ANALYSIS OF BOOK SECOND. 



Jl HE origin of hunting ascribed to the Centaurs ; — but among ar- 

 ticulate-speaking men, Perseus, assisted by his winged steed, was 

 the first who led to the chace of the wild goat and the stag. Castor 

 taught men to hunt on horseback, and to strike wild beasts with 

 the javelin in their full career. Pollux employed the assistance of 

 dogs, and Hippolytus shewed the use of nets and toils. Meleager 

 excelled in the standing conflict with wild beasts ; Atalanta pur- 

 sued them with arrows, and Orion took them in nocturnal snares. 



The eulogy on hunting is written in the spirit of one who had a 

 deep sense of its pleasures. 



Such strenuous chiefs, of old, the race pursued. 

 Whom numbers followed, by its love subdued ; 

 For who but once the glorious sport has tried. 

 In chains unbroken is for ever tied. 

 How sweet the hunter's sleep on vernal flowers ! 

 How cool his rest in Summer's sunless bowers ! 

 How joyed, 'mid rocks, the short repast he shares. 

 Or plucks the fruit mellifluous Autumn bears ! 

 His thirst in streamlets from the cave he cools. 

 Or bathes his wearied limbs in standing pools. 

 And in the woods the shepherds' off''ring hails, 

 Their loaded baskets and their flowing pails. 



