226 Somervile's [first 



Of Tweed, flow-winding thro' the vale, the feat 



Of war and rapine once, ere Britons knew 



The fweets of peace, or Anna's dread commands 



To lafting leagues the haughty rivals aw'd. 



There dwelt a pilPring race ; welltrain'd and ikill'd 



In all the myfteries of theft, the fpoil 



Their only fubflance, feuds and war their fport: 



Not more expert in ev'ry fraudful art 



Th' arch * felon was of old, who by the tail 



Drew back his lowing prize : in vain his wiles. 



In vain the flicker of the cov'ring rock, 



In vain the footy cloud, and ruddy flames 



That illu'd from his mouth ; for foon he paid 



His forfeit life : a debt how juftly due 



To wrong'd Alcides, and avenging Heav'n ! 



Veil'd in the fliades of night, they ford the ftream. 



Then prowling far and near, whate'er they feize 



Becomes their prey ; nor flocks nor herds are fafe. 



Nor flails proted: the fleer, nor flrongbarr'd doors 



Secure the fav'rite horfe. Soon as the morn 



Keveals his wrongs, with ghaftly vifage wan 



The plundered owner flands, and from his lips 



A thoufand thronging curfes burft their way : 



He calls his flout allies, and in a line 



His faithful hound he leads, then with a voice 



That utters loud his rage, attentive chears: 



Soon the fagacious brute, his curling tail 



* Cacus, Virg. /Er\, lib. viii. 



Flourifli'd 



