*- 
 

 
 THE 
 
 POEM. 
 
 By WILLIAM SOMERVILE, Elq. 
 
 Nec tili cur a canum fuerit poftrema. 
 
 VIRG. GEORC. HI. 
 Romanis folenne <viris opus, utile fam<z, 
 e^ et membris, 
 
 HOR. EP. XVHI. Lib. I. 
 
 THE SIXTH EDITION. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for W. BOWYER, W. STRAHAN, 
 and R. B A L D w i N. MDCCLXXIII.
 
 >*. 
 Ill 
 
 THE 
 
 THE old and infirm have at leaft this 
 privilege, that they can recal to their 
 minds thofe fcenes of- joy in which they once 
 ^delighted, and ruminate over their pail plea- 
 fures, with a fatisfaction almoft equal to the 
 firft enjoyment. For thofe ideas, to which 
 any agreeable fenfation is annexed, are eafily 
 excited ; as leaving behind the mod ilrong 
 and permanent impreflions. The amufements 
 of our youth are the boaft and comfort of 
 our declining years. The ancients carried 
 this notion even yet further, and fuppofed 
 their heroes in the Elyfian Fields were fond 
 of the very fame diverfions they exercifed on 
 -earth. Death itfelf could not wean them from 
 the accuftomed fports and gayeties of life. 
 
 'Pars in gramineis exercent membra pal 
 Contendunt ludo, etfulva luftantur arena : 
 Parspedibus plaudunt choreas , et carmina dicttnt. 
 Anna procul currufque virum miratur inanes. 
 
 Stant
 
 iv PREFACE. 
 
 Stant terra defixa hafta, pajfimque foluti 
 Per campos pafcuntur equL Qua gratia currum 
 Armor unique fu'it vivis, qua cur a nitentes 
 Pajcere equas, eadetn fequiiur tellure repo/los. 
 
 VIRG. ^neid. VI. 
 
 Part on the grafTy cirque their pliant limbs 
 In wreftling exercife, or on the fands 
 Struggling difpute the prize. Part lead the ring, 
 Or fwell the chorus with alternate lays. 
 The chief their arms admires, their empty cars, 
 Their lances fix'd in earth. Th' unharnefs'd fteeds 
 Graze unreftrain'd ; horfes, and cars, and arms, 
 All the fame fond defires, and pleafing cares, 
 Still haunt their lhades, and after death furvive. 
 
 I hope therefore I may be indulged (even by 
 the more grave and cenforious part of man- 
 kind) if at my leifure hours, I run over, in my 
 elbow-chair, fome of thofe chaces, which 
 were once the delight of a more vigorous age. 
 It is an entertaining, and (as I conceive) a 
 very innocent amufement. The refultof thefe 
 rambling imaginations will be found in the 
 following poem j which if equally diverting 
 to my readers, as to myfelf, I fhall have 
 gained my end. I have intermixed the pre- 
 ceptive parts with fo many defcriptions and 
 digreflions in the Georgick manner, that I 
 hope they will not be tedious. I am lure 
 
 they
 
 P R E F A C % 
 
 they are very necefiary to be well underftood 
 by any gentleman, who would enjoy this 
 noble fport in full perfection. In this at lead 
 I may comfort myfelf, that I cannot trefpafs 
 upon their patience more than MARKHAM, 
 BLOME, and the other profe writers upon 
 this fubjecT:. 
 
 IT is moft certain, that hunting was the 
 exercife of the greateft heroes in antiquity- 
 By this they formed themfelves for war ; and 
 their exploits againft wild beafts were a pre- 
 lude to their other victories. XENOPHON 
 fays, that almoft all the ancient heroes, NES- 
 TOR, THESEUS, CASTOR, POLLUX, ULYSSES, 
 DIOMEDES, ACHILLES, &c. were MaOnlai 
 Kuwjyfo-jwv, difciples of hunting; being taught 
 carefully that art, as what would be highly 
 ierviceable to them in military difcipline. 
 XEN. CYNEGETIC. And PLINY obferves, 
 thofe who were defigned for great captains^ 
 were firft taught certare cum fugacibus feris 
 curfai cum audacibus robore, cum callidis aftu : 
 to conteft with the fwifteft wild beafts, in 
 fpeed ; with the boldeft, in ftrength ; with 
 the moft cunning, in craft and fubtilty. PLIN. 
 PANEGYR. And the ROMAN emperors, in 
 A 3 thofe
 
 vi F & E F AC E. 
 
 thofe monuments they ereded to tranfmit! 
 their actions to future ages, made no fcruple 
 to join the glories of the chace to their moft 
 celebrated triumphs. Neither were their 
 poets wanting to do juftice to this heroick 
 exercife. Befide that of OPPIAN in GREEK, 
 we have feveral poems in LATIN upon hunt- 
 ing. GRATIUS was contemporary with 
 OVID ; as appears by this verfe, 
 
 Aptaqye vencmti GRATIUS arma dabif. 
 
 LIB. IV. PONT, 
 
 GRATTUS fliall arm the huntfman for the chace. 
 
 But of his works only fome fragments re- 
 main. There are many others of more mo- 
 dern Date. Amongft thefe NEMESIANUS T 
 who feems very much fuperior to GRATIUS, 
 though of a more degenerate age. But only 
 a fragment of his firft book is preferved. We 
 might indeed have expected to have feen it 
 treated more at large by VIRGIL in his third 
 Georgick, fince it is exprefsly part of his fub- 
 ject. But he has favoured us only with ten 
 verfes ; and what he fays of dogs, relates 
 wholly to greyhounds and maliiffs, 
 r.fcf 
 
 ' A ;
 
 P R E F A C E. vii 
 
 'Veloces Sparta catalos, acremque Moloffhm. 
 
 GEORG. IIL 
 
 The greyhound fwift, and maftiff's furious breed. 
 
 And he directs us to feed them with butter- 
 milk. Pafce fero pingui. He has, it is true, 
 touched upon the Chace in the 4th and yth 
 books of the jEneid. But it is evident, that 
 the art of hunting is very different now from 
 what it was in his days, and very much al- 
 tered and improved in thefe latter ages. It 
 does not appear to me that the ancients had 
 any notion ofpurfuing wild beads by the 
 fcent only, with a regular and well-difciplined 
 pack of hounds ; and therefore they mud 
 have panned for poachers amongfb our 
 modern fportfmen. The mufter-roll given 
 us by OVID, in his dory of ACTION, is of all 
 forts of dogs, and of all countries. And the 
 defcription of the ancient hunting, as we find 
 it in the antiquities of Pere de MOMTFAUCOM 
 taken from the Sepulchre of the NASOS, and 
 the Arch of CONST ANTINE, has not the lead 
 trace of the manner now in ufe. 
 
 WHENEVER the ancients mention dogs fol- 
 lowed by the fcent, they mean namore than 
 .. A 4 finding
 
 viii PREFACE, 
 
 finding out the game by the nofe of one fingle 
 dog. This was as much as they knew of the 
 odor a canum vis. Thus NEMESIANUS fays, 
 ioi'Ot QfUT.'pn^fb^j ->dr ri'ncn -r3 bn* sjm 
 
 Odorato nafcunt veftigia prato % 
 Atque etiam leporum fecreta cubilia monjlranf. 
 
 They challenge on the mead the recent ftains, 
 And trail the hare unto her fecret form. 
 
 OPPIAN has a long defcription of thefe dogs 
 in his firft book, from ver. 479 to 526. And 
 here, though he feems to defcribe the hunt- 
 ing of the hare by the fcent through many 
 turnings and windings ; yet he really fays no 
 more, than that one of thofe hounds, which 
 he calls rvysvKW, finds out the game. For 
 he follows the fcent no further than the hare's 
 form ; from whence, after he has ftarted her, 
 he purfues her by fight. I am indebted for 
 thefe two laft remarks to a reverend and very 
 learned gentleman, whofe judgment in the 
 belles lettres nobody difputes, and whofe ap- 
 probation gave me the affurance to publifh 
 this poem. 
 
 OPPIAN alfo obferves, that the beft fort of 
 thefe finders were brought from BRITAIN ; 
 
 this
 
 PREFACE. ix 
 
 this ifland having always been famous (as it 
 is at this day) for the beft breed of hounds, 
 for perfons the beft {killed in the art of hunt- 
 ing, and for horfes the moft enduring to fol- 
 low the chace. It is therefore ftrange that 
 none of our poets have yet thought it worth 
 their while to treat of this fubjeft ; which is 
 without doubt very noble in itfelf, and very 
 well adapted to- receive the moft beautiful 
 turns of poetry. Perhaps our poets have no 
 great genius for hunting. Yet I hope, my 
 brethren of the couples, by encouraging this 
 firft, but imperfect, effay, will fhew the 
 world they have at leaft fome tafte for 
 poetry. 
 
 THE ancients efteemed hunting, not only 
 as a manly and warlike exercife, but as 
 highly conducive to health. The famous 
 GALEN recommends it above all others as 
 not only exercifing the body, but giving de- 
 light and entertainment to the mind. And 
 he calls the inventors of this art wife men, 
 and well-fkilled in human nature. Lib: ds 
 pl< exerdtio. 
 
 THE gentlemen, who are fond ofagingle 
 at the clofe of every verfe, and think no poem 
 
 truly
 
 x PREFACE. 
 
 truly mufical but what is in rhyme, will here 
 find themfelves difappointed. If they be 
 pleafed to read over the fhort preface before 
 the PARADISE LOST, Mr. SMITH'S poem in 
 memory of his friend Mr. JOHN PHILIPS, 
 and the Archbifhop of CAMB RAY'S letter to 
 
 Monfieur FONTENELLE, they may probably 
 be of another opinion. For my own part, I 
 lhall not be alhamed to follow the example 
 of MILTON, PHILIPS, THOMSON, and all 
 our beft tragick writers. 
 
 SOME few terms of art are difperfed here 
 and there; but fuch only as are abfolutely 
 requifite to explain my fubjedt. I hope in 
 this the criticks will excufe me ; for I am 
 humbly of opinion, that the affectation, and 
 not the neceflary ufe, is_the proper objed of 
 their cenfure. 
 
 BUT I have done. I know the impatience 
 of my brethren, when a 'fine day, and the 
 concert of the kennel, invite them abroad. 
 I {hall therefore leave my reader to fuch dL 
 verfion as he may find in the poem itfelf. 
 
 En age, fegnes, 
 Rumpe moras j vocat Ingentl clamore Citbesron^ 
 
 4 Tajgellque
 
 PREFACE: xi 
 
 Taygetique canes, domitrixque Epidaurus equorum j 
 Et vox affenfu nemorum ingemlnata remugit. 
 
 VIRG. Georg. III. 
 
 Hark, away, 
 
 Caft far behind the lingering cares of life. 
 CITHJERON calls aloud, and in full cry 
 Thy hounds, TAYCETUS. EPIDAURUS trains 
 For us the gen'rous fleed ; the hunter's fhouts. 
 And chearing cries> aflenting woods return. 
 
 3WViV. hR^av^jw , 'itt^cw Y^'
 
 r " 
 
 C xu 
 
 nite gjsnhi' ; . A YJ'T O 
 
 WILLIAM SOMERVILE, Efq; 
 
 ON HIS POEM CALLED 
 
 . , T HE C H A C E. 
 
 WHILE you, Sir, gain the fteep afcent to 
 fame, 
 
 And honours due to deathlefs merit claim ; 
 To a weak Mufe a kind indulgence lend, *\ 
 
 Fond with juft praife your labours to commend, > 
 And tell the world, that SOMERVILE'S her friend. 3 
 Her incenfe guiltlefs of the forms of art 
 Breathes all the huntfman's honefty of heart ; 
 Whofe fancy fti 11 the pleafing (cene retains 
 Of EDRIC'S villa and ARDENNA'S plains : 
 Joys, which from change fuperior charms receiv'd > 
 The horn hoarfe founding by the lyre reliev'd : 
 When the day crown'd with rural chafte delight* 
 Refigns obfequious to the feftive night ; 
 The feftive night awakes th' harmonious lay, 
 And in fweet verfe recounts the triumphs of the day. 
 
 STRANGE !
 
 E xiii J 
 STRANGE ! that the BRITISH Mufe ihould 
 
 " ''^^W'^sv^tAfltew^a^BWt^ifflMBfi^ 
 
 leave fo long, 
 
 The Chace, the fport of BRITAIN'S kings, unfung! 
 
 Diftinguifh'd land ! by Heav'n indulg'd to breed 
 
 The ftout, fagacious hound, and gen'rous fteed ; 
 
 In vain ! while yet no bard adorn'd our ifle, 
 
 To celebrate the glorious fylvan toil. 
 
 For this- what darling fon {hall feel thy fire^ 
 God of th' unerring bow, and tuneful lyre ? 
 Our vows are heard Attend, ye vocal throng, 
 SOMERVILE meditates th' advent'rous fong. 
 Bold to attempt, and happy to excell, 
 His num'rous verfe the huntfman's art fliall tell. 
 From him, ye BRITISH youths, a vig'rous race, 
 Imbibe the various fcience of the chace ; 
 And while the well-plann'd fyftem you admire, 
 Know BRUNSWICK only could the work infpire : 
 A Georgick Mufe awaits AUGUSTAN days, 
 And SOMERVILES will fing, when FREDERICKS 
 give the bays. 
 
 /<i gaibnuo) ahead mpii ^iT"* 
 
 -Uiw 
 
 . r!j 
 
 , .-i^d; t3^w5 jiivfii sviib'i ii r 
 
 JOHN NIXON. 
 2;nff^35 cpv 299wTpi%pA
 
 TO THE 
 
 ^VT$3&*J- v y<ii -Ik}.. <J "'tiMfl J8V ; " ** : 
 
 A, U T H O R 
 
 >j.; .; . i 
 
 O F 
 
 THE CHACE. 
 
 ' ; 1o<ij <>!;">'> DitliW - ; '5 ! 
 
 ONCE more, my friend, I touch the trem- 
 bling lyre, 
 
 And in my bofom feel poetic fire. 
 For thee I quit the law's more rugged ways, 
 To pay my humble tribute to thy lays. 
 What, tho' I daily turn each learned fage, 
 And labour through the unenlighten'd page : 
 Wak'd by thy lines, the borrow'd flames I feel, 
 As flints give fire when aided by the fteel. 
 Tho' in fulphureous clouds of fmoke confin'd^ 
 Thy rural fcenes fpring frefh into my mind. 
 Thy genius in fuch colours paints the chace, 
 The real to fi&itious joys give place. 
 When the wild mufick charms my ravifh'd ear, 
 How dull, how taftelefs HANDEL'S notes appear! 
 Ev'n FARENELLI'S felf the palm refigns, 
 He yields but to the muiick of thy lines. 
 
 If
 
 If friends to poetry can yet be found ; 
 Who without blufhing fenfe prefer to found ; 
 Then let this foft, this foul-enfeebling band, 
 Thefe warbling minftrels quit the beggar'd land. 
 They but a momentary joy impart, 
 'Tis you, who touch the foul, and warm the heart. 
 How tempting do thy fylvan fports appear ! 
 Ev'n wild Ambition might vouchfafe an ear, 
 Might her fond luft of pow'r a while compofe, 
 And gladly change it for thy fweet repofe. 
 No fierce, unruly fenates, threaten here, 
 No axe, no fcaffold, to the view appear, 
 No envy, difappointment and defpair. 
 Here, bleft viciffitude, whene'er you pleafe, 
 You ftep from exercife to learned eafe : 
 Turn o'er each claflic page, each beauty trace, 
 The mind unwearied in the pleafing chace. 
 Oh ! would kind Heav'n fuch happinefs beftow, 
 Let fools, let knaves, be mafters here below. 
 Grandeur and place, thofe baits to catch the wife, 
 And all their pageant train, I pity and defpife. 
 
 J. TRACY.
 
 The ARGUMENT of the Firft Book. 
 
 propofed. Addrefs to his Royal High- 
 nefs the Prince. The origin of bunting. The 
 rude and unpolijhed manner of the fir ft hunters. Beafls 
 at firft hunted for food and facnfice. The grant made 
 by God to man ofthebeajls^ &c. The regular manner 
 ef hunting firft brought into this ijland by the NoR- 
 MANS. The beft hounds and bejl horfes bred here. The 
 advantage of this exercife to us, as ijlanders. Addrefs 
 to gentlemen of ejlates. Situation of the kennel and its 
 fever al courts. The diverjisn and employment of hounds 
 in the kennel. The different forts of hounds for each 
 different chace. Defcription of a perfeft hound. Of 
 fvzing and forting of bounds^ the middle-Jized hound re- 
 commended. Of the large deep-mouth' d hound for 
 bunting the Jlag and otter. Of the lime-hound '; their 
 vfe on the borders of ENGLAND and SCOTLAND. A 
 phyfical account ofjcenis. Of good and bad fcenting days. 
 AJhort admonition to my brethren of the couples,
 
 THE 
 
 POEM. 
 
 THE CHACE I fing, Hounds, and their 
 various breed, 
 
 And no lefs various ufe. O thou Great Prince ! 
 Whom CAMBRIA'S tow'ring hills proclaim their 
 
 lord, 
 
 Deign thou to hear my bold, inftruHve fong. 
 While grateful citizens with pompous fhew, -Jj 
 Rear the triumphal arch, rich with th' exploits 
 Of thy illuftrious houfe ; white virgins pave 
 Thy way with flow'rs, arid, as the Royal Youth 
 Faffing they view, admire, and figh in vain ; 
 While crowded theatres, too fofidly proud 10 
 Of their exotick minftrels, and {hrill pipes* 
 
 B The
 
 2 THECHACE. BOOK I.' 
 
 The price of manhood, hail thee with a Cong, 
 And airs foft-warbling ; my hoarfe-founding horn 
 Invites thee to the Chace, the fport of kings ; 
 Image of war, without its guilt. The Mufe 1 5 
 Aloft on wing fhall foar, conduct with care 
 Thy foaming courfer o'er the fteepy rock, 
 Or on the river bank receive thee fafe, 
 Light-bounding o'er the wave, from fhore to fhore. 
 Be thou our great protector, gracious Youth ! 20 
 And if in future times, fome envious prince, 
 Carelefs of right and guileful, fhou'd invade 
 Thy BRITAIN'S commerce, or fhou'd ftrive in vain 
 To wreft the balance from thy equal hand ; 
 Thy hunter-train, in chearful green array'd, 25 
 (A band undaunted, and inur'd to toils) 
 Shall compafs thee around, die at thy feet, 
 Or hew thy paflage thro' th* embattled foe, 
 And clear thy way to fame ; infpir'd by thee 
 The nobler chace of glory fhall purfue 30 
 
 Thro' fire, and fmoke, and blood, and fields of death. 
 
 NATURE,
 
 BOOK I. T H E C H A C E. # 
 
 NATURE, in her productions flow, afpires 
 By juft degrees to reach Perfection's height : 
 So mimick Art works leifurely, till Time 
 Improve the piece, or wife Experience give 35 
 The proper finilhing. When NIMROD bold, 
 That mighty hunter, firft made war on beafts, 
 And ftain'd the wood-land green with purple dye, 
 New, and unpolifh'd was the huntfman's art; 
 No ftated rule, his wanton will his guide. 40 
 
 With clubs and ftones, rude implements of war, 
 He arm'd his favage bands, a multitude 
 Untrain'd ; of twining ofiers form'd, they pitch 
 Their artlefs toils, then range the defert hills, 
 And fcow'r the plains below ; the trembling herd 45 
 Start at th* unufual found, and clam'rous fhout 
 Unheard before; furpriz'd alas! to find 
 Man now their foe,whom erft they deem'd their lord, 
 But mild and gentle, and by whom as yet 
 Secure they graz'd. Death ftretches o'er the plain 50 
 B 2 Wide-
 
 $ THECHACE. BOOK L 
 
 Wide-wafting, and grim flaughter red with blood : 
 
 Urg'd on by hunger keen, they wound, they kill, 
 
 Their rage licentious knows no bound - 3 at laft 
 
 Incumber'd with their fpoils, joyful they bear 
 
 Upon their fhoulders broad, the bleeding prey. 55 
 
 Part on their altars fmokes a facrifice 
 
 To that all-gracious Pow'r, whofe bounteous hand 
 
 Supports his wide creation ; what remains 
 
 On living coals they broil, inelegant 
 
 Of tafte, nor fkilFd as yet in nicer arts 60 
 
 Of pain per 'd luxury. Devotion pure, 
 
 And ftrong neceffity, thus firft began 
 
 The chace of beafts : tho' bloody was the deed$ 
 
 Yet without guilt. For the green herb alone 
 
 Unequal to fuftain man's lab'ring race, 65 
 
 *Now ev'ry moving thing that liv'd on earth 
 
 Was granted him for food. So juft is Heav'n^ 
 
 To give us in proportion to our wants. 
 
 * Gen. chap. ix. ver. 3.
 
 OOK I. T H E C H A C E. 5 
 
 OR chance or induftry in after-times 
 Some few improvements made, but (hort as yet 70 
 Of due perfection. In this ifle remote 
 Our painted anceftors were flow to learn, 
 To arms devote, of the politer arts 
 Nor fkill'd nor ftudious ; till from NEUSTRIA'S 
 
 coafts 
 
 Victorious WILLIAM, to more decent rules 75 
 Subdu'd our SAXON fathers, taught to fpealc 
 The proper dialect, with horn and voice 
 To chear the bufy hound, whofe well-known cry 
 His lift'ning peers approve with joint acclaim. 
 From him fucceffive huntfmen learn'd to join 80 
 In bloody focial leagues, the multitude 
 Difpers'd, to fize, to fort their various tribes, 
 
 9- 
 
 To rear, feed, hunt, and difcipline the pack. 
 
 HAIL, happy BRITAIN ! highly favour'd ifle, 
 And HeavVs peculiar care ! To thee 'tis giv'n 85 
 B 3 To
 
 6 THECHACE. BOOK I. 
 
 To train the fprightly fteed, more fleet than thofe 
 
 Begot by winds, or the celeftial breed 
 
 That bore the great PELIDES thro' the prefs 
 
 Of heroes arm'd, and broke their crowded ranks ; 
 
 Which proudly neighing, with the fun begins 90 
 
 Chearful his courfe j and ere his beams decline, 
 
 Has meafur'd half thy furface unfatigued. 
 
 In thee alone, fair land of liberty ! 
 
 Is bred the perfect hound, in fcent and fpeed 
 
 As yet unrivall'd, while in other climes 95 
 
 Their virtue fails, a weak degen'rate race. 
 
 In vain malignant fleams, and winter fogs 
 
 Load the dull air, and hover round our coafts, 
 
 The huntfman ever gay, robuft, and bold, 
 
 Defies the noxious vapour, and confides 100 
 
 In this delightful exercife, to raife 
 
 His drooping herd and chear his heart with joy. 
 
 YE vig'rous youths, by fmiling Fortune bleft 
 With large demefr.es, hereditary wealth, 
 
 Heap'd
 
 BOOK I. THECHACE. 7 
 
 ,Hcap'd copious by your wife fore-fathers care, 105 
 Hear and attend ! while I the means reveal 
 ) T'enjoy'thofe pleafures, for the weak too ftrong, 
 I Too coftly for the poor : To rein the fteed 
 Swift-ftretching o'er the plain, to chear the pack 
 Op'ning in conforts of harmonious joy, no 
 
 But breathing death. What tho' the gripe fevere 
 Of brazen-fifted Time, and flow difeafe 
 / Creeping thro' ev'ry vein, and nerve unftrung, 
 AfflicT: my fhatter'd frame, undaunted ftill, 
 Fix'd as a mountain alh, that braves the bolts 115 
 Of angry JOVE ; tho' blafted, yet unfallen j 
 Still can my foul in Fancy's mirrour view 
 Deeds glorious once, recal the joyous fcene 
 In all its fplendors deck'd, o'er the full bowl ^ 
 Recount my triumphs paft, urge others on 120 
 With hand and voice, and point the winding way: , 
 Pleas'd with that focial fweet garrulity, 
 The poor difbanded vet'ran's fole delight. 
 
 B 4 FIRST
 
 8 THECHACE. BOGK I, 
 
 FIRST let the Kennel be the huntfman's care, 
 Upon fome little eminence ere<5l, 125 
 
 And fronting to, the ruddy dawn ; its courts 
 On either hand wide op'ning to receive 
 The fun's all-chearing beams, when mild he fhines, 
 And gilds the mountain tops. For much the pack 
 (Rous'd from their dark alcoves) delight to ftretch, 
 And bafk, in his invigorating ray : 135 
 
 Warn'd by the ftreaming light, and merry lark, 
 Forth ruih the jolly clan j with tuneful throats 
 They carol loud, and in grand chorus join'd 
 Salute the new-born day, For not alone 135 
 The vegetable world, but men and brutes 
 Own his reviving influence, and joy 
 At his approach. Fountain of light ! if chance 
 Some envious cloud veil they refulgent brow, 
 In vain the mufes aid, untouch'd, unftrang, 140 
 Lies my mute harp, and thy defponding bard 
 Sits darkly mufing o'er th' unfinifli'd lay. 
 
 LET
 
 *"***
 
 BOOK I. THECHACE. 9 
 
 LET no CORINTHIAN pilkrs prop the dome, 
 A vain expence, on charitable deeds 
 Better difpos'd, to clothe the tatter'd wretch, 145 
 Who (brinks beneath the blaft, to feed the poor 
 Pinch'd with afflictive want : For ufe, not ftate. 
 Gracefully plain, let each apartment rife, 
 O'er all let cleanlinefs prefide, no fcraps 
 Beftrew the pavement, and no half-pick'd bones, 
 To kindle fierce debate, or to difguft 151 
 
 That nicer fenfe, on which the fportfman's hope, 
 And all his future triumphs muft depend. 
 Soon as the growling pack with eager joy 
 Have lappM their fmoking viands, morn or eve, 155 
 From the full ciftern lead the ductile ftreams, 
 To wafh thy court well pav'd, nor fpare thy pains, 
 For much to health will cleanlinefs avail. 
 Seek'ft thou for hounds to climb the rocky fteep, 
 And brufh th' entangled covert, whofe nice fcent 160 
 Q'er greafy fallows, and frequented roads 
 
 Can
 
 xo THECHACE. BOOK I. 
 
 Can pick the dubious way ? Banifli far off 
 Each noifome ftench, let no offenfive fmell 
 Invade thy wide inclofure, but admit 
 The nitrous air, and purifying breeze. 165 
 
 WATER and fhade no lefs demand thy care : 
 In a large fquare th' adjacent field inclofe, 
 There plant in equal ranks the fpreading elm, 
 Or fragrant lime ; moft happy thy defign, 
 If at the bottom of thy fpacious court, 170 
 
 A large canal fed by the cryftal brook, 
 From its tranfparent bofom fhall reflect 
 Downward thy ftructure and inverted grove. 
 Here when the fun's too potent gleams annoy 
 The crowded kennel, and the drooping pack, 175 
 Reftlefs and faint, loll their unmoiften'd tongues, 
 And drop their feeble tails, to cooler fnades 
 Lead forth the panting tribe ; foon (halt thou find 
 The cordial breeze their fainting hearts revive : 
 
 Tu-
 
 BOOK I. T H E C H A C E. ir 
 
 Tumultuous foon they plunge into the ftream, 180 
 There lave their reeking fides, with greedy joy 
 Gulp down the flying wave, this way and that 
 From fhore to fhore they fwim,while clamour, cloud 
 And wild uproar torments the troubled flood : 
 Then on the funny band they roll and ftretch 1 85 
 Their dripping limbs, or elfe in wanton rings 
 Courfing around, purfuing and purfu'd, 
 The merry multitude difporting play. 
 
 BUT here with watchful and obfervant eye, 
 Attend their frolicks, which too often end 190 
 In bloody broils and death. High o'er thy head 
 Wave thy refounding whip, and with a voice 
 Fierce-menacing o'er-rule the ftern debate, 
 And quench their kindling rage ; for oft in fport 
 Begun, combat enfues, growling they fnarl, 195 
 Then on their haunches rear'd, rampant they feize 
 Each other's throats, with teeth, and claws, in gore 
 
 Befmear'd,
 
 12 .T H E C H A C E. BOOK I. 
 
 Befmear'd, they wound, they tear, till on the 
 
 ground, 
 
 Panting, half dead the conquer ? d champion lies : 
 Then fudden all the bafe ignoble crowd 20O 
 
 Loud-clam'ring feize the helplefs worried wretch, 
 And thirfting for his blood, drag different ways 
 His mangled carcafs on th* enfanguin'd plain. 
 O breafts of pity voicf ! t* opprefs the weak, 
 To point your vengeance at the friendlefs head, 205 
 And with one mutual cry infult the fall'n ! 
 Emblem too juft of man's degen'rate race. 
 
