"
"That were a needless labour," rejoined Henry, " seeing that you have
already stricken me to the heart. You should cure the wound you have
already made, sweetheart-not inflict a new one."
At this juncture the chief verderer, mounted on a powerful steed, and
followed by two keepers, each holding a couple of stag-hounds in leash,
rode up to the royal stand, and placing his horn to his lips, blew three
long mootes from it. At the same moment part of the network of the
haye was lifted up, and a roebuck set free.
By the management of the keepers, the animal was driven past the
royal stand; and Anne Boleyn, who had drawn an arrow nearly to the
head, let it fly with such good aim that she pierced the buck to the
heart. A loud shout from the spectators rewarded the prowess of the
fair huntress; and Henry was so enchanted, that he bent the knee to
her, and pressed her hand to his lips. Satisfied, however, with the'
achievement, Anne prudentlv declined another shot. Henry then took a
bow from one of the archers, and other roes being turned out, he
approved upon them his unerring skill as a marksman.
Meanwhile, the hounds, being held in leash, kept up a loud and
incessant baying; and Henry, wearying of his slaughterous sport, turned
to Anne, and asked her whether she was disposed for the chase.
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