The Poetry of Hunting 141 



His body showing state, with unbent knees upright, 

 Expressing (from all beasts) his courage in his flight. 

 But when th' approaching foes still following he 



perceives, 

 That he his speed must trust, his usual walk he 



leaves ; 

 And o'er the champain flies : which when th' 



assembly find. 

 Each follows, as his horse were footed with the 



wind. 

 But being then imbost, the noble stately deer 

 When he hath gotten ground (the kennel cast arere) 

 Doth beat the brooks and ponds for sweet refreshing 



soil : 

 That serving not, then proves if he his scent can 



foil. 

 And makes among the herds and flocks of shag- 



wooU'd sheep. 

 Them frighting from the guard of those who had 



their keep. 

 But when as all his shifts his safety still denies. 

 Put quite out of his walk, the ways and fallows 



tries. 

 Whom when the plow-man meets, his team he 



letteth stand 

 T' assail him with his goad : so with his hook 



in hand, 

 The shepherd him pursues, and to his dog doth 



hollow : 

 When, with tempestuous speed, the hounds and 



huntsmen follow ; 

 Until the noble deer through toil bereav'd of 



strength, 

 His long and sinewy legs then failing him at length, 

 The villages attempts, enrag'd, not giving way 

 To anything he meets now at his sad decay. 



