The arch-felon* was of old, who by the tail With tender blossonis teeming, kindly spare Drew back his lowing prize : in vain his wiles, Thy sleeping pack, in their warm beds of straw In vain the shelter of the covering rock, Low-sinking at their ease ; listless they shrink In vain the sooty cloud, and ruddy Names Into some dark recess, nor hear thy voice That issued from his mouth; for soon he paid Though oft invok'd; or haply if thy call His forfeit life: a debt how justly due Rouse up the slumbering tribe, with heavy eyes To wrong'd Alcides, and avenging Heaven! Glaz'd, lifeless, dull, downward they drop their tails Veil'd in the shades of night they ford the stream, Inverted; high on their bent backs crect Then prowling far and near, whate'er they seize Their pointed bristles stare, or 'mong the tufts Becomes their prey : nor flocks nor herds are safe, Of ranker weeds, each stomach-healing plant Nor stalls protect the steer, nor strong-barr'd doors Curious they crop, sick, spiritless, forlorn. Secure the favorite horse. Soon as the morn These inauspicious days, on other cares Reveals his wrongs, with ghastly visage wan Employ thy precious hours; th' improving friend The plunder'd owner stands, and from his lips With open arms embrace, and from his lips A thousand thronging curses burst their way: Glean science, season'd with good-natur'd wit. He calls his stout allies, and in a line But if the inclement skies and angry Jove His faithful hound he leads, then with a voice Forbid the pleasing intercourse, thy books That utters loud his rage, attentive cheers : Invite thy ready hand, each sacred page Soon the sagacious brute, his curling tail Rich with the wise remarks of heroes old. Flourish'd in air, low bending plies around Converse familiar with th' illustrious dead; His busy nose, the steaming vapor snuils With great examples of old Grecce or Rome, Inquisitive, nor leaves one turf untried, Enlarge thy free-born heart, and bless kind Ileaven, Till, conscious of the recent stains, his heart That Britain yet enjoys dear Liberty, Beats quick; his snufiling nose, his active tail, That balm of life, that sweetest blessing, cheap Attest his joy ; then with deep opening mouth, Though purchas'd with our blood. Well-bred, That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims polite, Th' audacious felon; foot by foot he marks Credit thy calling. See! how mean, how low, His winding way, while all the listening crowd The bookless sauntering youth, proud of the skut Applaud his reasonings. O'er the watery ford, That dignifies his cap, his flourish'd belt, Dry sandy heaths, and stony barren hills, And rusty couples gingling by his side. O'er beaten paths, with men and beasts distain'd, Be thou of other mould ; and know that such Unerring he pursues; till at the cot Transporting pleasures were by Heaven ordain'd Arriv'd, and seizing by his guilty throat Wisdom's relief, and Virtue's great reward. Book II. Argument. ing to the change of the season, weather, or wind. Propell'd, the serous particles evade Description of the hare-hunting in all its parts, Through th' open pores, and with the ambient air interspersed with rules to be observed by thoso Entangling mix. As fuming vapors rise, who follow that chase. Transition to the Asiatic And hang upon the gently purling brook, way of hunting, particularly the magnisicent There by th' incumbent atmosphere compress'd: manner of the Great Mogul, and other Tartarian The panting Chase grows warmer as he flies, princes, taken from Monsieur Bernier, and the And through the net-work of the skin perspires; history of Gengiscan the Great. Concludes with Leaves a long-streaming trail behind, which by a short reproof of tyrants and oppressors of The cooler, air condens'd, remains, unless mankind. By some rude storm dispers'd, or rarefied By the meridian Sun's intenser heat. Nor will it less delight th' attentive sage To every shrub the warm effluvia cling, T' observe that Instinct, which unerring guides Hang on the grass, impregnate earth and skies. The brutal race, which mimics reason's lore, (swift With nostrils opening wide, o'er hill, o'er dale And ost transcends : Ileaven-taught, the roe-buck The vigorous hounds pursue, with every breath Loiters at case before the driving pack Inhale the grateful steam, quick pleasures sting And mocks their vain pursuit; nor far he flies, Their tingling nerves, while they their thanks repay, But checks his ardor, till the steaming scent And in triumphant melody confess That freshens on the blade provokes their rage. The titillating joy. Thus on the air Urg'd to their speed, his weak deluded foes Depend the hunter's hopes. When ruddy streaks Soon flag fatigued; strain'd to excess each nerve, At eve forebode a blustering stormy day, Fach slackend sinew fails; they pant, they foam; Or lowering clouds blacken the mountain's brow, Then o'er the lawn he bounds, o'er the ligh hills When nipping frosts, and the keen biting blasts Stretches secure, and leaves the seatter'd crowd of the dry parching cast, menace the trees To puzzle in the distant vale below. 