THE FOX'S PROPHECY. By D.W. Nash. Commentary by R.W.F. Poole.

(1871) and (1995) 1995 reprint. Square 16mo (133 x 165mm). Ppiv,60. B/w illustrations by Diana E. Brown. Orange-brown boards, spine titled in gilt.

This is an extremely nice edition of D.W. Nash's poem, with black and white illustrations by Diana E. Nash. A commentary by R.W.F. Poole appears on each left-hand page and the poem itelf on each right-hand page. According to Willy Poole's introduction, the poem's manuscript was discovered in Aston-Ingham, Gloucestershire by the Rev. Whatley. The manuscript was dated 'Cheltenham 1871' but lacked an author's name. Rev. Whatley gave the manuscript to the master of the Ledbury, William Gordon Canning, who produced the first edition in 1914 in aid of charity. There was a further edition, in aid of the Red Cross, in 1918, and it was in this edition that the poem was first attributed to D.W. Nash. In passing, Poole offered the proceeds of this edition to the Red Cross, who refused out of disapproval of the poem's theme. This edition was therefore published in aid of the Hunt Servants' Fund.