The foes she flies. Let cavillers deny [more;
That brutes have reason; sure 'tis something
'Tis Heaven directs, and stratagems inspire
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.
Pond'ring and doubtful what new course to take.
And how to 'scape the fierce blood-thirsty crew
That still urge on, and still in vollies loud
Insult her woes, and mock her sore distress.
As now in louder peals the loaded winds
Bring on the gathering storm, her 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 canvas wings, scud half so fast.
Once more, ye jovial train! your courage try,
And each clean courser's speed. We scour along
In pleasing hurry and confusion toss'd;
Oblivion to be wish'd! The patient pack

And yet a moment lives, till round inclos'd
By all the greedy pack, with infant screams
She yields her breath, and there reluctant dies!

So when the furious Bacchanals assail'd
Threician Orpheus, poor ill-fated bard! [banks
Loud was the cry; hills, woods, and Hebrus'
Return'd their clam'rous rage: distress'd he flies,
Shifting from place to place, but flies in vain :
For eager they pursue; till panting, faint,
By noisy multitudes o'erpower'd, he sinks
To the relentless crowd a bleeding prey!

The huntsman now, a deep incision made,
Shakes out with hands impure, and dashes down
Her reeking entrails and yet quiv'ring art.
These claim the pack, the bloody perquisite
For all their toils stretch'd on the ground she lies
A mangled corse; in her dim-glaring eyes
Cold Death exults, and stiffens ev'ry limb.
Or by the threat'ning whip, the furious hounds
Around her bay, or at their master's foot

With humble adulation cow'ring low.
All now is joy. With cheeks full-blown they

wind

Her solemn dirge, while the loud-opening pack
The concert swell, and hills and dales returu
The sadly-pleasing sounds. Thus the poor hare,
puny dastard animal? but vers'd

A
In subtle wiles, diverts the youthful train.
But if thy proud aspiring soul disdains
So mean a prey, delighted with the pomp,
Magnificence and grandeur, of the chace;
Hear what the Muse from faithful record sings.

Hang on the scent unwearied: up they climb,Each happy fav'rite courts his kind applause, And ardent we pursue: our lab'ring steeds We press, we gore; till, once the summit gain'd. Painfully panting, there we breathe awhile; Then like a foaming torrent pouring down Precipitant, we smoke along the vale. Happy the man who with unrivall'd speed Can pass his fellows, and with pleasure view The struggling pack! how in the rapid course Alternate they preside, and jostling push To guide the dubious scent; how giddy youth Oft blabb'ring errs, by wiser age reprov'd; How, niggard of his strength, the wise old hound Hangs in the rear, till some important point Rouse all his diligence, or till the chace Sinking he finds; then to the head he springs, With thirst of glory fir'd, and wins the prize. Huntsman! take heed; they stop in full career: Yon crowding flocks, that at a distance gaze, Have haply foil'd the turf. See that old hound, How busily he works, but dares not trust His doubtful sense! Draw yet a wider ring. Hark! now again the chorus fills; as bells, Sallied awhile, at once their peal renew, And high in air the tuneful thunder rolls. See how they toss, with animated rage Recov'ring all they lost! That eager haste Some doubling wile foreshows. Ah! yet once [either hand They 're check'd-hold back with speed-on They flourish round-ev'n yet persist-'tis right: Away they spring; the rustling stubbles bend Beneath the driving storm. Now the poor chace Begins to flag, to her last shifts reduc'd. From brake to brake she flies,and visits all[cure, Her well-knownhaunts, where once she rang'd With love and plenty blest. See! there she goes; She reels along, and by her gait betrays Her inward weakness. See how black she looks! The sweat that clogs th' obstructed pores scarce A languid scent. And now in open view [leaves See! see! she flies; each eager hound exerts His utmost speed, and stretches ev'ry nerve. How quick she turns, their gaping jaws eludes,