'Tis Instinct that directs the jealous hare * Cacus, Virg. En lib. vii. To choose her soll abode. With step revers'd She forms the doubling maze ; then, ere the morn Thy early meal, or thy officious maids, As wandering shepherds on th' Arabian plains Th' important work. Me other joys invite, The horn sonorous calls, the pack awak'd Their moving camp, now, on some cooler hill Their matins chant, nor brook my long delay. With cedars crownd, court the refreshing breeze; My courser hears their voice ; see there, with ears And then, below, where trickling streams distil And tail erect, neighing he paws the ground; From some penurious source, their thirst allay, Fierce rapture kindles in his reddening eyes, And feed their fainting flocks: so the wise hares And boils in every vein. As captive boys Oft quit their seats, lest some more curious eye Cow'd by the ruling rod and haughty frowns Should mark their haunts, and by dark treacherous of pedagogues severe, from their hard tasks wiles If once dismiss'd, no limits can contain Plot their destruction; or perchance in hopes The tumult rais'd within their little breasts, Of plenteous forage, near the ranker mead, But give a loose to all their frolic play: Or matted blade, wary and close they sit. So from their kennel rush the joyous pack; When spring shines forth, season of love and joy, A thousand wanton gaieties express In the moist marsh, 'mong beds of rushes hid, Their inward ecstacy, their pleasing sport They cool their boiling blood. When summer suns Once more indulg'd, and liberty restor d. Bake the cleft earth, to thick wide-waving fields The rising Sun, that o'er th' horizon peeps, Of corn full-grown, they lead their helpless young: As many colors from their glossy skins But when autumnal torrents and fierce rains Beaming reflects, as paint the various bow Deluge the vale, in the dry crumbling bank When April showers descend. Delightful scene! Their forms they delve, and cautiously avoid Where all around is gay, men, horses, dogs, The dripping covert: yet when winter's cold And in each smiling countenance appears Their limbs benumbs, thither with speed return'd Fresh blooming health, and universal joy. In the long grass they skulk, or shrinking creep Huntsman, lead on! behind the clustering pack Among the wither'd leaves, thus changing still, Submiss attend, hear with respect thy whip As fancy prompts them, or as food invites. Loud-clanging, and thy harsher voice obey : But every season carefully observ'd, Spare not the straggling cur that wildly rores; Th'inconstant winds, the fickle element, But let thy brisk assistant on his back The wise experienc'd huntsman soon may find Imprint thy just resentments; let each lash His subtle, various game, nor waste in vain Bite to the quick, till howling he return, His tedious hours, till his impatient hounds, And whining creep amid the trembling crowd. With disappointment vex'd, each springing lark Here on this verdant spot, where Nature kind Babbling pursue, far scatter'd o'er the fields. With double blessings crowns the farmer's hopes; Now golden Autumn from her open lap Where flowers autumnal spring, and the rank mead Her fragrant bounties showers; the fields are shorn; Affords the wandering hares a rich repast; Inwardly smiling, the proud farmer views Throw off thy ready pack. See, where they spread, The rising pyramids that grace his yard, And range around, and dash the glittering dew. And counts his large increase ; his barns are stor'd, If some staunch hound, with his authentic voice, And groaning staddles bend beneath their load. Avow the recent trail, the justling tribe All now is free as air, and the gay pack Attend his call, then with one mutual cry In the rough bristly stubbles range unblam'd; The welcome news confirm, and echoing hills No widow's tears o'erflow, no secret curse Repeat the pleasing tale. See how they thread Swells in the farmer's breast, which his pale lips The brakes, and up yon surrow drive along! Trembling conceal, by his fierce landlord awd: But quick they back recoil, and