withdraw to the side opposite and mount guard, +each over her own offspring. The huntsman, who has seen it all,[11] +will loose the dogs, and with javelins in hand himself advance towards +the nearest fawn in the direction of where he saw it laid to rest; +carefully noting the lie of the land,[12] for fear of making some +mistake; since the place itself will present a very different aspect +on approach from what it looked like at a distance. + +[4] See above, v. 14. I do not know that any one has answered + Schneider's question: Quidni sensum eundem servavit homo + religiosus in hinnulis? + +[5] "The fawns (of the roe deer) are born in the spring, usually early + in May," Lydekker, "R. N. H." ii. p. 383; of the red deer + "generally in the early part of June," ib. 346. + +[6] {orgadas} = "gagnages," du Fouilloux, "Comment le veneur doit + aller en queste aux taillis ou gaignages pour voir le cerf a + veue," ap. Talbot, op. cit. i. p. 331. + +[7] Or, "off the wood." + +[8] It seems they were not trained to restrain themselves. + +[9] Or, "set himself to observe from some higher place." Cf. Aristoph. + "Wasps," 361, {nun de xun oplois} | {andres oplitai diataxamenoi} + | {kata tas diodous skopiorountai}. Philostr. 784. + +[10] See Pollux, v. 77; Aristot. "H. A." ix. 5. Mr. Scrope ap. + Lydekker, "R. N. H." ii. p. 346, states that the dam of the red + deer makes her offspring "lie down by a pressure of her nose," + etc. + +[11] Lit. "when he sees these things." + +[12] Or, "the features of the scene"; "the topography." + +When his eye has lit upon the object of his search, he will approach +quite close. The fawn will keep perfectly still, glued[13] as it were +to earth, and with loud bleats suffer itself to be picked up; unless +it happen to be drenched with rain; in which case, it will not stay +quiet in one place. No doubt, the internal moisture of the animal +congeals quickly with the cold[14] and causes it to shift its ground. +Caught in that case it must needs be; but the hounds will have work +enough to run the creature down.[15] The huntsman having seized the +fawn, will hand it to the keeper. The bleating will continue; and the +hind, partly seeing and partly hearing, will bear down full tilt upon +the man who has got her young, in her desire to rescue it. Now is the +moment to urge on the hounds and ply the javelins. And so having +mastered this one, he will proceed against the rest, and employ the +same method of the chase in dealing with them. + +[13] {piesas}, "noosling, nestling, buried." + +[14] "The blood runs cold." + +[15] Or, "but it will give them a good chase; the dogs will have their + work cut out." + +Young fawns may be captured in the way described. Those that are +already big will give more trouble, since they graze with their +mothers and the other deer, and when pursued retire in the middle of +the herd or occasionally in front, but very seldom in the rear. The +deer, moreover, in order to protect their young will do battle with +the hounds and trample them under foot; so that capture is not easy, +unless you come at once to close quarters and scatter the herd, with +the result that one or another of the fawns is isolated. The effort +implies[16] a strain, and the hounds will be left behind in the first +heat of the race, since the very absence of their dams[17] will +intensify the young deer's terror, and the speed of a fawn, that age +and size, is quite incredible.[18] But at the second or third run they +will be quickly captured; since their bodies being young and still +unformed cannot hold out long against fatigue. + +[16] Lit. "after that violent effort." + +[17] Or, "alarm at the absence of the herd will lend the creature + wings." + +[18] Or, "is past compare"; "is beyond all telling." + +Foot-gins[19] or caltrops may be set for deer on mountains, in the +neighbourhood of meadows and streams and wooded glens, on cross- +roads[20] or in tilled fields at spots which they frequent.[21] These +gins should be made of twisted yew twigs[22] stripped of the bark to +prevent their rotting. They should have well-rounded hooplike +"crowns"[23] with alternate rows of nails of wood and iron woven into +the coil.[24] The iron nails should be larger, so that while the +wooden ones yield to the foot, the others may press into it.[25] The +noose of the cord which will be laid upon "the crown" should be woven +out of esparto and so should the rope itself, this kind of grass being +least liable to rot. The rope and noose itself should both alike be +stout. The log or clog of wood attached should be made of common or of +holm oak with the bark on, three spans in length, and a palm in +thickness.[26] + +[19] {podostrabai}, podostrabai so called. Cf. "the boot." + +[20] {en tais diodois}, "at points where paths issue," or "cross." + +[21] {pros o ti prosie}, "against whatever they are likely to + approach." + +[22] Or, "should be woven out of Smilax"; "Ebenholz," Lenz; "Ifs," + Gail. + +[23] {tas de stephanas euk. ekh.} "having circular rims." + +[24] {en to plokano} (al. {plokamo}) = the plaited rope, which formed + the {stephane}. See Pollux, v. 32, ap. Schneid. and Lenz. + +[25] Al. "so as to press into the foot, if the wooden ones yield." + +[26] Or, "27 inches x 3." + +To set the trap, dig a hole in the soil to a depth of fifteen +inches,[27] circular in shape, with a circumference at the top exactly +corresponding to the crown and narrowing towards the bottom. For the +rope and wooden clog likewise remove sufficient earth to let them both +be lightly buried. That done, place the foot-gin deep enough to be +just even with the surface of the soil,[28] and round the circle of +the crown the cord-noose. The cord itself and wooden clog must now be +lowered into their respective places. Which done, place on the crown +some rods of spindle-tree,[29] but not so as to stick out beyond the +outer rim; and above these again light leaves, such as the season may +provide. After this put a final coating of earth upon the leaves; in +the first place the surface soil from the holes just dug, and atop of +that some unbroken solid earth from a distance, so that the lie of the +trap may be as much as possible unnoticed by the deer. Any earth left +over should be carried to a distance from the gin. The mere smell of +the newly-turned-up soil will suffice to make the animal +suspicious;[30] and smell it readily she will. + +[27] Or, "remove a mass of soil to the depth of five palms so as to + form a circular hole corresponding in size with the rim above- + named." + +[28] Or, "like a door over the cavity, somewhat below the surface, + flatwise"; i.e. "in a horizontal position." + +[29] So literally, but really Carthamus creticus, a thistle-like plant + used for making spindles (Sprengel ap. L. & S.), the Euonymous + europaeus being our spindle-tree. Aristot. "H. A." ix. 40, 49; + Theocr. iv. 52. + +[30] Lit. "if she once sniffs the new-turned soil the deer grows shy, + and that she will quickly do." See Plat. "Laws," 933 A; "Phaedr." + 242 C; "Mem." II. i. 4. + +The hunter should take his hounds and inspect the traps upon the +mountains, early in the morning if possible, though he should do so +also during the day at other times. Those set on cultivated land must +always be inspected early, before the sun is up in fact,[31] and for +this reason: on the hills, so desert is the region,[32] the creatures +may be caught not only at night but at any time of day; while, on the +cultivated lands, owing to their chronic apprehension of mankind in +daytime, night is the only time.[33] + +[31] "Before the sun is up." + +[32] Or, "thanks to the lonesomeness of the region." + +[33] "It is night or never, owing to the dread of man which haunts the + creature's mind during daytime." + +As soon as the huntsman finds a gin uprooted he will let slip his +hounds and with cheery encouragement[34] follow along the wake of the +wooden clog, with a keen eye to the direction of its march. That for +the most part will be plain enough, since stones will be displaced, +and the furrow which the clog makes as it trails along will be +conspicuous on tilled ground; or if the deer should strike across +rough ground, the rocks will show pieces of bark torn from the clog, +and the chase will consequently be all the easier.[35] + +[34] See vi. 20; "with view-halloo." + +[35] Or, "along that track will not be difficult." + +Should the deer have been caught by one of its fore-feet it will soon +be taken, because in the act of running it will beat and batter its +own face and body; if by the hind-leg, the clog comes trailing along +and must needs impede the action of every limb. Sometimes, too, as it +is whirled along it will come in contact with the forked branches of +some tree, and then unless the animal can snap the rope in twain, she +is fairly caught; there ends the chase. But even so, if caught in this +way or overdone with fatigue, it were well not to come too close the +quarry, should it chance to be a stag, or he will lunge out with his +antlers and his feet; better therefore let fly your javelins from a +distance. + +These animals may also be captured without aid of gin or caltrop, by +sheer coursing in hot summer time; they get so tired, they will stand +still to be shot down. If hard pressed they will plunge into the sea +or take to water of any sort in their perplexity, and at times will +drop down from sheer want of breath.[36] + +[36] "From mere shortness of breath." + + + +X + +To cope with the wild boar the huntsman needs to have a variety of +dogs, Indian, Cretan, Locrian, and Laconian,[1] along with a stock of +nets, javelins, boar-spears, and foot-traps. + +[1] For these breeds see Pollux, v. 37: for the Laconian, Pind. "Fr." + 73; Soph. "Aj." 8; cf. Shakesp. "Mids. N. D." iv. 1. 119, 129 + foll. + +To begin with, the hounds must be no ordinary specimens of the species +named,[2] in order to do battle with the beast in question. + +[2] Or, "these hounds of the breed named must not be any ordinary + specimens"; but what does Xenophon mean by {ek toutou tou genous}? + +The nets should be made of the same flaxen cord[3] as those for hares +above described. They should be forty-five threaded in three strands, +each strand consisting of fifteen threads. The height from the upper +rim[4] (i.e. from top to bottom) should be ten meshes, and the depth +of the nooses or pockets one elbow-length (say fifteen inches).[5] The +ropes running round the net should be half as thick again as the cords +of the net; and at the extremities[6] they should be fitted with +rings, and should be inserted (in and out) under the nooses, with the +end passing out through the rings. Fifteen nets will be sufficient.[7] + +[3] i.e. "of Phasian or Cathaginian fine flax." + +[4] {tou koruphaiou}. + +[5] {pugon}. The distance from the elbow to the first joint of the + finger = 20 {daktuloi} = 5 {palaistai} = 1 1/4 ft. + (L. & S.) + +[6] {ep akrois}. Cf. {akreleniois}. + +[7] Reading {ikanai}, vid. Lenz ad loc. and ii. 4. + +The javelins should be of all sorts,[8] having blades of a good +breadth and razor-sharpness, and stout shafts. + +[8] Al. "of various material." See Pollux, v. 20 ap. Schneid. + +The boar-spears should in the first place have blades fifteen inches +long, and in the middle of the socket two solid projecting teeth of +wrought metal,[9] and shafts of cornel-wood a spear-shaft's thickness. + +[9] Wrought of copper (or bronze). + +The foot-traps should resemble those used for deer. + +These hunts should be conducted not singly,[10] but in parties, since +the wild boar can be captured only by the collective energy of several +men, and that not easily. + +[10] Lit. "There should be a band of huntsmen"; or, "It will take the + united energies of several to capture this game." See Hom. "Il." + ix. 543, of the Calydonian boar: + +{ton d' uios Oineos apekteinen Meleagros, +polleon ek polion theretoras andras ageiras +kai kunas . ou men gar k' edame pauroisi brotoisin +tossos een, pollous de pures epebes' alegeines.} + + "But him slew Meleagros the son of Oineus, having gathered + together from many cities huntsmen and hounds; for not of few men + could the boar be slain, so mighty was he; and many an one brought + he to the grievous pyre" (W. Leaf). + +I will now explain how each part of the gear is to be used in hunting. + +The company being come to some place where a boar is thought to lie, +the first step is to bring up the pack,[11] which done, they will +loose a single Laconian bitch, and keeping the rest in leash, beat +about with this one hound.