The subject proposed. Address to his royal highness the prince. The origin of hunting. The rude and unpolished manner of the first hunters. Beasts at first hunted for food and sacrifice. The grant made by God to man of the beasts, &c. The regular manner of hunting first brought into this island by the Normans. The best hounds and best horses bred here. The advantage of this exercise to us, as islanders. Address to gentlemen of estates. Situation of the kennel and its several courts. The diversion and employment of hounds in the kennel. The different sorts of hounds for each different chase. De
New, and unpolish'd was the huntsman's art; No stated rule, his wanton will his guide. With clubs and stones, rude implements of war, He arm'd his savage bands, a multitude Untrain'd; of twining osiers form'd, they pitch Their artless toils, then range the desert hills, And scower the plains below; the trembling herd Unheard before; surpris'd, alas! to find Start at th' unusual sound, and clamorous shout [lord, Man now their foe, whom erst they deem'd their But mild and gentle, and by whom as yet Secure they graz'd. Death stretches o'er the plain Wide-wasting, and grim slaughter red with blood: Urg'd on by hunger keen, they wound, they kill, Their rage licentious knows no bound; at last, Encumber'd with their spoils, joyful they bear
scription of a perfect hound. Of sizing and sort-Upon their shoulders broad the bleeding prey. ing of hounds, the middle-sized hound recom- Part on their altars smoke a sacrifice mended. Of the large deep-mouthed hound for To that all-gracious Power, whose bounteous hand hunting the stag and otter. Of the lime-hound; their use on the borders of England and Scotland. Supports his wide creation; what remains On living coals they broil, i elegant A physical account of scents. Of good and bad of taste, nor skill'd as yet in nicer arts scenting days. A short admonition to my bre-of pamper'd luxury. Devotion pure, thren of the couples.
THE Chase I sing, hounds, and their various breed, And no less various use. O thou, great prince! Whom Cambria's towering hills proclaim their lord, Deign thou to hear my bold, instructive song. While grateful citizens with pompous show, Rear the triumphal arch, rich with th' exploits Of thy illustrious house; while virgins pave Thy way with flowers, and, as the royal youth Passing they view, admire and sigh in vain; While crowded theatres, too fondly proud Of their exotic minstrels, and shrill pipes, The price of manhood, hail thee with a song, And airs soft-warbling; my hoarse-sounding horn Invites thee to the Chase, the sport of kings; Image of war, without its guilt. The Muse Aloft on wing shall soar, conduct with care Thy foaming courser o'er the steepy rock, Or on the river bank receive thee safe, Light-bounding o'er the wave, from shore to shore. Be thou our great protector, gracious youth! And if, in future times, some envious prince, Careless of right, and guileful, should invade Thy Britain's commerce, or should strive in vain To wrest the balance from thy equal hand; Thy hunter-train, in chearful green array'd, (A band undaunted, and inur'd to toils) Shall compass thee around, die at thy feet, Or hew thy passage through th' embattled foe, And clear thy way to fame: inspir'd by thee The nobler chase of glory shall pursue [death. Through fire, and smoke, and blood, and fields of Nature, in her productions slow, aspires By just degrees to reach perfection's height: So mimic Art works leisurely, till Time Improve the piece, or wise Experience give The proper finishing. When Nimrod bold, That mighty hunter, first made war on beasts, And stain'd the woodland-green with purple dye,
And strong necessity, thus first began The chase of beasts: though bloody was the deed, Yet without guilt. For the green herb alone Unequal to sustain man's labouring race, Now every moving thing that liv'd on Earth Was granted him for food. So just is Heaven, To give us in proportion to our wants.
Or chance or industry in after-time Some few improvements made, but short as yet Of due perfection. In this isle remote Our painted ancestors were slow to learn, To arms devote, of the polter arts
Nor skill'd nor studious; till from Neustria's coasts Victorious William, to more decent rules Subdu'd our Saxon fathers, taught to speak The proper dialect, with horn and voice To cheer the busy hound, whose well-known cay His listening peers approve with joint acelain. From him successive huntsmen learn'd to join In bloody social leagues, the multitude Dispers'd; to size, to sort their various tribes; To rear, feed, hunt, and discipline the nack.