wisely check But courteous now he levels every fence, Their eager haste; then o'er the fallow'd ground Joins in the common cry, and halloos loud, How leisurely they work, and many a pause Charrn'd with the rattling thunder of the field. Th' harmonious concert breaks ; till more assur'd Oh bear me, some kind power invisible! With joy redoubled the low valleys ring. To that extended lawn, where the gay court What artful labyrinths perplex their way! View the swift racers, stretching to the goal ; Ah! there she lies; how close! she pants, she doubts Games more renown'd, and a far nobler train, If now she lives; she trembles as she sits, Than proud Elean fields could boast of old. With horror seiz'd. The wither'd grass that clings Oh! were a Theban lyre not wanting here, Around her head, of the same russet hue, And Pindar's voice, to do their merit right! Almost deceiv'd my sight, had not her eyes Or to those spacious plains, where the strain'd eye, With life full-beaming her vain wiles betray'd. In the wide prospect lost, beholds at last At distance draw thy pack, let all be hush d, Sarum's proud spire, that o'er the hills ascends, No clamor loud, no frantic joy be heard, And pierces through the clouds. Or to thy downs, Lest the wild hound run gadding o'er the plain FairCotswold, where the well-breath'd beagle climbs Untractable, nor hear thy chiding voice. With matchless speed thy green aspiring brow, Now gently put her off; see how direct And leaves the lagging multitude behind. To her known mew she flies! Here, huntsman, bring Hail, gentle Dawn! mild blushing goddess, hail !|(But without hurry) all thy jolly hounds, Rejoic'd I see thy purple mantle spread And calmly lay them in. How low they stoop, O'er half the skies, gems pave thy radiant way, And seem to plow the ground! then all at once And orient pearls from every shrub depend. With greedy nostrils snuff the fuming steam Farowell, Cleora ; here deep sunk in down That glads their fluttering hearts. As winds let loose Slumber secure, with happy dreams amus'd, From the dark caverns of the blustering god, Till grateful steams shall tempt thee to receive They burst away, and sweep the dewy lawn. а Hope gives them wings while she's spurr'd on by And each clean courser's speed. We scour along, fear. In pleasing hurry and confusion tost; The welkin rings, men, dogs, hills, rocks, and woods Oblivion to be wish’d. The patient pack In the full concert join. Now, my brave youths, Hang on the scent unwearied, up they climb, Stripp'd for the chase, give all your souls to joy! And ardent we pursue ; our laboring steeds See how their coursers, than the mountain roe We press, we gore ; till once the summit gain'd, More fleet, the verdant carpet skim, thick clouds Painfully panting, there we breathe awhile; Snorting they breathe, their shining hoofs scarce Then, like a foaming torrent, pouring down print Precipitant, we smoke along the vale. The grass unbruis'd; with emulation fir'd Happy the man who with unrivall'd speed They strain to lead the field, top the barr'd gate, Can pass his fellows, and with pleasure view O'er the deep ditch exulting bound, and brush The struggling pack; how in the rapid course The thorny-twining hedge: the riders bend Alternate they preside, and jostling push O'er their arch'd necks; with steady hands, by turns To guide the dubious scent; how giddy youth Indulge their speed, or moderate their rage. Oft babbling errs, by wiser age reprov'd; Where are their sorrows, disappointments, wrongs, How, niggard of his strength, the wise old hound Vexations, sickness, cares? All, all are gone, Hangs in the rear, till some important point And with the panting winds lag far behind. Rouse all his diligence, or till the chase Huntsman! her gait observe; if in wide rings Sinking he finds: then to the head he springs She wheel her mazy way, in the same round With thirst of glory fir'd, and wins the prize. Persisting still, she'll foil the beaten track. Huntsman, take heed; they stop in full career. But if she fly, and with the favoring wind Yon crowding flocks, that at a distance gaze, Urge her bold course ; less intricate thy task: Have haply foil'd the turf. See! that old hound, Push on thy pack. Like some poor exil'd wretch, How busily he works, but dares not trust The frighted Chase leaves her late dear abodes, His doubtful sense ; draw yet a wider ring. O'er plains remote she stretches far away, Hark! now again the chorus fills. As bells Ah! never to return! For greedy Death Sallied awhile, at once their peal renew, Hovering exults, secure to seize his prey. And high in air the tuneful thunder rolls. Hark! from yon covert, where those towering oaks See, how they toss, with animated rage Above the humble copse aspiring rise, Recovering all they lost !