[12] As soon as she has got on the boar's +track, let them follow in order, one after another, close on the +tracking hound, who gives the lead to the whole company.[13] Even to +the huntsmen themselves many a mark of the creature will be plain, +such as his footprints on soft portions of the ground, and in the +thick undergrowth of forests broken twigs; and, where there are single +trees, the scars made by his tusks.[14] As she follows up the trail +the hound will, as a general rule, finally arrive at some well-wooded +spot; since, as a general rule, the boar lies ensconced in places of +the sort, that are warm in winter and cool in summer. + +[11] {kunegesion}, "a hunting establishment, huntsmen and hounds, a + pack of hounds," L. & S. cf. Herod. i. 36; Pollux. v. 17. In + Aristot. "H. A." viii. 5. 2, of wolves in a pack; v. {monopeirai}. + {upagein}--"stealthily?" + +[12] Or, "go on a voyage of discovery." + +[13] Reading {te ikhneuouse}, or if vulg. {ikhneusei}, transl. "set + her to follow the trail, at the head of the whole train." + +[14] Schneid. cf. Aristot. "H. A." vi. 18; Plin. viii. 52; Virg. + "Georg." iii. 255, "ipse ruit, dentesque Sabellicus exacuit sus"; + Hom. "Il." xi. 416, xiii. 475; Hes. "Shield," 389; Eur. "Phoen." + 1389; Ovid, "Met." viii. 369. + +As soon as she has reached his lair she will give tongue; but the boar +will not get up, not he, in nine cases out of ten. The huntsman will +thereupon recover the hound, and tie her up also with the rest at a +good distance from the lair.[15] He will then launch his toils into +the wild boar's harbourage,[16] placing the nooses upon any forked +branches of wood to hand. Out of the net itself he must construct a +deep forward-jutting gulf or bosom, posting young shoots on this side +and that within, as stays or beams,[17] so that the rays of light may +penetrate as freely as possible through the nooses into the bosom,[18] +and the interior be as fully lit up as possible when the creature +makes his charge. The string round the top of the net must be attached +to some stout tree, and not to any mere shrub or thorn-bush, since +these light-bending branches will give way to strain on open +ground.[19] All about each net it will be well to stop with timber +even places[20] "where harbrough nis to see," so that the hulking +brute may drive a straight course[21] into the toils without tacking. + +[15] Lit. "accordingly recover the dog, and tie her up also with the + rest," etc. + +[16] {ormous}. Lit. "moorings," i.e. "favourite haunts." Cf. {dusorma} + below. Al. "stelle die Fallnetze auf die Wechsel," Lenz. + +[17] {anteridas}. See a note in the "Class. Rev." X. i. p. 7, by G. S. + Sale: "It can only mean long sticks used as stretchers or + spreaders to hold up the net between and beyond the props." Cf. + Thuc. vii. 36, 2. + +[18] Or, "within the bay of network." + +[19] {sunekhontai en tois psilois ai e}. "Denn diese werden an + unbestandenen Orten durch die Leine niedergezogen," Lenz; + {sunelkontai} conj. Schn.; {sunerkhontai} al., "concurrunt," vid. + Sturz. + +[20] {ta dusorma}, met. from "bad harbourage." Cf. Arsch. "Pers." 448; + "Ag." 194. Cf. Lat. "importunus," also of "rough ground." + +[21] Or, "make his rush." + +As soon as the nets are fixed, the party will come back and let the +hounds slip one and all; then each will snatch up his javelin[22] and +boar-spear, and advance. Some one man, the most practised hand, will +cheer on the hounds, and the rest will follow in good order at some +considerable distance from one another, so as to leave the animal a +free passage; since if he falls into the thick of them as he makes +off, there is a fair chance of being wounded, for he will certainly +vent his fury on the first creature he falls foul of. + +[22] Lit. "then they will take their javelins and boar-spears and + advance." + +As soon as the hounds are near his lair, they will make their +onslaught. The boar, bewildered by the uproar, will rise up and toss +the first hound that ventures to attack him in front. He will then run +and fall into the toils; or if not, then after him full cry.[23] Even +if the ground on which the toils environ him be sloping, he will +recover himself promptly;[24] but if level, he will at once plant +himself firm as a rock, as if deliberating with himself.[25] At that +conjuncture the hounds will press hard upon him, while their masters +had best keep a narrow eye upon the boar and let fly their javelins +and a pelt of stones, being planted in a ring behind him and a good +way off, until the instant when with a forward heave of his body he +stretches the net tight and strains the skirting-rope. Thereupon he +who is most skilful of the company and of the stoutest nerve will +advance from the front and deliver a home thrust with his hunting- +spear. + +[23] Or, "a pretty chase must follow." + +[24] Or, "if within the prison of the net the ground be sloping, it + will not take long to make him spring up; he will be up again on + his legs in no time." + +[25] Or, "being concerned about himself." + +Should the animal for all that rain of javelins and stones refuse to +stretch the skirting-rope, should he rather relax[26] in that +direction and make a right-about-face turn bearing down on his +assailant, there is nothing for it, under these circumstances, but to +seize a boar-spear, and advance; firmly clutching it with the left +hand forward and with the right behind; the left is to steady it, and +the right to give it impulse; and so the feet,[27] the left advanced +in correspondence with the left arm, and right with right. As he +advances, he will make a lunge forward with the boar-spear,[27] +planting his legs apart not much wider than in wrestling,[28] and +keeping his left side turned towards his left hand; and then, with his +eye fixed steadily on the beast's eye, he will note every turn and +movement of the creature's head. As he brings down the boar-spear to +the thrust, he must take good heed the animal does not knock it out of +his hands by a side movement of the head;[29] for if so he will follow +up the impetus