Hail, happy Britain! highly favour'd isle, And Heaven's peculiar care! To thee 'tis given To train the sprightly steed, more deet than those Begot by winds, or the celestial breed That bore the great Pelides through the press Of heroes arin'd, and broke their crowded ranks; Which, proudly neighing, with the Sun begins Cheerful his course? and ere his beams declin', Hlas measur'd half thy surface unfatigu’d. In thee alone, fair land of liberty!
Is bred the perfect hound, in scent and speed As yet uurivall d, while in other climes Their virtue fails, a weak degenerate race. In vain malignant steams and winter fogs Load the dull air, and hover round our coasts,
The huntsman ever gay, robust, and bold, Defies the noxious vapour, and confides In this delightful exercise, to raise
His drooping herd, and cheer his heart with joy. Ye vigorous youths, by smiling Fortune blest With large demesnes, hereditary wealth, Heap'd copious by your wise fore-fathers' care, Hear and attend! while I the means reveal T' enjoy those pleasures, for the weak too strong, Too costly for the poor: To rein the steed Swift stretching o'er the plain, to chear the pack Opening in consorts of harmonious joy, But breathing death. What though the gripe severe Of brazen-fisted Time, and slow disease Creeping through every vein, and nerve unstrung, Aflict my shatter'd frame, undaunted still, Fix'd as a mountain ash, that braves the bolts Of angry Jove; though blasted, yet unfallen; Still can my soul in Fancy's mirrour view Deeds glorious once, recal the joyous scene In all its splendours deck'd, o'er the full bowl Recount my triumphs past, urge others on With hand and voice, and point the winding way: Pleas'd with that social sweet garrulity, The poor disbanded veteran's sole delight.
First let the kennel be the huntsman's care, Upon some little eminence erect,
And fronting to the ruddy dawn; its courts On either hand wide opens to receive The Sun's all-chearing beams, when mild he shines, And gilds the mountain tops. For much the pack (Rous'd from their dark alcoves) delight to stretch And bask in his invigorating ray:
Wam'd by the streammg light and merry lark, Fourth rush the jolly clan; with tuneful threats They carol lond, and in grand chorus join'd Salute the new-born day. For not alone The vegetable world, but men and brutes Own his reviving influence, and joy
At his approach. Fountain of licht! if chance Some envious cloud veil thy reful ent brow, In vain the Muses aid; untouch'd, unstrung, Lies my mute harp, and thy desponding pard Sits darkly musa go'er th' matinish'd lay.
Let no Cormthian pillars prop the dome, A van expense, on charitable dads Bitter arpos'd, to clothe the tatter'd wretch, Who hrinks beneath the blast, to feed the poor, Pinch d with afilictive want. For use, not state, Gracefully plun, let each anitaient rise. O'er all let cleanliness preside, no scraps Bestrew the pavement, and no pat-pick'd bones To kindle ferce debate, or to disgust
That meer sense, on which the spoutsman's hope, And all his future triumpl >, Laust depend. Soon as the growling pack with easer joy Have lapp'd their smok ng viands, men or eve, From the full cistern I ad the ductile streams, To wash thy court well pavid, nor spare thy pains, For much to health will cleanliness avail. Seek'st thou for hounds to el mb the rocky steep, And brush th' entangled covert, whose nice scent O'er greasy fallows and frequented roads Can pick the dubious way? Barish far off Each posome stench, let no offens smell Invade thy wide enclosure, but admit The nitrous air and purifying becze, Water and shade no less demand thy care: In a large square th' adjacent field enc.be,
There plant in equal ranks the spreading elm, Or fragrant lime; most happy thy design, If at the bottom of thy spacious court, A large canal, fed by the crystal brook, From its transparent bosom shall reflect Downward thy structure and inverted grove. Here when the Sun's too potent gleams annoy The crowded kennel, and the drooping pack, Restless, and faint, loll their unmoisten'd tongues, And drop their feeble tails, to cooler shades Lead forth the panting tribe; soon shalt thou find The cordial breeze their fainting hearts revive: Tumultuous soon they plunge into the stream, There lave their reeking sides, with greedy joy Gulp down the flying wave, this way and that From shore to shore they swim, while clamour loud And wild uproar torments the troubled flood: Then on the sunny bank they roll and stretch Their dripping limbs, or else in wanton rings Coursing around, pursuing and pursued, The merry multitude disporting play.
