The protested hunt

The huntsman galloped over the hill,
Chasing his prey as huntsmen will;
Over the hill and into the wood
Where the fox had hidden as best he could.

The fox lay just as still as could be
And peeped to see what he might see;
He heard the horse as it snorted its breath
And he felt the cold, cold wind of death.

The hounds bayed out their dreadful cry
As storm clouds filled the morning sky;
The beasts had found the fox's scent -
They knew their task was imminent.

And they cried their frightful cry of doom
Till the fox, heart beating, flicked his broom
And breaking cover began to chase
Over the hill in a life and death race.

The huntsman blew a victory blast
As he saw the flash of the fox go past.
Then the hounds picked up their hunting pace
As they joined in the fox's fright-filled race.

But what is this?   From a nearby hedge
Appears a protester carrying his badge.
It says: "Long live the fox and damn the rest."
He waved his board at the humtsman's chest.

The horse reared up and the rider fell
And rolled into mud in the ditch as well.
The horse ran off in its fear and sweat.
It began to rain as the hunt was upset!

So what with the chaos of this event,
The hunt wasn't quite as the hunter's intent.
The fox escaped in the wind and the rain
To return to its den where he's safe again.

The huntsman, angry, returned back home
Where he found his horse returned from its roam.
He dressed his wounds, his bruises and aches
But he'll ride again, for he loves the stakes.

How he cursed the man who would save the fox,
And spoil his fun and that of his dogs.
He complained and grumbled to friends that night,
"The hunt," he declared, "is the countryman's right!"

But maybe the fox has a different view
That this is his country to live in, too,
Where he hunts the rabbit and chases the hare;
It's his right in the wind and the country air.

The countryside beckons to all and sustains
All types of life in the sun and the rain.
Should the hunt be allowed?   They will long debate
The merits of this from the morn till late.

Meanwhile the fox does what foxes do,
Hunting to feed his family brood;
While men rant on as to whether they should,
And continue to fight on the edge of the wood!