more

Why on the banks of Gemna, Indian stream,
Line within line, rise the pavilions proud,
Their silken streamers waving in the wind?
Why neighs the warrior horse? From tent to tent
Why press in crowds the buzzing multitude?
Why shines the polish'd helin and pointed lance,
This way and that far beaming o'er the plain?
Nor Visapour nor Golconda rebel,
Nor the great Sophy, with his num'rous host,
Lays waste the provinces, nor glory fires
To rob and to destroy, beneath the name
And specious guise of war. A nobler cause
Calls Aurengzebe to arins. No cities sack'd,
No mother's tears, no helpless orphan's cries,
No violated leagues, with sharp remorse
Shall sting the conscious victor, but mankind
Shall hail him good and just for 'tis on beasts
He draws his vengeful sword; on beasts of prey,
Full fed with human gore. See, see, he comes!
Imperial Delhi, op'ning wide her gates,
Pours out her thronging legions, bright in arms
And all the pomp of war. Before them sound
se-Clarions and trumpets, breathing inartial airs
And hold defiance. High upon his throne,
Borne on the back of his proud elephant,'
Sits the great chief of Timur's glorious race;
Sublime he sits amid the radiant blaze
Of gems and gold. Omrahs about him crowd,
And rein the Arabian steed, and watch his nod,
And potent rajahs, who themselves preside
O'er realms of wide extent; but here submiss

Bb 3

Their

* Xerxes,

And prove by glorious deeds their valor's growth | To seek on distant hills their late abodes.

Mature, ere yet the callow down has spread,
Its curling shade. On bold Arabian steeds
With decent pride they sit, that fearless hear
The lion's dreadful roar; and down the rock
Swift shooting plunge,oro'er the mountain's ridge
Stretching along, the greedy tiger leave
Panting bebind. On foot their faithful slaves
With jav'lins arm'd attend; each watchful eye
Fix'd on his youthful care, for him alone
He fears; and, to redeem his life, unmov'd
Would lose his own. The mighty Aurengzebe
From his high elevated throne beholds
His blooming race, revolving in his mind
What once he was, in his gay spring of life,
When vigor sprung his nerves. Parental joy
Melts in his eyes, and flushes in his cheeks.
Now the loud trumpet sounds a charge. The shouts
Of eager hosts thro' all the circling line,
And the wild howling of the beasts within,
Rend the welkin; the flights of arrows wing'd
With death, and jav'lins launch'd from every arm,
Gall sore the brutal bands, with many a wound
Gor'd thro' and thro'. Despair at last prevails,
When fainting nature shrinks, and rouses all
Their drooping courage. Swell'd with furious

rage,

Their eyes dart fire, and on the youthful band
They rush implacable. They their broad shields
Quick interpose; on each devoted head
Their flaming falchions, as the bolts of Jove,
Descend unerring. Prostrate on the ground
The grinning monsters lie, and their foul gore
Defiles the verdant plain. Nor idle stand
The trusty slaves; with pointed spears they pierce
Thro' their tough hides, or at their gaping mouths
An easier passage find. The king of brutes
In broken roarings breathes his last; the bear
Grumbles in death; nor can his spotted skin,
Tho' sleek it shine, with varied beauties gay,
Save the proud pard from unrelenting fate.
The battle bleeds: grim Slaughter strides along,
Glutting her greedy jaws, grins o'er her prey.
Men, horses, dogs, fierce beasts of ev'ry kind,
Astrange promiscuous carnage, drench'din blood,
And heaps on heaps amass'd. What yet remain
Alive, with vain assault contend to break
Th' impenetrable line. Others, whom fear
Inspires, with self-preserving wiles, beneath
The bodies of the slain for shelter creep,
Aghast they fly, or hide their heads dispers'd.
And now perchance (had Heaven but pleas'd)

the work

Of death had been complete, and Aurengzebe
By one dread frown extinguish'd half their race;
When, lo! the bright sultanas of his court
Appear, and to his ravish'd eyes display
Those charms but rarely to the day reveal'd.

Lowly they bend, and humbly sue to save
The vanquish'd host. What mortal can deny
When suppliant Beauty begs! At his command,
Op'ning to right and left, the well-train'd troops
Leave a large void for their retreating foes:
Away they fly, on wings of fear upborne,

Ye proud oppressors! whose vain hearts exult In wantonness of pow'r against the brutal race, Fierce robbers like yourselves, a guiltless war Wage uncontroll'd: here quench your thirst of blood;

But learn from Aurengzebe to spare

BOOK III.

THE ARGUMENT.

mankiud.

Of king Edgar, and his imposing a tribute of
wolves' heads upon the kings of Wales: from
hence a transition to fox-hunting, which is de-
scribed in all its parts. Censure of an over-
numerous pack. Of the several engines to de-
stroy foxes and other wild beasts. The steel-
trap described, and the manner of using it.
Description of the pitfall for the lion, and
another for the elephant. The antient way
of hunting the tiger with a mirror. The
Arabian manner of hunting the wild boar.
Description of the royal stag-chace at Wind-
sor Forest. Concludes with an address to his
Majesty, and an eulogy upon mercy.

