That country house of mine—a pleasure house

Some call it, though I’ve found but little there—

Stands in a narrow mountain gorge, through which

He and the bloodhounds after him must pass

To reach the river; as he says, he came,

And saw, and fled; had scarce got fifty yards,

Up comes the Sheriff with his yelling pack

Panting and blowing. First most courteously

I begg’d them spare themselves as well as him

Further pursuit, but all in vain; push on