( 2 79 ) 



forefter, and the huntfman. The melancholy 

 Jaques is introduced by the poet repofing on 

 the ground. 



u ' As he lay 



Beneath an oak, whofe antique root projects 

 Above the brook, that brawls along the wood j 

 To the fame place a poor fequeftered ftag, 

 That from the hunter's aim had ta'en a hurt, 



Did come to languifh 



The wretched animal heaved forth fuch groans, 

 That their difcharge did ftretch his leathern coat; 

 Almoft to burfting ; and the big round drops 

 Courfed one another down his patient face. 



Anon a carelefs herd. 



Full of rich pafture, bounding comes along, 



And never flays to greet him. Aye, quoth Jaques, 



Sweep on, ye fat and greafy citizens ; 



'Tis juft the fafhion : wherefore look ye not 



Upon that poor, and broken bankrupt there. 



The hind alfo, in defence of her calf, is 

 equally formidable ; as far as her flrength 

 allows, and her powers of exerting it. She 

 has been known to ftrike a dog fo violently 

 with the fpring of her fore-feet, which are 

 her weapons of offence, as to ftrip his fkin from 

 his flefti, and lay his fide bare, 



As it is now many years fince New-foreft 

 has been a fcene of royal-diverfion, the breed 

 of flags is generally diminifhed. It is a rare 



T 4 thing 