IN Albion's isle when glorious Edgar reign'd,
He, wisely provident, from her white cliffs
Launch'd half her forests, and with num'rous

fleets

Cover'd his wide domain; there proudly rode
Lord of the deep, the great prerogative
Of British monarchs: each invader bold,
Dane and Norwegian, at a distance gaz'd,
And, disappointed, gnash'd his teeth in vain.
He scour'd his seas, and to remotest shores
With swelling sails, the trembling corsair fled.
Rich commerce flourish'd, and with busy oars
Dash'd the resounding surge. Nor less at land
His royal cares; wise, potent, gracious Prince!
His subjects from their cruel foes he sav'd,
And from rapacious savages their flocks.
Cambria's proud kings (tho' with reluctance) paid
Their tributary wolves, head after head,
In full account; till the woods yield no more,
And all the rav'nous race extinct is lost.
In fertile pastures more securely graz'd
The social troops, and soon their large increase
With curling fleeces whiten'd all the plains.
But yet, alas! the wily fox remain'd,
A subtle, pilf'ring foe, prowling around
In midnight shades, and wakeful to destroy.
In the full fold the poor defenceless lamb,
Seis'd by his guileful arts, with sweet warm blood
Supplies a rich repast. The mournful ewe,
Her dearest treasure lost, thro' the dun night
Wanders perplex'd, and darkling bleats in vain;
While in th' adjacent bush poor Philomel
(Herself a parent once, till wanton churls
Despoil'd her nest) joins in her loud laments
With sweeter notes and more melodious woe.

For these nocturnal thieves, huntsman, prepare
Thy sharpest vengeance. Oh! how glorious 'tis
To right th' oppress'd, and bring the felon vile
To just disgrace! Ere yet the morning peep,

Bb4

Or

Lead us bewilder'd! smooth as swallows skim The new-shorn mead, and far more swift we fly. See my brave pack! how to the head they press, Jostling in close array, then more diffuse Obliquelywheel; while from their op'ning inouths The vollied thunder breaks. So when the cranes Their annual voyage steer, with wanton wing Their figure oft they change, and their loud clang From cloud to cloud rebounds. How far behind The hunter crew, wide straggling o'er the plain! The panting courser now with trembling nerves Begins to reel; urg'd by the goring spur Makes many a faint effort: he snorts, he foams; The big round drops run trickling down his sides, With sweat and blood distain'd. Look back and The strange confusion of the vale below. [view Where sore vexation reigns: see yon poor jade; In vain th' impatient rider frets and swears, And galling spurs harrow his mangled sides; He can no more: his stiff unpliant limbs rogueRooted in earth, unmov'd and fix'd he stands; For ev'ry cruel curse returns a groan,

And sobs, and faints,and dies! Who without grief Can view that pamper'd steed, his master's joy, beatis minion, and his daily care, well cloth'd, Well fed with every nicer care; no cost, No labor spar'd; who, when the flying chace Broke from the copse, without a rival led The num'rous train; now a sad spectacle Of pride brought low, and humbled insolence, Drove like a pannier'd ass, and scourg'd along! While these,withloosen dreins and dangling heels Hang on their reeling palfreys, that scarce bear Their weights; another in the treach'rous bog Lies flound'ring, half ingulph'd. What biting

And now distress'd, no shelt'ring covert near,
Into the hen-roost creeps, whose walls with gore
Distain'd attest his quilt. There, villain! there
Expect thy fate deserv'd. And soon from thence
The pack, inquisitive, with clamor loud,
Drag out their trembling prize, and on his blood
With greedy transport feast. In bolder notes
Each sounding horn proclaims the felon dead,
And all th' assembled village shouts for joy.
The farmer, who beholds his mortal foe,
Stretch'd at his feet, applands the glorious deed,
And grateful calls us to a short repast;
In the full glass the liquid amber smiles,
Our native product; and his good old mate
With choicest viands heaps the liberal board,
To crown our triumphs and reward our toils.
Here must th' instructive Muse (but with respect)
Censure that num'rous pack, that crowd of state,
With which the vain profusion of the great.
Covers the lawn, and shakes the trembling copse.
Pompous incumb'rance! a magnificence
Useless, vexatious! for the wily fox,
Safe in the increasing number of his foes,
Kens well the great advantage; slinks behind,
And slily creeps thro' the same beaten track,
And hunts them step by step; then views escap'd,
With inward ecstasy, the panting throng
In their own footsteps puzzled, foil'd, and lost.
So when proud Eastern kings summon to arms
Their gaudy legions, from far distant climes
They flock in crowds, unpeopling half a world;
But when the day of batile calls them forth
To charge the well-train'd foe, a band compact,
Of chosen veterans, they press blindly on,
In heaps confus'd, by their own weapons fall,
A smoking carnage scatter'd o'er the plain.
Nor hounds alone this noxious brood destroy;
The plunder'd warrener fall many a wile
Devises to entrap his greedy foe,