of that rude knock. In case of that misfortune, the +huntsman must throw himself upon his face and clutch tight hold of the +brushwood under him, since if the wild boar should attack him in that +posture, owing to the upward curve of its tusks, it cannot get under +him;[30] whereas if caught erect, he must be wounded. What will happen +then is, that the beast will try to raise him up, and failing that +will stand upon and trample him. + +[26] {epanieis}. See Sturz, s.v. + +[27] Lit. "forwards the left foot will follow the left arm and the + right foot the other." + +[28] "Statum venatoris aprum venabulo excipientis pinxit + Philostratus," "Imag." i. 28, Schn. + +[29] Or, "he will step forward and take one stride not much longer + than that of a wrestler, and thrust forward his boar-spear." + +[30] Cf. Hes. "Shield," 387; Hom. "Il." xii. 148: "Then forth rushed + the twain, and fought in front of the gates like wild boars that + in the mountains abide the assailing crew of men and dogs, and + charging on either flank they crush the wood around them, cutting + it at the root, and the clatter of their tusks waxes loud, till + one smite them and take their life away" (A. Lang). + +From this extremity there is but one means of escape, and one alone, +for the luckless prisoner. One of his fellow-huntsmen must approach +with boar-spear and provoke the boar, making as though he would let +fly at him; but let fly he must not, for fear of hitting the man under +him. The boar, on seeing this, will leave the fallen man, and in rage +and fury turn to grapple his assailant. The other will seize the +instant to spring to his feet, and not forget to clutch his boar-spear +as he rises to his legs again; since rescue cannot be nobly purchased +save by victory.[31] Let him again bring the weapon to bear in the +same fashion, and make a lunge at a point within the shoulder-blade, +where lies the throat;[32] and planting his body firmly press with all +his force.[33] The boar, by dint of his might and battle rage, will +still push on, and were it not that the teeth of the lance-blade +hindered,[34] would push his way up to the holder of the boar-spear +even though the shaft run right through him.[35] + +[31] "Safety can only be won with honour by some master-stroke of + victory." + +[32] {sphage}. Aristot. "H. A." i. 14. 2. "Straight at the jugular." + +[33] Or, "throwing his whole weight on the thrust, press home with all + his force." + +[34] Or, "but for the intervention of the two projecting teeth of the + lance-blade." See the account of the passage of arms between Col. + Pollock and a boar in his "Incidents of Foreign Sport and Travel." + There the man was mounted, but alone. + +[35] Lit. "force his heavy bulk along the shaft right up to the holder + of the boar-spear." + +Nay, so tremendous is the animal's power, that a property which no one +ever would suspect belongs to him. Lay a few hairs upon the tusk of a +boar just dead, and they will shrivel up instantly,[36] so hot are +they, these tusks. Nay, while the creature is living, under fierce +excitement they will be all aglow; or else how comes it that though he +fail to gore the dogs, yet at the blow the fine hairs of their coats +are singed in flecks and patches?[37] + +[36] {euthus}, i.e. "for a few seconds after death." + +[37] The belief is still current, I am told, in parts of India. + +So much and even greater trouble may be loked for from the wild boar +before capture; I speak of the male animal. If it should be a sow that +falls into the toils, the huntsman should run up and prod her, taking +care not to be pushed off his legs and fall, in which case he cannot +escape being trampled on and bitten. Ergo, he will not voluntarily get +under those feet; but if involuntarily he should come to such a pass, +the same means[38] of helping each the other to get up again will +serve, as in the case of the male animal; and when he has regained his +legs, he must ply the boar-spear vigorously till she too has died the +death. + +[38] {dianastaseis}, "the same methods of mutual recovery." + +Wild pigs may be captured further in the following fashion: The nets +are fixed for them at the entrances of woody glens,[39] in coppices +and hollows, and on screes, where there are outlets into rank meadow- +lands, marshes, and clear pools.[40] The appointed person mounts guard +at the nets with his boar-spear, while the others work the dogs, +exploring the best and likeliest spots. As soon as the quarry is found +the chase commences. If then an animal falls into the net, the net- +keeper will grip his boar-spear and[41] advance, when he will ply it +as I have described; if he escape the net, then after him full cry. In +hot, sultry weather the boar may be run down by the hounds and +captured. Though a monster in strength, the creature becomes short of +breath and will give in from sheer exhaustion. + +[39] Al. "at the passages from woodland lakes into oak-coppices." + +[40] {udata}, "waters," lakes, pools, rivers, etc. + +[41] Or, "and proceed to tackle him." + +It is a form of sport which costs the lives of many hounds and +endangers those of the huntsmen themselves. Supposing that the animal +has given in from exhaustion at some moment in the chase, and they are +forced to come to close quarters;[42] whether he has taken to the +water, or stands at bay against some craggy bank, or does not choose +to come out from some thicket (since neither net nor anything else +hinders him from bearing down like a tornado on whoever approaches); +still, even so, advance they must, come what come may, to the attack. +And now for a display of that hardihood which first induced them to +indulge a passion not fit for carpet knights[43]--in other words, they +must ply their boar-spears and assume that poise of body[44] already +described, since if one must meet misfortune, let it not be for want +of observing the best rules.