2^4 ^omervils's [third 



Broke from the copfe, without a rival led 

 The num'rous train : now a fad fpedtade 

 Of pride brought low, and humbled infolence. 

 Drove like a pannier'd afs, and fcourgM along ! 

 While thefe with loofen'd reins, and dangling heels. 

 Hang on their reeling palfreys, that fcarce bear 

 Their weights ; another in the treacherous bog 

 Liesflound'ringhalf ingulph'd. What biting thoughts 

 Torment th'abandon'd crew ! Old age laments 

 His vigour fpent : the tall, plump, brawny youth 

 Curfes his cumb'rous bulk, and envies now 

 The Ihort pygmean race, he whilom kenn'd 

 With proud infuking leer. A chofen few 

 Alone the fport enjoy, nor droop beneath 

 Their pleafing toils. Here, huntfman, from this height 

 Obferve yon birds of prey ; if I can judge, 

 'Tis there the villain lurks ; they hover round 

 And claim him as their own. Was I not right ? 

 See ! there he creeps along ; his brufh he drags. 

 And fweeps the mire impure ; from his wide jaws 

 His tongue unmoiften'd hangs ; fymptoms too fure 

 Of fudden death. Hah ! yet he flies, nor yields 

 To black defpair. But one loofe more, and all 

 His wiles are vain. Hark ! thro' yon village now 

 The rattling clamour rings. The barns, the cotj, 

 And leaflefs elms, return the joyous founds. 

 Thro' ev'ry homeftall, and thro' ev*ry yard. 

 His midnight walks, panting, forlorn, he flies 5 

 Thro* ev'ry hole he fneaks, thro* ev'ry jakes 



Plunging 