But here with watchful and observant eye, Attend their frolics, which too often end In bloody broils and death. High o'er thy head Wave thy resounding whip, and with a voice Fierce-menacing o'er-rule the stern debate, And quench their kindling rage; for oft in sport Begun, combat ensues, growling they snarl, Then on their haunches rear'd, rampant they seize Each other's throats, with teeth and claws in gore Besmear'd, they wound, they tear, till on the ground, Panting, half dead the conquer'd champion lies: Then sudden all the base ignoble crowd
Lond-clamouning seize the helpless worried wretch, And, thirsting for his blood, drag different ways His inangled carcass on th' ensanguin'd plain. O breasts of pity void! t' oppress the weak, To point your vengence at the friendless head, And with one mutual ery insult the fall'n ! Emblem too just of man's de: enerate race.
Others aput, by native instinct led, Knowing instructor! 'mong the ranker grass Cul' cach salubrious plant, with bitter juice Concoctive stor'd, and potent to allay Each vicious ferment. Thus the hand divine Of Providence, beneficent and kind To ad his creatures, for the brutes prescribes A ready remedy, and is himself
The reat paysician. Now grown stiff with age, Au! many a painful chase, the wise old hound, Regardless of the folie pack, attends
His master's side, or slumbers at his ease Beneath the bending shade, there many a ring Runs o'er i dreams; now on the doubtful foil Puzzles perplex'd, or doubles intricate Cat tous unfolds, then, wing'd with all his speed, Pounds o'er the lawn to se ze his panting prey, And an imperfect wh my rines speaks his joy.
A diffre at hourd for every diereat chase Select with ind ment; nor the timorous hare O'ermatch d destroy, but leave that vile offence To the mean, murderous, coursing crew; intent On blood and spoil. Oblasttheir hopes just Heaven! Ad all their paint dindgeries repay Withd-porntment and severe remorse. But bosbayi thon thy pleasures, and give scope To all her su lo play: by Nature led Atha and s ifts she tries; ' unravel these Th' meistrious beagle twists !is waving tail,
Through all her labyrinths pursues, and rings Her doleful knell. See there with countenance blithe, And with a courtly grin, the fawning hound Salutes thee cowering, his wide opening nose, Upward he curls, and his large sloe-black eyes Melt in soft blandishments, and humble joy ; His glossy skin, or yellow-pied, or blue, In lights or shades by Nature's pencil drawn, Reflects the various tints; his ears and legs Fleckt here and there, in gay enamell d pride, Rival the speckled pard; his rush grown-tail O'er his broad back bends in an ample arch; On shoulders clean, upright and firm he stands; His round cat foot, strait hams, and wide-spread thighs,
And his low-dropping chest, confess his speed, His strength, his wind, or on the steepy hill, Or far-extended plain; in every part So well proportion'd, that the nicer skill Of Phidias himself can't blame thy choice. Of such compose thy pack. But here a mean Observe, nor the large hound prer, of size Gigantic; he in the thick woven covert Painfully tugs, or in the thorny brake Torn and embarrass d bleeds; But if too small, The pigmy brood in every furrow swims; Moil'd in the clogging clay panting they lag Behind inglorious; or else shivering creep Benumb'd and faint beneath the sheltering thorn. For hounds of middle size, active and strong, Will better answer all thy various ends, And crown thy pleasing labous with success. As some brave captain, curious ad exact, By his fix'd standard forins in equal ranks His gay battalion, as one man they move Step after step, their size the same, their arms Far-gleaming, dart the same united blaze: Reviewing generals his merit own;