 OTHERS apart by native inftin& led, 
 Knowing inftru&or ! 'mong the ranker grafs 
 Cull each falubrious plant, with bitter juice 210 
 Conco&ive flor'd, and potent to allay 
 Each vicious ferment. Thus the hand divine 
 Of Providence, beneficent and kind 
 To all his creatures, for the brutes prefcribes 
 
 2 A ready
 
 I. T H E C H A C , 13 
 
 A ready remedy, and is himfelf 215 
 
 Their great phyfician. Now grown ftiff with age, 
 And many a painful chace, the wife old houndj 
 Regardlefs of the frolick pack, attends 
 His matter's fide, or flumbers at his eafe 
 Beneath the bending fhade j there many a ring 225 
 .Runs o'er in dreams ; now on the doubtful foil 
 Puzzles perplex'd, or doubles intricate 
 Cautious unfolds^ then wing'd with all his fpeedj 
 Bounds o'er the lawn to feize his panting prey: 
 And in imperfeft whimp'rings fpeaks his joy. 225 
 
 A different hound for ev'ry diff'rent chace 
 Select with judgment j nor the tim'rous hare 
 O'ermatch'd deftroy, but leave that vile offence 
 To the mean, murd'rous, courfing crew ; intent 
 On blood and fpoil. O blaft their hopes, juft 
 Heav'n ! 230 
 
 And all their painful drudgeries repay 
 
 With
 
 i 4 THECHACE. BOOK I. 
 
 With difappointment and fevere remorfe. 
 
 But hufband thou thy pleafures, and give fcope 
 
 To all her fubtle play : by nature led 
 
 A thoufand fhifts fhe tries ; t' unravel thefe 235 
 
 Th' induftrious beagle twifts his waving tail. 
 
 Thro* all her labyrinths purfues, and rings 
 
 Her doleful knell. See there with countenance 
 
 blithe, 
 
 And with a courtly grin, the fawning hound 
 Salutes thee cow'ring, his wide op'ning nofe 240 
 Upward he curls, and his large floe black eyes 
 Melt in foft blandifhments, and humble joy j 
 His glofly fkin, or yellow-pied, or blue, 
 In lights or (hades by Nature's pencil drawn, 
 Reflects the various tints ; his ears and legs 245 
 Fleckt here and there, in gay enamel'd pride, 
 Rival the fpeckled pard ; his rufh-grown tail 
 O'er his broad back bends in an ample arch ; 
 On (boulders clean, upright and firm he ftands ; 
 
 His
 
 BOOK I. T H E C H A C E. 15 
 
 His round cat foot, ftrait hams, and wide-fpread 
 thighs, 250 
 
 And his low-dropping cheft, confefs h is fpeed, 
 His ftrength, his wind, or on the fteepy hill, 
 Or far-extended plain ; in ev'ry part 
 So well proportion'd, that the nicer fkill 
 Of PHIDIAS himfelf can't blame thy choice. 255 
 Of fuch compofe thy pack. But here a mean 
 Obferve, nor the large hound prefer, of fize 
 Gigantick j he in the thick-woven covert 
 Painfully tugs, or in the thorny brake 
 Torn and embarrafs'd bleeds : But if too fmall, 260 
 The pigmy brood in ev'ry furrow fwims ; 
 Moiled in the clogging clay, panting they lag 
 Behind inglorious ; or elfe fhivering creep 
 Benumb'd and faint beneath the fhelt'ring thorn. 
 For hounds of middle fize, active and ftrong, 265 
 Will better anfwer all thy various ends, 
 And crown thy pleating labours with fuccefs. 
 
 As
 
 x6 THECHACE; BOOK L 
 
 As fome brave captain, curious and exaft, 
 By his fix'd ftandard forms in equal ranks 
 His gay battalion, as one man they move 270 
 Step after ftep, their fize the fame, their arms 
 Far-gleaming, dart the fame united blaze : 
 Reviewing generals his merit own ; 
 How regular ! how juft ! And all his cares 
 Are well repaid, if mighty GEORGE approve. 27$ 
 So mddel thou thy pack, if honour touch 
 Thy gen'rous foul, and the world's juft applaufe. 
 But above all take heed, nor mix thy hounds 
 Of djff'rent kinds ; difcordant founds fhall grate 
 Thy ears offended, and a lagging line 280 
 
 Of babbling curs difgrace thy broken pack. 
 But if th' amphibious otter be thy chace, 
 Or ftately flag, that o'er the woodland reigns ; 
 Or if the harmonious thunder of the field 284 
 Delight thy ravifh'd ears ; the deep-flew'd hound 
 Breed up with care, ftrong, heavy, flow, but fure j 
 
 Whofe
 
 BOOK I. T H E C H A C E. 17 
 
 Whofe ears down-hanging from his thick round 
 
 head 
 Shall fweep the morning dew, whofe clanging 
 
 voice , 
 
 Awake the mountain echo in her cell, 
 And fhake the forefts : The bold Talbot kind 290 
 Of thefe the prime, as white as ALPINE fnows 5 
 And great their ufe of old. Upon the banks 
 Of TWEED, flow winding thro* the vale, the feat 
 Of war and rapine once, ere BRITONS knew 
 The fweets of peace, or ANNA'S dread com- 
 mands 295 
 To lafting leagues the haughty rivals aw'd, 
 There dwelt a pilf'ring race; well-train'd and 
 
 fkill'd 
 
 In all the myfteries of theft, the fpoil 
 Their only fubftance, feuds and war their fport : 
 
 Not more expert in ev'ry fraudful art 300 
 
 C Th'
 
 i8 THECHACE. BOOK I. 
 
 Th' arch * felon was of old, who by the tail 
 Drew back his lowing prize : In vain his wiles, 
 In vain the fhelter of the cov'ring rock, 
 In vain the footy cloud, and ruddy flames 
 That iflu'd from his mouth j for foon he paid 305 
 His forfeit life : A debt how juftly due 
 To wrong'd ALCIDES, and avenging Heav'n ! 
 Veil'd in the fhades of night they ford the ftream, 
 Then prowling far and near, whate'er they feize 
 Becomes their prey; nor flocks nor herds are 
 fafe, 310 
 
 Nor ftalls protect the fteer, nor ftrong barr'd doors 
 Secure the fav'rite horfe. Soon as the morn 
 Reveals his wrongs, with ghaftly vifage wan 
 The plunder'd owner ftands, and from his lips 
 A thoufand thronging curfes burft their way : 315 
 He calls his flout allies, and in a line 
 His faithful hound he leads, then with a voice 
 
 * Cacus, Virg. Mn. Lib, VIII. 
 
 That
 
 BOOK I. T H E C H A C E. 19 
 
 That utters loud his rage, attentive chears : 
 Soon the fagacious brute, his curling tail 
 Flourifh'd in air, low-bending plies around 320 
 His bufy nofe, the {learning vapour fnuffs 
 Inquifitive, nor leaves one turf untried, 
 Till confcious of the recent ftains, his heart 
 Beats quick ; his muffling nofe, his aHve tail 
 Atteft his joy j then with deep op'ning mouth, 325 
 That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims 
 Th' audacious felon ; foot by foot he marks 
 His winding way, while all the lift'ning crowd 
 Applaud his reaf'nings. O'er the wat'ry ford, 
 Dry fandy heaths, and ftony barren hills, 330 
 O'er beaten paths, with men and beafts diftain'd, 
 Unerring he purfues ; till at the cot 
 Arriv'd, and feizing by his guilty throat 
 The caitif vile, redeems the captive prey : 
 So exquifitely delicate his fenfe ! 335 
 
 C 2 SHOU'D
 
 20 THECHACE. BOOK I. 
 
 SHOU'D fome more curious fportfman here en- 
 quire, 
 
 Whence this fagacity, this wond'rous pow'r 
 Of tracing ftep by ftep, or man or brute ? 
 What guide invifible points out their way, 339 
 O'er the dank marfh, bleak hill, and fandy plain ? 
 The courteous Mufe {hall the dark caufe reveal. 
 The blood that from the heart inceflant rolls 
 In many a crimfon tide, then here and there 
 In fmaller rills difparted, as it flows 
 Propell'd, the ferous particles evade 345 
 
 Thro' th' open pores, and with the ambient air 
 Entangling mix. As fuming vapours rife, 
 And hang upon the gently purling brook, 
 There by th' incumbent atmofphere comprefs'd. 
 The panting chace grows warmer as he flies, 350 
 And thro' the net-work of the fldn perfpires ; 
 Leaves a long-ftreaming trail behind, whkh by 
 The cooler air condens'd, remains, unlefs 
 
 By
 
 BOOK I. T H E C H A C E. 
 
 By fome rude ftorm difpers-'d, or rarified 
 By the meridian fun's intenfer heat. 355 
 
 To ev'ry fhrub the warm effluvia cling, 
 Hang on the grafs, impregnate earth and'fkies. 
 With noftrils op'ning wide, o'er hill, o'er dale 
 The vig'rous hounds purfue, with ev'ry breath 
 Inhale the grateful fteam, quick pleafures fting 360 
 Their tingling nerves, while they their thanks 
 
 repay, 
 
 And in triumphant melody confefs 
 The titillating joy. Thus on the air 
 Depend the hunter's hopes.. When ruddy ftreaks- 
 At eve forebode a bluft'ring ftormy day, 365 
 
 Or low'ring clouds blacken the mountain's brow, 
 When nipping frofts, and the keen biting blafts 
 Of the dry parching eaft, menace the trees 
 
 With tender bloilbms teeming, kindly, fpare 
 
 i 
 Thy fleeping pack, in their warm beds offtraw 370 
 
 Low-finking at their eafe ; liftlefs they fhrink 
 
 C 3 Into
 
 22 THECHACE. BOOK I. 
 
 Into fome dark recefs, nor hear thy voice 
 Tho' oft invok'd ; or haply if thy call 
 Roufe up the flumb'ring tribe, with heavy eyes 
 Glaz'd, lifelefs, dull, downward they drop their 
 tails 375 
 
 Inverted ; high on their bent backs erecT: 
 Their pointed briftles ftare, or 'mong the tufts 
 Of ranker weeds, each ftomach -heal ing plant 
 
 Curious they crop, fick, fpiritlefs, forlorn, 
 f 
 j Thefe inaufpicious days, on other cares 380 
 
 V/ Employ thy precious hours j th' improving friend 
 With open arms embrace, and from his lips 
 Glean fcience, feafon'd with good-natur'd wit. 
 But if th' inclement ikies and angry JOVE 
 Forbid the pleafing intercourfe, thy books 385 
 Invite thy ready hand, each facred page 
 Rich with the wife remarks of heroes old. 
 
 ConVerfe familiar with th' illuftrious dead j 
 With great examples of old GREECE or ROME 
 
 Enlarge
 
 BOOK I. T H E C H A C E. 23 
 
 Enlarge thy free-born heart, and blefs kind Heav'n s 
 That BRITAIN yet enjoys dear Liberty, 391 
 
 That balm of life, that fweeteft blefling, cheap 
 Tho' purchas'd with our blood. Well-bred, polite, 
 Credit thy calling. See ! how mean, how low, 
 The booklefs faunt'ring youth, proud of the fkut 395 
 That dignifies his cap, his flouriih'd belt, 
 And rufty couples gingling by his fide. 
 Be thou of other mold ; and know that fuch 
 Tranfporting pleafures were by Heav'n ordain'd 
 Wifdom's relief, and Virtue's great reward. 400 
 
 4 The
 
 The ARGUMENT of the Second Book. 
 
 S~\ F the power of inftintt in brutes. Two remarkable 
 Inflames in ike hunting of the roebuck, and in the 
 hare going to feat in the morning. Of the variety of 
 feats or forms of the hare, according to the change of 
 the fea fan, weather ; or wind. Defer iption of the hare- 
 hunting in all its parts, interfperfed with rules to be 
 obferved by thofe who follow that chace. Tranfition to 
 the ASIATICK way of bunting, particularly the mag- 
 nificent manner of the Great Mogul, and other TAR- 
 TARIAN princes, taken from Monfieur BERNIER, 
 and the hiftory of GENGISKAN the Great. Concludes- 
 with a Jhort reproof of tyrants and opprej/ors of -man- 
 kind. 
 
 BOOK
 
 BOOK THE SECOND. 
 
 O R will it lefs delight th' attentive fage 
 T' cbferve that InflincT:, which unerring 
 guides 
 
 The brutal race, which mimicks renfon's lore 
 And oft tranfcends : Heav'n-taught the roe-buck 
 
 fwift 
 
 Loiters at eafe before the driving pack "' v 5 
 And mocks their vain purfuit, nor far he flies 
 But checks his ardour, till the {learning fcent 
 That frefhens on the blade, provokes their rage. 
 Urg'd to their fpeed, his weak deluded foes 
 Soon flag fatigued ; ftrain'd to excefs each nerve, 10 
 Each flacken'd fmew fails ; they pant, they foam ; 
 Then o'er the lawn he bounds, o'er the high hills 
 
 2 Stretches
 
 26 T H E C H A C E. BOOK II. 
 
 Stretches fecure, and leaves the fcatter'd crowd 
 To puzzle in the diftant vale below. 
 
 'Tis InftiniSl that directs the jealous hare 15 
 *To chufe her foft abode : With ftep revers'd 
 She forms the doubling maze ; then, ere the morn 
 Peeps thro' the clouds, leaps to her clofe recefs. 
 
 As wand'ring fhepherds on th' ARABIAN plains 
 No fettled refidence obferve, but fhift 20 
 
 Their moving camp, now, on fome cooler hill 
 With cedars crown'd, court the refreshing breeze ; 
 And then, below, where trickling ftreams diftil 
 From fome penurious fource, their thirft allay, 
 And feed their fainting flocks : So the wife hares 25 
 Oft quit their feats, left fome more curious eye 
 Shou'd mark their haunts, and by dark treach'rous 
 
 wiles 
 Plot their deftruction ; or perchance in hopes 
 
 Of
 
 BOOK II. T H E C H A C E. 27 
 
 Of plenteous forage, near the ranker mead, 
 Or matted blade, wary, and clofe they fit. 30 
 
 When fpring fhines forth, feafon of love and joy, 
 In the moift marfh, 'mong beds of rufhes hid, 
 They cool their boiling blood : When fummer funs 
 Bake the cleft earth, to thick wide-waving fields 
 Of corn full-grown, they lead their helplefs young: 
 But when autumnal torrents, and fierce rains 36 
 Deluge the vale, in the dry crumbling bank 
 Their forms they delve, and cautioufly avoid 
 The dripping covert : Yet when winter's cold iiV- 
 Their limbs benumbs, thither with fpeed returned 
 In the long grafs they (kulk, or fhrinking creep 41 
 Among the wither'd leaves, thus changing ftill, 
 As fancy prompts them, or as food invites. 
 But ev'ry feafon carefully obferv'd, 
 Th' inconftant winds, the fickle element, 45 
 
 The wife experienc'd huntfman foon may find 
 His fubtle, various game, nor wafte in vain 
 
 His
 
 28' THECHACE. BOOK II. 
 
 His tedious hours, till his impatient hounds, 
 With difappointment vex'd, each fpringing lark 
 Babbling purfue, far fcatter'd o'er the fields. 50 
 
 Now golden Autumn from her open lap 
 Her fragrant bounties fliow'rs ; the fields are fhorn ; 
 Inwardly fmiling, the proud farmer views 
 The rifing pyramids that grace his yard, 
 And counts his large increafe ; his barns are ftor'd 
 And groaning ftaddles bend beneath their load. 56 
 All now is free as air, and the gay pack 
 In the rough briftly ftubbles range unblam'd ; 
 No widow's tears o'erflow, no fecret curfe 
 Swells in the farmer's breaft, which his pale lips 60 
 Trembling conceal, by his fierce landlord aw'd : 
 But courteous now he levels ev'ry fence, 
 Joins in the common cry, and halloos loud, 
 Charm'd with the rattling thunder of the field. 
 
 Oh bear me, fome kind power invifible' ! 65 
 
 To
 
 BOOK II. T H E C H A C E. ^9 
 
 To that extended lawn, where the gay court 
 View the fwift racers, ftretching to the goal ; 
 Games more renown'd and a far nobler train, 
 Than proud ELEAN fields could boaft of old. 
 Oh ! were a THEBAN lyre not wanting here, 70 
 And PINDAR'S voice, to do their merit right ! 
 Or to thofe fpacious plains, where the ftrain'd eye 
 In the wide profpecl: loft, beholds at laft 
 SARUM'S proud fpire, that o'er the hills afcends, 
 And pierces thro' the clouds. Or to thy downs, 75 
 Fair COTSWOLD, where the well-breath'd beagle 
 
 climbs, 
 
 With matchlefs fpeed, thy green afpiring brow, 
 And leaves the lagging multitude behind. 
 
 HAIL, gentle Dawn ! mild blufhing goddefs, 
 
 hail! 
 
 Rejoic'd I fee thy purple mantle fpread So 
 
 O'er half the Ikies, gems pave thy radiant way, 
 
 And
 
 30 THECHACE. BOOK I, 
 
 And orient pearls from ev'ry flirub depend. 
 Farewel, CLEORA ; here deep funk in down 
 Slumber fecure, with happy dreams amus'd, 
 Till grateful fteams fhall tempt thee to receive 85 
 Thy early meal, or thy officious maids, 
 The toilet plac'd, fhall urge thee to perform 
 Th' important work. Me other joys invite, 
 The horn fonorous calls, the pack awak'd 
 Their mattins chant, nor brook my long delay. 90 
 My courfer hears their voice ; fee there with ears 
 And tail ereft, neighing he paws the ground ; 
 Fierce rapture kindles in his red'ning eyes, 
 And boils in ev'ry vein. As captive boys 
 Cow'd by the ruling rod, and haughty frowns 95 
 Of pedagogues fevere, from their hard tafks 
 If once difmifs'd, no limits can contain 
 The tumult rais'd within their little breafts, 
 But give a loofe to all their frolick play : 
 So from their kennel rufh the joyous pack ; 100 
 
 A thou-
 
 BOOK II. T H E C H 'A C E. gr 
 
 A thoufand wanton gayeties exprefs 
 
 Their inward extafy, their pleafing fport 
 
 Once more indulg'd, and liberty reftor'd. 
 
 The rifing fun, that o'er th' horizon peeps, 
 
 As many colours from their glofly Ikins 105 
 
 Beaming reflects, as paint the various bow 
 
 When APRIL fhow'rs defcend. Delightful fcene ! 
 
 Where all around is gay, men, horfes, dogs, 
 
 And in each fmiling countenance appears 
 
 Frefh blooming health, and univerfal joy. no 
 
 HUNTSMAN, lead on ! behind the cluft'ring pack 
 Submifs attend, hear with refpecl: thy whip 
 Loud-clanging, and thy harfher voice obey : 
 Spare not the draggling cur, that wildly roves ; 
 But let thy brilk afiiftant on his back 1 15 
 
 Imprint thy juft refentments ; let each lafh 
 Bite to the quick, till howling he return 
 And whining creep amid the trembli'ng crowd. 
 
 HERE
 
 32 THECHACE. BOOK II. 
 
 HERE on this verdant fpot, where Nature kind 
 With double bleflings crown the farmer's hopes ; 
 Where flow'rs autumnal fpring, and the rank 
 mead 121 
 
 Affords the wand'ring hares a rich repaft ; 
 Throw off thy ready pack. See, where they fpread, 
 And range around, and dafh the glitt'ring dew. 
 If fome ftanch hound, with his authentick voice, 
 Avow the recent trail, the juftling tribe 126 
 
 Attend his call, then with one mutual cry, 
 The welcome news confirm, and echoing hills 
 Repeat the pleafing tale. See how they thread 
 The brakes, and up yon furrow drive along ! 1 30 
 But quick they back recoil, and wifely check - 
 Their eager hafte ; then o'er the fallow'd ground 
 How leifurely they work, and many a .paufe 
 Th' harmonious concert breaks ; till more aflur'd 
 With joy redoubled the low vallies ring. 135 
 
 What artful labyrinths perplex their way ! 
 
 Ah!
 
 BOOK IT. T H E C H A C E. 33 
 
 Ah ! there {he lies ; how clofe ! flie pants, fhe doubts 
 
 If now fhe lives ; flie trembles as fhe fits, 
 
 With horror feiz'd. The wither'd grafs that clings 
 
 Around her head, .of the fame ruflet hue 149 
 
 Almoft deceiv'd my light, had not he* eyes 
 
 With life full-beaming her vain wiles betray'd.> . T 
 
 At diftance draw thy pack, let all behufh'd, 
 
 No clamour loujd, no frantic joy be heard, 
 
 Left the wild hound run gadding o'er the plain 145 
 
 Untra&able, nor hear thy chiding voice. 
 
 Now gently put her off; fee how diredt- >CT 
 
 To her known Mufe fhe flies ! Here, huntfman, 
 
 bring 
 
 (But without hurry) all thy jolly hounds, 
 And calmly lay them in. How low they ftoop,-!^ 
 And feem to plough the ground ! then all .atoned : '> 
 With greedy noftrils fhuffthe fuming fteam 
 That glads their flutt'ring hearts. As wind's let loofe 
 From the dark caverns of the bluft'ring GodjA'ff 
 D They
 
 34 T'H E C H A C E. BOOK II. 
 
 They burft away, and fweep the dewy lawn. 155 
 Hope gives them wings while flic's fpurr'd on by 
 
 fear. 
 The welkin rings, men, dcgs y hills, rocks, and 
 
 woods 
 
 In the full concert join. Now, my brave youths, 
 Stripped for the chace, give all your fouls to joy ! 
 See how their couriers, than the mountain roe 160 
 More fleet, the verdant carpet fkim, thick clouds 
 Snorting they breathe, their ftiining hoofs fcarce* 
 
 print 
 
 The grafs unbruis'd ; with emulation fir'd 
 They ftrain to lead the field, top the barr'd gate, 
 O'er the deep ditch exulting bound, and brufli 165 
 The thorny-twining hedge : The riders bend 
 O'er their areh'd necks j with fteady hands, by 
 
 turns 
 
 Indulge their fpeed, or moderate their rage. 
 Where are their forrows, difappointments, wrongs, 
 
 Vexations*
 
 Boojc II. T H E C H A C E. 35 
 
 Vexations, ficknefs, cares ? All, all are gone, 170 
 And with the panting winds lag far behind 
 
 HUNTSMAN ! her gait obferve ; if in wide rings 
 She wheel her mazy way, in the fame round 
 Perfifting ftill, fhe'll foil the beaten track. 
 But if fhe fly, and with the fav'ring wind 175 
 Urge her bold courfe ; lefs intricate thy tafk : 
 Pufh on thy pack. Like fome poor exil'd wretch 
 The frighted chace leaves her late dear abodes, 
 O'er plains remote fhe ftretches far away, 
 Ah ! never to return ! For greedy Death 183 
 
 Hov'ring exults, fecure to feize his prey. 
 
 HARK ! from yon covert, where thofe tow'ring 
 
 oaks 
 
 Above the humble copfe afpiring rife, 
 What glorious triumphs burft in ev'ry gale 
 Upon our ravifh'd ears ! The hunters fhout, 185 
 D 2 The
 
 36 THECHACE. BOOK II. 
 
 The clanging horns fwelj their fweet- wind ing 
 
 notes, 
 
 The pack wide op'ning load the trembling air 
 With various melody j from tree to tree 
 The propagated cry redoubling bounds, 
 And winged zephyrs waft the floating joy 190 
 
 Thro' all the regions near : afflictive birch 
 No inorethp fchool-boy dreads, his prifon broke,. 
 Scamp'ring he flies, nor heeds his matter's call ; 
 The weary traveller forgets his road, 
 And climbs th' adjacent hill j the ploughman leaves 
 Th' unnm'm'd furrow ; nor his bleating flocks 196 
 Arc now the fhepherd's joyj men, boys, and girls 
 Defert th' unpeopled village ; and wild crowds 
 Spread o'er the plain, by the fweet frenzy feiz'd. 
 Look, how (he pants ! and o'er yon op'ning glade 
 Slips glancing by ; while, at the further end, 201 
 The puzzling pack unravel wile by wile, 
 Maze within maze. The covert's utmoft bound 
 
 Slily
 
 BOOK II. T H E C H A C E. 37 
 
 Slily fhe fkirts; behind them cautious creeps, 
 And in that very track, fo lately flain'd 205 
 
 By all the {learning crowd, feems to purfue 
 The foe fhe flies. Let cavillers deny 
 That brutes have reafon > fure 'tis fomething more, 
 'Tis Heav'n directs, and ftratagems infpire, 
 Beyond the fliort extent of human thought. 2IQ 
 But hold I fee her from the covert break ; 
 Sad on yon little eminence fhe fits ; 
 Intent fhe liftens with one ear erec~r, 
 Pond'dng, and doubtful what newcourfe to take, 
 And how t'efcape the fierce bloody-thirfty crew, 215 
 That flill urge on, and {till in vollies loud 
 Infult her woes, and mock her fore diftrefs. 
 As now in louder peals, the loaded winds 
 Bring on the gath'ring ftorm, her fears prevail ; 
 And o'er the plain, and o'er the mountain's ridge, 
 Away fhe flies; nor fhips with wind and tide, 221 
 And all their canvafs wings, feud half fo faft. 
 
 D 3 Once
 
 3 8 THECHACE. BOOK IL 
 
 )nce more, ye jovial train, your courage try, 
 And each clean courfer's fpeed. We fcour along, 
 In pleafing hurry and confufion toft j 225 
 
 Oblivion to be wifh'd. The patient pack 
 Hang on the fcent unweary'd, up they climb, 
 And ardent we purfue ; our lab'ring fteeds 
 We prefs, we gore ; till once the fummit gain'd, 
 Painfully panting, there we breathe a while ; 230 
 Then like a foaming torrent, pouring down 
 Precipitant, we fmoke along the vale. 
 Happy the man who with unrival'd fpeed 
 Can pafs his fellows, and with pleafure view 
 The ftruggling pack ; how in the rapid courfe 235 
 Alternate they prefide, and joftling pufh 
 To guide the dubious fcent ; how giddy youth 
 Oft babbling errs, by wifer age reprov'd j 
 How niggard of his ftrength, the wife old hound 
 Hangs in the rear, till fome important point 240 
 Roufe all his diligence, or till the chace 
 
 2 Sinking
 
 BOOK II. T HE C ft A O E. 3$ 
 
 Sinking he finds : then to the head he fprings 
 With thirft of glory fir'd, and wins the prize. 
 Huntfman, take heed j they flop in full career. 
 Yon crowding flocks, that at a diftance gaze, 245 
 Have haply foiFd the turf. See ! that old hound, 
 How bufily he works, but dares not truft 
 His .doubtful fenfe ; draw yet a wider ring. 
 Hark ! now again the chorus fills. As bells 
 Sally'd a while at once their peal renew, 250 
 
 And high in air the tuneful thunder rolls. 
 See, how they tofs, with animated rage 
 Recovering all they loft ! That eager hafte 
 Some doubling wile forefhews. Ah ! yet once more 
 They're check'd, hold back with fpeed on either 
 hand 255 
 
 They flourifli round ev'n yet perfift J Tis right, 
 Away they fpring ; the ruftlihg ftubbles bend 
 Beneath the driving ftorm. Now the poor chace 
 Begins to flag, to her laft fhifts reduc'd. 
 
 D 4 From
 
 40 THE C H A C E. BOOK II. 
 
 From brake to brake fhe flies, and vifits all 260 
 Her well-known haunts, where once fhe rang'd fe- 
 
 .. cure, 
 
 With love and plenty bleft. See ' there fhe goes, 
 She reels along, and by her gait betrays 
 Her inward weaknefs. See, how black fhe looks ! 
 The fweat that clogs th' obftructed pores, fcarce 
 leaves . ' 265 
 
 A languid fcent. And now in open view 
 See, fee, fhe flies ! each eager hound exerts 
 His utmoft fpeed, and ftretches ev'ry nerve. 
 How quick fhe turns ! their gaping jaws eludes, 
 And yet a moment lives j till round inclos'd 270 
 By all the greedy pack, with infant fcreams 
 She yields her breath, and there reluctant dies. 
 So when the furious BACCHANALS aflail'd 
 THREICIAN ORPHEUS, poor ill-fated bard ! 
 Loud was the cry, hills, woods, and HEBRUS* 
 banks, 275 
 
 Return'd
 
 BOOK II. T H E ' C H A C'E.' 41 
 
 Return'd their clam'rous rage j diftrefs'd he flics, 
 
 Shifting from place to place, but flies in vain j 
 
 For eager they purfue, till panting, faint, 
 
 By noify multitudes o'erpower'd, he finks, 
 
 To the relentlefs crowd a bleeding prey. 280 
 
 THE huntfman now, a deep incifion made, 
 Shakes out with hands impure, and dafhes down 
 Her reeking entrails, and yet quivering heart. 
 Thefe claim the pack, the bloody perquifite 284 
 For all their toils. Stretch'd on the ground fhe lies, 
 A mangled cdrfe ; in her dim glaring eyes 
 Cold death exults, and ftiffens ev'ry limb. 
 Aw'd by the threat'ning whip, the furious hounds 
 Around her bay ; or at their matter's foot, 
 Each happy fav'rite courts his kind applaufe, 290 
 With humble adulation cow'ring low. 
 All now is joy. With cheeks full-blown they wind 
 Her folemn dirge, while the loud-op'ning pack 
 
 The
 
 42 THECHACE. BOOK II. 
 
 The concert fwell, and hills and dales return 
 The fadJy-pleafing founds. Thus the poor hare, 295 
 A puny, daftard animal, but vers'd 
 Jn fubtle wiles, diverts the youthful train. 
 But if thy proud, afpiring foul difdains 
 So mean a prey, delighted with the pomp, 
 Magnificence and grandeur of the chace j 300 
 Hear what the mufe from faithful records fmgs. 
 