—That eager haste What glorious triumphs burst in every gale Some doubling wile foreshows.--Ah! yet once more Upon our ravish'd ears! The hunters shout, They're check’d,-hold back with speed-on either The clanging horns swell their sweet-winding notes, hand The pack wide opening load the trembling air They flourish round—ev'n yet persist—'Tis right, With various melody; from tree to tree Away they spring ; the rustling stubbles bend The propagated cry redoubling bounds, Beneath the driving storm. Now the poor Chase And winged zephyrs wast the floating joy Begins to flag, to her last shists reduc'd. Through all the regions near: afflictive birch From brake to brake she flies, and visits all No more the school-boy dreads; his prison broke, Her well-known haunts, where once she rang'd Scampering he flies, nor heeds his master's call; secure, The weary traveller forgets his road, With love and plenty blest. See! there she goes, And climbs th' adjacent hill; the plowman leaves She reels along, and by her gait betrays Th'unfinish'd furrow; nor his bleating flocks Her inward weakness. See, how black she looks! Are now the shepherd's joy! men, boys, and girls The sweat, that clogs th'obstructed pores, scarce Desert th' unpeopled village; and wild crowds leaves How quick she turns! their gaping jaws eludes, Maze within maze. The covert's utmost bound And yet a moment lives; till, round inclos'd Slily she skirts ; behind them cautious creeps ; By all the greedy pack, with infant screams And in that very track, so lately stain'd She yields her breath, and there reluctant dies. By all the steaming crowd, seems to pursue So when the furious Bacchanals assail'd The foe she flies. Let cavillers deny Throïcian Orpheus, poor ill-fated bard ! That brutes have reason ; sure 'tis something more, Loud was the cry; hills, woods, and Hebrus' banks, "Tis Heaven directs, and stratagems inspires Return'd their clamorous rage ; distress'd he flies, Beyond the short extent of human thought. Shifting from place to place, but flies in vain; But hold—I see her from the covert break; For eager they pursue, till panting, faint, Sad on yon little eminence she sits; By noisy multitudes o’erpower'd, he sinks Intent she listens with one car erect, To the relentless crowd a bleeding prey. Pondering, and doubtful what new course to take, The huntsman now, a deep incision made, And how t'escape the fierce blood-thirsty crew, Shakes out with hands impure, and dashes down That still urge on, and still in volleys loud Her reeking entrails and yet quivering heart. Insult her woes, and mock her sore distress. These claim the pack, the bloody perquisite As now in louder peals the loaded winds For all their toils. Stretch'd on the ground she lies Bring on the gathering storm, her fears prevail, A mangled corse ; in her dim glaring eyes And o'er the plain, and o'er the mountain's ridge, Cold Death exults, and stiffens every limb. Away she flies ; nor ships with wind and tide, Aw'd by the threatening whip, the furious hounds And all their canvas wings, scud half so fast. Around her bay; or at their master's foot, Once more, ye jovial train, your courage try, Each happy favorite courts his kind applause. With humble adulation cowering low. In compass round; woods, rivers, hills, and plains, All now is joy. With cheeks full-blown they wind Large provinces; enough to gratify Her solemn dirge, while the loud-opening pack Ambition's highest aim, could reason bound The concert swell, and hills and dales return Man's erring will. Now sit in close divan The sadly-pleasing sounds. Thus the poor hare, The mighty chiefs of this prodigious host. A puny, dastard animal, but vers'd He from the throne high-eminent presides, In subile wiles, diverts the youthful train. Gives out his mandates proud, laws of the chase. But if thy proud, aspiring soul disdains From ancient records drawn. With reverence low, So mean a prey, delighted with the pomp, And prostrate at his feet, the chiefs receive Magnificence, and grandeur of the chase ; His irreversible decrees, from which Hear what the Muse from faithful records sings. To vary is to die. Then his brave bands Why on the banks of Gemna, Indian stream, Each to his station leads; encamping round, Line within line, rise the pavilions proud, Till the wide circle is completely form’d Their silken streamers waving in the wind ? Where decent order reigns, what these command, Why neighs the warrior horse? From tent to tent, Those execute with speed, and punctual care, Why press in crowds the buzzing multitude ? In all the strictest discipline of war: Why shines the polish'd helm, and pointed lance, As if some watchful foe, with bold insult, This way and that far-beaming o'er the plain? Hung lowering o'er their camp. The high resolve, Nor Visa pour nor Golconda rebel ; That flies on wings through all th' encireling line, Nor the great Sophy, with his numerous host, Each motion steers, and animates the whole. Lays waste the provinces; nor glory fires So by the Sun's attractive power controllid, To rob and to destroy, beneath the name The planets in their spheres roll round his orb: And specious guise of war. A nobler cause On all he shines, and rules the great machine. Calls Aurengzebe to arms. No cities sack'd, Ere yet the morn dispels the fleeting mists, No mother's tears, no helpless orphan's cries, The signal given by the loud trumpet's voice, No violated leagues, with sharp remorse Now high in air th' imperial standard waves, Shall sting the conscious victor: but mankind Emblazon'd rich with gold, and glittering gems, Shall hail him good and just. For 'tis on beasts And like a sheet of fire, through the dun gloom He draws his vengeful sword! on beasts of prey Streaming meteorous. The soldiers' shouls, Full-fed with human gore. See, see, he comes! And all the brazen instruments of war, Imperial Delhi, opening wide her gates, With mutual clamor, and united din, Pours out her thronging legions, bright in arms, Fill the large concave. While from camp to camp And all the pomp of war. Before them sound They catch the varied sounds, floating in air, Clarions and trumpets, breathing martial airs, Round all the wide circumference, ugers fell And bold defiance. High upon his throne, Shrink at the noise, deep in his gloomy den Borne on the back of his proud elephant, The lion starts, and morsels yet unchewd Sits the great chief of Tamur's glorious race: Drop from his trembling jaws. Now all at once Sublime he sits, amid the radiant blaze Onward they march embattled, to the sound Of gems and gold. Omrahs about him crowd, Of martial harmony; fifes, cornets, drums, And rein th' Arabian steed, and watch his nod: That rouse the sleepy soul to arms, and bold And potent rajahs, who themselves preside Heroic deeds. In parties here and there O'er realms of wide extent; but here submiss Detach'd o'er hill and dale, the hunters range Their homage pay, alternate kings and slaves. Inquisitive ; strong dogs, that match in fight Next these, with prying eunuchs girt around, The boldest brute, around their masters wait, The fair sultanas of his court: a troop A faithful guard. No haunt ünsearchi’d, they drive Of chosen beauties, but with care conceal'd From every covert, and from every den, From each intrusive eye; one look is death. The lurking savagus. Incessani shcuts Ah, cruel eastern law! (had kings a power Pe-echo through the woods, and kindling fires But equal to their wild tyrannic will) Gleam from the mountain tops; the forest seems To rob us of the Sun's all-cheering ray, One mingling blaze : like flocks of sheep they fly Were less severe. The vulgar close the march, Before the flaming brand : fierce lions, pards, Slaves and artificers; and Delhi mourns Boars, tigers, bears and wolves; a dreadful crew Her empty and depopulated streets. Of grim blood-thirsty foes; growling along, Now at the camp arriv'd, with stern review, They stalk indignant; but fierce vengeance still Through groves of spears, from file to file he darts Hangs pealing on their rear, and pointed spears Ilis sharp experienc'd eye; their order marks, Present immediate death. Soon as the Night Each in his station rang'd, exact and firm, Wrapt in her sable veil forbids the chase, Till in the boundless line his sight is lost. They pitch their tents, in even ranks, around Not greater multitudes in arms appear'd The circling camp. The guards are plac'd, and fires On these extended plains, when Ainmon's son At proper distances ascending rise, With mighty Porus in dread battle join'd, And paint th' horizon with their ruddy light. The vassal world the prize. Nor was that host So round some island's shore of large extent, More numerous of old, which the great king* Amid the gloomy horrors of the night, Pour'd out on Greece from all th' un peopled East, The billows breaking on the pointed rocks, That bridg'd the Hellespont from shore to shore, Secm all one flame, and the bright circuit wide