[45] + +[42] Reading {prosienai} [{ta probolia}]. [The last two words are + probably a gloss, and should be omitted, since {prosienai} (from + {prosiemi}) {ta probolia} = "ply," or "apply their boar-spears," + is hardly Greek.] See Schneid. "Add. et Corr." and L. Dind. ad + loc. + +[43] {ekponein}, "to exercise this passion to the full." + +[44] Lit. "assume their boar-spears and that forward attitude of + body." + +[45] Lit. "it will not be at any rate from behaving correctly." + +Foot-traps are also set for the wild boar, similar to those for deer +and in the same sort of places; the same inspections and methods of +pursuit are needed, with consequent attacks and an appeal to the boar- +spear in the end. + +Any attempt to capture the young pigs will cost the huntsman some +rough work.[46] The young are not left alone, as long as they are +small; and when the hounds have hit upon them or they get wind of +something wrong, they will disappear like magic, vanishing into the +forest. As a rule, both parents attend on their own progeny, and are +not pleasant then to meddle with, being more disposed to do battle for +their young than for themselves. + +[46] Lit. "the piglings will resent it (sc. {to aliskesthai}) + strongly"; al. "the adult (sub. {to therion}) will stand anything + rather." + + + +XI + +Lions, leopards, lynxes, panthers, bears and all other such game are +to be captured in foreign countries--about Mount Pangaeus and Cittus +beyond Macedonia;[1] or again, in Nysa beyond Syria, and upon other +mountains suited to the breeding of large game. + +[1] Of these places, Mt. Pangaeus (mod. Pirnari) (see "Hell." V. ii. + 17), Cittus (s. Cissus, mod. Khortiatzi), N. W. of the Chalcidice, + Mysian Olympus, and Pindus are well known. Nysa has not been + verified hitherto, I think. Sturz cf. Bochart, "Hieroz." Part I. + lib. iii. c. 1, p. 722. Strabo, 637 (xv. 1. 7), mentions a Mount + Nysa in India sacred to Dionysus, and cites Soph. "Frag." 782-- + +{othen kateidon ton bebakkhiomenen +brotoisi kleinon Nusan . . . k.t.l.}, + + but it is a far cry from Xenophon's Syria to India. Possibly it is + to be sought for in the region of Mt. Amanus. + +In the mountains, owing to the difficulty of the ground,[2] some of +these animals are captured by means of poison--the drug aconite--which +the hunters throw down for them,[3] taking care to mix it with the +favourite food of the wild best, near pools and drinking-places or +wherever else they are likely to pay visits. Others of them, as they +descend into the plains at night, may be cut off by parties mounted +upon horseback and well armed, and so captured, but not without +causing considerable danger to their captors.[4] + +[2] Or, "the inaccessibility of their habitats." + +[3] "The method is for the trapper to throw it down mixed with the + food which the particular creature likes best." + +[4] For the poison method see Pollux, v. 82; Plin. "H. N." viii. 27. + +In some cases the custom is to construct large circular pits of some +depth, leaving a single pillar of earth in the centre, on the top of +which at nightfall they set a goat fast-bound, and hedge the pit about +with timber, so as to prevent the wild beasts seeing over, and without +a portal of admission. What happens then is this: the wild beasts, +hearing the bleating in the night, keep scampering round the barrier, +and finding no passage, leap over it, and are caught.[5] + +[5] See "Tales from the Fjeld," Sir George W. Dasent, "Father Bruin in + the Corner." + + + +XII + +With regard to methods of procedure in the hunting-field, enough has +been said.[1] But there are many benefits which the enthusiastic +sportsman may expect to derive from this pursuit.[2] I speak of the +health which will thereby accrue to the physical frame, the quickening +of the eye and ear, the defiance of old age, and last, but not least, +the warlike training which it ensures. To begin with, when some day he +has to tramp along rough ways under arms, the heavy infantry soldier +will not faint or flag--he will stand the toil from being long +accustomed to the same experiences in capturing wild beasts. In the +next place, men so trained will be capable of sleeping on hard +couches, and prove brave guardians of the posts assigned them. In the +actual encounter with the enemy, they will know at once how to attack +and to carry out the word of command as it passes along the lines, +because it was just so in the old hunting days that they captured the +wild game. If posted in the van of battle, they will not desert their +ranks, because endurance is engrained in them. In the rout of the +enemy their footsteps will not falter nor fail: straight as an arrow +they will follow the flying foe, on every kind of ground, through long +habituation.[3] Or if their own army encounter a reverse on wooded and +precipitous ground beset with difficulties, these will be the men to +save themselves with honour and to extricate their friends; since long +acquaintance with the business of the chase has widened their +intelligence.[4] + +[1] Or, "Respecting the methods employed in different forms of the + chase, I have said my say." As to the genuineness of this and the + following chapter see L. Dind. ad loc.; K. Lincke, "Xenophon's + Dialog." {peri oikonomias}, p. 132. + +[2] Lit. "this work"; and in reference to the highly Xenophontine + argument which follows see "Hellenica Essays," p. 342; cf. + "Cyrop." I. vi. 28, 39-41. + +[3] "For the sake of 'auld lang syne.'" + +[4] Or, "will place them on the vantage-ground of experts." + +Nay, even under the worst of circumstances, when a whole mob of +fellow-combatants[5] has been put to flight, how often ere now has a +handful[6] of such men, by virtue of their bodily health[7] and +courage, caught the victorious enemy roaming blindly in some intricacy +of ground, renewed the fight, and routed him. Since so it must ever +be; to those whose souls and bodies are in happy case success is near +at hand.[8] + +[5] Or, "allies." + +[6] Or, "a forlorn hope." + +[7] {euexia}, al. {eutaxia}, "by good discipline." + +[8] "Fortune favours the brave," reading {to eutukhesai} (L. D.); or + if {tou eutukhesai}, (vulg.) "those whose health of soul and body + is established are ipso facto nigh unto good fortune." + +It was through knowledge that they owed success against their foes to +such a training, that our own forefathers paid so careful a heed to +the young.