“Huntsman, what quarry?
On the dry hill
Do your hounds harry?
When the red oak is bare
And the white oak still
Rattles its leaves
In the cold air:
What fox runs there?”
“Girl, gathering acorns
In the cold autumn
I hunt the hot pads
That ever run before
I hunt the pointed mask
That makes no reply
I hunt the red brush
Of remembered joy.”
“To tame or to destroy?”
“To destroy.”
“Huntsman, hard by
In a wood of grey beeches
Whose leaves are on the ground
Is a house with a fire;
You can see the smoke from here
There’s supper and a soft bed
And not a soul around
Come with me there;
Bide there with me;
And let the fox run free.”
The horse that he rode on
Reached down its neck
Blew upon the acorns
Nuzzled them aside;
The sun was near setting;
He thought, “Shall I take her?”
He thought, “Shall I take her
For a one-night’s bride?”
He smelled the sweet smoke
He looked the lady over;
Her hand was on his knee;
But like a flame from cover
The red fox broke –
And “Hoick! Hoick!” cried he