The upper cascade, surmounted by Venus and flanked by swans, is barely visible from here.
Dogs’ graves marked with engraved stone headstones are not uncommon; there are some at Barmeath. Few, however, are as imposing and attractive as this memorial at Rousham. Beneath Venus is a commemorative poem. Come closer to this grotto with a small cascade.
You will need to get closer to read the inscription beneath Venus.
“In front of this stone lie the remains of RINGWOOD
an otter-hound of extraordinary Sagacity.
Tyrant of the Cherwell’s Flood
Come not near this ſarred gloom,
Nor, with thy inſulting brood,
Dare pollute my RINGWOOD’s tomb.
What tho death has laid him low,
LONG the terror of thy race,
Couples taught by him to know,
Taught to force thy lurking place.
Hark how STUBBORN’s airy tongue
Warns the time to point the spear,
RUFFUN loud thy knell has rung,
RULER echoes death is near.
All the skies in concert rend,
BUTLER chears with highest glee
Still thy Master and thy friend
RINGWOOD ever think on thee”
Don’t be alarmed, the admonition not to come near is not directed at us. It is a warning to otters and their pups to stay away. The names in capitals, I surmise, are other otter-hounds in the Dormer pack. There is another canine feature in the garden.
For balance, an otter gets a good write-up for his role in Wind in the Willows.
“Otter is one of Rat, Badger, Mole, and Toad’s friends. He’s not a wealthy landowning gentleman like his friends, though; rather, his character is based on Cockney street vendors. He’s confident and headstrong, but he is always willing to support and protect his friends (as a bigger animal, he can protect his smaller friends like Rat and Mole in the Wild Wood). Otter is also the first to know about any gossip circulating on the riverbank. He has a young son named Portly.” (Lit charts.com)
It has been illegal to hunt otters in the UK since 1978 and the Cherwell may still make a charming holt for an otter.