And all his cares Are well repaid, if mighty George approve. So model thou thy pack, if honour touch Thy generous soul, and the world's just applause. But above all take heed, nor mix thy hounds
Of different kinds; discordant sounds shall grate Thy ears offended, and a lagging line
Of babbling curs disgrace thy broken pack. But if the amphibious otter be thy chase,
Or stately stag, that o'er the woodland reigns; Or if the harmonious thunder of the field Delight thy ravish'd ears; the deep flew'd hound Breed up with care, strong, heavy, slow, but sure; Whose ears down-hanging from his thick round heatl Shall sweep the morning dew, whose clanging volce Awake the mountain Echo in her cell,
And shake the forests: The bold Talbot kind Of these the prime; as white as Alpine snows; And great their use of old. Upon the banks Of Tweed, slow winding through the vale, the seat, Of war and rapine once, ere Britons knew The sweets of peace, or Anna's dread commands To lasting leagues the haughty rivals aw'd, There dwelt a pilfering race; well trin'd and skill'd In all the mysteries of theft, the spoil Their only substance, feuds and war their sport : Not more expert in every fraudful art The arch felon was of oil, who by the tail Drew back his lowing prize: m vain his wiles,
1 Cacus, Virg. En. lib. viii.
In vain the shelter of the covering rock, In vain the sooty cloud, and ruddy flames That issued from his mouth; for soon he paid His forfeit life: a debt how justly due To wrong'd Alcides, and avenging Heaven! Veil'd in the shades of night they ford the stream, Then prowling far and near, whate'er they seize Becomes their prey: nor flocks nor herds are safe, Nor stalls protect the steer, nor strong barr'd doors Secure the favourite horse. Soon as the morn Reveals his wrongs, with ghastly visage wan The plunder'd owner stands, and from his lips A thousand thronging curses burst their way: He calls his stout allies, and in a line His faithful hound he leads, then with a voice That utters loud his rage, attentive cheers: Soon the sagac ous brute, his curling tail Flourish'd in air, low bending plies around His busy nose, the steamin vapour snuffs Inquisitive, nor leaves one turf untried, Till, conscious of the recent stains, his heart Beats quick; his snuffling nose, his active tail, Attest his joy; then with deep opening mouth, That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims Th' audacious felon; foot by foot he marks His winding way, while all the listening crowd Applaud his reasonings. O'er the watery ford, Dry sandy heaths, and stony barren hills, O'er beaten paths, with men and beasts distain'd, Unerring he pursues; till at the cot Arriv'd, and seizing by his guilty throat The caitif vile, redeems the captive prey: So exquisitely delicate his sense!