[9] Though they had but a scant supply of fruits, it was an +immemorial custom "not to hinder[10] the hunter from hunting any of +earth's offspring"; and in addition, "not to hunt by night[11] within +many furlongs of the city," in order that the adepts in that art might +not rob the young lads of their game. They saw plainly that among the +many pleasures to which youth is prone, this one alone is productive +of the greatest blessings. In other words, it tends to make them sound +of soul and upright, being trained in the real world of actual +things[12] [and, as was said before, our ancestors could not but +perceive they owed their success in war to such instrumentality[13]]; +and the chase alone deprives them of none of the other fair and noble +pursuits that they may choose to cultivate, as do those other evil +pleasures, which ought never to be learned. Of such stuff are good +soldiers and good generals made.[14] Naturally, those from whose souls +and bodies the sweat of toil has washed all base and wanton thoughts, +who have implanted in them a passion for manly virtue--these, I say, +are the true nobles.[15] Not theirs will it be to allow their city or +its sacred soil to suffer wrong. + +[9] Al. "looked upon the chase as a pursuit incumbent on the young." + +[10] {me koluein [dia] to meden ton epi te ge phuomenon agreuein}. The + commentators generally omit {dia}, in which case translate as in + text. Lenz reads {un koluein dia meden} (see his note ad v. 34), + and translates (p. 61), "Dass man die Jager nicht hindern solle, + in allem was die Erde hervorbrachte zu jagen," "not to hinder the + huntsmen from ranging over any of the crops which spring from + earth"; (but if so, we should expect {dia medenos}). Sturz, s.v. + {agreuein}, notes "festive," "because the hunter does not hunt + vegetable products." So Gail, "parce que le chasseur rien veut pas + aux productions de la terre." + +[11] Or, "set their face against night-hunting," cf. "Mem." IV. vii. + 4; Plat. "Soph." 220 D; "Stranger: There is one mode of striking + which is done at night, and by the light of a fire, and is called + by the hunters themselves firing, or spearing by firelight" + (Jowett); for which see Scott, "Guy Mannering," ch. x. It seems + "night hunting was not to be practised within a certain + considerable radius, whereby the proficients in that art might + deprive it (lit. in order that they might not deprive) them (the + young huntsmen) of their game." + +[12] Lit. "in truth and reality (not among visionary phantoms)." + +[13] These words are commonly regarded as an addition; and what does + {te} signify? + +[14] Or, "Here you have the making of brave soldiers and generals. + Here in embryo are to be found your future soldiers and generals + worthy the name." + +[15] {outoi aristoi}: these are prima virorum, the true aristocrats. + +Some people tell us it is not right to indulge a taste for hunting, +lest it lead to neglect of home concerns, not knowing that those who +are benefactors of their country and their friends are in proportion +all the more devoted to domestic duties. If lovers of the chase pre- +eminently fit themselves to be useful to the fatherland, that is as +much as to say they will not squander their private means; since with +the state itself the domestic fortunes of each are saved or lost. The +real fact is, these men are saviours, not of their own fortunes only, +but of the private fortunes of the rest, of yours and mine. Yet there +are not a few irrational people amongst these cavillers who, out of +jealousy, would rather perish, thanks to their own baseness, than owe +their lives to the virtue of their neighbours. So true is it that the +mass of pleasures are but evil,[16] to which men succumb, and thereby +are incited to adopt the worse cause in speech and course in +action.[17] And with what result?--from vain and empty arguments they +contract emnities, and reap the fruit of evil deeds, diseases, losses, +death--to the undoing of themselves, their children, and their +friends.[18] Having their senses dulled to things evil, while more +than commonly alive to pleasures, how shall these be turned to good +account for the salvation of the state? Yet from these evils every one +will easily hold aloof, if once enamoured of those joys whose brief I +hold, since a chivalrous education teaches obedience to laws, and +renders justice familiar to tongue and ear.[19] + +[16] See "Hellenica Essays," p. 371. + +[17] "To depravity of speech and conduct" (whether as advocates or + performers). See Aristoph. "Clouds." + +[18] Or, "bring down on themselves, their children, and their friends + a spring of misfortunes in the shape of diseases, losses, or even + death." + +[19] "For what does a chivalrous education teach save to obey the law, + and to make the theme of justice familiar to tongue and ear?" + +In the one camp are those who, subjecting themselves ever to new toil +and fresh instruction, have, at the cost of lessons and exercises +painful to themselves, obtained to their several states salvation; and +in the other are those who for the very irksomeness of the process +choose not to be taught, but rather to pass away their days in +pleasures unseasonable--nature's abjects these.[20] Not theirs is it +to obey either laws or good instruction;[21] nay, how should they, who +never toil, discover what a good man ought to be?--in other words, +wisdom and justice are alike beyond their power. Subject to +indiscipline, they have many a fault to find with him who is well +educated. + +[20] Lit. "the sorriest of mankind these by nature." + +[21] Or, "virtuous argument"; {logois agathois}, lit. "good words." + +Through the instrumentality of such as these nothing can go well; +whereas every blessing which mankind enjoys has been discovered by the +efforts of the nobler sort. Nobler, I say, are those who choose to +toil.[22] + +[22] Or, "of choice spirits; and who are the choice spirits?