BOOK.] Chace, 217 



So mimick art works leifurely, till time 

 Improve the piece, or wife experience give 

 The proper finiihing. When Nimrod bold. 

 That mighty hunter, firft made war on beafts. 

 And ftain'd the wood-land green with purple dye. 

 New, and unpolifh'd was the huntfman's art ; 

 No dated rule, his wanton will his guide. 

 With clubs and (lones, rude Implements of war, 

 He arm'd his favage bands, a multitude 

 Untrain'd ; of twining ofiers form'd, they pitch 

 Their artlefs toils, then range the defert hills. 

 And fcow*r the plains below : the trembling herd 

 Start at th' unufual found, and clam'rous fhout 

 Unheard before ; furpriz'd, alas ! to find 

 Man now their foe, whom erft they deem'd their lord. 

 But mild, and gentle, and by whom as vet 

 Secure they graz*d. Death ftretches o'er the plain 

 Wide-rwafting, and grim {laughter red with blood : 

 Urg'd on by hunger keen, they wound, they kill. 

 Their rage licentious knows no bound ; at Jaft 

 Incumber'd with their fpoils, joyful they bear 

 Upon their fhoulders broad the bleeding prey. 

 Part on their altars' fmokes a facrifice 

 To that all-gracious Pow'r, whofe bounteous hand 

 Supports his wide Creation ; what remains 

 On living coals they broil, inelegant 

 Of tafte, nor fkill'd as yet in nicer arts 

 Of pamper'd luxury. Devotion pure. 

 And flrong neceffity, thus firft began 



The 