 WHY on the banks of GEMNA INDIAN ftream, 
 Line within line, rife the pavilions proud, 
 Their filken ftreamers waving in the wind ? 
 Why neighs the warrior horfe ? From tent to tent, 
 Why prefs in crowds the buzzing multitude ? 306 
 Why mines the polifh'd helm, and pointed lance, 
 This way and that far beaming o'er the plain ? 
 Nor VJSAPOUR nor GOLCONDA rebel ; 
 Nor the great SOPHY, with his num'rous hoft, 310 
 Lays wafte the provinces - t nor glory fires 
 
 To
 
 BOOK II. T H E C H A C E? 4$ 
 
 To- rob, and to deftroy, beneath the name. 
 And fpecious guife of war. A nobler caufe 
 Calls AURENGZEBE to arms. No cities fack'd, 
 No mother's tears, no helplefs orphan's cries, 315 
 No violated leagues, with fharp remorfe 
 Shall fling the confcious victor : But mankind 
 Shall hail him good and juft. For 'tis on beafts 
 He draws his vengeful fword ; on beafts of prey- 
 Full-fed with human gore. See, fee, he comes ! 323 
 Imperial DEHLI op'ning wide her gates, 
 Pours out her thronging legions, bright in arms, 
 And all the pomp of war. Before them found 
 Clarions and trumpets, breathing martial airs, 
 And bold defiance. High upon his throne, 325 
 Born on the back of his proud elephant, 
 Sits the great chief of TAMUR'S glorious race : 
 Sublime he fits, amid the radiant blaze 
 Of gems and gold. OMRAHS about him crowd, 
 And rein th-' ARABIAN fleed, and watch bis nod : 
 
 And
 
 4 4 THECHACE. BOOK if. 
 
 And potent RAJAHS, who themfelves prefide 331 
 O'er realms of wide extent ; but here fubmifs 
 Their homage pay, alternate kings and flaves. 
 Next thefe, with prying eunuchs girt around, 
 The fair fultanas of his court : a troop 335 
 
 Of chofen beauties, but with care conceal'd 
 
 From each intrufive eye ; one look is death. 
 Ah cruel EASTERN law (had kings a pow'r 
 But equal to their wild tyrannick will) 
 To rob us of the fun's all-chearing ray, 3 p 
 
 Were lefs fevere. The vulgar clofe the march, 
 Slaves and artificers j and DEHLI mourns 
 Her empty and depopulated ftreets. 
 Now at the camp arriv'd with ftern review, 
 Thro' groves of fpears, from file to file he darts 
 His fharp experienc'd eye ; their order marks, 346 
 Each in his ftation rang'd, exadt and firm, 
 Till in the boundlefs line his fight is loft. 
 Not greater multitudes in arms appear'd 
 
 On
 
 BOOB II. THECHACE. 45 
 
 On thefe extended plains, when AMMON'S fon 350 
 With mighty PORUS in dread battle join'd, 
 The vaflal world the prize. Nor was that holt 
 More numerous of old, which the great king* 
 Pour'd out on GREECE from all th' unpeopled 
 Eaft ; 354 
 
 That bridg'd the HELLESPONT from fhore to fhore, 
 And drank the rivers dry. Mean while in troops 
 The bufy hunter-train mark out the ground, 
 A wide circumference ; full many a league 
 In compafs round ; woods, rivers, hills and plains* 
 Large provinces ; enough to gratify 360 
 
 Ambition's higheft aim, could reafon bound 
 Man's erring will. Now fit in clofe divan 
 The mighty chiefs of this prodigious hoft. 
 He from the throne high- eminent prefides, 364 
 Give out his mandates proud, laws of the chace, 
 From ancient records drawn. With rev'rence low, 
 
 * XKR.XES, 
 
 And
 
 46 TRUCKAGE. BOOK II. 
 
 And proftrate at his feet, the chiefs receive 
 
 His irreverfible decrees, from which 
 
 To vary, is to die. Then his brave bands 
 
 Each to his ftation leads > encamping round, 370 
 
 Till the wide circle is compleatly form'd. 
 
 Where decent order reigns, what thefe command, 
 
 Thofe execute with fpeed, and punctual care j 
 
 In all the ftricleft difcipline of war : 
 
 As if fome watchful foe, with bold infult, 375 
 
 Hung lowering o'er their camp. The high refolve, 
 
 That flies on wings thro' all th' encircling line, 
 
 Each motion fleers, and animates the whole. 
 
 So by the fun's attractive pow'r control I'd, 
 
 The planets in their fpheres roll round his orb : 380 
 
 On all he dines, and rules the great machine. 
 
 ERE yet the morn difpels the fleeting mifts, 
 The fignal giv'n by the loud trumpet's voice, 
 Now high in air, th' imperial ftandard waves, 
 
 Emblazon'd
 
 BOOK II,. T H E C H A C E. 47 
 
 Emblazon 'd rich with gold, and glittering gems ; 
 And like a fheet of fire, thro' the dun gloom 386 
 Streaming meteorous. The foldiers fhotits, 
 And all the brazen inftruments of war, 
 With mutual clamour, and united din, 
 Fill the large concave. While from camp to camp. 
 They catch the varied founds, floating in air, 391 
 Round all the wide circumference,, tygers fell 
 Shrink at the noife, deep in his gloomy den. 
 The lion ftarts, and morfels yet unchew'd 
 Drop from his trembling jaws. Now all at once 
 Onward they march embattled, to the found 3.96 
 Of martial harmony j fifes, cornets, drums, 
 That roufe thefleepy foul to arms, and bold 
 Heroick deeds. In parties here and there 
 Detach'd o'er hill and cale, -the hunters range 400 
 Inquifitive ; ftrong dogs that match in fight 
 The boldeft brute, around their mafters wait, 
 A faithful guawl. No- haunt unfearch'd, they drive 
 
 From
 
 4 8 THECHACE. BOOK II. 
 
 From ev'ry covert, and from ev'ry den, 
 The lurking favages. Inceflant fliouts 40$ 
 
 Re-echo thro' the woods, and kindling fire 
 Gleam from the mountain tops; the foreft feems 
 One mingling blaze : like flocks of fheep they fly 
 Before the flaming brand : fierce lions, pards, ' 
 Boars, tygers, bears, and wolves ; a dreadful crew' 
 Of grim blood-thirfty foes ; growling along, 411 
 They ftalk indignant ; but fierce vengeance ftill 
 Hangs pealing on their rear, and pointed fpears 
 Prefent immediate death. Soon as the night 
 Wrapt in her fable veil forbids the chace, 415 
 They pitch their tents, in even ranks, around 
 The circling camp. The guards are plac'd, and fires 
 At proper diftances afcending rife, 
 And paint the horizon with their ruddy light. 
 So round fome ifland's fhore" of large extent, 420 
 Amid the gloomy horrors of the night, 
 The billows breaking on the pointed rocks, 
 
 Seem
 
 SOOK H.' T H E C H A C E/ 49-, 
 
 Seem all one flame, and the bright circuit wide 
 Appears a bulwark of furrounding fire. 424. 
 
 What dreadful howjings, and what hideous roar, 
 Difturb thofe peaceful fliades ! where erft the bird 
 That glads the night, had chear'd the lirFning 
 
 groves 
 
 With fweet complainings. Thro' the filent gloom 
 Oft they the guards aflail ; as oft repell'd 
 They fly reluctant, with hot-boiling rage 430 
 Stung to the quick, and mad with wild defpair. 
 Thus day by day, they ftill the chace renew, 
 At night encamp j till now in ftreighter bounds 
 The circle leflens, and the beafts perceive 
 The wall that hems them in on ev'ry fide. 435 
 And now their fury burfts, and knows no mean ; 
 From man they turn, and point their ill-judg'd rage 
 Againft their fellow brutes. With teeth and claws 
 The civil war begins ; grappling they tear. . r . 
 Lions on tygers prey, and bears on wolves ; 440 
 E Horrible
 
 S a T- H E C H A C E, BOOK: II. 
 Horrible <Ufcord ! till the crowd behind 
 Shouting purfuc, and part the bloody fray. - 
 At once their wrath fubfides ; tame as the lamb 
 The lion hangs his head, the furious pard, 
 Cow'd and fubdu'd, flies from the face of man, 445 
 Nor bears one glance of his commanding eye. 
 So ab}e& is a tyrant in diftrefs, 
 i, A ' ^noiji jiTfid -K>V yJiifcO u<hU.- .<- ,:'>. 
 
 AT laft within the narrow plain confin'd, 
 A lifted field, mark'd out for bloody deeds, 
 An amphitheatre more glorious far 450 
 
 Than ancient ROME cou'd boaft, they crowd in 
 
 heaps, 
 
 Difmay'd, and quite appalPd. In meet array 
 Sheath'd in refulgent arms, a noble band 
 Advance ; great lords of high imperial blood, 
 Early refolv'd t' affert their royal race] 1 n 455 
 
 And prove by gldrious deeds their valour's growth 
 
 Mature, eire yet the callow down has fpread 
 
 _ 
 Its
 
 BOOK JI. THE C H A G ^ 5 t 
 
 Its curling ftiade. On bold ARABIAN fteeds 
 With decent pride they fit, that fearlefs hear 
 The lion's dreadful roar ; and down the rock 460 
 Swift-fhooting plunge, or o'er the mountain's ridge 
 Stretching along, the greedy tyger leave 
 Panting behind. On foot their faithful flaves 
 With -javelins arm'd attend j each watchful eye 
 Fix'd on his youthful care, for him alone 465 
 He fears, and to redeem his life, unmov'd 
 Would lofe his own. The mighty AURENGZEBE., 
 From his high-elevated throne, beholds 
 His blooming race j revolving in his mind 
 What once he was, in his gay fpring of life, 470 
 When vigour fining his nerves. Parental jpy 
 
 % 
 
 Melts in his eyes, and flufhes in his cheeks. 
 
 Now the loud trumpet founds a charge. The fhputs 
 
 Of eager hofts, thro' all the circling line, 
 Ctr t r J irviotei Y'lfjf 
 
 And the wild howlings of the beafts within 475 
 Rend wide the welkin, flights of arrows, wing'd 
 E 2 With
 
 52 THECHACE: BOOK n; 
 
 With death, and javelins launch'd from ev'ry arm,- 
 Gall fore the brutal bands, with many a wound 
 Gor'd thro' and thro'. Defpair at laft prevails, 
 When fainting nature fhrinks, and roufes all 480 
 Their drooping courage. Swell'd with furious rage, 
 Their eyes dart fire ; and on the youthful band 
 They rufti implacable. They their broad fhields 
 Quick interpofe j on each devoted head 
 Their flaming falchions, as the bolts of JOVE, 485 
 Defcend unerring. Proftrate on the ground 
 The grinning monfters lie, and their foul gore 
 Defiles the verdant plain. Nor idle ftand 
 The trufty flaves j with pointed fpears they pierce 
 Thro' their tough hides ; or at their gaping mouths 
 An eafier pafiage find. The king of brutes 491 
 In broken roarings breathes his laft ; the bear 
 Grumbles in death ; nor can his fpotted fkin, 
 Tho' fleek it fliine, with varied beauties gay, 
 Save the proud pard from unrelenting fate. 4^5 
 
 The
 
 BOOK II. THE C H A C;E> 53 
 
 The battle bleeds, grim Slaughter ftrides along, 
 Glutting her greedy jaws, grins o'er her prey. 
 Men, horfes, dogs, fierce beafts of ev'ry kind, 
 A ftrange promifcuous carnage, drench'd in blood, 
 And heaps on heaps amafs'd. What yet remain 500 
 Alive, with vain aflault contend to break 
 Th' impenetrable line. Others, whom fear 
 Infpires with felf-preferving wiles, beneath 
 The bodies of the {lain for fhelter creep. 
 Aghaft they fly, or hide their heads difpers'd. 505 
 And now perchance (had heav'n but pleas'd) the 
 
 work 
 Of death had been compleat ; and AURENGTJEBE; 
 
 r* iiir li-iflV 
 
 By one dread frown extinguim d half their race. 
 
 iT thfiitanrftsci i*f} , 
 When lo ! the bright fultanas of his court 
 
 .i>7rl StoaiiKoi ftejfo 
 Appear, and to his ravifh'd eyes difplay 
 
 Thofe charms but rarely to the day reveal'd. 
 
 moii 
 E 3 LOWLY
 
 ft THECHACE. BOOK II. 
 
 LOWLY they bend, and humbly Cue, to fave 
 The vanquifh'd hoft. What mortal can deny 
 When fuppliant beauty begs ? At his command 
 Op'ning to right and left, the weli-train'd troops 
 Leave a large void for their retreating foes. 516 
 Away they fly, on wings of fear upborn, 
 To feek on diflant hills their late abodes. 
 
 Vlt'vA*fc t' t fawtoa f '-;-.'..'-,i':.''>' >,''. u \*. :. 
 
 . X 
 
 >/ .^ A ft<i ifcts'nfv***' ivij *i\> \a it\; 
 
 YE proud oppreflors, whofe vain hearts exult 
 
 In wantonnefs of pow'r, 'gainft the brute race, 520 
 Fierce robbers like yourfelves, a guiltlefs war 
 Wage uncontroll'd : here quench your third of 
 
 blood ; 
 But learn from AURENGZEBE to fpare mankind. 
 
 The
 
 & ' * H T 
 
 -.. ,y . 
 
 - sd ^iifcad JnsilqqiA naff W 
 
 Vs^n> ^jHi-bflHI Jrfel O? ^Pfi-rVO 
 
 ' 
 
 The ARGUMENT of the Third Book.' 
 
 ac r fft v^ vs,'f?A f 
 f\ F King EDGAR, and his impo/ing a tribute of 
 
 wolves heads upon the kings of WALES ; from 
 hence a tr an/it ion to fax-hunting^ which is described in 
 all its parts. Cenfure of an over-numerous pack. Of 
 the feveral engines to dejtroy foxes <, and other wild beafts. 
 The Jl eel-trap defcribed^ and the manner of ujing it- 
 Defer iption of the pitfall for the lion ; and another for 
 the elephant. The ancient way of hunting the tyger 
 with a mirror. The ARABIAN manner of hunting 
 the wild boar. Defcription of the royal Jiag-chace at 
 WINDSOR FOREST. Concludes -with an addrefs to 
 &s majejly, and an eulogy upon mcrcy^, mfi3 | ^ 
 
 4 BOOK
 
 C 56 ) 
 
 BOOK THE THIRD. 
 
 -. . . 
 
 
 
 T N ALBION'S ifle when glorious EDGAR reign'd, 
 
 He, wifely provident, from her white cliffs 
 Launch'd half her forefts, and with num'rous fleetg 
 Cover'd his wide domain : there proudly rode 
 Lord of the deep, the great prerogative 5 
 
 Of BRITISH monarchs. Each invader bold, 
 DANE and NORWEGIAN, at a diftance gaz'd, 
 And difappointed, gnafti'd his teeth in vain. 
 He fcour'd the feas, and to remoteft fhores 
 With fwelling fails the trembling corfair fled. 10 
 Rich commerce flourifh'd ; and with bufy oars 
 
 , ,J r. n> i j^ , t , , ... 
 
 Dafh'd the refounding furge. Nor lefs at land 
 
 .-o<> ,rfiui; jr 
 
 His royal cares ; wife, potent, gracious prince ! 
 
 His fubje&s from their cruel foes he fav'd, 
 
 . 
 
 2 And
 
 BOOK IIL THECHACE; 57 
 
 And from rapacious favages their flocks. 15 
 
 CAMBRIA'S, proud kings (tho' with reluctance) 
 
 paid 
 
 Their tributary wolves ; head after hea^/- 
 In full account, till the woods yield no more, 
 And all the rav'nous race extinct is loft.. . ; >, 
 In fertile paftures, more fecurely graz'd 2s9 
 
 The focial troops j and foon their large increafe 
 
 * 
 
 With curling fleeces whiten'd all the plains. 
 But yet, alas ! the wily fox remain'd, 
 A fubtle, pilf 'ring foe prowling around 
 In midnight fhades, and wakeful to deftroy. 25 
 In the full fold, the poor defencelefs lamb, 
 Seiz-'d by his guileful arts, with fweet warm blood 
 Supplies a rich repair.. The mournful ewe, 
 Her deareft treafure loft, thro' the dun night 
 
 Wanders perplex'd, and darkling bleats in vain : 30 
 
 ~ 
 
 While in th' adjacent bufh, poor PHILOMEL, 
 
 i -jj.ji \K'f . 
 
 (Herfelf a parent once, till wanton churls 
 
 hirrir 
 
 Defpoil'd
 
 5 8 T H E C H A C E. BOOK III. 
 
 DefpoU'd her neft) joins-jn her loud laments, 
 With fweeter notes, and more melodious woe. 
 
 sqfiod no n'vnb won ^oqcii ^o Hut bns '^for 
 FOR thefe nocturnal thieves, huntfman, prepare 
 
 Thy fharpeft vengeance. Oh! how glorious 'tis 36 
 . To right th' opprefs'd, and bring the felon- vile 
 To juft difgrace ! Ere yet the morning peep, 
 Or (tars retire from the firft bliifh of day, 
 With thy far-echoing voice alarm thy pack, 40 
 And roufe thy bold compeers. Then to the copfe, 
 Thick with entangling grafs, or prickly furze, 
 With filence lead thy many-colour'd hounds, 
 In all their beauty's pride. See ! how they range 
 Difpers'd, how bufily this way, and that, 45 
 
 They crofs, examining with curious nofe 
 Each likely haunt. Hark ! on the drag I hear 
 Their doubtful notes, preluding to a cry 
 More nobly full, and fwell'd with ev'ry mouth. 
 As flraggling armies, .at the trumpet's voice, - 50 
 
 Prefs
 
 III. T H E C H A C E. 59 
 
 Prefs to their ftandard ; hither all repair, 
 And hurry thro' the woods ; with hafty ftep 
 
 Ruftling, and full of hope ; now driv'n on heaps 
 They pufh, they ftrive ; while from his kennel 
 
 fneaks 
 
 The confcious villain. See \ he fkulks along, 55 
 Sleek at the fhepherd's coft, and plump with meals 
 Purloin'd. So thrive the wicked here below. 
 Tho' high his brufh he bear, tho* tipt with white 
 It gaily fliine ; yet ere the fun declin'd 
 Recal the (hades of night, the pamper'd rogue 60 
 Shall rue his fate revers'd j and at his heels 
 Behold the juft avenger, fwift to feize 
 His forfeit head, and thirfting for his bipod. 
 
 V ?Vo'-" ",' -"' 7 ' 
 
 HEAVENS! what melodious ftrains ! how beat 
 
 our hearts 
 
 Big with tumultuous joy ! the loaded gales 65 
 Breathe harmony ; and as the tempeft drives 
 
 From
 
 6k? T H E C HA C E. BOOK III. 
 
 From wood to wood, thro' ev'ry dark recefs 
 
 The foreft thunders, and the mountains fhake. 
 
 The chorus fwells ; lefs various, and lefs fweet 
 
 The trilling notes, when in thofe very groves, 70 
 
 The feather'd chorifters falute the fpring, 
 
 And ev'ry bufh in concert joins ; or when 
 
 The matter's hand, in modulated air, 
 
 Bids the loud organ breathe, and all the pow"rs 
 
 Of mufick in one inftrument combine, 75 
 
 An univerfal minftrelfy. And now 
 
 In vain each earth he tries, the doors are barr'd 
 
 Impregnable, nor is the covert fafe j 
 
 He pants for purer air. Hark ! what loud fhouts 
 
 Re-echo thro' the groves I he breaks away. 80 
 
 Shrill horns proclaim his flight. .Each ftraggling 
 
 hound \ ? ' 
 
 Strains e'er the lawn to reach the diftant pack. 
 'Tis triumph all and joy. Now, my brave youths, 
 Now give a loofc to the clean gen'rous fteed ; 
 
 Flourifh
 
 BOOK III. THE C H A C'EJ 61 
 Flourifli the whip, nor fpare the galling fpur ; 5 
 But in the madnefs of delight, forgeturb fan 
 Your fears. Far o'er the rocky hills we range, 
 And dangerous our courfe j but in the brave 
 True courage never fails. In vain the ftream 
 In foaming eddies whirls ; in vain the ditch -go 
 Wide-gaping threatens death. The craggy fteep 
 Where the poor dizzy fhepherd crawls with care, . 
 And clings to ev'ry twig, gives us no pain ; 
 But down we fweep, as ftoops the falcon bold 
 To pounce his prey. Then up th' opponent hill, 95 
 By the fwift motion flung, we mount aloft : 
 So fliips in winter-feas now fliding fink 
 Adown the fteepy wave, then tofs'd on high 
 
 Rrde on the billows, and defy the ftorm. 
 
 bnuori 
 
 WHAT lengths we pafs ! where will the wan- 
 d'ring chace ICO 
 
 Lead us bewilder'd ! fmooth as fwallows feim 
 
 The
 
 62 T H E C H A C E. BOOK lit. 
 
 The new-fhorn mead, and far more fwift we fly. 
 See my brave pack ; how to the head they prefs, 
 Joftling in clofe array, then more diffufe 104. 
 
 Obliquely wheel, while from their op'ning mouths 
 The vollied thunder breaks. So when the cranes 
 Their annual voyage fleer, with wanton wing 
 Their figure oft they change, and their loud clang 
 From cloud to cloud rebounds. How far behind 
 The hunter-crew, wide-ftraggling o'er the plain 1 
 The panting courfer now witih trembling nerves in 
 Begins to reel j urg'd by the goring fpur, 
 Makes many a faint effort : he fnorts, he foams. 
 The big round drops run trickling down his fides, 
 With fweat and blood diftain'd. Look back and 
 view * j 1 5 
 
 The ftrange confufion of the vale below, 
 Where four vexation reigns ; fee yon poor jade, 
 In vain th' impatient rider frets and fwearsj 
 With galling fpurs harrows his mangled fides; 
 
 He
 
 BOOK IH. THECHACE. 63 
 
 He can no more : his ftiffunpliant limbs- 120 
 Rooted in earth, unmov'd and fix'd he ftands, 
 For ev'ry cruel curfe returns a groan^K n 
 And fobs, and faints, and dies. Who without grief 
 Can view that pamper'd fteed, his matter's joy, 
 His minion, and his daily care, well cloath'd, 125 
 Well fed with ev'ry nicer cate ; no coft, 
 No labour fpar'd ; who, when the flying chace 
 Broke from the copfe, without a rival led 
 The num'rous train : now a fad fpe&acle 
 Of pride brought low, and humble infolence, 130 
 Drove like a pannierM afs, and fcourg'd along. 
 While thefe with loofen'd reins, and dangling heels, 
 Hang on their reeling palfreys, that fcarce bear 
 Their weights j another in the treach'rous bog 
 Lies flound'ring half ingulph'd. What biting 
 thoughts ''"'*35 
 
 Torment th' abandon'd crew ! Old age laments 
 His vigour fpent : the tall, plump, brawny youth 
 
 Curfcs
 
 64'- THE V H A~0-E, BOOK -III,* 
 
 Curfes his cunrb'rous bulk ; and-envfcS now ^ :. 
 eaii race, he-whilom kenn'd 
 
 With proud infuftfeg ieerr" A cfeofen few 
 
 Alone* tfte fport Vrijoy, nor droop beneath 
 
 Their pleafmg tolls. Here, huntfman, from "this 
 
 ^i.r T J r -r T j 
 
 Obferve yon birds of prey ; if I can judge, 
 
 'Tis there the villain lurks : they hover roiin'd 
 ' And claim him as their own. Was 1 not right ? 146 
 See 1 there he creeps along ; his bruih he drags, 
 And fweeps the mire impure ; from his wide jaws 
 His tongue unmoiften'd hangs ; fymptoms too fare 
 .Of fudden death. Hah ! yet he flies, nor yields " 
 To black defpair. But one loofe more, and all 150 
 His wiles are vain. Hark.! .thco'. yon village now 
 The rattljng clamour rings. The barns, the ct, 
 And leaflefs elms return -the joyous founds. 
 Thro' ev'ry;hgmeftall, and thro' ev.'ry-yard, 
 His midnight walks, 'panting, forlorn, be-flieS-} 155* 
 V - Thro'
 
 BOOK IIL THE C H A C E. 65 
 Thro* ev'ry hol& he fneaks, thro' ev'ry jakes 
 Plunging he wades befmear'd, and fondly hopes 
 In a fuperior flench to lofe his own : 
 But faithful to the track, th* unerring hounds 
 With peals of echoing vengeance clofe purfue. 160 
 And now difixefs'd, no flielt'ring covert near, 
 Into the hen-rooft creeps, whofe walls with gore 
 Diftain'd atteft his guilt. There, villain, there 
 Expecl thy fate deferv'd. And foon from thence 
 The pack inquifitive, with clahiour loud, 165 
 Drag out their trembliag prize ; and on his blood 
 With greedy tranfport feaft. In bolder notes 
 Each founding horn proclaims the felon dead : 
 And all th' afletnbled village fhouts for joy. 
 The farmer, who beholds his mortal foe 170 
 
 Stretch'd at his feet, applauds the glorious deed, 
 And grateful calls us to a ihort repaft : 
 In the full glafs the liquid amber fmiles, 
 Qur natfr? product. And his good old mate 
 
 t With
 
 6$ T H E. C H A G E. BOOK III. 
 
 With choiceft viands heaps the lib'ral board, 175 
 T9<Cfl>w;pjr triumphs, and reward our toils. 
 
 - HE-RE muft th' inftrutive Mufe (but with re- 
 
 fpea) 
 
 Cenfure that num'rous pack, that crowd of ftate, 
 With which the vain profufion of the great 179 
 Covers the lawn, and fhakes the trembling copfe. 
 Pompous incumbrance ! A magnificence 
 Ufelefs, vexatious ! For the wily fox, 
 Safe in th' increafing number of his foes, 
 Kens well the great advantage : flinks behind 
 And flyly creeps thro' the fame beaten track, 185 
 And hunts them ftep by ftep : then views, efcap'd 
 .With inward extafy, the panting throng 
 In their own footfteps puzzled, foil'd and loft. 
 So when proud Eaftern kings fummon to arms 
 Their gaudy legions, from far^diftant climes 190 
 They flock ia crowds, unpeopling half a world : 
 
 But
 
 RnnicTT? "* H F CHACF ft* 
 
 JLSOOK ill. i ri . \s n rt. \* XL. 07 
 
 But when the day of battle calls them forth 
 
 'To charge the well-train'd foe, a band compa 
 
 Of chofen vet'rans ; they prefs blindly on, 
 
 In heaps confus'd, by their own weapons fall, 195 
 
 A fmoking carnage fcatter'd o'er the plain. 
 
 i .*>K'^ff-T* 
 
 NOR hounds alone this noxious brood deftroy : 
 The pi under' d'warrener full rhany a wile 
 Devifes to entrap his greedy foe, 
 Fat with no&urnal fpoils. At clofe of day, 200 
 With filence drags his trail ; then from the ground 
 Pares thin the clofe-graz'd turf, there with nice 
 
 hand 
 
 Covers the latent death, with curious fprings 
 Prepar'd to fly at once, whene'er the tread 
 Of man or beaft unwarily fhall prefs 205 
 
 The yielding furface. By th* indented fteel 
 
 i i " */*T% 
 
 With gripe tenacious held, the felon grins 
 And ftruggles, but in vain : yet oft 'tis known, 
 F 2
 
 C H A C E. BOOK IIL 
 
 A U3 - ti s 
 
 When & v'ff 31* has fail'd, the captive fox 
 Has fhar'd the .wounded joint, and with a limb 210 
 Compounded for his life. $ut, if perchance 
 In the deep pitfall plung'd, there's no efcape j 
 But unrepriev'd fce dies, and bleach'd in air, 
 Thejeft of clowns, his reeking carcafs hangs. 
 