Should some more curious sportsman here inquire Whence this sagacity, this wondrous power Of tracing step by step, or man or brute? What grde invisible points out their way, O'er the dank marsh, bleak hill, and sandy plain? The courteous Muse shall the dark cause reveal. The blood that from the heart incessant rolls In many a crimson tide, then here and there In smaller rills disparted, as it flows Propell'd, the serous particles evade
Through th' open pores, and with the ambient air Entangling mix. As fumming vapours rise, And hang upon the gently purling brook, There by th' incumbent atmosphere compress'd: The panting Chase grows warner as he flies, And through the not-work of the skin perspires; Leaves a long streaming trail behind, which by The cooler air cond u-'d, remains, unless By some rule storm dispers'd, or rarified By the median Sun's intenser heat. To every shrub the warm ellavia cling, Hang on the grass, impregnate earth and skies. With nostrils opening wide, o'er hill, o'er dale Th· vigorous hounds pursue, with every breath Inhale the grateful steam, quick pleasures sting Their tingling nerves, while they their thanks repay, And in triumphant mel dy confess The titillat og joy. Thus on the air Depend the unter's hopes. When ruddy streaks At eve fovebo le a blastering stormy day, Or lowering clouds blacken the mountain's brow When nipp uz frosts, and the 1. en biting blasts Of the dry parching east, men ie the trees With toder blooms teering, kindly spare Thy sleeping pack, in their warm beds of straw Low-sinking at their ease; listless they shrink
Into some dark recess, nor hear thy voice Though oft invok'd; or haply if thy call Rouse up the slumbering tribe, with heavy eyes Glaz'd, lifeless, dull, downward they drop their tails Inverted; high on their bent backs erect Their pointed bristles stare, or 'mong the tufts Of ranker weeds, each stomach healing plant Curious they crop, sick, spiritless, forlorn. These inauspicious days, on other cares Employ thy precious hours; th' improving friend With open arms embrace, and from his lips Glean science, season'd with good natur'd wit. But if the inclement skies and angry Jove Forbid the pleasing intercourse, thy books Invite thy ready hand, each sacred page Rich with the wise remarks of heroes old. Converse familiar with th' illustrious dead; With great examples of old Greece or Rome, Enlarge thy fire-born heart, and bless kind Heaven, That Britain yet enjoys dear Liberty,
That bahn of life, that sweetest blessing, cheap Though purchas'd with our blood. Well-bred, polite, Credit thy calling. See! how mean, how low, The bookless sauntering youth, proud of the skut That dignifies his cap, his flourish'd belt, And rusty couples gingling by his side.
Be thou of other mould; and know that such Transporting pleasures were by Heaven ordain'd Wisdom's relief, and Virtue's great reward.
And then, below, where trickling streams distil From some penurious source, their thirst allay, And feed their fainting flocks: so the wise hares Oft quit their seats, lest some more curious eye Should mark their haunts, and by dark treacherous wiles
Plot their destruction; or perchance in hopes Of plenteous forage, near the ranker mead, Or matted blade, wary and close they sit. When spring shines forth, season of love and joy, In the moist marsh, mong beds of rushes hid, They cool their boiling blood. When summer suns Bake the cleft earth, to thick wide-waving fields Of corn full-grown, they lead their helpless young: Put when autunnal torrents and fierce rains Deluge the vale, in the dry crumbling bank Their forms they delve, and cautiously avoid The dripping covert: yet when winter's cold | Their limbs benumbs, thither with speed return'd In the long grass they skulk, or shrinking creep Among the wither'd leaves, thus changing still, As fancy prompts them, or as food invites. But every season carefully observ'd,
Of the power of instinct in brutes. Two remarkable instances in the hunting of the roebuck, and in the hare going to seat in the morning. Of the variety of seats or forms of the hare, according to the change of the season, weather, or wand. Description of the hare-hunting in all its parts, interspersed | with rules to be observed by those who follow that chase. Transition to the Asiatic way of hunting, particularly the magnificent manner of the Great Mogul, and other Tartarian princes, taken from Monsieur Bernier, and the history of Gengiscan the Great. Concludes with a short reproof of tyrants and oppressors of mankind.
Nor will it less delight th' attentive sage T'observe that Instinct, which unerring guides The brutal race, which mimies reason's lore, And oft transcends: Heaven taught, the roe-buck Loiters at ease before the driving pack [swift And mocks their vain pursuit; nor far he flies, But checks his ardour, till the steaming scent That freshens on the blade provokes their rage. Urg'd to their speed, his weak deluded foes Soon flag fatigued; strain'd to excess each nerve, Each slacken'd sinew fails; they pant, they foam; Then o'er the lawn he bounds, o'er the high hills Stretches secure, and leaves the scatter'd crowd To puzzle in the distant vale below.