--Clearly + those who choose to toil." + +And this has been proved conclusively by a notable example. If we look +back to the men of old who sat at the feet of Cheiron--whose names I +mentioned--we see that it was by dedicating the years of their youth +to the chase[23] that they learnt all their noble lore; and therefrom +they attained to great renown, and are admired even to this day for +their virtue--virtue who numbers all men as her lovers, as is very +plain. Only because of the pains it costs to win her the greater +number fall away; for the achievement of her is hid in obscurity; +while the pains that cleave to her are manifest. Perchance, if only +she were endowed with a visible bodily frame, men would less have +neglected her, knowing that even as she is visible to them, so they +also are not hid from her eyes. For is it not so that when a man moves +in the presence of him whom he dearly loves,[24] he rises to a height +above himself, being incapable of aught base or foul in word or deed +in sight of him?[25] But fondly dreaming that the eye of virtue is +closed to them, they are guilty of many a base thing and foul before +her very face, who is hidden from their eyes. Yet she is present +everywhere, being dowered with immortality; and those who are perfect +in goodness[26] she honours, but the wicked she thrusts aside from +honour. If only men could know that she regards them, how eagerly +would they rush to the embrace of toilful training and +tribulation,[27] by which alone she is hardly taken; and so should +they gain the mastery over her, and she should be laid captive at +their feet. + +[23] Or, "that they made their first essay in hunting when mere boys, + and from hunting upwards were taught many noble arts." + +[24] Lit. "is beheld by his beloved." Cf. "Symp." iv. 4; viii. 31. + +[25] Lit. "in order not to be seen of him." + +[26] Lit. "good with respect to her." + +[27] Or, "to those toils and that training." + + + +XIII + +Now what astonishes me in the "sophists," as they are called,[1] is, +that though they profess, the greater part of them, to lead the young +to virtue, they really lead them in the opposite direction. Never have +we set eyes on the man anywhere who owed his goodness to the sophists +of to-day.[2] Nor do their writings contain anything[3] calculated to +make men good, but they have written volumes on vain and frivolous +subjects, in which the young may find pleasures that pall, but the +essence of virtue is not in them. The result of this literature is to +inflict unncessary waste of time on those who look to learn something +from it all and look in vain, cutting them off from wholesome +occupations and even teaching what is bad. I cannot then but blame +them for certain large offences[4] more than lightly; but as regards +the subject matter of their writings my charge is, that while full of +far-fetched phraseology,[5] of solid wholesome sentiments, by which +the young might be trained to virtue, I see not a vestige. Speaking as +a plain man, I know that to be taught what is good by one's own nature +is best of all,[6] and next best to learn of those who really do know +some good thing rather than of those who have an art to deceive. It +may well be that I fail to express myself in subtle language,[7] nor +do I pretend to aim at subtlety; what I do aim at is to express +rightly-conceived thoughts such as may serve the need of those who +have been nobly disciplined in virtue; for it is not words and names +that give instruction, but thoughts and sentiments worthy the name. + +[1] Cf. Isocr. "Against the Sophists"; "Antidosis"; "Hel. Encom."; + Plat. "Sophist." + +[2] Who are these {oi nun sophistai}? + +[3] Lit. "do they present writings to the world." + +[4] Or, "as to certain weightier matters gravely." + +[5] {remata} = "words and phrases"; {ynomai} = "moral maxims, just + thoughts." + +[6] "Being myself but a private individual and a plain man." According + to Hartman, "A. X. N." p. 350, "ridicule detorquet Hesiodeum": + +{outos men panaristos os auto panta noese +esthlos d' au kakeinos os eu eiponti pithetai}. + +[7] Al. "in true sophistic style." The writer seems to say: "I lack + subtlety of expression (nor is that at all my object); what I do + aim at is to trace with some exactness, to present with the + lucidity appropriate to them, certain thoughts demanded by persons + well educated in the school of virtue." + +Nor am I singular in thus reproaching the modern type of sophist (not +the true philosopher, be it understood); it is a general reproach that +the wisdom he professes consists in word-subtleties, not in ideas.[8] +Certainly it does not escape my notice that an orderly sequence of +ideas adds beauty to the composition:[9] I mean it will be easy to +find fault with what is written incorrectly.[10] Nevertheless, I +warrant it is written in this fashion with an eye to rectitude, to +make the reader wise and good, not more sophistical. For I would wish +my writings not to seem but rather to be useful. I would have them +stand the test of ages in their blamelessness.[11] + +[8] {onomasi}, "in names"; {noemasi}, "thoughts and ideas." + +[9] Or, "I am alive to the advantage to be got from methodic, orderly + expression artistically and morally." + +[10] This passage, since H. Estienne (Stephanus) first wrote against + it "huic loco meae conjecturae succumbunt," has been a puzzle to + all commentators. The words run: {ou lanthanei de me oti kalos kai + exes gegraphthai} [{gegraptai} in the margin of one MS.] {radion + gar estai autois takhu me orthos mempsasthai' kaitoi gegraptai ge + outos k.t.l.} For {takhu me orthos} (1) {takhu ti me orthos}, (2) + {to} (or {ta}) {me orthos}, have been suggested. It is not clear + whether {autois} = {tois sophistais} (e.g. "it will be easy for + these people to lay a finger at once on blots, however unfairly"), + or = {tois suggrammasi} (sc. my(?) compositions; so {auta}, S. 7 + below, {ou gar dokein auta boulomai k.t.l.