BOOK.] Chdce. i^^ 



Plunging he wades befmeared, and fondly hopes 

 In a fuperior flench to lofe his own : 

 But faithful to the track, th* unerring hounds 

 With peals of echoing vengeance clofe purfue. 

 And now diftrefs'd, no Ihelt'ring covert near. 

 Into the hen-rooft creeps, whofe walls with gore 

 Diftain'd atteft his guilt. There, villain, there 

 Exped: thy fate deferv'd. And foon from thence 

 The pack inquilitive, with clamour loud, 

 Drag out their trembling prize, and on his blood 

 With greedy tranfport feaft. In bolder notes 

 Each founding horn proclaims the felon dead. 

 And all th'affembled village Ihouts for joy. 

 The farmer, who beholds his mortal foe 

 Stretch'd at his feet, applauds the glorious deed. 

 And grateful calls us to a fhort repaft : 

 In the full glafs the liquid amber fmiles, 

 Our native produdt. And his good old mate 

 With choiceft viands heaps the lib'ral board. 

 To crown our triumphs, and reward our toils. 



Here muft th' inftrudive Mufe (but with refpe<fl) 

 Cenfure that numerous pack, that crowd of flate. 

 With which the vain profufion of the great 

 Covers the lawn, and (hakes the trembling copfc. 

 Pompous incumbrance ! A magnificence 

 Ufelefs, vexatious ! For the wily fox. 

 Safe in th' increafing number of his foes. 

 Kens well the great advantage ; llinks behind 

 And flily creeps thro' the fame beaten track. 



And 