 OF thefe are various kinds j not ev'n the king 21 5 
 Of brutes evades this deep devouring grave : 
 But by dje wily AFRICAN betray'd, 
 Heedlefs of fate, within its gaping jaws 
 Expires indignant. When the orient beam 
 With blufhes paints the dawn ; and all the race 220 
 Carnivorous, with blood full-gprg'd, retire 
 Into their darkfom cells, there fatiate fnore 
 O'er dripping offals, and the mangled limbs 
 Of men and beafts ; the painful forefter 224 
 
 Climbs the high hills, whpfe proud afpiring tops, 
 / With the tall cedar crown'd, and taper fir, 
 
 Aflaii 
 "*
 
 f i K T id 
 
 F66K IIL THE C tf A C I. 6g 
 
 AfTail the clouds. There 'mottg the craggy rocks. 
 And thickets intricate, trembling he views 
 His footfteps in the fand : the difmal road 
 
 _ I f j *? 
 
 y r -' s>rb iu 
 And avenue" to death. Hither he calls 230 
 
 p^ni, _},:!*_ 
 
 His watchfut bands ; and low into the ground 
 
 33i zjfT f anwoi-. f fist nT ^ 
 
 A pit? they link, full many a fathom deep. 
 Then in the midft a column high is rear'd, 
 The butt of fome fair tree j upon whofe top 
 A forrib is plac'd, juft raviih'd from his dam. 235 
 And next a wall they build, with ftones and earth 
 Encircling round, and hiding from all view 
 
 The dreadfiil precipice. Now when the fliades 
 
 . ^ 
 Of night hang lowering o*er the mountain's brow j 
 
 And 1 hunger keen, and pungent thirft of blood, 240 
 Rouze up the flothful beaftr, he fhakes his fides, 
 Slow-rifing from his lair, and ftretches wide 
 His rav'nous paws, with recent gore diftain'd. 
 The forefk tremble, as he roars aloud, fa ' rfjiW 
 Impatient to deftroy. O'erjoy'd he hears 245 
 F 3 The
 
 7 o T H E C H A C E. BOOK III. 
 
 The bleating innocent, that claims in vain 
 The fhepherd's care, and feeks with piteous moan 
 The foodful teat ; himfelf, alas ! defign'd 
 Another's meal. For now the greedy brute 249 
 Winds him from far j and leaping o'er the mound 
 To feize his trembling prey, headlong is plung'd 
 Into the deep abyfs. Proftrate he lies 
 Aftunn'd and impotent. Ah ! what avail 
 Thine eye-balls flafhing fire, thy length of tail, 
 That lafhes thy broad fides, thyjawsbefmear'd 255 
 With blood and offals crude, thy fliaggy mane 
 The terror of the woods, thy {lately port, 
 And bulk enormous,, fmce by ftratagem 
 Thy ftrength is foil'd ? Unequal is the ft rife, 
 When fov'reign reafon combats brutal rage. 260 
 
 ON diftant ETHIOPIA'S fun-burnt coafts, 
 
 
 The black inhabitants a pitfall frame, 
 
 But of a diff 'rent kind, and diff'rent ufe. 
 
 
 
 With
 
 BOOK IIL THE C H AX -. n 
 
 With flender poles the. wide capacious mouth, ; .' 
 And. hurdles flight, they clofe; o'er thefe is fpreatl 
 A floor of verdant turf, with all its flow'rs 2^ 
 Smiling delufive, and from ftri&eft fearch -{-,- 
 Concealing the deep grave, that yawns below. ^2 
 Then boughs of trees they cut, with-tempting fru?t 
 Of various kinds furcharg'd ; the downy peach, 270 
 The clufl'ring vine, and of bright golden rind - 
 The fragrant orange. Soon as ev'ning grey , " J 
 Advances flow befprinkling all around : 
 
 With kind refrefhing dews the thirfty glebe, 
 The ftately elephant from the clofe fhade 275 
 
 With ftep majeftick ftrides, eager to tafle 
 The cooler breeze, that from the fea-beat fiiore 
 Delightful breathes, or in the limpid ftream ; - 
 To lave his panting fides ; joyous he fcents 
 The rich repaft, unweeting of the death 286 
 
 That lurks within. And foon he fporting bieaks 
 The brittle boughs, and greedily devours AA 
 F 4 The
 
 T H C H A C E. BOOK IIL 
 The fnrit delicious. Ah,! too dearly bought; 
 The price is life. For now the treach'rous turf 
 Trembling gives way ; and the unwieldy beaft, 285 
 Self-finking, drops into the dark profound. 
 So wteh dilated vapours, ftrugglingj heave 
 Th' incumbent earth j if chance the cavern'd ground 
 Shrinking fubfide, and the thin furface yield, 28$ 
 Down finks at once the pond'roas dome, ingulph'd 
 With all its tow'rs. Subtle, ddufive man ! 
 
 How various are thy wiles ! artful to kill '- : 
 
 Thy favage foes, a dull unthinking race ! 
 Fierce from his lair, fprings forth the fpeckled pard, 
 Thirfting for blood, and eager to deftroy ; 295 
 The huritfinan flies, but to his flight alone 
 Confides not : at convenient diftance fix'd, 
 A polifh'd mirrour ftops in full career 
 The furious brute : he there his image views ; 
 Spots againft fpots with rage improving glow - t ^ob' 
 Another paid his briftly whifkerfi xrurls; ' 
 
 Grins
 
 L T S E ~C *H & C ET 
 
 Grins as he grins^ -fierce-menacing/ and \vide 
 DiftemJj hia op'ning paws-j himfelf againft 
 Hiftifelf eppos'd, and with dread vengeance army." 
 The huntfman, now fecure, with fetal aim 305" 
 Dire&s the pointed fpear, by which transhVd 
 He dies, and with him dies the rival /bade. 
 Thus man innum'rous engines forms, t' afiail 
 The favage kind j but moft the docile horfc, - " 
 Swift and confederate with man, annoys gro 
 
 His brethren of the plains ; without whofe aid 
 The hunter's arts are vain, unfldll'd to wage 
 With the more a&ive brutes an equal war. 
 But bom by him, without the well-train'd pack, 
 Man dares his foe, on wings of wind fecure. 315 
 
 :; Jnainsvnoo Jfi : ion ar>ri}no3 
 HIM the fierce ARAB mounts, and, with his tcoop 
 
 Of bold compeers, ranges the deferj^yiJ(d <5nu 
 Where, by themagnet ? said, the,traveUernt 
 Steers his uutioddea court*; yet oft 
 
 Is
 
 7 4r TH E C H A C EV BOOK III. 
 
 Is wrecked, in the high-rolling waves of fand 320 
 Immerft and loft. While thefe intrepid bands, 
 Safe in their horfes fpeed, out-fly the ftorm, 
 And fcouring round, make men and beafts their 
 prey. 
 
 . 
 
 The grifly boar is fmgled from his herd 
 
 As large as that in ERIMANTHIAN woods, 325 
 
 A match for HERCULES. Round him thy fly 
 
 tri 'circles wide ; and each in pafling fends 
 
 His feather'd death into his brawny fides. 
 
 But perilous th' attempt. For if the fteed 
 
 Haply too near approach ; or the loofe earth 330 
 
 His footing fail ; the watchful angry beaft 
 
 Th* advantage fpies ; and at one fidelong glance 
 
 Rips up his groin. Wounded, he rears aloft, 
 
 And plunging, from his back the rider hurls 
 
 Precipitant j then bleeding fpurns the ground, 335 
 
 And drags his reeking entrails o'er the plain. 
 
 Mean while the furly monfter trots ak>ng, 
 
 But
 
 JBooK III. T H E C H A C E. 75 
 
 But with unequal fpeed ; for ftill they wound* : 
 Swift- wheeling in the fpacious ring. . A wood 
 Of darts upon his back he bears ; adown 340 
 
 His tortur'd fides, the crimfon torrents roll 
 
 *r "'? 
 From many a gaping font. And now at laft 
 
 ' T* 
 
 Stagg'ring he falls, in blood and foam expires. 
 
 ' V 
 
 BUT whither roves my devious mufe, intent 
 On antique tales ? Whik .yet the royal ftag 345 
 
 > 
 
 Unfung remains. Tread with refpe&ful awe 
 WINDSOR'S green glades ; where DENHAM S tune- 
 ful bard, 
 
 Charm'd once the lift'ning dryads, with his fong 
 Sublimely fweet. O ! grant me, facred fhade, 
 
 To glean fubmifs what thy full fickle leaves. 350 
 
 ' 
 
 THE morning fun, that gilds with trembling rays 
 WINDSOR'S high tow'rs, beholds the courtly train 
 Mount for the chace, nor views in all his courfe 
 
 A fcenc
 
 A fane to gay : heroick, noW* y<5u(h$, 
 
 In arts and arms renown'd, and lovely nymphs 
 
 The faireft of this iflc, where Beauty dwells 
 
 icJ-fl'n AU'SMA 
 
 Delighted, and deferts her PAPHIAN grove 
 For our more favour'd fhadcs : in proud parade 
 Thefe fljine magnificent, and prefs around 
 The royal happy pair. Great in themfelves, 360 
 They fmtle fuperior ; of external ibow 
 Regardlefs, while their inbred virtues give 
 A luftre ta their pow*r, and grace their court 
 With real fplendors, far above the pomp 
 Of eaftern kings, in all their tinfel pride. 365 
 Like troops of AMAZONS, the female band 
 Prance round their cars, not in refulgent arms 
 As thofe of old ; unfkilPd to wield the fword, 
 Or bend the bow, thefe kill with furer aim. 
 The royal offspring, faireft of the fair, 370 
 
 Lead on the fplendid train. ANNA more bright 
 Than fummer funs, or as the light'ning keen, 
 
 ^r* 
 
 With
 
 BOOK III. . T H JE, H. A.C-JE. 
 
 - 5C H JL , 
 
 With irrefiftijble effulgence arm'd, 
 
 Slffbr .:-'. .' Y*3 < 
 Fires ev'ry beart. He muft be more than mwu f 
 
 tmisoiuai^t nl 
 
 Who unconcern'd can bear the piercing rayv 375 
 
 AMELIA, milder than the bluftiing -dawn^ . , it 
 
 With fweet engaging ^ir, .but equaj- powV, . .. -3- 
 Infenfibly fubdues, and in foft chain^ 
 
 Hej willing captives leads. Illuftrious maids 
 Ever triumphant ! whofe vi^orious charms, 
 Without the needlefs aid of 
 
 Had aw'd mankind, and taught 
 lords "~, 
 
 To bow and fue fojr grace. But who is he 
 
 i* *' M * 
 
 Frefh as a rofe-bud newly blown, and fair m T&<. 
 
 As op'ning. lilies; on whom ev'ry eye^p.^i : ^8^ 
 With joy aAd admiration dwells ? Sec j fee, 
 He reins his docile barb with manly grace. . 
 Is it ADONIS for thy chace ajrray'd ?^fto kyn artT 
 Or BRITAIN.'S fecqridhopg? HaUbloQrrjmg,youiix! 
 May all your virtues with.VQiy y.eafs improve,, 3^0 
 
 Tifl
 
 }8 -THE C H A t . -BOOK III. 
 Till in confummate worth, you fhine the pride 
 Of -thefe our days, and to fucceeding times 
 A bright example. As his guard of mutes ' 
 On the great fultan wait, with eyes deje& 
 And fb^'d on earth, no voice, no found is heard 395 
 Within the wide ferail, but all is hufh'd, 
 And ^wful filence reigns ; thus ftand the pack 
 Mute and unmov'd, and cow'ring low to earth, 
 While pafs the glitt'ring court, and royal pair : 
 .So difciplin'd thofe hounds, and fo referv'd, 400 
 Whofe honour 'tis to glad the hearts of kings. 
 But foon the winding horn, and huntfman's voice, 
 Let loofe the gen'ral chorus ; far around 
 ;Joy fpreads its wings, and the gay morning fmiles. 
 
 UNHARBOUR'D now the royal flag forfakes 405 
 His wonted lair ; he {hakes his dappled fides, 
 And tofles high his beamy head, the copfe 
 Beneath, his antlers bends. What doubling fhifts 
 -" - He
 
 III. THE C H A C E. 7$ 
 
 He tries ! net more the wily hare ; in thefe 
 Wou'd'ftill perfift, did not the full-mouth'd pack 
 With dreadful confort thunder in his rear.-"- 411 
 The woods reply, the hunter's chearing fliouts 
 Float thro' the glades, and the wide foreft rings. 
 How merrily they chant ! their noftrils deep. 
 Inhale the grateful fteam. Such is the cry, 415 
 And fuchth' harmonious din, the foldier deems 
 'The battle kindling, and the ftatefman grave 
 Forgets his weighty cares j each age, each fex 
 In the wild tranfport joins ; luxuriant joy, 
 And pleafure in excefs, fparkling exult 420 
 
 On ev'ry brow, and revel unreftrain'd. 
 
 "1* 
 How happy art thou, man, when thou'rt no 
 
 . ' : i-Mjssc ^O 
 more 
 
 *Thy felf ! when all the pangs that grind thy foul, 
 In rapture and in fweet oblivion loft, 
 Yield a ftiort interval, and eafe from pain f 425 
 pftirfl ^aiicfuob }i(V/ ^tmad rolJru; eid rfjssasE. 
 
 * SEE
 
 So THECtfACE. BOOK IIL 
 
 SEE the fwift courfer ftrains, his fhinijig hoofs 
 Securely beat the folid ground. Who now 
 
 The dang'rous pitfall fears, with tangling heath 
 
 
 
 High-overgrown ? Or who the quiv'ring bog 
 Soft-yielding to the ftep ? All now is plain, 430 
 Plain as the ftrand fea-lav'd, that ftretches far 
 Beneath the rpcky fliore. Glades croffing glades 
 The foreft opens to our wond'rLng view : 
 Such was the king's command. Let tyrants fierce 
 Lay wafte the world; his the more glorious 
 part 435 
 
 To check their pride ; and when the brazen voice 
 Of war is hufh'd (as erft victorious ROME) 
 "T'ernploy his ftation'd legions in the works 
 Of peace ; to fmooth the rugged wildernef?, 
 To drain the ftagnate fen, to raife the flope 440 
 Depending road, and to make gay the face 
 Of nature, with th' embelUfhments of art. 
 
 2 How
 
 BOOK III.' THE CH ACE. Si 
 
 How melts my beating heart ! as I behold 
 Each lovely nymph, our ifland's boaft and pride, 
 Pufh on the gen'rous fteecT, that ftrokes along 445 
 O'er rough, o'er fmooth, nor heeds the fleepy hill, 
 Nor faulters in th' extended vale below : 
 Their garments loofely waving in the wind, 
 And all the flufli of beauty in their cheeks ? 
 While at their fides their penfive lovers wait, 450 
 Direct their dubious courfe ; now chill'd with fear 
 
 B'T " 
 
 Solicitous, and now with love inflam'd. 
 
 O ! grant, indulgent heav'en, no rifmg ftorm 
 
 May darken, with black wings, this glorious fcene I 
 
 r .:'"< :: ' v,;' 
 
 Shou'd fome malignant pow'r thus damp our joys, 
 
 Vain were the gloomy cave, fuch as of old 456 
 Bfetray'd to lawlefs love the TYRIAN queen. 
 I^or'BRiTAiN's virtuous nymphs are chafte as fair, 
 Spotlefs, unblam'd, with equal triumph reign 
 In the dun gloom, as in the blaze of day. 460 
 
 G Now
 
 Tr t H , C H A C E. BOOK III. 
 
 **.* . V* *r%* ** -*** * *-l ~*M 
 
 fta ^k 10 ' woods, bogs, roads, 
 
 Has meafur'd half the foreft ; but alas |. 
 
 He flies in vain, he flies not from his fears. 
 
 - 
 
 Tho' far he caft the ling'ring pack behind, 
 
 .t 
 
 His haggard fancy ftill with horror views 465 
 
 The fell deftroyer ; ftill the fatal cry 
 
 Infults his ears, and wounds his trembling heart. 
 
 So the .poor fury-haunted wretch (his hands 
 
 In guiltlefs blood diftain'd) ftill feems to hear 469 
 
 The dying fhrieks j and the pale threat'ning ghoft 
 
 Moves as he moves, and as he flies, purfues. 
 
 See here his flot j up yon green hill he climbs, 
 
 Pants on its brow a while, fadly looks back 
 
 On his purfuers, cov'ring all the plain ; . 474 
 
 Bnt wrung with anguifh, bears not long the fight, 
 
 Shoots down the fteep, and fweats along the vale : 
 
 There mingles with the herd, where once he 
 
 <bnfi^ rei S n '^. 
 
 Proud
 
 BOOK III. T H E C H A C E. 83 
 
 Proud monarch of the groves, whofe clafhing beam 
 
 His rivals aw'd, and whofe exalted pow'r 
 
 Was ftill rewarded with fuccefsful love. 480 
 
 But the bafe herd have learn'd the ways of men, 
 
 Averfe they fly, or with rebellious aim 
 
 Chace him from thence: needlefs their impious 
 
 deed, 
 
 The huntfman knows him by a thoufand marks, 
 Black, and imboft ; nor are his hounds deceiv'd j 
 Too well diftinguifh thefe, and never leave 486 
 Their once devoted foe ; familiar grows 
 His fcent, and ftrong their appetite to kill. 
 Again he flies, and with redoubled fpeed 
 Skims o'er the lawn ; ftill the tenacious crew 490 
 Hang on the track, aloud demand their prey, 
 And pufh him many a league. If haply then 
 Too far efcap'd, and the gay courtly train 
 Behind are caft, the huntfman's clanging whip 
 Stops full their bold career ; paffive they ftand, 495 
 G 2 Unmov'd,
 
 84. T H E C H A C E. BOOK III. 
 
 *- -' . -.if 
 
 Unmov'd, an humble, an obfcquious crowd, 
 As if by (tern MEDUSA gaz'd to ftones. 
 So at their gen'ral's voice whole armies halt 
 In full purfuit, and check their thirft of blood. 
 Soon at the king's command, like hafty ftreams 500 
 Damm'd up a while, they foam, and pour along 
 With frefh-recruited might. The flag, who hop'd 
 His foes were loft, now once more hears aftunn'd 
 The dreadful din ; he Olivers ev'ry limb, 504 
 
 He ftarts, he bounds ; each bufh prefents a foe. 
 Prefs'd by the frefh relay, no paufe allow'd, 
 Breathlefs, and faint, he faulters in his pace, 
 And lifts his weary limbs with pain, that fcarce 
 Suftain their load : he pants, he fobs appall'd ; 
 Drops down his heavy head to earth, beneath 510 
 His cumbrous beams opprefs'd. But if perchance 
 Some prying eye furprize him ; foon he rears 
 Erel his tow'ring front, bounds o'er the lawn 
 With ill-dinembled vigour, to amufe 
 
 The
 
 .BOOK III. THE C H A C E. $5 
 
 The knowing forefter.; who inly fmiles 515 
 
 At his weak fhifts, and unavailing frauds. 
 So midnight tapers wafte their laft remains, 
 Shine forth a while, and as they blaze expire. 
 From wood to wood redoubling thunders roll, 
 And bellow thro' the vales ; the moving ftorm 520 
 Thickens amain, and loud triumphant fhouts, 
 And horns fhrill-warbling in each glade, prelude 
 To his approaching fate. And now in view 
 
 With hobbling gait, and high, exerts amaz'd 
 What flrength is left : to the laft dregs of life 525 
 Reduc'd, his fpirits fail, on ev'ry fide 
 Hemm'd in, befieg'd j not the leaft op'ning left 
 
 To gleaming hope, th' unhappy's laft referve. 
 
 j 
 Where mall he turn ? or whither fly ? Defpair 
 
 *.,, L <f j[. 
 Gives courage to the weak. Refolv'd to die, 533 
 
 He fears no more, but rufhes on his foes, 
 And deals his deaths around ; beneath his feet 
 Thefe grov'ling lie, thofe by his antlers gor'd 
 
 G 3 Defile
 
 $6 tfcfcCHACE. BOOK III. 
 
 Defile th' enfanguin'd plain. Ah ! fee diftrefs'd 
 He ftands at bay againft yon knotty trunk, 535 
 That covers well his rear, his front prefents 
 An hoft of foes. O ! fhun, ye noble train, 
 The rude encounter, and believe your lives 
 Your country's due alone. As now aloof 
 They wing around, he finds his foul uprais'd, 540 
 To dare fome great exploit ; he charges home 
 Upon the broken pack, that on each fide 
 Fly diverfe ; then as o'er the turf he ftrains, 
 He vents the cooling ftream, and up the breeze 
 Urges his courfe with eager violence : 545 
 
 Then takes the foil, and plunges in the flood 
 Precipitant ; down the mid-ftreain he wafts 
 Along, till (like a fhip diftrefs'd, that runs 
 Into fome winding creek) clofe to the verge 
 Of a fmall ifland, for his weary feet 550 
 
 Sure anchorage he finds, there fkulks immers'd. 
 His nofe alone above the wave draws in 
 
 The
 
 BOOK IIL T H E C H A C f. & 
 The vital air; all el fe beneath the flood -r; \ 3 ..~*f 
 Conceai'd, and loft, deceives each prying eye ^p 
 Of man or brute. In vain the crowding pack .^55 
 Draw on the margin of the ftream, or cut 
 The liquid wave with oary feet, that mov . 
 In equal time. The gliding waters leay? m ,^ T 
 No trace behind, and his contracted pores, v *r{T 
 But fparingly perfpire : the huntfman ftrains 560 
 His lab'ring lungs, and puffs his cheeks in vai^: T 
 At length a blood-hound bold, ftudious to kill^v 
 And exquifite of fenfe, winds him from far;, >H ^> 
 Headlong he leaps into the flood, his mouth. 
 Loud op'ning fpends amain, and his wide throat 565 
 Swells ev'ry note with joy ; then fearlefs dives, : 
 Beneath the wave, hangs on his hanch, and wpimds 
 Th' unhappy brute, that. flounders in the ftreai^ 
 ' Sorely diftrefs'd, and ftruggling ftrives to mouHt 
 The fteepy more. Haply once more cfcap'd ? , 570 
 Again he {lands at bay, amid the groves ^,- 
 
 G 4 Of
 
 88 T HE C H A C E. BOOK III. 
 
 Of willows, bending .low their downy heads. 
 Outrageous tranfport fires the greedy pack ; 
 Thefe fwim the deep, and thofe crawl up with 
 
 pain 
 
 The flippery bank, while others on firm land 575 
 Engage ; the ftag repels each bold afFault, 
 Maintains his poft, and wounds for wounds re- 
 turns. 
 
 As when fome wily corfair boards a fhip 
 Full-freighted, or from AFRIC'S golden coafts, 
 Or INDIA'S wealthy ftrand, his bloody crew 580 
 Upon her deck he flings ; thefe in the deep 
 Drop {hort, and fwim to reach her fteepy fides, 
 And clinging climb aloft ; while thofe on board 
 Urge on the work of fate ; the mafter bold, 
 Prefs'd to his laft retreat, bravely refolves 585 
 
 To fink his wealth beneath the whelming wave, 
 His wealth, his foes, nor unreyeng'd to die. 
 So fares it with the ftag : fo he refolves 
 
 To
 
 BOOK IIL THE C H A E. 89 
 
 To plunge at once into the flood below, '^ 
 Himfelf, his foes in one deep gulph immers'cFi. 590 
 Ere yet he executes this dire intent, 
 In wild diforder once more views the light $?'! 
 Beneath a weight of woe, he groans diftrefs'd : 
 The tears run trickling down his hairy cheeks ; 
 He weeps, nor weeps in vain. The king beholds 
 His wretched plight, and tendernefs innate 596 
 Moves his great foul. Soon at his high command 
 Rebuk'd, the difappointed, hungry pack 
 Retire fubmifs, and grumbling quit their prey. 
 
 GREAT Prince ! from thee, what may thy fub- 
 jedls hope ; 600 
 
 So kind, and fo beneficent to brutes ? 
 O mercy, heav'nly born ! fweet attribute ! 
 Thou great, thou beft prerogative of pow'r ! 
 Juftice may guard the throne, but join'd with 
 thee, 
 
 On
 
 90 THECHACE. BOOK III. 
 
 On rocks of adamant it ftands fecure, 605 
 
 And braves the ftorm beneath 5 foon as thy fmiles 
 Gild the rough deep, the foaming waves fubfide, 
 And all the noify tumult finks in peace. 
 
 , 
 

 
 IT ^ 
 
 t 
 
 >> n jftjemfib* lo eaboi nO 
 
 -r*; ' 
 
 The ARGUMENT of the Fourth Book. 
 
 A^F //><? necejjity of defraying fame beajls, and pre- 
 ferring others for the ufe of man. Of breeding 
 of hounds ; the feafon for this bujinefs. The choice of 
 the dogy of great moment. Of the litter of ivhelps. Of 
 the number to be reared. Of fetting them out to their 
 feveral walks. Care to be taken to prevent their hunting 
 too foon. Of entering the whelps. Of breaking them 
 from running at Jheep. Of the difeafes of hounds. Of 
 their age. Of madnefs j two forts of it , defer ibefi-t the 
 dumb, and outrageous madnefs: its dreadful effects. 
 Burning of the wound recommended as preventing all 
 ill conferences. The infeclious hounds to be feparated 
 and fed apart. The vanity of truft'ing to the many 
 infallible cures for this malady. The difmal eft'eRs of 
 the biting of a mad dog^ upon man, defcribed. De- 
 fcription of the otter hunting* The condufion.
 
 BOOK THE FOURTH. 
 
 WHATE'ER of earth is form'd, to earth re- 
 ,*)orns>_ 
 turns 
 
 Diflblv'd : the various objects we behold, 
 Plants, animals, this whole material mafs, 
 Are ever changing, ever new. The foul 
 Of man alone, that particle divine, 5 
 
 Efcapes the wreck of worlds, when all things fail. 
 
 Hence great the diftance 'twixt the beafts that 
 - 
 perifh, 
 
 And God's bright image, man's immortal race. 
 The brute creation are his property, 
 Subfervient to his will, and for him made. 10 
 As hurtful thefe he kills, as ufeful thofe 
 Preferves ; their fole and arbitrary king. 
 
 Shou'd
 
 BOOK IV. THECHACE. 93 
 
 Shou'd he not kill, as erft the SAMIAN fage 
 Taught unadvis'd, and INDIAN brachmans now 
 As vainly preach ; the teeming rav'nous brutes 15 
 Might fill the fcanty fpace of this terrene, 
 Incumb'ring all the globe : fhou'd not his care 
 Improve his growing ftock, their kinds might fail, 
 Man might once more on roots, and acorns feed, 
 And thrci' the deferts range, fhiv'ring, forlorn, 29 
 Quite deftitute of ev'ry folace dear, 
 And ev'ry fmiling gaiety of life. 
 
 THE prudent huntfman therefore will fupply 
 With annual large recruits, his broken pack, 
 And propagate their kind. As from the root 25 
 Frefh felons ftill fpring forth, and daily yield 
 New blooming honours to the parent-tree. 
 Far mail his pack be fam'd, far fought his breed, 
 And princes at their tables feaft thofe hounds 
 His hand prefents, an acceptable boon. 30 
 
 2 ERE
 
 94 THECHACE. BOOK IV. 
 
 ERE yet the Sun thro' the bright Ram has urg'd 
 His fteepy courfe, or mother Earth unbound 
 Her frozen boibm to the WESTERN gale j 
 When feather'd troops, their fociaj leagues dif- 
 
 folv'd, 
 
 Select their mates, and on the leaflefs elm 35 
 
 The noify rook builds high her wicker rieft, 
 Mark well the wanton females of thy pack, 
 That curl their taper tails, and frifking court 
 Their pyebald mates enamour'd ; their red eyes 
 Flafh fires impure ; nor reft, nor food they take, 
 Goaded by furious love. In fep'rate cells 41 
 
 Confine them now, left bloody civil wars 
 Annoy thy peaceful ftate. If left at large, 
 The growling rivals in dread battle join, 
 And rude encounter; on SCAMANDER'S ftreams 
 Heroes of old with far lefs fury fought, 46 
 
 For the bright SPARTAN dame, their valour's prize. 
 Mangled and torn thy fav'rite hounds fhall lie, 
 
 . Stretch'd
 
 jfisi ?:
 
 it) ; bHJUOlg 
 -;IT* arnoi $lfi : 
 
 .u>-^ ^b'ei. 
 

 
 BOOK IV. THE C H A C E. 95 
 
 Stretch'd oo the ground } thy kennel (hall appear 
 A field of blood : like fome unhappy town 50 
 In civil broils confus'd, while Difcord fhakes '." 
 Her bloody fcourge aloft, fierce parties rage, 
 Staining their impious hands in mutual death. 
 And ftill the beft belov'd, and braveft fall : 
 Such are the dire effects of lawless love. 55 
 
 il 
 
 HUNTSMAN ! thefe ills by timely prudent care - 
 Prevent : for ev'ry longing dame fele<5i 
 Som happy paramour ; to him alone 
 In leagues connubial join. Confider well 
 His lineage ; what his fathers did of old, 60 
 
 Chiefs of the pack, and firft to climb the rock, 
 Or plung into the deep, or tread the brake 
 With thorns (harp-pointed, plafli'd, and briars in- 
 woven. 
 
 Obferve with care his fhape, fort, colour, fize. > j 
 Nor will fagacious huntfmen lefs regard 65 
 
 Hi*
 
 9 6 THECHACE. BOOK IV, 
 
 His inward habits : the vain babbler fhun, 
 Ever loquacious, ever in the wrong. 
 His foolifh offspring {hall offend thy ears 
 With falfe alarms, and loud impertinence. 
 Nor lefs the fhifting cur avoid, that breaks 70 
 Illufive from the pack j to the next hedge 
 Devious he ftrays, there ev'ry mufe he tries ; 
 If haply then he crofs the ftreaming fcent, 
 Away he flies vain-glorious ; and exults 
 As of the pack fuprcme, and in his fpeed 7$ 
 
 And ftrength unrivall'd. Lo ! caft far behind 
 His vex'd affociates pant, and lab'ring flrain 
 To climb the flreep afcent. Soon as they reach 
 Th' infultingboafter, his falfe courage fails, 
 Behind he lags, doom'd to the fatal noofe, 80 
 
 His mailer's hate, and fcorn of all the field. 
 What can from fuch be hop'd, but a bafe brood 
 Of coward curs, a frantkk, vagrant race ? 
 