Fat with nocturnal spoils. At close of day
With silence drags his tail; then, from the ground
Pares thin the close-gaz'd turf; there with nice

hand

Of men and beasts, the painful forester,
Climbs the high hills, whose proud aspiring tops,
With the tail cedar crown'd and taper fir,
Assail the clouds; there, 'mong the craggy
rocks
And thickets intricate, trembling he views
His footsteps in the sand, the dismal road
And avenue to death. Hither he calls
His watchful bands, and low into the ground
A pit they sink, full many a fathom deep;
Then in the midst a columa high is rear'd,
The butt of some fair tree, upon whose top
A lainb is plac'd, just ravish'd from his dam;
And next a wall they build, with stones and earth
Encircling round, and hiding from all view
The dreadful precipice. Now when the shades
Of night hang low'ring o'er the mountains brow,
| And hunger keen, and pungent thirst of blood,
Rouse up the slothful beast, he shakes his sides,
Slow-rising from his lair, and stretches wide
His rav'nous paws, with recent gore distain'd.
The forest trembles as he roars aloul,
Hmpatient to destroy. O'erjoy'd he hears
The bleating innocent, that claims in vain
The shepherd's care, and seeks with piteous moan
The foodful teat; himself, alas! design'd
Another's meal. For now the greedy brute
Wines him from far, and leaping o'er the mound
To seise his trembling prey, headlong is plung'd
Into the deep abyss. Prostrate he lies,
Astunn'd and impotent. Ah! what avail
Thine eyeballs flashing fire, thy length of tail ́
That lashes thy broad sides, thy jaws besmear'd
With blood and offals crude, thy shaggy mane
The terror of the woods, thy stately port,
And bulk enormous, since by stratagem
Thy strength is foil'd! Unequal is the strife,
When sov'reign reason combats brutal rage.

On distant Ethiopia's sun-burnt coasts
The black inhabitants a pitfall frame,
But of a diff'rent kind, and diff'rent use.
With slender poles the wide capacious mouth,
And hurdles slight, they close; o'er these is spread
A floor of verdant turf, with all its flow'rs
Covers the latent death, with curious springs Smiling delusive, and from strictest search
Prepar'd to fly at once, whene'er they tread Concealing the deep grave that yawns below.
Of inan or beast unwarily shall press
Then boughs of trees they cut, with empting frait
The yielding surface. By the indented steel Of various kinds surcharg'd; the downy peach,
With gripe tenacious held, the felon grins, The clust'ring vine, and of bright golden rind
And struggles, but in vain: yet oft 'tis known, The fragrant orange. Soon as evening grey
When ev'ry art has fail'd, the captive fox Advances slow, besprinkling all around
Has shar'd the wounded joint, and with a limb With kind refreshing dews the thirsty glebe,
Compounded for his life. But if perchance The stately elephant from the close shade
In the deep pitfall plung'd, there's no escape, With step majestic strides, eager to taste
But unrepriev'd he dies; and, bleach'd in air, The cooler breeze, that from the sea-beat shore
The jest of clowns, his reeking carcase hangs.Delightful breathes, or in the limpid stream
Of these are various kinds: not even the king
Of brutes evades this deep-devouring rave;
But by the wily African betray'd,
Heedless of fate, within his gaping jaws
Expires indignant. When the orient beam
With blushes paints the dawn, and all the race
Carnivorous, with blood full gorg'd, retire
Into their darksome cells, there satiate snore
O'er dripping offls, and the mangled limbs

To lave his panting sides; joyous he scents
The rich tepast, unweeting of the death
That lurks within. And soon he sporting breaks
The brittle bonghs, and greedily devours
The fruit delicious. Ah! too dearly bought;
The price is life. For now the treach'rous turf,
Trembling, gives way; and the unwieldy beast,
Self-sinking, drops into the dark profound.
So when dilated vapors struggling heave

Th