"Tis Instinct that directs the jealous hare To chuse her soft abode. With step revers'd She forms the doubling maze; then, ere the morn Peeps through the clouds, icaps to her close recess. As wandering shepherds on th' Arabian plains Ne settled residence observe, but shift Their moving camp, now, on some cooler hill With cedars crown'd, court the refreshing breeze;
Th' inconstant winds, th' fickle element, The wise experienc'd huntsman soon may find His subtle, various game, nor waste in vain His tedious hours, till his impatient hounds, With disappointment vex'd, each springing lark Babbling pursue, far scatter'd o'er the fields.
Now golden Autumn from her open lap Her fragrant bounties showers; the fields are shorn; Inwardly smiling, the proud farmer views The rising pyramids that grace his yard, And counts his large increase; his barns are stor'd And groaning staddles bend beneath their load. All now is free as air, and the gay pack In the rough bristly stubbles range unblam'd; Swells in the farmer's breast, which his pale lips No widow's tears o'erflow, no secret curse Trembling conceal, by his fierce landlord aw'd: But courteous now he levels every fence, Joins in the common cry, and halloos loud, Chau'd with the rattling thunder of the field. To that extended lawn, where the gay court Oh bear me, some kind power invisible! View the swift racers, stretching to the goal; Games more renown'd, and a far nobler train, Than proud Elean fields could boast of old. Oh! were a Theban lyre not wanting here, And Pindar's voice, to do their merit right! Or to those spacious plains, where the strain'd eye In the wide prospect lost, bebolls at last Sarum's proud spire, that o'er the hills ascends, And pierces through the clouds. Or to thy downs, Fair Cotswold, where the well breath'd beagle climbs With matchless speed, thy green aspiring brow, And leaves the lagging multitude behind.
Hail, gentie Dawn! mild blushing goddess, hail! Rejoic'd I see thy purple mantle spread O'er half the skies, gems pave thy radiant way, And orient pearls from every shrub depend. Farewell, Cleora; here deep sunk in down Slumber secure, with happy dreams amus'd, Till grateful steams shall tempt thee to receive Thy carly meal, or thy officious maids, The toilet plae'd, shall urge thee to perform Th' important work. Me other joys invite, The horn sonorious calls, the pack awak'd Their mattins chaunt, nor brook my long delay,
My courser hears their voice; see there, with ears And tail erect, neighing he paws the ground; Fierce rapture kindles in his reddening eyes, And boils in every vein. As captive boys Cow'd by the ruling rod and haughty frowns Of pedagogues severe, from their hard tasks If once dismiss'd, no limits can contain The tumult rais'd within their little breasts, But give a loose to all their frolic play: So from their kennel rush the joyous pack; A thousand wanton gaieties express Their inward extasy, their pleasing sport Once more indulg'd, and liberty restor❜d. The rising Sun, that o'er th' horizon peeps, As many colours from their glossy skins Beaming reflects, as paint the various bow When April showers descend. Delightful scene! Where all around is gay, men, horses, dogs, And in each smiling countenance appeas Fresh blooming health, and universal joy. Huntsman lead on! behind the clustering pack Submiss attend, hear with respect thy whip Loud-clanging, and thy harsher voice obey: Spare not the straggling cur that wildly roves; But let thy brisk assistant on his back Imprint thy just resentments; let each lash Bite to the quick, till howling he return, And whining creep amid the trembling crowd.
Here on this verdant spot, where Nature kind With double blesssings crowns the farmer's hopes; Where flowers autumnal spring, and the rank mead Affords the wandering hares a rich repast; Throw off thy ready pack. See, where they spread, And range around, and dash the glittering dew. If some staunch hound, with his authentic voice, Avow the recent trail, the justling tribe Attend his call, then with one mutual cry, The welcome news confirm, and echoing hills Repeat the pleasing tale. See how they thread The brakes, and up yon furrow drive along! But quick they back recoil, and wisely check Their eager haste; then o'er the fallow'd ground How leisurely they work, and many a pause Th' harmonious concert breaks; till more assur'd With joy redoubled the low vallies ring. What artful labyrinths perplex their way!