 WHEN
 
 n, 
 
 mO01 ? appears, 
 With fharpenM hornsa:,abQv,e,the. horizon's brink ; 
 
 jjT W ii-'.^Ji !-/U)l 3. 
 
 Without LUCINA'S aid, expeft thy hopes 86 
 
 Are amply crown'd ; fliort pangs produce to light 
 The fmoking litter, crawling, helplefs, blind, 
 Nature their guide, they feek the pouting teat 
 That plenteous ftreams. Soon as the tender dam 90 
 Has form'd them with her tongue, with pleafure 
 
 view 
 
 The marks of their renown'd progenitors, 
 Sure pledge of triumphs yet to come. All thefc 
 Select with joy j but to the merc'lefs flood 
 Expofe the dwindling refufe, nor o'erload 95 
 
 Th' indulgent mother. If thy heart relent, 
 Unwilling to deftroy, a nurfe provide, 
 And to the fofter-parent give the care 
 Of thy fuperfluous brood ;. flie'll cherifh kind 
 The alien offspring ; pleas'd thou {halt behold 109 
 .Her tenderneCs, and hpfpitable love,- 89gsi sis/rAT 
 H IF
 
 9 3 THECHACE. BOOK IV. 
 
 IF frolick now, and playful they defert 
 Their gloomy cell, and on the verdant turf 
 With nerves improv'd, purfue the mimick chace, 
 Courfing around ; unto the choicefl friends 105 
 Commit thy valu'd prize : the ruftick dames 
 Shall at thy kennel wait, and in their laps 
 Receive thy growing hopes, with many a kifs 
 Carefs, and dignify their little charge 
 With fome great title, and refounding name no 
 Of high import. But cautious here obferve 
 Td check- theii* youthful ardour, nor permit 
 The unexperienc'd younker, immature, 
 Alone to range the woods, or haunt the brakes 
 Where dodging conies fport : his nerves unftrung, 
 And ftrength unequal j the laborious chace 116 
 Shall flint his growth, and his rafh forward youth 
 Contrail fuch vicious habits, as thy care 
 And late correction never fhall reclaim. 
 
 < WHEN
 
 BOOK IV. T H E C H A C E. 99 
 
 WHEN to full ftrength arriv'd, mature and bold, 
 Conduct them to the field ; not all at once, 121 
 But as thy cooler prudence {hall direct, 
 Select a few, and form them by degrees. 
 To ftri&er difcipline. With thefe confort 
 The ftanch, and fteady fages of thy pack, 125- 
 By long experience vers'd in all the wiles, 
 And fubtle doublings of the various chace. 
 Eafy the leflbn of the youthful train. 
 When inftiniSt prompts, and when example guides. 
 If the too forward younker at the head 130 
 
 Prefs boldly on, in wanton fportive mood, 
 Corre& "his hafte, and let him feel abafh'd 
 The rnling whip. But if he ftoop behind 
 In wary modeft guife, to his own nofe 
 Confiding fare ; give him full fcope to work 135 
 
 His winding way, and with thy .voice applaud 
 His patience, and his care ; foon (halt thou view. 
 H 2 The
 
 ioo T H E C H A C E. BOOK IV. 
 
 The hopeful pupil leader of his tribe, 
 And all the lift'ning pack attend his call. 
 
 OFT lead them forth where wanton lambkins 
 play, 140 
 
 And bleating dams with jealous .eyes obfervc 
 Their tender care. If at the crowding flock 
 He bay prefumptuous, or with eager hafte 
 Purfue them fcatter'd o'er the verdant plain ; 
 
 " . I 
 
 In the foul fact attach'd, to the ftrong ram 145 
 Tie fail the ram offender. See ! at firft 
 His horn'd companion, fearful, and amaz'd, 
 Shall drag him trembling o'er the rugged ground : 
 Then with his load fatigu'd, fhall turn a- head, 
 And with his curl'd hard front incefiant peal 150 
 The panting^yretch ; till breathlefs and aftunn'd, 
 Stretch'd on the turf he lie. Then fpare not thou 
 The twining whip, but ply his bleeding fides 
 
 Lafli
 
 BOOK IV. . T H E C H AC E. jo: 
 
 Lafh after lafh, and with thy threat'ning voice, 
 Harfh-echoing from the hills, inculcate loud 155 
 His vile offence. Sooner fhall trembling doves 
 Efcap'd the hawk's fharp talons, in mid afr, 
 AfTail the dang'rous foe, than he once more 
 Difturb the peaceful flocks. In tender age 
 Thus youth is train'd ; as curious artifts bend 160 
 The taper, pliant twig : or potters form 
 Their foft and du&ile clay to various lhapes. 
 
 NOR is 't enough to breed ; but to preferve 
 Muft be the huntfman's care. The ftanch old. 
 
 hounds, 
 
 Guides of thy pack, tho' but in number few, 165 
 Are yet of great accdunft fhaM oft untyp 
 
 ' |" : ,.! ' t 
 
 TheGordian knot, when reafon at a ftand 
 
 ; . -. ' 
 
 Puzzling is loft, and all thy art is vain, 
 O'er clogging fallows, o'er dry plafter'd roads, 169 
 O'er floated meads, o'er plains with flocks diftain'd 
 H 3 Rank-
 
 "xo2 THE C H A C E. BOOK IV. 
 
 Rank-fcenting, thefe muft lead the dubious way. 
 As party- chiefs in fenates who prefide, 
 With pleaded reafon and with well-turn'd fpeech, 
 Conduct the ftaring multitude ; fo thefe 
 Direct the pack, who with joint cry approve, 175 
 And loudly boaft difcov'ries not their own. 
 
 UNNUMBER'D accidents, and various ills, 
 Attend thy pack, hang hov'ring o'er their heads, 
 And point the way that leads to Death's dark cave. 
 Short is their fpan ; few at the date arrive 
 Of ancient ARGUS in old HOMER'S fong 180 
 
 So highly honour'd : kind, fagacious brute ! 
 Not tv'n MINERVA'S wifdom could conceal 
 Thy much lov'd matter from thy nicer fenfe. 
 Dying his lord he own'd, view'd him all o'er 
 With eager eyes, then clos'd thofe eyes, well 
 pleas'd, 185 
 
 OF
 
 BOOK IV. THECHAC-E. 103 
 
 OF lefler ills the mufe declines to fmg,- 
 Nor ftoops fo low; of thefeeach groom can tell 
 The proper remedy. But O ! what care ! 
 What prudence can prevent madnefs, the worft 
 Of maladies? Terrifick peft ! that blafts 190 
 The huntfman's hopes, and defolation fpreads 
 Thro' all th' unpeopled kennel unreftrain'd, 
 More fatal than th' envenom'd viper's bite j 
 Or that APULIAN fpider's pois'nous fting, 
 Heal'd by the pleafmg antidote of founds. 195 
 
 WHEN SIRIUS reigns, and the fua's parching 
 
 beams 
 Bake the dry gaping furface, vifit thou 
 
 Each ev'n and morn, with quick obfervant eye, 
 Thy panting pack. If in dark fallen mood, 
 The gloating hound refufe his wonted meal, 200 
 Retiring to fome clofe, obfcure retreat, 
 Gloomy, difconfolate : with fpeed remove " 
 
 H 4 The
 
 " JP & '*"i 'If jffS '!" 
 
 104. T ft E C HA C Ew BOOK IV. 
 
 The poor infectious wretch, and in flrong chains 
 Bind him fufpe&ed. Thus that dire difeafe 204 
 Which art can't cure, wife caution may prevent. 
 
 Bur this negle&ed, foon expe a change, 
 A difmal change, confufion, frenzy, death. 
 Or in fome dark recefs the fenfelefs brute- 
 Sits fadly pining : deep melancholy, 
 And black defpair, upon his clouded brow 210 
 Hang low'ring ; from his half-op'ning jaws 
 The clammy venom, and infedious froth, 
 Diftilling fall ; and from his lungs inflam'd, 
 Malignant vapours taint the ambient air, 
 Breathing perdition : his dim eyes are glaz'd, 215 
 He droops his penfive head, his trembling limbs 
 No more fupport his weight j abject he lies, 
 Dumb, fpiritlefs, benumb'd ; till death at laft 
 Gracious attends, and kindly brings relief, 
 ' 
 
 OR
 
 BOOK IV. T H E C H A C E. 105 
 
 OR if outrageous grown, behold, alas"! 220 
 A yet more dreadful fcene ; his glaring eyes 
 Redden with fury, like fome angry boar 
 Churning he foams ; and on his back erecfc 
 His pointed briftles rife j his tail incurv'd 224 
 He drops, and with harfh broken howlings rends 
 The poifon-tainted air, with rough hoarfe voice 
 IncefTant bays ; and fnuffs th' infectious breeze ; 
 This way and that he flares aghaft, and ftarts 
 At his own fhade : jealous, as if he deem'd 22$ 
 The world his foes. If haply tow'rds the ftrearn 
 He caft his roving eye, cold horror chills 
 His foul*; averfe he flies, trembling, appall'd. 
 Now frantick to the kennel's utmoft verge 
 Raving he runs, and deals deftru&ion round. 
 The pack fly diverfe ; for whate'er he meets 235 
 Vengeful he bites, and ev'rybite is death. 
 
 IF now perchance thro' the weak fence efcap'd 
 Far up the wind he roves, with open mouth 
 
 Inhales
 
 io6 THE C H A C E. BC*>K IV. 
 Inhales the cooling breeze, nor man, nor beaft 
 He fpares implacable. The hunter-horfe, 240 
 Once kind aflbciate of his fylvan toils, 
 (Who haply now without the kennel's mound 
 Crops the rank mead, and lift'ning hears with joy 
 The chearing cry, that morn and eve falutes 
 His raptur'd fenfe) a wretched vi&im falls. 245 
 Unhappy quadruped ! no more, alas ! 
 Shall thy fond matter with his voice applaud 
 Thy gentlenefs, thy fpeed ; or with his hand 
 Stroke thy foft dappled fides, as he each day 249 
 Vifits thy ftall, well pleas'd ; no more fhalt thou 
 With fprightly neighings, to the winding horn, 
 And the loud op'ning pack in concert join'd, 
 Glad his proud heart. For oh ! the fecret wound 
 Rankling inflames, he bites the ground, and Hies. 
 
 HENCE to the village with pernicious hafte 255 
 Baleful he bends his courfe : the village flies 
 
 Alarm'd j
 
 BOOK IV. T H E C H A C E. 107 
 
 Alarm'd ; the tender mother in her arms 
 
 Hugs clofe the trembling babe j the doors are 
 
 barr'd, 
 And flying curs by native inftincl: taught 
 
 Shun the contagious bane j the ruftick bands 260 
 Hurry to arms, the rude militia feize 
 Whate'er at hand they find ; clubs, forks, orguiw 
 From ev'ry quarter charge the furious foe, 
 'In wild difcorder, and uncouth array: 
 Till now with wounds on wounds opprefTd and 
 gor'd, 265 
 
 At one fhort pois'nous gafp he breathes his laft. 
 
 HENCE to the kennel, Mufe, return, and view 
 With heavy heart that hofpital of woe ; 
 Where Horror ftalks at large ; infatiate Death 
 Sits growling o'er his prey : each hour prefents 270 
 A different fcene of ruin and diftrefs. 
 How bufy art thou, Fate! and how fevere 
 
 Thy
 
 io8 T H E C H A C E. BOOK IV. 
 
 Thy pointed wrath ! the dying and the dead- 
 Promifcuous lie j o'er thefe the living fight 
 In one eternal broil ; not confcious why, 275 
 
 Nor yet with whom. So drunkards, in their cups, 
 Spare not their friends, while fenfelefs fquabble 
 reigns. 
 
 HUNTSMAN ! it much behoves thee to avoid 
 The perilous debate ! Ah ! rouze up all 279 
 7"hy vigilance, and tread the treach'rous ground 
 
 With careful ftep. Thy fires unquench'd preferve*, 
 As erft the veftal flames j the pointed fteel 
 In the hot embers hide ; and if furpriz'd 
 Thou feePft the deadly bite, quick urge it home 
 Into the recent fore, and cauterize 285 
 
 The wound j fpare not thy flefh, nb^ dread th' 
 event : 
 
 VvLCAtf fliall fave when ^SCULAPKJS fcils, 
 w ii*rfiU;
 
 BOOK IV. T H E C H A C E. 109 
 
 HERE fhou'd the knowing Mufe recount the 
 
 means 
 
 To flop this growing plague. And here, alas ! 
 Each hand prefents a fov'reign cure, and boafts 
 Infallibility, but boafts in vain. 291 
 
 On this depend, each to his fep'rate feat 
 Confine, in fetters bound ; give each his mefs 
 Apart, his range in open air ; and then 
 If deadly fymptoms.to thy grief appear, 295 
 
 Devote the wretch, and let him greatly fall, 
 A gen'rous vi&im for the publick weal. 
 
 
 SING, phHofophick Mufe, the dire effe&e 
 
 Of this contagious bite on haplefs man. 
 The ruftick fwains, by long tradition taught 300 
 Of leaches old, as foon as they perceive 
 The bite imprefs'd, to the fea-coafts repair. 
 Plung'd in the briny flood, th' unhappy youth 
 Now journeys home fecure j but foon (hall wifh 
 
 The
 
 iro T H E C H A C E. BOOK IV. 
 
 The feas as yet had cove/d him beneath 305 
 
 The foaming furge, full many a fathom- deep. 
 A fate more difmal, and fuperior ills 
 Hang o'er his head devoted. When the moon, 
 Clofmgher monthly round, returns again 309 
 
 To glad the night j or when full-orb'd Ihe {nines 
 High in the vault of heav'n ; the lurking peft 
 Begins the dire aiTault. The pois'nous foam 
 Thro' the deep wound inftill'd with hoftile rage, 
 And all its fiery particles faline, 
 Invades th' arterial fluid : whofe red waves 315 
 Tempeftuous heave, and their cohefion broke. 
 Fermenting boil j intefline war enfues, 
 And order to confuiion turns embroil'd. 
 Now the diftended veffels fcarce contain 
 
 The wild uproar, but prefs each weaker part, 3-20 
 
 
 
 Unable to refift : the tender brain 
 
 And ftomach fuffer moft ; convuluons 'fnake 
 
 His trembling nerves, and wand'ring pungent pains 
 i ^ 
 
 Pinch
 
 BOOK IV. THJE/CHACE. m 
 
 Pinch fore the fleeplefs wretch ; his flutt'ring pulfe 
 
 Oft intermits ; penfive, and fad, he mourns 325 
 
 His cruel fate, and to his weeping friends 
 
 Laments in vain ; to hafty anger prone, 
 
 Refents each flight offence, walks with quick flep, 
 
 And wildly flares ; at laft with boundlefs fway 
 
 The tyrant frenzy reigns. For as the dog 330 
 
 (Whofe fatal bite convey'd th' infe&ious bane) 
 
 Raving he foams, and howls and barks, and bates. 
 
 Like agitations in his boiling blood 
 
 Prefent like fpecies to his troubled mind ; , . 
 
 His nature, and his actions all canine. 335 
 
 So (as old HOMER fung) th' aflbciates wild 
 
 Of wand'ring ITHACUS, by CIRCE'S charms 
 
 To fwine transform'd, ran gruntling thro' the 
 
 groves, 
 
 Dreadful example to a wicked world ! '339 
 
 See there diftrefs'd he lies ! parch'd up with thirft, 
 But dares not drink. Till now at laft his foul 
 
 ! 
 
 Trembling
 
 f i2 T H E C H A C E. BOOK IV. 
 Trembling efcapes, her noifome dungeon leaves, 
 And to fome purer region wings away. 
 
 ONE labour yet remains, celeftial Maid ! 
 Another element demands thy fong. 345 
 
 No more o'er craggy fteep, thro' coverts thick 
 With pointed thorn, and briers intricate, 
 Urge on with horn and voice the painful pack : 
 But fkim with wanton wing th' irriguous vale. 
 Where winding ftreams amid the flow'ry meads 350 
 Perpetual glide along ; and undermine 
 The cavern'd banks, by the tenacious roots 
 Of hoary willows arch'd ; gloomy retreat 
 Of the bright fcaly kind ; where they at will 
 On the green watry reed their pafture graze, 355 
 Suck the moift foil, or (lumber at their eafe, 
 Rock'd by thereftlefs brook, that draws aflope 
 Its humid train, and laves their dark abodes. 
 Where rages not oppreffion ? Where, alas 1
 
 BOOK IV. T H E C H A C fc. tt$ 
 
 - - -. v 
 
 Is innocence fecure ? Rapine and fpoil 360 
 
 Haunt ev'n the Idweft deeps ; feas have thefr (harks, 
 Rivers and ponds indos'd the rav'nous pike ; ,- 
 
 He in his turn becomes a prey ; on him 
 Th' amphibious otter feafts. Juft is his fate 36$ 
 
 i Deferv'd : but tyrants know no bounds ; nor fpear* 
 That brittle on his back, defend the perch 
 From his wide greedy jaws ; nor burnifh'd mail 
 The yelbw carp, nor all his arts can fave 
 Th' infmuating eel, that hides his head 
 Beneath the flimy mud ; nor yet efcapes 
 The crimfon-fpotted trout, the river's pride 
 And beauty of the ftream. Without remorfe, 
 This midnight pillager, ranging around, 
 
 / Infatiate fwallows all. The owner mourns 
 Th' unpeopled rivulet, and gladry heafs 
 The huntfman's early call, and fees with joy 
 The jovial crew, that march upon its banks 
 In gay parade, with bearded lances arm'd
 
 IJ4 .. T H E C H A C E. BOOK IV. 
 
 THIS fubtle fpoiler of the beaver kind, 
 Far off perhaps, where ancient alders (hade 380 
 The deep ftill pool j within fome hollow trunk 
 Contrives his wicker couch : whence he furveys 
 His long purlieu, lord of the ftream, and all 
 The finny fhoals his own. But you, brave youths, 
 Difp.ute the felon's claim j try ev'ry root, 385 
 And ev'ry reedy bank j encourage all ,_ 
 
 The bufy-fpreading pack, that fearlefs plunge 
 Into the flood, and crofs the rapid ftream. 
 Bid rocks and caves, and each refounding fhore, 
 Proclaim your bold defiance j loudly raife 390 
 Each chearing voice, till diftant hills repeat 
 The triumphs of the vaje. On the foft fand 
 See there his feal imprefs'd ! and on that bank 
 Behold the glittering fpoils, half-eaten fifh, 394 
 Scales, fins, and bones, the leavings of his feaft. 
 Ah ! on that yielding fag-bed, fee once more 
 His feal I .view. O'er yon dank rufhy marfh 
 
 The
 
 BOOK IV. T H E C H A C E. 115 
 
 The fly goofe-footed prowler bends his courfe, 
 And feeks the difhint fhallows. Huntfman, bring 
 Thy eager pack ; and trail him to Tiis couch, 400 
 Hark ! the loud peal begins, the clam'rous joy, 
 The gallant chiding, loads the trembling air. 
 
 YE NAIADS fair, who o'er thcfe floods prefide, 
 Raife up your dripping heads above the wave, 
 And hear our melody. Th' harmonious notes 405 
 Float with the ftream j and ev'ry winding creek 
 And hollow rock, that o'er the dimpling flood 
 Nods pendant - 3 ftill improve from fhore to fhore 
 .Our fweet reiterated joys.. What fhouts ! 409 
 What clamour- loud ! What gay heart-chearing 
 
 founds 
 
 Urge thro' the breathing brafs their mazy way ! 
 Nor quires of Tritons glad with fprightlier ftrains 
 The dancing billows ! when proud NEPTUNE rides 
 In triumph o'er the deep. How greedily 
 
 I 2 They
 
 n6 THE C H A C E. BOOK IV. 
 
 ;:i "A H D 3 H T 
 
 They muff* the fifhy fteam, that to each blade 415 
 Rank-fcenting clings ! See ! how the morning dewfr 
 They fweep, that from their feet befprinkling drop 
 Difpers'd, and leave a track oblique behind. 
 Now on firm land they range ; then in the flood 
 They plunge tumultuous ; or thro' reedy pools 419 
 Ruftling they work their way : no holt efcapes 
 Their curious fearch. With quick fenfation now 
 The fuming vapour flings j flutter their hearts, 
 And joy redoubled burfts from ev'ry mouth 
 In louder fymphonies. Yon hollow trunk, 425 
 That with its hoary head incurv'd falutes 
 The palling wave, muft be the tyrant's fort, 
 And dread abode. How thefe impatient climb, 
 While others at the root inceflant bay ! 429 - 
 
 They put him down. See, there he dives along ! 
 Th' afcending bubbles mark his gloomy way. 
 Quick fix the nets, and cut off his retreat 
 Into the fhelt'ring deeps. Ah, there he vents f 
 
 The
 
 *3 14 T 
 
 BOOK IV. THE C H A C E. 117 
 
 , 03 J rfJ t nuft i(rf^ 3rf3*Run1 pd 
 The pack lunge headlong, and protended fpears 
 
 .fHsoS ' ^if^oi-ilnK 
 
 Menace deftru&ion : while the troubled furge 435 
 
 ; lBrb ,/p3wi vari'I 
 Indignant foams, and all the fcaly kind, 
 
 Jo 5bi? ns r bf3iocji 
 
 Affrighted, hide their heads. Wild tumult reigns, 
 
 And loud uproar. Ah, there once more he vents ! 
 See, that bold hound has feiz'd him ; down they fink 
 Together loft: butfoon (hall he repent 440 
 
 His rafh aflault. See there efcap'd, he flies 
 Half-drown'd, and clambers up the flipp'ry bank 
 With ouze and blood diftain'd. Of all the brutes, 
 Whether by Nature form'd, or by long ufe, 
 This artful diver beft can bear the want 445 
 
 Of vital air. Unequal is the fight, 
 Beneath the whelming element. Yet there 
 He lives not long ; but refpiration needs 
 
 sr . , . . , yyrf I 
 
 At proper intervals. Again he vents j 445) 
 
 Again the crowd attack. That fpear has pierc'd 
 His neck ; the crimfon waves confefs the wound. 
 Fix'd is the bearded lance, unwelcome gueft, 
 
 I 3 Where-
 
 n3 THE C H A C E. BOOK IV. 
 
 Where'er he flies j with him it finks beneath, 
 With him it mounts ; fure guide to ev'ry foe. 
 Inly he groans ; nor can his tender wound 455 
 Bear the cold ftream. Lo ! to yon fedgy bank 
 He creeps difconfolate : his num'rous foes 
 Surround him, hounds, and men. Pierc'd thro* 
 and thro', 
 
 On pointed fpears they lift him high in air ; 
 
 < 
 Wriggling he hangs, and grins, and bites in vain : 
 
 Bid the loud horns, in gayly-warbling Grains, 461, 
 Proclaim the felon's fate ; he dies, he dies. 
 
 v REJOICE, ye fcaly tribes, and leaping dance 
 
 ^ 
 Above the wave, in fign of liberty 
 
 Reflor'd ; the cruel tyrant is no more. 465 
 
 Rejoice fecure and blefs'd j did not as yet 
 Remain, fome of your own rapacious kind; 
 And man, fierce man, with all his various wiles. 
 
 < O HAPPY !
 
 BOOK IV. .THE'-CHACE. 119 
 
 O HAPPY ! if ye knew your happy flate, 
 Ye rangers of the fields j whom Nature boon 470 
 Chears with her fmiles, and ev'jy element 
 Confpires toblefs. What, if no heroes frown 
 From marble pedeftals; nor RAPHAEL'S works, 
 Nor TITIAN'S lively tints, adorn our walls ? 
 Yet thefe the meaneft of us may behold j 475 
 
 And at another's coft may feaft at will 
 Our wond'ring eyes j what can the owner more ? 
 But vain, alas ! is wealth, not grac'd with pow'r. 
 The flow'ry landfkip, and the gilded dome, 
 And viftas op'ning to the wearied eye, 40 
 
 Thro' all his wide domain j the planted grove, 
 The fhrubby wildernefs, with its gay choir 
 Of warbling birds, can't lull to foft repofe 
 Th' ambitious wretch, whofe difcontented foul 
 Is harrow'd day and night; he mourns, he pines, 
 Until his prince's favour makes him great. 486 
 See there he comes, th' exalted idol comes ! 
 
 I 4 The
 
 120 T V V G H ACE. BQOK 1Y* 
 
 The circles form'd, and all his fawning flaves 
 Devoutly bow to earth ; from ev'ry mouth 
 The naufeous flatt'ry flows, which }je returns 490 
 With promifes, that die as foon as born. 
 
 Vile intercourf^ ! where virtue has no place. 
 Frown but the monarch ; all his glories fade ; 
 He mingles with the throng, outcaft, undone^ 
 The pageant of a day ; without pne friend 495 
 To footh his tortur'd mind ; all, all are fled. 
 For tho' they bafk'd in his meridian ray, 
 *t"he infers vanifh, as his beams decline. 
 
 T$QT fuch our friends j for here no dark dc^gn, 
 No wicked int'reft bribes the venal heart ; 50$ 
 JBut inclination to our bofom leads, 
 And weds them there for life j our focial cups ., n A 
 
 , . Itilll J 
 
 Smile, as we fmile ; open, and unreferv'd, 
 
 We fpealc our inmoft fouls ; good humour, mirth, 
 
 poft complaifance, and wit from malice free, 505 
 
 Smooth e'v'ry brow, 'nn&gldw''bri ev'ry c" "''
 
 THE CH ACE. 
 
 O HAPPINESS fincere ! what wretch wbtr'xf groan 
 Beneath the galling load of pow'r, or walte(kuov3<I 
 Upon the flipp'ry pavements of the great, -lusn arlT 
 Who thus cou'd reign, unenvy'd and fecure ? $tW 
 
 : tiihivoi: yoS-^Jjpi MtV 
 
 Ye guardian pow'rs who make mankind yor 
 
 o .-u, iirw?". i 
 
 care, i^jafgfji/ruB 
 
 Give me to know wife nature's hidden depths, q. -fi I 
 Trace each myfterious caufe, with judgment fead 
 Th' expanded volume, and fubmifs adore 
 That great creative Will, who at a word 515 
 Spoke forth the wond'rous fcene. But if my foul 
 To this grofs clay conjfin'd flutters on earth 
 With lefs ambitious wing ; unfkill'd to range 
 
 *F 
 
 From orb to orb, where NEWTON leads the way ^ 
 
 * j ' i i V^ 7 fc"A 
 
 And view with piercing eyes, the grand machine^ 
 
 
 
 Worlds above worldsj fubfervient to his voice, 
 
 ::) $V$ 
 
 Who, veil'd in clouded Majefty, alone 524 
 
 Gives light to all j bids the great fyftem move,, . oon ^
 
 ,22. THE C H A C E. BOOK IV. 
 
 And changeful feafons in their turns advance, 
 Unmov'd, unchang'd, himfelf. Yet this at leaft 525 
 Grant me propitious, an inglorious life, 
 Galm and ferenej nor loft in falfe purfuits 
 Of wealth or honours ; but enough to raife 
 My drooping friends, preventing modeft Want 
 That dares not afk. And if to crown my joys, 530 
 Ye grant me health, that, ruddy in my cheeks, 
 Blooms in my life's decline j fields, woods, and 
 
 ftreams, 
 
 Each tow'ring hill, each humble vale below, 
 Shall hear my chearing voice, my hounds fhall wake 
 The lazy morn, and glad th' horizon round. 535 
 
 THE E N D.
 
 H O B B I N O L, 
 
 O R T H E 
 
 RURAL GAMES. 
 
 A 
 
 BURLESQJJE POEM. 
 
 IN BLANK VERSE, 
 t 
 
 By WILLIAM SOMERVILE, Efq. 
 
 THE SIXTH EDITION. 
 
 Nee fum animi dubius, <verbis ea sincere magnum 
 ^udm Jit, et anguftis bunc adder e rebus honor em. 
 Sed me ParnaJJi deferta per ardua dulcis 
 Raptat Amor. Juvat ire jugis, qua nulla p riorum 
 Caftaliam molli divertitur orbita cli<vo. 
 
 VIRG. GEORG. Lib. III. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for W. BOWYER, W. STRAHAN, 
 and R. B A L D w i N. MDCCLXXIII.
 
 
 MO Q 
 
 H T *I A O O H 
 
 XJL M\ \~J \J 
 
 ^,.'.u&Ti - 
 
 .,-- ^*^^ ..!,,;' .^ v . 
 ( )U 
 
 t r 
 cb ni 13 3 
 
 
 i bn c nobom fans 
 tq si itroY ,; 
 
 Ikni- ' nwoT ^d^ 
 
 'fluoD >u jbh
 
 DEDICATION 
 
 T O 
 
 Mr. HOGARTH. 
 