}) (e.g. "since it will + be easy offhand to find fault with them incorrectly") [or if {ta + me orthos}, "what is incorrect in them"]. I append the three + translations of Gail, Lenz, and Talbot. "Je sais combien il est + avantageux de presenter des ouvrages methodiquement ecrits; aussi + par le meme sera-t-il plus facile de prouver aux sophistes leur + futilite!" {radion gar estai} [sub. {emoi}] {mempsasthai outois + takhu (to) me} (sous-entendu) {gegraphthai orthos} (Gail). "Zwar + entgeht mir nicht, dass es schon say die Worte kunstvoll zu + ordnen, denn leichter wird ihnen sonst, schnell, aber mit Unrecht + zu tadeln" (Lenz). "Aussi leur sera-t-il facile de me reprocher + d'ecrire vite et sans ordre" (Talbot). As if {takhu me orthos} + were the reproachful comment of the sophist on the author's + treatise. + +[11] i.e. "the arguments to be blameless at once and irrefutable for + all time." + +That is my point of view. The sophist has quite another--words with +him are for the sake of deception, writing for personal gain; to +benefit any other living soul at all is quite beside his mark. There +never was nor is there now a sage among them to whom the title "wise" +could be applied. No! the appellation "sophist" suffices for each and +all, which among men of common sense[12] sounds like a stigma. My +advice then is to mistrust the sonorous catch-words[13] of the +sophist, and not to despise the reasoned conclusions[14] of the +philosopher; for the sophist is a hunter after the rich and young, the +philosopher is the common friend of all; he neither honours nor +despises the fortunes of men. + +[12] L. Dind. cf. Eur. "Heracl." 370, {tou tauta kalos an eie} | {para + g' eu phronousin}. + +[13] {paraggelmata}. Cf. Aesch. "Ag." 480, "telegraph"; Lys. 121. 32; + Dem. 569. 1; "words of command"; Dion. H. "De Comp." 248, + "instructions, precepts." + +[14] {enthumemata}. + +Nor would I have you envy or imitate those either who recklessly +pursue the path of self-aggrandisement,[15] whether in private or in +public life; but consider well[16] that the best of men,[17] the true +nobility, are discovered by their virtues;[18] they are a laborious +upwards-striving race; whilst the base are in evil plight[19] and are +discovered by their demerits.[20] Since in proportion as they rob the +private citizen of his means and despoil the state[21] they are less +serviceable with a view to the public safety than any private +citizen;[22] and what can be worse or more disgraceful for purposes of +war than the bodily form of people so incapable of toil?[23] Think of +huntsmen by contrast, surrendering to the common weal person and +property alike in perfect condition for service of the citizens. They +have both a battle to wage certainly: only the one set are for +attacking beasts; and the other their own friends.[24] And naturally +the assailant of his own friends does not win the general esteem;[25] +whilst the huntsman in attacking a wild beast may win renown. If +successful in his capture, he was won a victory over a hostile brood; +or failing, in the first place, it is a feather in his cap that his +attempt is made against enemies of the whole community; and secondly, +that it is not to the detriment of man nor for love of gain that the +field is taken; and thirdly, as the outcome of the very attempt, the +hunter is improved in many respects, and all the wiser: by what means +we will explain. Were it not for the very excess of his pains, his +well-reasoned devices, his manifold precautions, he would never +capture the quarry at all; since the antagonists he deals with are +doing battle for bare life and in their native haunts,[26] and are +consequently in great force. So that if he fails to overmatch the +beasts by a zest for toil transcending theirs and plentiful +intelligence, the huntsman's labours are in vain. + +[15] Or, "surrender themselves heedlessly to the ways of self- + seeking." But the phraseology here seems to savour of extreme + youth, or else senility. + +[16] {enthumethenta}. Query, in reference to {enthumemata} above? + +[17] Reading {andron}. For the vulg. {auton} see Schneid. ad loc., who + suggests {ton aston}. + +[18] "Recognisable for the better." + +[19] "They are not famous but infamous"; "the bad fare as their name + suggests" (i.e. badly). + +[20] "Recognisable for the worse." + +[21] Or, "what with private extortionsand public peculation." + +[22] {ton idioton}, "laymen," I suppose, as opposed to "professional" + lawyers or politicians. + +[23] "What with their incapacity for hard work, their physique for + purposes of war is a mockery and a sham." + +[24] Cf. Plat. "Soph." + +[25] Or, "earns but an evil reputation in the world." + +[26] "They are being bearded in their dens." + +I go back to my proposition then. Those self-seeking politicians, who +want to feather their own nests,[27] practise to win victories over +their own side, but the sportsman confines himself to the common +enemy. This training of theirs renders the one set more able to cope +with the foreign foe, the others far less able. The hunting of the one +is carried on with self-restraint, of the others with effrontery. The +one can look down with contempt upon maliciousness and sordid love of +gain, the other cannot. The very speech and intonation of the one has +melody, of the other harshness. And with regard to things divine, the +one set know no obstacle to their impiety, the others are of all men +the most pious. Indeed ancient tales affirm[28] that the very gods +themselves take joy in this work[29] as actors and spectators. So +that,[30] with due reflection on these things, the young who act upon +my admonitions will be found, perchance, beloved of heaven and +reverent of soul, checked by the thought that some one of the gods is +eyeing their performance.[31] + +[27] Or, "Those people who would fain have the lion's share in the + state." + +[28] Or, "an ancient story obtains." + +[29] Sc. "of the chase." + +[30] Or {uparkhein} = "it may be considered as given." Scheid. cf. + "Pol. Ath." iii. 9, {oste uparkhein demokratian einai}. + +[31] Lit. "that the things in question are beheld by some divinity." + +These are the youths who will prove a blessing to their parents, and +not to their parents only but to the whole state; to every citizen +alike and individual friend. + +Nay, what has sex to do with it? It is not only men enamoured of the +chase that have become heroes, but among women there are also to whom +our lady Artemis has granted a like boon--Atalanta, and Procris, and +many another huntress fair. + + + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Sportsman by Xenophon + diff --git a/old/old/sport10.zip b/old/old/sport10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3449b37 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/sport10.zip |