OTTER-HUXTING 



What clamour loud I What gay, heart-cheering sounds 



Urge through the breathing brass their mazy way ! 



Not choirs of Tritons glad with sprightlier strains 



The dancing billows, when proud Neptune rides 



In triumph o''er the deep. How greedily 



They snuff the fishy steam, tiiat to each blade 



Rank-scenting clings ! See ! how the morning dews 



They sweep, that from their feet besprinkling drop 



Dispersed, and leave a track oblic[ue behind. 



Now on firm land they range; then in the fiood 



They plunge tumultuous ; or thro' reedy pools 



Hustling they work their way : no holt escapes 



Their curious search. ^Vith quick sensation now 



The foaming vapour stings; flutter their hearts, 



And joy redoubled bursts from ev'ry mouth, 



In laden symphonies. Yon hollow trunk, 



That, with its hoary head incurv'd, salutes 



The passing wave, must be the tyrant's fort. 



And dread abode. How these impatient climb, 



While others at the root incessant bay : 



They put him down. See, there he dives along ! 



Th' ascending bubbles mark his gloomy way. 



Quick fix the nets, and cut off his retreat 



Into the sheltering deeps. Ah, there he vents ! 



The pack plunge headlong, and protruded spears 



Menace destruction ; while the troubled suree 



Indignant foams, and all the scaly kind 



Affrighted hide their heads. Wild tumult reigns, 



And loud uproar. Ah, there once more he vents ! 



See, that bold hound has seized him ; down they sink, 



Together lost : but soon shall he repent 



His rash assault. See, there escap'd he flies, 



Half-drown"d, and clambers up the slipp'ry bank 



With ooze and blood distain"d. Of all the brutes, 



Whether by nature form'd or by long use, 



This artful diver best can bear the want 



Of vital air. Unequal is the fight 



Beneath the whelming element. Yet there 



He lives not long ; but respiration needs 



At proper intervals. Again he vents ; 



61 