 PE R M I T me, Sir, to make 
 choice of you for my Pa- 
 tron, being the greateft maf- 
 ter in the burlefque way. In this 
 Indeed you have fome advantage 
 of your poetical brethren, that 
 you paint to the eye ; yet re* 
 member, Sir, that we give fpeech 
 and motion, and a greater variety 
 to our figures. Your province is 
 the Town ; leave me a fmall out- 
 ride in the Country, and I fliall 
 
 be
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 be content. In this, at leaft, Jet 
 
 us both agree, to make vice and 
 
 f 
 
 folly the object of our ridicule ; 
 and we cannot fail to be of fome" 
 fervice to -mankind, lam, 
 
 SIR, 
 
 ' 
 
 Tour admirer , and 
 
 Moft humble fervant y 
 
 W. S.
 
 p 1 
 
 [ 1 ] 
 
 THE" 
 
 P R E F A C E. 
 
 
 
 NO TH ING is more common than for 
 us poor bards, when we have acquired 
 a little reputation, to print ourfelves into dif- 
 grace. We climb the AONIAN mount with 
 difficulty and toil ; we receive the bays for 
 which we languifhed ; till, grafping ftill at 
 more, we lofe our hold, and fall at once to 
 the bottom. 
 
 THE Author of this piece would not thus 
 be felo defe, nor would he be murdered by 
 perfons unknown. But as he is fatisfied, that 
 there are many imperfect copies of this trifle 
 difperfed abroad, and as he is credibly in- 
 formed, that he mall foon be expofed to 
 view in fuch an attitude, as he would not care 
 to appear in ; he thinks it moil prudent in 
 this defperate cafe to throw himfelf on the 
 mercy of the publick ; and offer this whim- 
 
 fical
 
 ii PREFACE. 
 
 fical work a voluntary facrifke, in hope that 
 he flands a better chance for their indul- 
 gence, now it has received his lad hand, 
 than when curtailed and mangled by others. 
 
 ^ 
 
 THE Poets of almoft all nations have cele- 
 brated the games of their feveral countries. 
 HOMER began, and all the mimic tribe fol- 
 lowed the example of that great father of 
 poetry. Even our own MILTON, who laid 
 his fcene beyond the limits of this fublunary 
 world, has found room for defcriptions of 
 this fort, and has performed it in a more fub- 
 lime manner, than any who went before 
 him. His, indeed, are fports -, but they are 
 the fports of angels. This gentleman has en- 
 deavoured to do juftice to his countrymen, 
 the BRITISH freeholders, who, when drefled in 
 their holiday clothes, are by no means perfons 
 of a defpicable figure; but eat and drink as 
 plentifully, and fight as heartily, as the greatefl 
 hero in the ILIAD. There is alfo fome ufe 
 in defcriptions of this nature, fince nothing 
 gives us a clearer idea of the genius of a na- 
 tion, than their fports and diverfions. If we 
 fee people dancing, even in wooden fhoes, 
 and a fiddle always at their heels, we are foon 
 
 con- 
 6
 
 PREFACE. Mi 
 
 convinced of the levity and volatile fpirit of 
 thofe merry ilaves. The famous bull fcafh 
 are an evident token of the Quixotifm and 
 romantic tafte of the SPANIARDS. And a 
 country-wake is too fad an image of the in- 
 firmities of our own people : we fee nothing 
 but broken heads, bottles flying about, tables 
 overturned, outrageous drunkennefs, and 
 eternal fquabble. 
 
 THUS much of the fubject ; it may not be 
 improper to touch a little upon the llyle. One 
 of the greateft poets and mod candid critics 
 of this ages has informed us that there are 
 two forts of burlefque. Be pleafed to take it 
 in his own words, SPECTATOR, Numb. 242. 
 " Burlefque (fays he) is of two kinds. The 
 " firft reprefents mean perfons in the accou- 
 ct trements of heroes ; the other, great per- 
 tc fons acting and fpeaking like the bafeft 
 tc among the people. Don QUIXOTE is an in- 
 ct ftance of the firft, and LUCIAN'S Gods of 
 1 the fecond. It is a difpute among the cri- 
 " tics, whether burlefque . runs beft in he- 
 44 roic, like the DISPENSARY ; or in doo-- 
 u grei, like that of HUDIBRAS. I think 
 u vcherc the low character is to be raifed, 
 K " the
 
 iv PREFACE. 
 
 " the heroic is the moft proper meafure ; 
 " but when an hero is to be pulled down 
 " and degraded, it is beft done in doggrel.'* 
 Thus far Mr. ADDISON. If therefore the 
 heroic is the proper meafure, where the low 
 character is to be raifed, MILTON'S ftyle 
 muft be very proper in the fubject here 
 treated of -, becaufe it raifes the low charac- 
 ter more than is pofiible to be done under 
 the reftraint of rhyme ; and the ridicule 
 chiefly confifts in' raifing that low character. 
 I beg leave to add the authority of Mr. 
 SMITH, in his poem upon the death of Mr. 
 JOHN PHILIPS. The whole pafiage is fb 
 very fine, and gives fo clear an idea of his 
 manner of writing that the reader will not 
 think his labour loft in running it over : 
 
 OH various bard ! you all our povv'rs controul, 
 You now difturb, and now divert the foul. 
 MILTON and BUTLER in thy Mufe combine j 
 Above the laft thy manly beauties fhine. 
 For as I've feen two rival wits contend, 
 One gayly charge, one gravely wife defend ; 
 That on quick turns, and points in vain relies \- 
 This with a look demure, and fteady eyes, 
 With dry rebukes and fneering prsife replies : 
 So thy grave lines extort a jufter fmile, 
 Reach BUTLER'S fancy, but furpafs his ftyle.
 
 PREFACE. v 
 
 He fpeaks SCARP.ON'S low phrafe in humble {trains.; 
 In thee the folemn air of great CERVANTES reigns. 
 What founding lines his abjel themes exprefs ! 
 What (hining words the pompous SHILLING drefs ! 
 There, there my cell, immortal made, outvies 
 The frailer piles, that o'er its ruins rife. 
 In her beft light the comic Mufe appears^ 
 When me with borrow'd pride the bufkin wears. 
 So when nurfe NOKES to aft young AMMON tries, 
 With fliambling legs, long chin, and foolifh eyes, 
 With dangling hands he ftrokes th' imperial robe, 
 And with a cuckold's air commands the globe. 
 The pomp> and found, the whole buffoon difplay'd, 
 And AMMON'S fon more mirth than GOMEZ made. 
 
 > 
 
 BUT here it may be obje&ed, that this 
 manner of writing contradicts the rule in 
 HORACE : 
 
 Vtrftbus expafti tragicn res comtca nsh vufa 
 
 MONSIEUR BOILEAU, in his difTertation 
 upon the JOCONDE of DE LA FONTAINE, 
 quotes this paffage in HORACE, and ob- 
 ierves, Que comme il n'y a rien de plus froid, 
 que de confer une cbofe grande en ftile bas, aujji 
 n'y a-t-il de plus ridicule, que de raconter une 
 hiftoirc comique et abfurde en lermes graves ef 
 ferieux. But then he juftly adds this ex- 
 K 2 ception
 
 vi P R E F A C E". 
 
 ception to the general rule in HORACE ; a 
 mains que ce ferieux ne fait off efts tent expres 
 pcur rendre la chofe encore plus burlefque. If 
 the obfervation of that celebrated critic, 
 Monfieur DACIER, is true, HORACE him- 
 felf, in the fame Epiftle to the Piso's, and 
 not far diftant from the rule here mentioned, 
 has- aimed to improve the bnrlefque by the 
 help of the fublime, in his note upon this 
 verle : 
 
 Debcmur morti nos ,noftraque ; feue receptu* 
 Terra Neptsmus 
 
 And upon the five following verfes has this 
 general remark : Routes ces exprejfiom noble's 
 qu' HORACE entaj/e dans ces fix vexs fervent a 
 rendre plus ptatfante cette chute : 
 
 Ne dum yzrlorumfict bonos.- 
 
 Car run ne contribuc tant au ridicule qu& It 
 grand. He indeed would be fevere upon 
 himfclf alone, who fiiould cenfure this way 
 of writing, when he mufl plainly fee, that it 
 is affecled on purpofe, only to raife the ri- 
 dicule, and give the reader a more agreeable 
 
 enter-
 
 PREFACE. vii 
 
 entertainment. Nothing can improve a mer- 
 ry tale fo much, at its being delivered with 
 a grave and ferious air. Our imaginations 
 are agreeably furprifed, and fond of a plea- 
 fure fo little expected. Whereas he, who 
 would befpeak our laughter by an affected 
 grimace and ridiculous geftures, muft play 
 his part very well indeed, or he will fall ihort 
 of the idea he has raifed. It is true, VIRGIL 
 was very fenfible that it was difficult thus to 
 eleva.te a low and mean fubject : 
 
 Nee fum animl dulius, verlls ea vincere magnum 
 ity et angujlis hunc adders rebus honor em. 
 
 But tells us for our encouragement in an- 
 
 In tenu'i labor , at tenuis non gloria , fiquem 
 Numlna l&va fount, auditqite vcc.ajus APOL.LO. 
 
 Mr. ADDJSON is of the fame opinion, and 
 adds, that the difficulty is very much in- 
 creafed by writing in blank verfe. " The 
 " ENGLISH and FRENCH, (lays he) who al- 
 " ways ufe the fame words in verfe as in 
 " ordinary convcrfation, are forced to raife 
 K 3 " their
 
 viii PREFACE. 
 
 " their language with metaphors and figures, 
 " or by the pompoufnefs of the whole 
 " phrafe to wear off any littlenefs, that ap- 
 * pear's in the particular parts that compofe 
 " it. This makes our blank verfe, where 
 <c there is no rhyme to fnpport the expref- 
 fion, extremely difficult to fuch as are 
 " not matters of the tongue -, efpecially 
 " when they write upon low fubj efts" RE- 
 MARKS UPON ITALY, p. 99. But there is 
 even yet a greater difficulty behind ; the 
 writer in this kind of burlefque muft not 
 only keep up the pomp and dignity of the 
 ftyle, but an artful fneer mould appear 
 through the whole work ; and every man 
 will juclge, that it is no eafy matter to blend 
 together the HERO and HARLEQUIN. 
 
 IF any perfon mould want a key to this 
 poem, Jiis curiofity mall be gratified : I 
 mail, in plain words, tell him, " It is a fa- 
 c: tire againft the luxury, the pride, the 
 " wantonnefs, and quarrelfome temper of 
 4i the middling fort of people." As thefe 
 are the proper and genuine caufe of that 
 bare-faced knavery, and almoft univerfal po- 
 2 verty,
 
 P 'R E F A C E. ix 
 
 verty, which reign without controul in every 
 place ; and as to thefe we owe our 
 bankrupt farmers, our trade decayed, 
 lands uncultivated; the author has rea- 
 fon to hope that no honeft man, who loves 
 his country, will think this mort reproof out 
 of feafon : for, perhaps, this merry way of 
 bantering men into virtue, may have a, bet- 
 ter effect than the moft ferious admoni- 
 tions ; fince many, who are proud to be 
 thought immoral, are not very fond of be- 
 ing ridiculous.
 
 . 
 
 - 
 
 tti* , ;,,.. .. 
 
 ARGUMENT of the Firft CANTO. 
 
 pPROPOSITION. Invocation addrc/cd to Mr. 
 JOHN PHILLIPS author of the CYDER POEM 
 end SPLENDID SHILLING. Defeription of the Vale 
 3f EVESHAM'. The feat of HOBBINOL ; HOBBINOL 
 a great man in his village, feaied in bis wicker fmoking 
 his pipe, has one only fon. Young HOBBINOL'J edu- 
 cation ^ ired up with GANDER ETTA his near rela-. 
 tion. Young HOBBINOL and GANDERETTA chofen 
 king and queen of MAY. Her drefs and attendants. 
 The MAY-GAMES. TWANGDILLO the fidler, his 
 cbarafter. . The dancing. GANDER ETTA'J extra- 
 ordinary performance. Bagpipes good mufic In tie 
 HIGHLANDS. MILONIDES majler of the m'c, 
 difciplines the mob ; proclaims the fever al prizes. His 
 fpeecb. PASTOREL takes up his belt. His character, 
 his heroic figure, his cs^f.-^nce. HOBBINOL, by pcr- 
 m//7w5/"GANDERETTA ) accepts the challenge, vaults 
 the ring. Hi: honourable bebavimr, efcapes a 
 
 fcowering. GA^DKRI-.TTA'J agony. PASTOHEL 
 
 foiled. G A ND R TT A not a little plea fed. 
 
 * * 
 
 
 >SavO 
 
 -
 
 C " ) 
 
 H O B B.I N 
 
 
 OR THE 
 
 jiHT'vTHQl 
 
 RURAL GAMES- : 
 
 w 
 
 CANTO I.- K^ 
 
 ;> -'< 
 HAT old MENALCAS at his feaft re- 
 
 " ' 
 
 veal'd 
 
 I fing, ilrange feats of antient prowefs, deeds 
 Of high renown, while all his lift'ning guefts 
 With eager joy receiv'd the pleafing tale. 
 
 O THOU *! who late on VAGA'S flowery banks 
 Slumb'ring fccure, with STIROM f well bedew'd, 
 Fallacious calk, in facred dreams wert taught 
 By antient feers, and MERLIN prophet old, 
 To raife ignoble themes with ftrains fublime, 
 Be thou my guide ! while I thy track purfue 
 
 * Mr. JOHN PHILIPS, author of the CyofiR-PoEM. 
 f Strong HEREFORDSHIRE CYDER. 
 
 With
 
 U H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO I. 
 
 With wing unequal, thro' the wide expanfe 
 Adventurous range, and emulate thy flights. 
 
 * "*r - f t ' -' ' 
 
 . 
 
 IN that rich vale *, where with DOBUNIAN f 
 
 fields 
 
 CORNAVIAN % borders meet, far fam'd of old 
 for MONTFORT'S |] haplefs fate, undaunted earl ; 
 Where from her fruitful urn A VON A pours 
 Her kindly torrent on the thirfty glebe, 
 And pillages the hills t' enrich the plains ; 
 On whofe luxuriant banks flow'rs of all hues 
 Start up fpontaneous ; and the teeming foil 
 With hafty (hoots prevents its owner's pray'r : 
 The pamper'd wanton fleer, of the fharp ax 
 Regard lefs, that o'er his devoted head 
 Hangs menacing, crops his delicious bane, 
 Nor knows the price is life ; with envious eye 
 His lab'ring yoke-fellow beholds his plight, 
 
 * Vale of EVESHAM. f GLOCESTERSHIRI. 
 
 J WORCESTERSHIRE. ,|| SIMON DE MONTFORT, 
 killed at the battle of EVESHAM. 
 
 And
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 13 
 
 And deems him bleft, while on his languid neck 
 In folemn floth he tugs the ling'ring plough. 
 So blind are mortals, of each other's ftate 
 Mis-judging, felf-deceiv'd. Here as fupremfc 
 Stern HOBBINOL in rural plenty reigns 
 O'er wide-extended fields, his large domain. 
 Th' obfequious villagers, with looks fubmifs 
 Obfervant of his eye, or when with feed 
 T' impregnate Earth's fat womb, or when to bring 
 With clam'rous joy the bearded harveft home. 
 
 HERE, when the diftant fun lengthens the nights, 
 When the keen frofts the fhiv'ring farmer warn 
 To broach his mellow cafk, and frequent blafts 
 InftrucT: the crackling billets how to blaze, 
 In his warm wicker-chair, whofe pliant twigs 
 In clofe embraces join'd, with fpacious arch 
 Vault this thick-woven roof, the bloated churl 
 Loiters in ftate, each arm reclin'd is prop'd 
 With yielding pillows of the fofteft down.
 
 j 4 #$ 2 $1 NO L, OR CANTO I. 
 
 In mind compos'd, from fhort coeval tube 
 
 He fucks the vapours bland, thick curling clouds 
 
 Of fmoke around his reeking temples play ; 
 
 Joyous he fits, and impotent of thought 
 
 Puffs away care, and forrow from his heart. 
 
 How vain the pomp of kings ! Look down, ye great, 
 
 And view with envious eye the downy neft, 
 
 Where foft Rcpofe, and calm Contentment dwell, 
 
 Unbrib'd by wealth, and unreftrain'd by pow'r. 
 
 ONE fon alone had bleft his bridal bed, 
 Whom good CALISTA bore, nor long furviv'd 
 To lhare a mother's joy, but left the babe 
 To his paternal care. An orphan niece 
 Near the fame time his dying brother fent, 
 To claim his kind fupport. THe helplefs pair 
 In the fame cradle flept, nurs'd up with care 
 By the fame tender hand, on the fame breafts 
 Alternate hung with joy ; till rcafon dawn'd, 
 And a new light broke out by flow degrees: 
 
 Then
 
 
 THE RURAL C A M E S. 15 
 Then on the floor the pretty wantons play'cf, 
 
 . t fl-^f J- "V ' T-T 
 
 Gladding the farmer's heart with growing hopes, 
 And pleafures erft unfelt. Whene'er with cares 
 Opprefs'd, when wearied, or alone he dbz'd, 
 Their harmlefs prattle footh'd his troubled foul. 
 Say, HOBBINOL, what extafies of joy 
 Trill'd thro' thy veins, when climbing for a kils 
 With little palms they ftrok'd thy grizly beard, 
 Or round thy wicker whhi'd their ratt'ling cars ? 
 Thus from their earlieft days bred up, and train'd, 
 To mutual fondnefs, with their ftature grew 
 The thrivin-g paflton. What love can decay 
 That roots fo deep ! Now rip'ning manhood curl'd 
 On the gay ftripling's chin : her panting breafts, 
 And trembling bluihes glowing on her cheeks 
 Her fecret wifh betray'd. She at each mart 
 All eyes attracted ; but her faithful (hade, 
 Young HOBBINOL, ne'er wander 'd from her fide. 
 A frown from him dafh'd ev'ry rival's hopes. 
 For he, like PELEUS fon, was prone to rage, 
 
 Inexorable
 
 16 H O B B I N O L, OR C.A&TO L 
 
 Inexorable, fwift like him of foot 
 
 With eafe cou'd overtake his daftard foe, 
 
 Nor fpar'd the fuppliant wretch. And now Sp- 
 
 proaeh'd 
 
 Thofe merry days, when all the nymphs and fv/ains $ 
 In folemn feftivals and rural fports, 
 Pay their glad homage to the blooming fpring; 
 
 Young HOBBINOL by joint confent is rab'd 
 T' imperial dignity, and in his hand 
 Bright GANDERETTA tripp'd the jovial queen 
 Of MAIA'S gaudy month profufe of flow'rs. 
 From each enamel'd mead th' attendant nymphs 
 goaded with od'rous fpoils, from thefe feleft 
 Each flow'r of gorgeous dye, and garlands weave 
 Of party-colour'd fweets ; each bufy hand 
 Adorns the jocund queen : in her loofe hair, 
 That to the winds in wanton ringlets plays, 
 The tufted COWSLIPS breathe their faint perfumes; 
 On her refulgent brow, as cryftal clear, 
 As PARIAN marble fmpoth, NARCISSUS hangs 
 
 His
 
 T^HE RURAL GAMES, f 
 His drooping head, and views his image there, 
 Unhappy flow'r ! PANSIES of various hue^ ; ; 
 IRIS, and HYACINTH, and ASPHOJDEL, 
 To deck the nymph, their richeft liv'ries weary 
 And lavifh all their pride. Nor FLORA'S felf 
 More lovely fmiles, when to the dawning year 
 Her op'ning bofom heav'nly fragrance breathes. 
 
 SEE on yon verdant lawn, the gathering crowd 
 Thicken amain } the buxom nymphs advance , 
 Ufher'd by jolly clowns : diftin&ions ceafe 
 Loft.in the common joys, and the bold flave 
 Leans on his wealthy matter, unreprov'd : 
 The fick no pains can feel, no wants the poor. 
 Round his. fond mother's neck the fmiling babe 
 Exulting clings ; hard by decrepit age 
 Prop'd on his ftaffwith anxious thought revolve? 
 His pleafures paft, and cafts his grave remarks 
 Among the heedlefs throng. The vig'rous youih 
 Strips for the combat, hopeful to fubdue 
 
 The
 
 iS "-. H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO L 
 The fair one's long difdain, by valour now 
 Glad to convince her coy erroneous heart, 
 And prove his merit equal to 'her charms. 
 Soft pity pleads his caufe ; blufhing fhe views 
 His brawny limbs, and his undaunted eye. 
 That looks a proud defiance on his foes. 
 Refolv'd, and obftinately firm he ftands ; 
 Danger, nor death he fears, while the rich prize 
 Is victory and love. On the large bough 
 Of a thick-fpreading elm TWANCDILLO fits : 
 One leg on ISTER'S banks the hardy fwaia 
 Left undifmay'd, BELLONA'S light'ning fcorch'd 
 His manly vifage, but in pity left 
 One eye fecure.- He many a painful bruife 
 
 Intrepid fek } and many n gaping wound, 
 
 For brown KATE'S fake, and for his country's weal ; 
 
 Vet ftill the merry bard without regret 
 
 Bears his oxvn ills,, and with his founding fliell, 
 
 And comic phyz, relieves his drooping- friends. 
 
 Hark, from aloft his tortur'd cat-gut fqueals, 
 
 He
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 19 
 
 He tickles ev'ry firing, to ev'ry note 
 
 He bends his pliant neck, his fingleeye 
 
 Twinkles with joy, his a&ive ftuinp beats time, 
 
 Let but this fubtle artift foftly touch 
 
 The trembling chords, the faint expiring fwain 
 
 Trembles no lefs, and the fond yielding maid 
 
 Is tweedled into love. See with what pomp 
 
 The gaudy bands advance in trim array ! 
 
 Love beats in ev'ry vein, from ev'ry eye 
 
 Darts his contagious flames. They frifk, they bound 
 
 Now to the brifk airs, and to the fpeaking firings ; 
 
 Attentive, in mid-way the fexes meet ; 
 
 Joyous their adverfe fronts they clofe, and prefs 
 To ftridl: embrace, as refolute to force 
 And fl-orm a paflage to each other's heart : 
 Till by the varying notes forewarn'd back they 
 Recoil difparted : each with longing eyes 
 
 Purfues his mate retiring, till again 
 
 The blended fexes mix ; then hand in hand 
 
 Faft lock'd, around they fly, or nimbly wheel 
 
 L In
 
 *o HOB BIN OL, OR CANTO L 
 
 In mazes intricate. The jocund troop, 
 Pleas'd with their grateful toil, inceflant {hake 
 Their uncouth brawny limbs, and knock their heels 
 Sonorous ; down each brow the trickling balm 
 In torrents flows, exhaling fvveets refrefh 
 The gazing croud, and heav'nly fragrance fills 
 The circuit wide. So danc'd in days of yore, 
 When ORPHEUS play'd a leflon to the brutes, 
 The lift'ning favages ; the fpeckled pard 
 Dandled the kid, and with the bounding roe 
 The lion gambol'd. But what heav'nly Mufe 
 With equal lays fliall GANDERETTA fmg, 
 When goddefs-like {he fkims the verdant plain, 
 Gracefully gliding ? Ev'ry ravifli'd eye 
 The nymph attracts, and ev'ry heart flie wounds, 
 Theemoft, tranfported HOBBINOL ! Lo, now, 
 Now to thy op'ning arms flie fkuds along, 
 With yielding bluflies glowing on her cheeks ; 
 And eyes that fweetly languifh j but too foon, 
 Too foon, alas ! {he flies thy vain embrace, 
 
 But
 
 Ji.TTaAta- de/.ttfatfyi
 
 THE RURAJ, GAMES. ai 
 
 But flies to be purfu'd ; nimbly file trips, 
 And darts a glance fo tender, as (he turns,. 
 That with new hopes reliev'd, thy joys revive, 
 Thy feature's rais'd, and thou art more than man* 
 Thy ftately port, and more majeftic air, 
 And ev'ry fprightly motion fpeaks thy love. 
 
 To the loud bag-pipe's fole-mn voice attend, 
 Whofe rifmg winds proclaim a ftorjn is nigh. 
 Harmonious blafts ! that warm the frozen blood 
 Qf CALEDONIA'S fons'to love, or war, 
 And chear their drooping hearts, robb'd of the fun's 
 Enliv'ning ray, that o'er the fnowy ALPS 
 Reluctant peeps, and fpeeds to better climes. 
 
 FORTHWITH in hoary majefty appears 
 One of gigantic fize, but vifage wan, 
 MILONIDES the ftrong, renown'd of old 
 For feats of arms, but, bending now with years, 
 His trunk unwieldy from the verdant turf 
 
 L2 He
 
 22 H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO I. 
 
 He rears deliberate, and with his plant 
 Of tougheft virgin oak in rifing aids 
 
 His trembling limbs ; his bald and wrinkled front, 
 Entrench'd with many a glorious fear, befpeaks 
 Submiffive rev'rence. He with count'nace grirn 
 Boafts his paft deeds, and with redoubled ftrokes 
 Marflials the crowd, and forms the circle wide. 
 Stern arbiter ! like fome huge rock he ftands, 
 That breaks th' incumbent waves ; they throng- 
 ing prefs 
 
 In troops confus'd, and rear their foaming heads 
 Each above each, but from fuperior force 
 Shrinking repell'd, compofe of ftatelieft view 
 A liquid theatre. With hands uplift, 
 And voice STENTORIAN, he proclaims aloud 
 Each rural prize. " To him whofe active foot 
 Foils his bold foe, and rivets him to earth, 
 This pair of gloves, by curious virgin hands 
 Embroider'd, feam'd with filk, and fring'd with 
 
 * gold. 
 
 To
 
 T-HE RURAL GAMES. 23 
 * To him, who beft the ftubborn hilts can wield, 
 " And bloody marks of his difpleafure leav 
 " On his opponent's head, this beaver white 
 ' With filver edging grac'd, and fcarlet plume. 
 " Ye taper maidens ! whofe impetuous fpeed 
 " Outflies the roe, nor bends the tender grafs, 
 " See here this prize, this rich lac'd fmock behold, 
 " White as your bofoms, as your kifles foft. 
 " Bleft nymph ! whom bounteous HeavVs pe_ 
 
 ** culiar grace 
 
 " Allots this pompous veft, and worthy deems 
 *' To win a virgin, and to wear a bride." 
 
 THE gifts refulgent dazzle all the crowd, 
 In fpeechlefs admiration fix'd, unmov'd. 
 Ev'n he who now each glorious palm difplays, 
 In fullen filence views his batter'd limbs, , 
 And fighs his vigour fpent. Not fo appall'd 
 Young PASTOREL, for active ftrength renown'd : 
 Him IDA bore, a mountain fliepherdefs ; 
 
 L 3 On
 
 24 H'O B B.I N O L, OR CANTO I. 
 On the- bleak woald the 'new-born infant lay, 
 Expos'd to winter fnows, and northern blafts 
 Severe. As heroes old, who from great JOVE 
 Derive their proud dcfcent, fo might he bOaft 
 His line paterrral : but be thou, rhy Mufe 1 
 No leaky blab, nor painful umbrage give 
 To wealthy 'fquire, or doughty knight, or peer 
 Of high degree. Him ev'ry fhouting ring 
 In triumph crown'd, him ev'ry champion fear'd, 
 From * KIFTSGATE to remoteft * HENBURY. 
 High in the midft the brawny wreftler ftands, 
 A ftately tow'ring object ; the tough belt 
 Meafures his ample breaft, and fhades around 
 His fhoulders broad ; proudly fecure he kens 
 The tempting prize, in his prefuniptuous thought 
 Already gain'd j with partial look the crowd 
 Approve his claim. But HOBBINOL enrag'd 
 Tp fee th' important'gifts fo cheaply won, 
 
 * Two hundreds in GLOCESTERSHIRE. 
 
 Arid
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. $5 
 
 And uncontefted honours tamely loft, 
 With lowly reverence thus accofts his queen. 
 
 " FAIR goddefs ! be propitious to my vows ; 
 '*' Smile on thy flave, nor HERCULES himfelf 
 " Shall rob us of this palm : that boafter vain 
 " Far other port fhall learn." She, with a look 
 
 That pierc'd his inmoft foul, fmiling applauds 
 His gen'rous ardour, with afpiring hope 
 Diftends his breaft, and ftirs the man within : 
 Yet much, alas ! ftie fears, for much fhe loves. 
 So from her arms the PAPHIAN queen difmifs'd 
 The warrior god, on glorious (laughter bent, 
 
 Provok'd his rage, and with her eyes inflam'd 
 Her haughty paramour. Swift as the winds 
 Difpel the fleeting mifts, at once he ftrips 
 His royal robes ; and with a frown that chill'd 
 The blood of the proud youth, active he bounds 
 High o'er the heads of multitudes reclin'd : 
 But as befeem'd one, whofe plain honeft heart, 
 
 L 4 Nor
 
 a6 HOBBINOL, OR CANTO I. 
 