And drank the rivers dry. Meanwhile in troops Appears a bulwark of surrounding fire. The busy hunter-train mark out the ground, What dreadful howlings, and what hideous nar. A wide circumference, full many a league Disturb those peaceful shades! where erst the bird That glads the night had cheer'd the listening groves * Xerxes. With sweet complainings. Through the silent gloon Oft they the guards assail; as oft repellid A strange promiscuous carnage, drench'd in blood, They fly reluctant, with hot boiling rage And heaps on heaps amass'd. What yet remain Stung to the quick, and mad with wild despair. Alive, with vain assault contend to break Thus day by day they still the chase renew, Th’impenetrable line. Others, whom fear Al night encamp; till now in straiter bounds Inspires with self-preserving wiles, beneath The circle lessens, and the beasts perceive The bodies of the slain for shelter creep. The wall that hems them in on every side. Aghast they fly, or hide their heads dispers'd. And now their fury bursts, and knows no mean; And now perchance (had Heaven but pleas'd) the From man they turn, and point their ill-judg'd rage work Against their fellow-brutes. With teeth and claws of death had been complete; and Aurengzebe The civil war begins; grappling they tear. By one dread frown extinguish'd half their race. Lions on tigers prey, and bears on wolves : When lo! the bright sultanas of bis court Horrible discord! till the crowd behind Appear, and to his ravish'd eyes display Leave a large void for their retreating foes. Ye proud oppressors, whose vain hearts exult Than ancient Rome could boast, they crowd in heaps, In wantonness of power 'gainst the brute race, Dismay'd, and quite appall’d. In meet array, Fierce robbers like yourselves, a guiltless war Sheath'd in refulgent arms, a noble band Wage uncontrolld: here quench your thirst of Advance ; great lords of high imperial blood, blood : Early resolv'd t' assert their royal race, But learn from Aurengzebe to spare mankind. BOOK III. Argument. Of king Edgar, and his imposing a tribute of wolves' Panting behind. On foot their faithful slaves heads upon the kings of Wales : from hence a With javelins arm'd attend; each watchful eyo transition to fox-hunting, which is described in Fird on his youthful care, for him alone all its parts. Censure of an over-numerous pack. He fears, and, to redeem his life, unmov'd of the several engines to destroy foxes, and Would lose his own. The mighty Aurengzebe, other wild beasts. The steel-trap described, and From his high-elevated throne, beholds the manner of using it. Description of the pitHis blooming race; revolving in his mind fall for the lion ; and another for the elephant. What once he was, in his gay spring of life, The ancient way of hunting the tiger with a When vigor strung his nerves. Parental joy mirror. The Arabian manner of hunting tho Melts in his eye, and flushes in his cheek. wild boar. Description of the royal stag-chase Now the loud trumpet sounds a charge. The shouts at Windsor Forest. Concludes with an address Of eager hosts, through all the circling line, to his Majesty, and an eulogy upon mercy. And the wild howlings of the beasts within, Rend wide the welkin ; flights of arrows, wing'd IN Albion's isle, when glorious Edgar reign'd, With death, and javelins lanch'd from every arm, He, wisely provident, from her white cliffs Gall sore the brutal band, with many a wound Launch'd half her forests, and with numerous fleets Gor'd through and through. Despair at last prevails, Cover'd his wide domain: there proudly rode When fainting Nature shrinks, and rouses all Lord of the deep, the great prerogative Their drooping courage. Swell’d with furious rage, Of British monarchs. Each invader bold, Their eyes dart fire; and on the youthful band Dane and Norwegian, at a distance gaz'd, They rush implacable. They their broad shields And, disappointed, gnash'd his teeth in vain. Quick interpose; on each devoted head He scour'd the seas, and to remotest shores Their flaming falchions, as the bolts of Jove, With swelling sails the trembling corsair fled. Descend unerring. Prostrate on the ground Rich commerce flourish'd ; and with busy oors The grinning monsters lic, and their foul gore Dash'd the resounding surge. Nor less at land Defiles the verdant plain. Nor idle stand His royal cares; wise, potent, gracious prince! The trusty slaves; with pointed spears they pierce His subjects from their cruel foes he sav'd, Through their tough hides; or at their gaping mouths And from rapacious savages their flocks : |
