112 NATURAL HISTORY 



a dove haunting the cavern of a rock in such engaging num- 

 bers, that I cannot refrain from quoting the passage: and 

 John Dryden has rendered it so happily in our language, that 

 without farther excuse I shall add his translation also. 



" Qualis spelunca subito commota Columba, 

 " Oui domus, et dulces latebroso in pumice nidi, 

 " Fertur in arva volans, plausumque exterrita pennis 

 "Dat tecto ingentem mox aere lapsa quieto, 

 u Radit iter liquiduni, celeres neque commovet alas." 



" As when a dove her rocky hold forsakes, 

 " Rous'd, in a fright her sounding wings she shakes ; 

 " The cavern rings with clattering : out she flies, 

 "And leaves her callow care, and cleaves the skies: 

 " At first she flutters : but at length she springs 

 *' To smoother flight, and shoots upon her wings." 



I am, &c. 