 Nor paflion foul, nor malice dark as Hell, 
 But honour pure, and love divine had fir'd. 
 His hand prefenting, on his fturdy foe . :i 
 Difdainfully he fmiles ; then, quick as thought, 
 With his left-hand the belt, and with his right 
 His flioulder feiz'd faft griping ; his right-foot 
 Eflay'd the champion's ftrength, but firm he flood, 
 Fix'd as a mountain-afh, and in his turn 
 Repaid the bold affront ; his horny fift 
 Faft on his back he clos'd, and fhook in air 
 The cumb'rous load. Nor reft, nor paufe allow'd, 
 Their watchful eyes inftruct their bufy feet ; 
 They pant, they heave, each nerve, each fiaew'a 
 
 ftrajn'd, 
 
 Grafping they clofe, beneath each painful gripe 
 The livid tumours rife, in briny ftreams 
 The fweat diftils, and from their batter'd fhins 
 
 The clotted gore diftains the beaten ground. 
 Each fwain his wifh, each trembling nymph cort- 
 .ceai 
 
 Her
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 27 
 Her fecret dread j while ev'ry panting breaft *oVl 
 Alternate fears, and hopes, deprefs or raife. 
 Thus long in dubious fcale the conteft hung, 
 Till PASTOREL impatient of delay, 
 Colle&ing all his force, a furious ftroke 
 At his left ancle aim'd j 'twas death to fall, 
 To ftand impoffible. O GANGERETTA ! 
 What horrors feize thy foul ! on thy pale cheeks 
 Therofes fade. But wav'ring long in air, 
 Nor firm on foot, nor as yet wholly fall'n, 
 On his right knee he flip'd, and nimbly 'fcap'd 
 The foul difgrace. Thus on the flacken'd rppe 
 The wingy-footed artift, frail fupport ! 
 Stands tott'ring ; now in dreadful {bricks the croud 
 Lament his fudden fate, and yield him loft? ; 
 He on his hams, or on his brawny rumpi 
 Sliding fecure, derides their Vain diftrefs. 
 Up ftarts the vigorous HOBBINOL undifmay'd, 
 From mother Earth like old ANTJEUS raisM 
 With might redoubled. Clamour and aipplaufe 
 
 Shake
 
 28 HOBBINOL. CANTO I. 
 
 Shake all the neighb'ring hilis, AVONA'S banks 
 Return him loud acclaim : with ardent eyes, 
 Fierce as a tyger rufhing from his lair, 
 He grafp'd the wrift of his infulting foe. 
 Then with quick wheel oblique his fhoulder point 
 Beneath' his breaft he fix'd, and whirPd aloft 
 High o'er his head the fprawling youth he flung : 
 The hollow ground rebellow'd as he fell. 
 The crowd prefs forward with tumultuous din ; 
 Thofe to relieve their faint expiring friend, 
 With gratulations thefe. Hands, tongues, and caps, 
 Outrageous joy proclaim, fhrill fiddles fqueak, 
 Hoarfe bag-pipes roar, and GANDERETTA fmiles. 
 
 
 
 END of the FIRST CANTO.
 
 ARGUMENT of the Second CANTO, 
 
 CT 'HE fray. TONSORIO, COLIN, HILDEBRAND, 
 . CUDDY, CINDARAXA, TALGOL, AVARO, 
 
 CUBBIN, CoLLA'KIN, MuNDUNGO. Sir RHA- 
 
 DAMANTH the juftice^ attended with bis guards, comes 
 to quell the fray. RHADAMANTH'J^>^>. Tumult 
 appeas'd. GORGONIUS the butcher takes up the hilts ; 
 his character. The KIFTSGATIANS confternation^ 
 look wijlfully on HOBBINOL ; his fpeech. The cudgel- 
 playing. GORGONIUS knocked down, falls upon 
 TWANGDILLO ; his dijlrefi j his lamentation ever 
 his broken fiddlt.
 
 C 30 ) 
 
 CANTO II. 
 
 T ONG while an univerfal hubbub loud, 
 
 Oeaf'ning each ear, had drown'd each ac- 
 
 " 
 
 cent mild ; ^ 
 
 Till biting taunts, and harfh opprobrious words 
 Vile utt'rance found. How weak are human minds ! 
 How impotent to ftrrn the fwelling tide, 
 And without infolence enjoy fuccefs ! 
 The vale-inhabitants, proud, and elate 
 With victory, know no reftraint, but give 
 A loofeto joy. Their champion HOBBINOL 
 Vaunting they raife, above that earth-born race 
 Of' giants old, who piling hills on hills, 
 PELJON on OSSA, with rebellious aim 
 Made war -0:1 Jovi. The fturdy mountaineers, 
 
 Wh
 
 THE R U R A L GAMES. 31 
 Who faw their mightieft fall'n, and in his fall 
 Their honours paft impair'd, their trophies, won 
 By their proud fathers, who with fcorn look'd down 
 Upon the fubjeft vale, fullied, 'defpoU'd, 
 And levell'd with the duft, no longer bear 
 The keen reproach. But as when fudden fire 
 Seizes the ripen'd grain, whofe bending ears 
 Invite the reaper's hand, the furious god 
 
 In footy triumph rides dreadful, upborn 
 On wings of wind, that with deftru&ive breath 
 Feed the fierce flames j from ridge to ridge He bounds 
 Wide-wafting, and pernicious ruin fpreads : 
 So thro* the croud from breaft to breaft fwift flew 
 The propagated rage ; loud vollied oaths, 
 Like thunder burfting from a cloud, gave figns 
 Of wrath awak'd. Prompt fury foon fupplied 
 With arms uncouth ; tough well-feafon'd plants 
 Weighty with lead infus'd, on either hoft 
 Fall thick, and heavy ; {tools in pieces rentj 
 
 An
 
 32 H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO II. 
 
 And chairs, and forms, and batter'd bowls are hurl'd 
 With fell intent ; like bombs the bottles fly 
 Hifftng in air, their fharp-edg'd fragments drench'd 
 In the warm fpouting gore j heaps driv'n on heaps 
 Promifcuous lie. TONSORIO now advanc'd 
 
 On the rough edge of battle : his broad front 
 
 
 
 Beneath his fhining helm fecure, as erft 
 
 Was thine, MAMBRINO, ftout IBERIAN knight ! 
 
 Defied the rattling ftorm, that on his head 
 Fell innocent. A table's ragged frame 
 In his right-hand he bore, HERCULEAN club ! 
 Crowds, pufh'd on crowds, before his potent arm 
 Fled ignominious ; havock, and difmay, 
 Hung on their rear. COLLIN a merry fwain, 
 Blith as the foaring lark, as fweet the ftrains 
 Of his foft-warbling lips, that whittling chear 
 His lab'ring team, they tofs their heads well pleas'd, 
 In gaudy plumage deck'd, with ftern difdain 
 Beheld this vi&or proud j his gen'rous foul 
 
 Brook'd
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 35 
 
 Brook'd not the foul difgrace. High o'er his head 
 His pond'rous plough-ftaiFin both hands he rais'd ; 
 ErecT: he flood, and ftretching ev'ry nerve, 
 As from a forceful engine, down it fell 
 Upon his hollow'd helm, that yielding funk 
 Beneath the blow, and with its fliarpen'd edge 
 Shear'd both his ears, they on his flioulders broad 
 Hung ragged. Quick as thought the vig'rous youth 
 Short'ning his ftaff, the other end he darts 
 Into his gaping jaws. TONSORIO fled 
 Sore maim'd j with pounded teeth and clotted gore 
 Half-choak'd, he fled j with him the hoft retir'd, * 
 Companions of his fhame ; all but the ftout, 
 And erft unconquer'd HILDEBRAND, brave man! 
 Bold champion of the hill ! thy "weighty blows 
 Our fathers felt difmay'd ; to keep thy poft 
 Unmov'd, whilom thy valour's choice, now fad 
 NecefEty compels ; decrepit now 
 With age, and ftiff with honourable wounds, 
 
 He
 
 34 H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO II. 
 
 He ftands unterrify'd : one crutch fuftains 
 His frame majcftic, th' other in his hand 
 He wields tremendous ; like a mountain boar 
 In toils inclos'd, he dares his circling foes. 
 They fhrink aloof, or foon with (hame repent 
 The ram aflault, the ruftic heroes fall 
 In heaps around. CUDDY, a dextrous youth, 
 When force was vain, on fraudful art rely'd : 
 Clofe to the ground low-cow'ring, unperceiv'd, 
 Cautious he crept, and with his crooked bill 
 Cut fheer the frail fupport, prop of his age : 
 Reeling a while he flood, andmenac'd fierce 
 Th' infidious fwain, reluctant now at length 
 Fell prone and plough'd the duft. So the tall oak, 
 Old monarch of the groves, that long had flood 
 The flioek of warring winds, and the red boltt 
 Of angry JOVE, fhorn of his leafy (hade 
 At laft, and inwardly decay'd, if chance 
 The cruel woodman fpy the friendly fpur,
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 35 
 His only hold ; that fever'd, foon he nods, 
 And fhakes th' incumber'd mountain as he falls, 
 
 WHEN manly-valour fail'd, a female arm 
 Reftor'd the fight. .As in th' adjacent booth 
 
 Black CINDARAXA'S bufy hand prepar'd 
 r r 
 
 The fmoaky viands, fhe beheld, abafh'd, 
 The routed hoft, and all her daftard friends 
 Far fcattered o'er the plain ; their fhameful flight 
 Griev'd her proud heart, for hurry'd with the ftreara 
 Ev'n TALGOL too had fled, her darling boy. 
 A flaming brand from off the glowing hearth ir 3 
 The greafy heroine fnatch'd ; o'er her pale foes 
 The threat'ning meteor (hone, brandifli'd in air, 
 Or round their heads in ruddy circles play'd. 
 Acrofs the proftrate HILDEBRAND fhe ftrode, 
 Dreadfully bright : the multitude appall'd 
 Fled different ways, their beards, their hair in 
 flames. 
 
 M Im-
 
 36 ' H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO II. 
 
 Imprudent the purfu'd, till on the brink 
 Of the next pool, with force united prefs'd, 
 And waving round with huge two-handed fway 
 Her blazing arms, into the muddy lake 
 The bold virago fell. Dire was the fray 
 Between the warring elements j of old 
 Thus MuLciBER,andXANTHUs DARDAN ftrear* 
 In hideous battle join'd. Juft finking now 
 Into the boiling deep, with fuppliant hands 
 She begg'd for life j black oufe and filth obfcenc 
 Hung in her matted hair ; the fhouting croud 
 Infult her woes, and proud of their fuccefs, 
 The dripping Amazon in triumph lead. 
 Now, like a gath'ring ftorm, the rally'd troops 
 Blacken'd the plain. Young TALGOL from their 
 
 front, 
 
 With a fond lover's hafte, fwift as the hind, 
 That, by the huntfman's voice alarm'd, had fled 
 Panting returns, and feeks the gloomy brake, 
 
 Where
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 37 
 Where her dear fawn lay hid, into the booth 
 Impatient rufh'd. But when the fatal tale 
 He heard, the deareft treafure of his foul 
 Purloin'd, his CINDY loft j ftiff'ned and pale 
 A while he flood; his kindling ire at length 
 Burft forth implacable, and injur'4 love 
 Shot light'ning from his eyes ; a fpit he feis'd, 
 Juft reeking from the fat furloin, a long, 
 Unwieldy fpear j then with impetuous rage 
 Prefs'd forward on th' embattled hoft, that flirunk 
 At his approach. The rich AVARO firft, 
 His flefhy rump bor'd with difhoneft wounds, 
 Fled bellowing ; nor could his num'rous floek%-;T 
 Nor all th' afpiring pyramids that grace 
 His yard well ftor'd, fave the penurious clown. 
 Here CUBBIN fell, and there young COLLAKIN, 
 Nor his fond mother's pray'rs nor ardent vows 
 Of love-fick maids could move relentlefs Fate. 
 Where'er he rag'd, with his far-beaming larice 
 
 M 2 Hc
 
 3* H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO II . 
 
 He thinn'd their ranks, and all their battle fwerv'd< 
 With many an inroad gor'd. Then caft around 
 His furious eyes, if haply he might find 
 The captive fair j her in the duft he fpy'd 
 Grov'ling, difconfolate ; thofe locks, that erft, 
 So bright, fhone like the polim'd jet, defil'd 
 With mire impure ; thither with eager hafte 
 
 He ran, he flew. But when the wretched maid 
 Proftrate he view'd, deform'd with gaping wounds 
 And welt'ring in her blood, his trembling hand 
 Soon drop'd the dreaded lance ; on- her pale cheeks 
 Ghaftly he gaz'd, nor felt the pealing ftorm, 
 
 That on his bare defencelefs brow fell thick 
 From ev'ry arm : o'erpower'd at laft, down funk 
 His drooping head, on her cold breaft reclin'd. 
 Hail, faithful pair ! if ought my verfe avail, 
 Nor Envy's fpite, nor time fhall e'er efface 
 The records of your fame ; blind BRITISH bards 
 In ages yet to come, on feftal days 
 
 Shall
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 39 
 
 Shall chant this mournful tale, while lift'ning 
 
 nymphs 
 
 Lament around, and ev'ry gen'rous heart 
 With aftive valour glows, and virtuous love. 
 How blind is pop'larfury ! how perverfe,- 
 When broils inteftine rage, and force controuls 
 Reafon and law ! As the torn veflel finks 
 Between the burft of adverfe waves o'erwhelm'd ; 
 So fares it with the neutral head, between 
 Contending parties bruis'd, inceflant peal'd 
 With random ftrokes that undifcerning fall j 
 Guiltlefs he fuffers mcft, who leaft offends. 
 MUNDUNGO from the bloody field retir'd, 
 Clofe in a corner plied the peaceful bowl j 
 Incurious he, and thoughtlefs of events, 
 Now deem'd himfelf conceal'd, wrapt in the cloud 
 That iflu'd from his mouth, and the thick fogs 
 That hung upon his brows j but hoftile rage 
 Inquifitive found out the rufty fwain. 
 
 M 3 His
 
 40 -.2 H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO II. 
 His fhort black tube down his furr'd throat impell'd, 
 Stagg'ring he reel'd, and with tenacious gripe 
 The bulky Jordan, that before him flood, 
 Seiz'd falling j that its liquid freight difgorg'd 
 Upon the proftrate clown ; flound'ring he lay 
 Beneath the muddy bev'rage whelm'd, fo late 
 His prime delight. Thus the luxurious wafp, 
 Voracious infet, by the fragrant dregs 
 Allur'd, and in the vifcous ne<5lar plung'd, 
 His filmy pennons flruggling flaps in vain, 
 Loft in a flood of fweets. Still o'er the plain 
 Fierce onfet, and tumultuous battle fpread ; 
 And now they fall, and now they rife, incens'd 
 ' With animated rage, while nought around 
 Is heard, but clamour, fhout, and female cries, 
 
 And curfes mix'd with groans. Difcord on high 
 
 > 
 
 Shook her infernal fcourge, and o'er their heads 
 Scream'd with malignant joy ; when lo ! between 
 The warring hofts appear'd fage RHADAMANTH, 
 I A knight
 
 THE RU-RAL GAMES. 41 
 
 A knight of high renown. Nor QUIXOTE bold, 
 Nor AMADIS of GAUL, nor HUPIBRAS, 
 Mirror of knighthood, e'er could vie with thee, 
 Great fultan of the vale ! thy front fevere, 
 As humble INDIANS to their pagods bow, 
 The clowns fubmifs approach. THEMIS to thee 
 Commits her golden balance, where fhe weighs 
 Th' abandon'd orphan's fighs, the widow's tears'; 
 By thee gives fure redrefs, comforts the heart 
 Opprefs'd with woe, and rears the fuppliant knee. 
 Each bold offender hides his guilty head, 
 Aftonilh'd, when thy delegated arm 
 Draws her vindictive fword j at thy command, 
 Stern minifter of power fupreme ! each ward 
 Sends forth her brawny myrmidons, their clubs 
 Blazon'd with royal arms ; difpatchful hafte 
 Sits earneft on each brow, and publick care. .., 
 Encompafs'd round with thefe his dreadful guards, 
 He fpurr'd his fober fteed, grizzled with age, 
 
 M 4 And
 
 42 H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO II. 
 
 And venerably dull j his ftirrups ftretch'd 
 Beneath the knightly load j one hand he fix'd 
 Upon his faddle-bow, the other palm 
 Before him fpread, like fome grave orator 
 In ATHENS, or free ROME, when eloquence 
 Subdu'd mankind, and all the lift'ning crowd 
 Hung by their ears on his perfuafive tongue. 
 He thus the jarring multitude addrefs'd. 
 
 " NEIGHBOURS, and friends, and countrymen, 
 
 &e flow'r 
 " Of KIFTSGATE ! ah ! what means this impious 
 
 broil ? 
 
 " Is then the haughty GAUL no more your care ? 
 *' Are LANDEN'S plains fo foon forgot, that thus 
 " Ye fpill that blood inglorious, wafte that ftrength, 
 " Which, well employ'd, once more might have 
 
 s 
 
 " compell'd 
 * The ftripling ANJOU to a fhameful flight ? 
 
 " Or
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 43 
 ** Or by your great forefathers taught, have fix'd 
 " The BRITISH ftandard on LUTETIAN tow'rs? 
 " O fight odious, deteftable ! O times 
 " Degenerate, of ancient honour void ! 
 " This fa& fo foul, fo riotous, infults 
 " All law, all fov'reign pow'r, and calls aloud 
 " For vengeance ; but, my friends ! too well ye 
 
 ** know, 
 
 < c How flow this arm to punifh, and how bleeds 
 " This heart, when forc'd on rigorous extremes. 
 " O countrymen ! all, all, can teftify 
 " My vigilance, my care for publick good. 
 " I am the man, who by your own free choice 
 " Select from all the tribes, in fenates rul'd 
 " Each warm debate, and emptied all my ftore* 
 " Of ancient fcience in my country's caufe. 
 " Wife TACITUS, of penetration deep, 
 " Each fecret fpring reveal'd, THUANUS bold 
 
 " Breath'd liberty, and all the mighty dead, 
 
 " Rais'd
 
 44 ROBBING L, OR CANTO II. 
 
 ** Rais'd at my call, the BRITISH rights confirm'd ; 
 '* While MUSGRAVE, How, and SEYMOUR 
 
 " fneer'd in vain. 
 
 <c I am the man, who from the bench exalt 
 This voice, ftill grateful to your ears, this voice 
 Which breathes for you alone. Where is the 
 
 " wretch 
 
 < e Diftrefs'd, who in the cobwebs of the law 
 " Entangled, and in fubtile problems loft, 
 *' Seeks not to me for aid ! In fhoals they come 
 * e Neglected, feelefs clients, nor return 
 *' Unedify'd ; fcarce greater multitudes 
 *' At DELPHI fought the god, to learn their fate 
 * c From his dark oracles. I am the man, 
 <l Whofe watchful providence beyond the date 
 ** Of this frail life extends, to future times 
 " Beneficent ; my ufeful fchemes (hall fleer 
 *' The common-weal in ages yet to come, 
 " Your children's children, taught by me, fhall keep 
 
 " Their
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 45 
 cc Their rights inviolable : and as ROME 
 < The Sibyl's facred books, tho' wrote on leave* 
 " And fcatter'd o'er the ground, with pious awe 
 " Collected j fo your fons (hall glean with care 
 " My hallow'd fragments, ev'ry fcrip divine 
 < 6 Confult intent, of more intrinfic worth 
 " Than half a VATICAN. Hear me, my friends I 
 " Hear me, my countrymen ! Oh fufFer not 
 ' This hoary head, employ'd for you alone, 
 To fink with forrow to the grave." He fpake, 
 And veil'd his bonnet to the crowd. As when 
 The fov 'reign of the floods o'er the rough deep 
 His awful trident fliakes, its fury falls, 
 The warring billows on each hand retire, 
 And foam, and rage no more. All now is hufli'd, 
 The multitude appeas'd j a chearful dawn 
 Smiles on the fields, the waving throng fubfides, 
 And the loud tempeft finks, becalm'd in peace. 
 
 GORGONIUS
 
 46 .ROBBING L, OR CANTO II. 
 
 GORGONIUS now with haughty flrides advanced, 
 A gauntlet feiz'd, firm on his guard he flood 
 A formidable foe, and dealt in air 
 His empty blows, a prelude to the fight. 
 Slaughter his trade ; full many a pamper'd ox 
 Fell by his fatal hand, the bulky beaft 
 Dragg'd by his horns, oft at one deadly blow, 
 His iron fift defcending crufh'd his fkull, 
 And left him fpurning on the bloody floor, 
 
 While at his feet the guiltlefs axe was laid. 
 In dubious fight of late one eye he loft, 
 Bor'd from its orb, and the next glancing ftroke 
 Bruis'd fore the nfing arch, and bent his nofe : 
 Nathlefs he triumph 'd on the well-fought flagc, 
 HOCKLEIAN hero ! Nor was more deform'd 
 The CYCLOPS blind, nor of more monftrous fize, 
 Nor his void orb more dreadful to behold, 
 Weeping the putrid gore, fevere revenge 
 Of fubtile ITHACUS. Terribly gay 
 
 In
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 47 
 
 In his buff doublet, larded o'er with fat 
 
 Of flaughter'd brutes, the well-oil'd champion 
 
 fhone. 
 
 Sternly he gaz'd around, with many a frown 
 Fierce menacing, provok'd the tardy foe. 
 For now each combatant, that erft fo bold 
 .Vaunted his manly deeds, in peniive mood 
 Hung down his head, and fix'd on earth his eyes, 
 Pale and difmay'd. On HOBBINOL at laft 
 Intent they gaze, in him alone their hope, 
 Each eye follicits him, each panting heart 
 Joins in the filent fuit. Soon he perceiv'd 
 Their fecret wifti, and eas'd their doubting minds. 
 
 l< YE men of KIFTSGATE ! whofe wide fpread- 
 
 "ing fame 
 
 <c 1n antient days were fung from fhore to fhore^ 
 " To BRITISH bards of old a copious theme; 
 
 * c Too well, alas ! in your pale cheeks I view 
 
 Your
 
 4& H O B B I N O L, on CANTO II. 
 
 4C Your daftard fouls. O mean, degenerate race 1 
 "But fmce on me ye call, each fuppliant eye 
 " Invites my fov'reign aid, lo ! here I come, 
 " The bulwark of your fame, tho' fcarce my brows 
 *' Are dry from glorious toils, juftnow atchiev'd, 
 " To vindicate your worth. Lo ! here I fwear,, 
 c By all my great forefathers fair renown, 
 " By that illuftrious wicker, where they fat 
 ** In comely pride, and in triumphant floth 
 " Gave law to paflive clowns ; or on this fpot 
 " In glory's prime, young KOBBINOL expires, 
 " And from his deareft GANDERETTA'S arms 
 " Sink's to Death's cold embrace ; or by this hand 
 " That ftranger, big with infolence, fhall fall 
 " Prone on the ground, and do your honour 
 " right." 
 
 FORTHWITH the hilts he feiz'd; but on his arm 
 Fond GANDERETTA hung, and round his neck 
 
 Curl'd
 
 THERURAL GAMES. 49 
 
 Curl'd in a foft embrace. Honour and love 
 A doubtful conteft wag'd, but from her foon 
 He fprung relentlefs, all her tears were vain, 
 Yet oft he turn'd, oft figh'd, thus pleading mild ; 
 
 " ILL fliould I merit thefe imperial robes, 
 " Enfigns of majefty, by gen'ral voice 
 " Conferr'd, fhould pairi, or death itfelf avail 
 " To fhake the fteady purpofe of my foul. 
 44 Peace, fair one ! Heaven will protect the man, 
 " By thee held dear, and crown thy gen'rous love."* 
 
 HER from the lifted field the matrons fage 
 Reluctant drew, and with fair fpeeches foorh'd. 
 
 Now front to front thefearlefs champions meet 5 
 GORGONIUS like a tow'r, whofe cloudy top 
 Invades the fkies, flood low'ring ; far beneath 
 
 The ftrippling HOBBINOL with careful eye 
 
 Each
 
 50 H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO II. 
 
 Each op'ning fcans,"and each unguarded fpace 
 Meafures intent. While negligently bold, 
 The bulky combatant, whofe heart elate 
 Difdain'd his puny foe, now fondly deem'd 
 At one decifive ftroke to win, unhurt, 
 An eafy victory ; down came at once 
 The pond'rous plant, with fell malicious rage, 
 Aim'd at his head direl ; but the tough hilts, 
 Swift interpos'd, elude his effort vain. 
 The cautious HOBBINOL, with ready feet, 
 Now fhifts his ground, retreating j then again. 
 Advances bold and his unguarded (bins 
 Batters fecure j each well-directed blow 
 Bites to the quick ; thick as the falling hail, 
 The ftrokes redoubled peal his hollow fides: 
 The multitude amaz'd with horror view 
 The rattling ftorm, (hrink back at ev'ry blow, 
 And feem to feel his wounds; inly he groan'd, 
 And gnafh'd his teeth, and from his blood-fhot eye 
 
 Red
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 51 
 Red lightning flafh'd the fierce tumultuous rage 
 Shook all his mighty fabric ; once again 
 Erefl he ftands, colle&ed, and refolv'd 
 To conquer, or to die : fwift as the bolt 
 Of angry JOVE, the weighty plant defcends. 
 But wary HOBBINOL, whofe watchful eye.. 
 
 Perceiv'd his kind intent, ftip'd on one fide 
 Declining j the vain ftroke from fuch an height, 
 With fuch a force impell'd, headlong drew down 
 Th' unwieldy champion : on the folid ground 
 He fell rebounding breathlefs, and aftunn'd, 
 His trunk extended lay ; fore maim'd from out 
 His heaving breaft, he belch'd a crimfon flood. 
 
 Full leifurely he rofe, but confcious fliame 
 
 J .>:'#< fnrf 
 
 Of honour loft his failing ftrength renew'd. 
 Rage, and revenge, and ever-during hate, 
 Blacken'd his ftormy front j rafh, furious, blind. 
 And lavifh ef his Wood, of random ftrokes [0 ^-f 
 He laid ort load ; without defign cr art 
 
 N Onward
 
 52 HOBBINOL, OR CAN-TO II. 
 
 Jasta fid ilj>-M hSiroi-T) * 
 Onward he prefs'd outrageous, while his foes 
 
 Encircling wheels, or inch by inch retires, 
 Wife niggard of his ftrcngth. Yet all thy care, 
 O HOBBINOL ! avail'd not to prevent 
 One haplefs blow ; o'er his ftrong guard the plant 
 Lapp'd pliant, and its knotty point imprefs'd 
 His nervous chine j he wreath'd him to and fro 
 Goiivolv'd, yet thus diftrefs'd, intrepid bore 
 His hilts aloft, and guarded well his head. 
 So when the unwary clown, with hafty ftep, 
 Crufhes the folded fnake, her wounded parts 
 Grov'ling {he trails along, but her high creft 
 Erect Ihe bears ; in all its fpeckled pride, 
 She fwells inflam'd, and with her forky tongue 
 Threatens deftru&ion. With like eager hafte, 
 Th' impatient HOBBINOL, whofe excefiive pain 
 Stung to his heart, a fpeedy vengeance vow'd, 
 Nor wanted long the means ; a feint he made 
 With well-difTembled guile, his battefd fliins 
 
 Mark'J
 
 T HE RURAt GAMES. 53 
 
 Mark'd with his eyes, and menac'd with his plant. 
 GORGONIUS, whofe long-fufPring legs fcarce bore 
 His cumb'rous bulk^' to his fupporters frail 
 Indulgent, foon the friendly hilt oppos'd ; 
 Betray'd, deceivM, on his unguarded creft 
 The ftroke delufive fell ; a difmal groan 
 Burft from his hollow cheft ; his trembling hands 
 Forfook the hilts, acrofs the fpacious ring 
 Backward he reel'd, the crowd affrighted fly 
 T' efeape the falling ruin. But, alas ? 
 'Twas thy hard fate, TWANGDILLO ! to receive 
 His pond'rous trunk ; on thee, on helplefs thee, 
 Headlong,- arid heavy, the foul monfterfell. 
 Beneath a mountain's weight, th' unhappy bard 
 Lay proftrate, nor was more renown'd thy fong, 
 O feerof THRACE f nor more feverethy fate. 
 
 TT- 1 n 11 i / 1 1 r "';;-' 
 
 His vocal mell, the folace and fupport 
 
 CJ '"'"T * 
 
 Of wretched age, gave one melodious fcream, 
 And in a thoufand fragemnts ftrew'd the plain'. 
 
 N 2 Tta
 
 54 H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO II. 
 
 The nymphs, fure friends to his harmonious mirth, 
 Fly to his aid, his hairy breaft expofe 
 To each refrefhing gale, and with foft hands 
 His temples chafe ; at their perfuafive touch 
 His fleeting foul returns ; upon his rump 
 He fat difconfolate j but when, alas I 
 He view'd the fhatter'd fragments, down agaia 
 He funk expiring ; by their friendly eare 
 Once more reviv'd, he thrice aflay'd to fpeak, 
 And thrice the rifing fobs his voice fubdu'd : 
 Till thus at laft his wretched plight he mourn'd. 
 