Ah' there she lies; how close: she pants, she doubts If now she lives; she trembles as she sits,
See how their coursers, than the mountain roe More fleet, the verdant carpet skim, thick clouds Snorting they breathe, their shining hoofs scarce print The grass unbruis'd; with emulation fir'd They strain to lead the field, top the barr'd gate, O'er the deap ditch exulting bound, and brush The thorny-twining hedge: the riders bend O'er their arch'd necks; with steady hands, by turns Indulge their speed, or moderate their rage. Where are their sorrows, disappointments, wrongs, Vexations, sickness, cares? Ali, all are gone, And with the panting winds lag far behind.
Huntsman! her gait observe; if in wide rings She wheel her mazy way, in the same round Persisting still, she 'll foil the beaten track. But if she fly, and with the favouring wind Urge her bold course; less intricate thy task: Push on thy pack. Like some poor exil'd wretch, The frighted Chase leaves her late dear abodes, O'er plains remote she stretches far away, Ah! never to return! For greedy Death Hovering exults, secure to seize his prey.
Hark! from yon covert, where those towering oaks Above the humble copse aspiring rise, What glorious triumphs burst in every gale Upon our ravish'd ears! The hunters shout, The clanging horns swell their sweet-winding notes, The pack wide opening load the trembling air With various melody; from tree to tree The propagated cry redoubling bounds, And winged zephyrs waft the floating joy Through all the regions near: afflictive birch No more the school-boy dreads, his prison broke, Seampering he flies, nor heeds his master's call; The weary traveller forgets his road,
And climbs th' adjacent hill; the ploughman leaves Th' mutinish'd furrow; nor his bleating flocks Are now the shepherd's joy! men, boys, and girls, Desert th' umpeopled village; and wild crowds Spread o'er the plain, by the sweet frenzy seiz'd. Look, how she pants! and o'er yon opening glade Ships glancing by! while, at the further end, The puzzling pack unravel wile by wile, Maze within maze. The covert's utmost bound Slity she skirts; behind them cautious creeps And in that very track, so lately stin'd By all the steaining crowd, seems to pursue The foe she flies. Let cavillers deny
With horrour seiz'd. The wither'd grass that clings That brutes have r ason; sure 'tis something more,
Around her head, of th same russet hue Almost deceiv'd my sight, had not her eyes With life full-beaming her vain wiles betray'd. At distance draw thy pack, let all be hush d, No clamour loud, no fiantie joy be heard, Lest the wild hound run gadding o'er the plain Untractable, nor hear thy chiding voice. Now gently put her off; see how direct
'Tis Heaven directs, and stratagems inspires Beyond the short extent of human thought. But hold-I see her from the covert break; Sad on yon little eminence she sits; Intent she listens with one ear erect, Pondering, and doubtful what new course to take, And how t escape the fierce blood-thirsty crew, That still urge on, and still m vollies lond
To her known mew she flies! Here, huntsman, bring Insult her woes, and mock her sore distress.
(But without hurry) all thy jolly bounds, And calmly lay them in. How low they stoop, And seem to plough the ground! then all at once With greedy nostrils snuff the fuming steam That glads their flutt rin bearts. As winds let loose From the d. k caverns of the blustering god, They burst away, and sweep the dewy lawn. Hope gives them wings while she's spurr'd on by fear. The welkin rings, men, dogs, fuils, rocks, and woods, In the full concert join. Now, my brave youths, Stripp'd for the chase, give all your souls to joy!
As now in louder peals the loaded winds Bring on the gath ring storm, Ler fears prevail, And o'er the plain, and o'er the mountain's ridge, Away she flies; nor ships with wind and tide, And all their es etavass wargs, send half so fast. Quee more, ye jovial tram, your courage try, And each clean couser's speel. We scour along, In pleas ig hurry and comision tosi; Oblivion to be word. The patient pack Hang on the sc nt unweary'd, up they climb, And ardent we pursue; our labouring steeds
« AnteriorContinua » |