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 ru