 <c SWEET inftrument of mirth ! fole comfort left 
 
 " To my declining years ! whofe fprightly notes 
 
 . j 
 
 * e Reftor'd my vigou^ and renew'd my bloom, 
 
 <c Soft healing balm to ev'ry wounded heart ! 
 " Defpairing, dying fwains, from the cold ground 
 ** Uprais'd by thee, at thy melodious call, 
 w With javi&'d ears receiv'd the flowing joy. 
 
 "Gay
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 55 
 " Gay pleafantry, and care-beguiling joke, 
 " Thy fure attendants were, and at thy voice 
 All nature fmil'd. But, oh this hand no more 
 " Shall touch thy wanton firings, no more with lays 
 " Alternate, from oblivion dark redeem 
 " The mighty dead, and vindicate their fame. 
 <e Vain are thy toils, O HOBBINOL ! and all 
 " Thy triumphs vain. Who mail record, brave man ! 
 '< Thy bold exploits ? Who mail thy grandeur tell, 
 " Supreme of KIFTSGATE ? See thy faithful bard s 
 " Defpoil'd, undone. O cover me, ye hills ! 
 * c Whofe vocal clifts were taught my joyous fong. 
 <e Or thou, fair nymph, AVONA, on whofe banks 
 ** The frolick crowd, led by my num'rous flrains, 
 " Their orgies keep'd, and frifk'd it o'er the green, 
 *' Jocund, and gay, while thy remurm'ring ftreams 
 " Danc'd by, well pleas'd. Oh ! let thy friendly 
 
 " waves 
 " O'erwhelm a wretch, and hide this head ac- 
 
 curs'd." 
 
 N 3 So
 
 Sp H O B B I N Q L, CANTO II. 
 
 So plains the reftlefs PHILOMEL, her neff, 
 And callow young, the tender growing hope 
 Of future harmony, and frail return 
 Fgr all her cares, to barb'rous churls a prey ; 
 Darkling fhe fings, the woods repeat her moan. 
 
 vv\ : ' V' 
 
 of the SECOND CANTO. 
 
 . . .
 
 ARGUMENT of the Third CANTO. 
 
 f~)OOD eating expedient for heroes. " HOMER 
 praifed for keeping a table.. HOBBINOL trium- 
 phant. GANDERETTA'J bill of fare. Panegyrick 
 upon ale. Gojftpping over a bottle. Compliment to Mr. 
 JOHN PHILLIPS. GAUDERETT A 3 s perplexity difco- 
 vered by HOBBINOL ; bis condolatory fpeech ; compares 
 himfelfto GUY Earl of WARWICK. GANDERETTA 
 encouraged, Jtrips for the race ; her amiable figure t 
 FUSCA the gypjy, her dirty figure, TAB.ITHA her 
 great reputation for fpeed ; hired to the dijjenting aca- 
 demy <rf TEWKSBURY. A Jhort account of -GAMA- 
 LIEL the mafier ? and his hopeful fcholars. TAEITHA 
 tarries weight. The fmock race. TABITHA'J fall. 
 FUSCA'J Jhsrt triumph., far humiliation. GANDE- 
 RETTA'J matchlefs fpeed. HOBBINOL lays the prize 
 at her feet. .Their mutual triumph. Tfye viciffitude of 
 human affairs, experienced by HOBBINOL. MOPSA, 
 formerly his fervant, with her two children apperas to 
 him. MOPSA'J fpeech; affaults GANDERETTA ; 
 her flight. HOBBINOL'J prodigious fright ; is taken 
 into cujlody by eonftabks t and dragged to Sir RHA- 
 DAMANTH'J. 
 
 N 4
 
 
 CANTO III. 
 
 . - .*.$:.:-.- 
 
 f B 1 ^ H O' feme of old, and fome of modern date, 
 
 Penurious their victorious heroes fed 
 With barren praife alone ; yet thou, my Mufe 1 
 Benevolent, with more indulgent eyes 
 Behold th' immortal HOBBINOL ; reward 
 With due regalement his triumphant toils. 
 Let QUIXOTE'S hardy courage, and renown, 
 With SAXCHO'S prudent care be meetly join'd. 
 
 O THOU of bards fupreme, MJEONIDES ! 
 What well-fed heroes grace thy hallow'd page ! 
 Laden with glorious fpoils, and gay with blood 
 Of flaughter'd hofts, the vidor chief returns. 
 Whole TROY before him fled, and men, and gods, 
 
 Oppos'd
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 59 
 Oppos'd in vain. For the brave man, whofe arm 
 Repell'd his country's wrong, ev'n he, the great 
 ATRIDES, king of kings, even he prepares 
 With his own royal hand the fumptuous feaft. 
 Full to the brim, the brazen cauldrons fmoke, 
 Thro' all the bufy camp the rifing blaze 
 Atteft their joy j heroes, and kings forego 
 Their ftate, and pride, and at his elbow wait 
 Obfequious. On a polifh'd charger plac'd, 
 The bulky chine with plenteous fat inlaid, 
 Of golden hue, magnificently fliines. 
 The choiceft morfels fever'd to the gods, 
 The hero next, well paid for all his wounds, 
 The rich repaft divides with Jove ; from out 
 The fparkling bowl he draws the gen'rous wine, 
 Unmix'd, unmeafurM ; with unftinted joy 
 His heart o'erflows. In like triumphant port 
 Sat the victorious HOBBINOL ; the crowd 
 Tranfported view, andblefs their glorious chief: 
 
 All 
 4
 
 60 H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO III. 
 
 All KIFTSGATE founds his praife with joint ac- 
 claim. 
 
 .-,,-.,1 >, r . ..j-- .' r. r< ^;.-( 
 
 Him ev'ry voice, him ev'ry knee confefs, 
 In merit, as in right, their king. Upon 
 The flow'ry turf, Earth's painted lap, are fpread 1 
 The rural dainties ; fuch as Nature boon 
 Prefents with lavifh hand, or fuch as owe 
 To GANDERETTA'S care their grateful taflej 
 Delicious. For fhe long fince prepar'4 
 To celebrate this day, and with good chear 
 To grace his triumphs. Cryftal goofeberries 
 Are pil'd on heaps ; in vain the parent tree 
 Defends her lufcious fruit with pointed fpears. 
 The ruby-tin&ur'd corinth cluft'ring hangs, 
 And emulates the grape j green cocjlings float 
 In dulcet creams ; nor wants the lafl year's ftore, 
 The hardy nut, in folid mail fecure, 
 
 Impregnable to winter frofts, repays 
 
 
 
 Its hoarder's care. The cuflard's gellied flood 
 
 to 
 
 Impatient
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 61 
 Impatient youth, with greedy joy, devours. 
 Cheefecakes and pies, in various forms upraised, 
 In well-built pyramids, afpiring ftand. 
 Black hams, and tongues, that fpeechlefs can per.. 
 
 fuade 
 
 Tp ply the brifk caroufe, and chear the foul 
 With jovial draughts. Nor does the jolly god 
 Deny his precious gifts ; here jocund fvvains, 
 In uncouth mirth delighted, fporting quaff 
 Their native bev'rage j in the brimming glafs 
 The liquid amber fmiles. BRITONS, no more 
 Dread your invading foes j let the falfe GAUL, 
 
 Of rule infatiate, potent to deceive, 
 And great by fubtile wiles, from th* adverfe jhore 
 Pour forth his num'rous hofts ; IBERIA ! join 
 Thy tow'ring fleets, once more aloft difplay 
 Thy confecrated banners, fill thy fails 
 
 With pray'rs and vows, moft formidably ftrong 
 In holy trump'ry, let old Ocean groan 
 
 Beneath
 
 62 H O B B I N O L, OR. CANTO III. 
 
 Beneath the proud ARMADA vainly deem'd 
 
 Invincible - 3 yet fruitlefs all their toils, 
 
 Vain ev'ry rafh effort, while our fat glebe, 
 
 Of barley-grain produ&ive, ftill fupplies 
 
 The flowing treafure, and with fums immenfe 
 
 Supports the throne j while this rich cordial warms 
 
 The farmer's courage, arms his ftubborn foul 
 
 With native honour, and refiftlefs rage. 
 
 Thus vaunt the crowd, each freeborn heart o'er- 
 
 flows 
 With BRITAIN'S glory, and his country's love. 
 
 HERE, in a merry knot combinM, the nymphs 
 Pour out mellifluous ftreams, the balmy fpoils 
 Of the laborious bee. The modeft maid 
 But coyly fips, and blufhing drinks, abafh'd: 
 Each lover with obfcrvant eye beholds 
 Her graceful fhame, and at her glowing cheeks 
 Rekindles all his fires, but matrons fage, 
 
 Better
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 63 
 
 Better experienc'd, and inftru6ted well 
 In midnight myfteries, and feaft-rites old, 
 Grafp the capacious bowl ; nor ceafe to draw 
 The fpumy nectar. Healths of gay import 
 Fly merrily about ; now Scandal fly 
 Infmuating gilds the fpecious tale 
 
 With treach'rous praife, and with a double face 
 
 >> ,-' i> ir,r>, '3i1i 
 
 Ambiguous Wantonnefs demurely fneers : 
 Till circling brimmers ev'ry veil withdraw, 
 And dauntlefs Impudence appears unmalk'd. 
 Others apart, in the cool made retir'd, 
 SILURIAN cyder quaff, by that great bard 
 Ennobled, who firft taught my grov'ling Mufe 
 To mount aerial, O ! could I but raife 
 My feeble voice to his exalted ftrains, 
 
 Or to the height of this great argument, 
 
 ' '/? 
 The gen'rous liquid in each line fhou'd bound 
 
 Spirit'ous, nor oppreflive cork fubdue 
 Its foaming rage ; but to the lofty theme 
 Unequal, Mufe, decline the pleafmg talk, 
 
 THUS
 
 .64 H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO III. 
 
 THUS they luxurious, on the grafiy tfirf, 
 Revell'd at large : while nought around was heard 
 But mirth confus'd, and undiftinguifh'd joy, 
 And laughter far refounding ; ferious Care 
 Found here no place, to GANDERETTA'S breaft 
 Retiring ; there with hopes, and fears perplex'd 
 Her fluctuating mind. Hence the foft figh 
 
 Efcapes unheeded, fpight of all her art ; 
 The trembling blufhes on her lovely cheeks, 
 Alternate ebb, and flow ; from the full glafs 
 She flies abftemious, fhuns th' untafted feaft : 
 But careful HOBBINOL, whofe am'rous eye 
 From hers ne'er wander'd, haunting ft ill the place 
 Where his dear treafure lay, difcover'd foon 
 Her fecret woe, and bore a lover's part. 
 Compaffion melts his foul, her glowing cheeks 
 He kifs'd, enamour'd, and her panting heart 
 He prefs'd to his ; then with thefe foothing words, 
 Tenderly fmiling, her faint hopes reviv'd.
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 65 
 " COURAGE, my Fair ! the fplendid prize is 
 
 thine. 
 
 " Indulgent Fortune will not damp our joys, 
 * Nor blaft the glories of this happy day. 
 " Hear me, ye fwains ! Ye men of KIFTSGATE I 
 
 " hear : 
 
 " Tho' great the honours by your hands conferr'd, 
 " Thefe royal ornaments, tho' great the force 
 " Of this puiflant arm, as all muft own, 
 " Who faw this day the bold GOROONIUS fall ; 
 " Yet w.ere I more renown'd for feats of arms; 
 " And knightly prowefs, than that mighty GUY, 
 e So fam'd in antique fong,*WARWicK.'s great eari 
 " Who flew the gaint CQLBRAND, in fierce fight 
 " Maintain'd a fummer's day, and freed this realm 
 < c From DANISH vaflalage ; his ponderous fword, 
 
 ' > ; , 
 
 <{ And mafly fpear, atteft the glorious deed ; 
 <* Nor lefs his hofpitable foul is feen 
 " In that capacious cauldron, whofe large freight 
 
 Might
 
 66 H O B B I N O L, oft CAKI-O II. 
 
 " Might feaft a province ; yet were I like him 
 
 " The nation's pride, like him I cou'd forego 
 
 All earthly grandeur, wander thro' the world 
 
 c A jocund pilgrim, in the lonefome den, 
 
 < And rocky cave, with thefe my royal hands 
 
 " Scoop the cold ftreams, with herbs, and roots 
 
 " content, 
 
 Mean fuftenance j could I by this but gain 
 For the dear Fair, the prize her heart defires, 
 " Believe me, charming maid ! I'd be a worm, 
 The meaneft infe&, and the loweft thing 
 " The world defpifes, to enhance thy fame." 
 So chear'd he his fair queen, and Ihe was chear'd. 
 
 Now with a noble confidence infpir'd, 
 Her looks allure fuccefs, now ftripp'd of all 
 Her cumb'rous veftments, beauty's vain difguife, 
 She fhines unclouded in her native charms. 
 Her plaited hair behind her in a brede 
 
 Hunj;
 
 T H RURAL GAMES. 67 
 Hung carelefs, with becoming grace each blufh 
 Varied her cheeks, than the gay rifmg dawn 
 More lovely, when the new-born light falufes 
 The joyful Earth, impurpling half the fkies. 
 Her heaving breaft, thro' the thin cov'ring view'd, 
 Fix'd each beholder's eye ; her taper thighs, 
 And lineaments exact, wou'd mock the (kill 
 Of PHIDIAS ; Nature alone can form 
 Such due proportion. To compare with her 
 OREAD, or DRYAD, or of DELIA'S train, 
 Fair virgin huntrefs, for the chace array'd 
 With painted quiver, and unerring bow, 
 Were but to lefTen her fuperior mien, 
 And goddefs-like deport. The matter's hand,. 
 Rare artifan ! with proper fhades improves 
 His lively colouring j fo here, to grace 
 Her brighter charms, next her upon the plain 
 FUSCA the brown appears, with greedy eye 
 Views the rich prize, her tawny front erefts 
 
 O AU-
 
 68 H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO ILL 
 
 Audacious, and with her legs unclean, 
 
 Booted with grim, and with her freckled fkin 
 Offends the crowd. She of the Gypfy train 
 Had wander'd long, and the fun's fcorching rays 
 Imbrown'd her vifage grim ; artful to view 
 The fpreading palm, and with- vile cant deceive 
 The love-fick maid, who barters all her flore 
 For airy vifions and fallacious hope. 
 GORGONIUS, if the current fame fay true, 
 Her comrade once, they many a merry prank 
 Together play'd, and many a mile had ftroll'd, 
 For him fit mate. Next TABITHA the tall 
 Strode o'er the plain,, with huge gigantick pace, 
 And overlook'd the crowd, known far and near 
 For matchlefs fpeed j (he many a prize had won, 
 Pride of that neighb'ring* mart, for muftard fam'd ? 
 Sharp-biting grain, where amicably join 
 
 * TEWKSBURY in the ValeofEvESHAJtf, where the 
 AVON runs into the SEVERN.
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 69 
 
 The fifter floods, and with their liquid arms 
 Greeting embrace. Here GAMALIEL fage, 
 Of CAMERONIAN brood, with ruling rod 
 Trains up his babes of grace, inftrucled well 
 In all the gainful difcipline of pray'r, 
 
 To point the holy leer, by juft degrees 
 To clofe the twinkling eye, t' expand the palms, 
 T' expofe the whites, and with the fightlefs ball 
 To glare upon the crowd, to raife, or fink 
 The docile voice, now murm'ring foft and low 
 With inward accent calm, and then again 
 In foaming floods of rapt'rous eloquence, 
 Let loofe the ftorm, and thunder thro' the nofe 
 The threat'ned vengeance : ev'ry mufe profane 
 Is banifh'd hence, and HELICONIAN ftreams 
 Deferted, the fam'd LEMAN lake fupplies 
 More plenteous draughts, of more divine import. 
 Hail, happy youths ! on whom indulgent Heav'n 
 Each grace divine beftows, nor yet denies 
 
 O 2 Carnal
 
 70 H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO Ilk 
 
 Carnal beatitudes, fweet privilege 
 Of faints ele<5l ! Royal prerogative ! 
 Here in domeftick cares employ'd and bound 
 To annual fervitude, frail TABITHA 
 Her priftine vigour loft,, now mourns in vain 
 Her fharpen'd vifage, and the iickly qualms 
 That grieve her foul j a prey to Love, while Grace- 
 Slept heedlefs by : yet her undaunted mind 
 Still meditates the prize, and ftill me hopes, 
 Beneath th' unwieldy load, her wonted fpeed; 
 Others of meaner fame the {lately Mufe 
 Records not ; on more lofty flights intent 
 She fpurns the ground, and mounts her native fkies* 
 
 ROOM for the matter of the ring ; ye fwains ! 
 Divide your crowded ranks. See ! there on high- 
 The glitt'ring prize, on the tall ftandard born, 
 Waving in air ; before him march in files 
 The rural m'mftrelfy, the rattling drum 
 
 Of
 
 THE RURAL GAME 3. 71 
 
 Of folemn found, and th' animating horn, 
 .Each huntfman's -joy ; the tabor and the pipe, 
 Companion dear at feafts, whofe chearful notes 
 Give -life, and motion to th' unwieldy clown. 
 Ev'n Age revives, and the pale puking maid 
 Feels ruddy health rekindling on her cheeks, 
 And with new vigour trips it o'er the plain. 
 Counting each careful ftep, he paces o'er 
 Th' .allotted ground, and fixes atjhe goal (<T 
 
 His ftandard, there himfelf majeftic fwells. 
 Stretch'd in a line, the panting rivals wait 
 Th' expected fignal, with impatient eyes 
 Meafure the fpace between, and in conceit 
 Already grafp the warm-contefted prize. 
 Now all at once rufh forward to the goal, 
 And ftep by ftep, and fide by fide, they ply 
 Their bufy feet, and leave the crowd behind. 
 Quick heaves each breaft, and quick they flioot 
 along, 
 
 O 3 Thro'
 
 72 H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO III, 
 
 Thro' the divided air, and bound it o'er the plain, 
 To this, to that, capricious Fortune deals 
 Short hopes, fhort fears, and momentary joy. 
 The hreathlefs throng with open throats purfue, 
 And broken accents ihout imperfect praife. 
 Such noife confus'd is heard, fuch wild uproar, 
 When on the main the fwelling furges rife, 
 Dafh o'er the rocks, and hurrying thro' the flood, 
 Drive on each others backs, and crowd the ftrand. 
 Before the reft tall TABITHA was feen, 
 Stretching amain, and whirling o'er the field ; 
 Swift as the {hooting {tar that gilds the night 
 With rapid tranfient blaze, fhe runs, fhe flies j 
 Sudden ihe flops, nor longer can endure 
 The painful courfe, but drooping finks away, 
 And like that falling meteor, there {he lies 
 A jelly cold on earth. FUSCA, with joy, 
 Beheld her wretched plight ; o'er the pale corfe 
 Infulting bounds 3 Hope gave her wings, and now 
 
 Exerting
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 7$ 
 Exerting all her fpeed, ftep after ftep, 
 At GANDE*ETTA*S elbow urg'd her way, 
 Her fhoulder preffing, and with pois'nous breath 
 Tainting her iv'ry jneck. Long while had held 
 The fharp conteft, had not propitious Heav'n, 
 With partial hands, to fuch trarifcendent charms 
 DifpensM its favours. For as o'er the green 
 The carelefs Gypfy, with incautious fpeed, 
 Pufh'd forward, and her rival Fair had reach'd 
 With equal pace, and only not o'erpafs'd : 
 Haply {he treads, where late the merry train, 
 
 In wafteful luxury, and wanton joy, 
 
 Lavifh had fpHt the cyder's frothy flood, 
 
 And mead with cuftard mix'd. Surpriz'd, appall'd, 
 
 And in the treach'rous puddle ftruggling long, 
 
 She flipp'd, fhe fell, upon her back fupine 
 
 Extended lay ; the laughing multitude 
 
 With noify fcorn approv'd her juft difgrace. 
 
 As the fleek lev'retfkims before the pack, 
 
 O 4 So
 
 74 . H O B. B I N O L, OR CAN'TO III. 
 So files the nymph, and fo the crowd purfue. 
 Eorn on the wings of wind the Dear One flies, 
 Swift as the various goddefs, nor lefs bright 
 Iri beauty's prime; .when thro' the yielding air 
 She darts along, and with refracted rays 
 Paints the gay clouds; ccleftial rnefienger, 
 Charg'd with the high beheits of Heav'n's great 
 
 , queen j . . - 
 
 Her at the goal with open arms receiv'd 
 Fond HOBBINOL ; with alive leap he fei?,'d 
 The coflly prize, and laid it at her feet. 
 Then paufing flood, dumb with excefs of joy, 
 Expreflive filence ! for each tender glance 
 Betray'd the raptures that his tongue conceal'd. 
 Lefs mute the crowd, in echoing fliouts, applaud 
 Her fpeed, her beauty, his obfequious love, 
 
 UPON a little eminence, whofe top 
 O'er look'd the plain, a fteep, but fhort afcenr, 
 
 Plac'd
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 75 
 
 Plac'd in a chair of ftate, with garlands crown'd, 
 And loaded with the fragrance of the fpring, 
 Fair GANDERETTA fhone ; like mother EVE 
 In her gay fylvan lodge, delicious bow'r ! 
 Where Nature's wanton hand, above the reach 
 Of rule, or art, had lavifh'd all her ftore, 
 To deck the flow'ry roof; and at her fide, 
 Imperial HOBWNOL, with front fublime 
 G*at as a ROMAN conful, juft return'd 
 From cities fack'd r and provinces laid wafte, 
 In his paternal wicker fat, enthron'd. 
 With eager eyes the crowd about them prefs, ' 
 Ambitious to behold the happy pair. 
 Each voice, each inftrument, proclaims their joy 
 With loudeft vehemence : fuch noife is heard, 
 Such a tumultuous din, when at the call 
 Of BRITAIN'S fovereign, the rufticlc bands 
 O'erfpread the fields j the fubtile candidates 
 Diflembled homage pay, and court the fools 
 
 Whom
 
 76 H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO III. 
 
 Whom they defpife j each proud majeftic clowa 
 Looks big, and fliouts amain, mad with the tafte 
 Of pow'r fupreme, frail empire of a day ! 
 That with the fetting fun extinct is loft. 
 
 NOR is thy grandeur, mighty HOBBINOL ? 
 Of longer date. Short is, alas ! the reign 
 Of mortal pride : we play our parts a while, 
 
 And ftrut upon the ftage j the fcene is chang'd, 
 
 And offers us a dungeon for a throne. 
 
 Wretched viciffitude ! for after all 
 
 His tinfel dreams of empire and renown, 
 
 Fortune, capricious dame, withdraws at once 
 
 The goodly profpect, to his eyes prefents 
 
 Her, whom his confcious foul abhorred, and fear'd. 
 
 Lo ! pufhing thro' the crowd, a meagre form, 
 
 With hafty ftep, and vifage incompos'd ! 
 
 Wildly fhe ftar'd j rage fparkled in her eyes, 
 
 And Poverty fat fhrinking pn her cheeks. 
 
 Yet
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 77. 
 Yet thro' the cloud that hung upon her brows, 
 A faded luftre broke, that dimly fhone 
 Shorn of its beams, the ruins of a face, 
 Impair'd by time, and fhatter'd by misfortunes*','' &. 
 A froward babe hung at her flabby breaft, 
 And tugg'd for life j but wept, with hideous moan, 
 His fruftratc hopes, and unavailing pains. 
 Another o'er her bending flioulder peep'd, 
 Swaddled around with rags of various hue. 
 He kens his comrade-twin with envious eye, 
 As of his {hare defrauded j then amain 
 He alfo fcreams, and to his brother's cries* 
 
 ' >*Q 
 
 In doleful concert joins his loud laments. 
 
 O dire effect of lawlefs love ! O fling 
 
 & 
 
 Of Pleafure paft ! As when a full-freight fhip, 
 Bleft in a rich return of pearls or gold, 
 Or fragrant fpice, or filks of coftly dye, 
 Makes to the wifh'd-for port with fwelling fails, . 
 And all her gaudy trim difplay'dj o'erjoy'd 
 
 The
 
 ?S HOBBINOL, OR CANTO III. 
 
 The jnafter fmiles ; but if from fome fmall creek, 
 A lurking corfair the rich quarry fpies, 
 With all her falls bears down upon her prey, 
 And peals of thunder from her hollow fides 
 Check his triumphant courfe j aghaft he ftands, 
 Strffen'd with fear, unable to refift, 
 And impotent to fly ; all his fond hopes 
 Are daih'-d at once j nought now, alas f remain* 
 But the fad choice of flavery, or death, 
 So far'd it' with the haplefs HOBBINOL, 
 In the full blaze of his triumphant joy 
 Surpris'd by her, whofe dreadful face alone 
 Cou'd fliake his ftedfaft foul. In vain he turns, 
 And fhifts his place averfe j fhe haunts him ftill, 
 And glares upon him, with her haggard eyes, 
 That fiercely fpoke her wrongs. Words fwell'd 
 
 with fighs 
 At length burft forth, and thus fhe ftorms enrag'd, 
 
 " KNOW'ST
 
 THE RURAL GAMES. 79 
 " KNOW'ST them not me ? felfe man ! not to 
 
 " know me 
 
 <e Argues thyfelf unknowing of thyfelf, 
 " Puff'd up with pride, and bloated with fucce% 
 " Is injur'd MOPSA then fo foon forgot ? 
 " Thou knew'ft me once, ah ! woe is me ! thou 
 
 " did'ft. 
 
 * e But if laborious days, and fleeplefs nights, 
 " If hunger, cold, contempt, and penury, 
 " Infeparable guefts, have thus difguis'd 
 " Thy once belov'd, thy handmaid dear j if thine 
 <c And Fortune's frowns haveblaftedall mycharms ; 
 " If here no rbfes grow, no lilies bloom, 
 " Nor rear their heads on this neglected fece ; 
 " If thro' the world 1 range a flighted made, 
 " The ghoft of what I was, forlorn, unknown; 
 At leaft know thefe. See ! this fweet-fimp'ring 
 babe, 
 
 * Desr image of thyfelf - s fee \ how it fprunts 
 
 With
 
 8o H O B B I N O L, OR CANTO III. 
 
 *f With joy at thy approach ! fee, how it gilds 
 
 " Its foft fmooth face, with falfe paternal fmiles ! 
 
 " Native deceit, from thee, bafe man, deriv'd ! 
 
 '* Or view this other elf, in ev'ry art 
 
 " Of fmiling fraud, in ev'ry treach'rous leer, 
 
 < { The very HOBBINOL ! Ah ! cruel man ! 
 
 Wicked, ingrate ! And cou'd'ft thou then fo foon, 
 
 " So foon forget that pleafing fatal night, 
 
 When me beneath the flow'ry thorn furpriz'd, 
 
 " Thy artful wiles betray'd ? Was there a ftar, 
 
 " By which thoudidft not fwear ? Was there a curfe, 
 
 " A plague on earth, thou didft not then invoke 
 
 " On that devoted head j if e'er thy heart 
 
 " Prov'd haggard to my love, if e'er thy hand 
 
 " Declin'd the nuptial bond ? But, oh ! too well, 
 
 " Too well, alas ! my throbbing breaft perceiv'd 
 
 ' The black impending ftorm j the confcious moon 
 
 " Veil'd in a fable cloud her modeft face, 
 
 " And boding owls proclaim'd the dire event. 
 
 AntJ
 
 THE RURAL GAMES, Si 
 e And yet I love thee.- Oh ! cou'd'ft thou behold 
 ** That image dwelling in my heart ! But why ?^ 
 " Why wafte I here thefe unavailing tears ? 
 On this thy minion, on this tawdry thing, 
 *' On this gay vi&im, thus with garlands crown'd, 
 *' All, all my vengeance fall ! Ye lightnings blaft 
 " That face accurs'd, the fource of all my woe I 
 * e Arm, arm, ye furies ! arm ; all Hell break loofe F 
 " While thus 1 lead you to my juft revenge, 
 < And thus" Up ftarts th' aftonifh'd HOBBINOL 
 To fave his better half. " Fly, fly, he cries, 
 *' Fly, my dear life, the fiend's malicious rage." 
 Born on the wings of fear away fhe bounds, > 
 
 And in the neighb'ring village pants forlorn, 
 So the cours'd hare to the clofe covert flies, 
 Still trembling, tho' fecure. Poor HOBBINOI. 
 More grievous ills attend, around him prefs 
 A multitude, with huge HERCULEAN clubs, 
 Terrific band ! the royal mandate thefe 
 
 Infulting
 
 S 2 HOBBINOL, CANTO III, 
 
 Infulting fhew : arrefted, andamaz'd, 
 
 Half dead he ftands ; no friends dare interpofe, 
 
 But bow deje&ed to th' imperial fcroll. 
 
 Such is the force of law. While confcious fhamt 
 
 Sits heavy on his brow, they view the wretch 
 
 To RHADAMANTH'S auguft tribunal dragg'd. 
 
 Good RHADAMANTH ! to ev'ry wanton clown 1 
 
 Severe, indulgent to himfelf alone. 
 
 FINIS.