BOOK.] Chace, 261 



His footing fail, the watchful, angry beaft 

 Th* advantage fpies, and at one iidelong glance 

 Rips up his groin. Wounded, he rears alott. 

 And, plunging, from his back the rider hurls 

 Precipitant j then bleeding fpurns the ground. 

 And drags his reeking entrails o'er the plain. 

 Mean while the furly monfter trots along. 

 But with unequal fpeed j for ftill they wound. 

 Swift-wheeling in the fpacious ring. A wood 

 Of darts upon his back he bears ; adown 

 His tortur'd fides the crimfon torrents roll 

 From many a gaping font. And now at laft 

 Staggering he falls, in blood and foam expires. 



But whither roves my devious Mufe, intent 

 On antique tales, while yet the royal flag 

 Unfung remains ? Tread with refpeflful awe 

 Windfor*s green glades ; where Denham, tuneful bard, 

 Charm'd once the lift'ning Dryads with his fong 

 Sublimely fweet. O ! grant me, facred fhade. 

 To glean fubmifs what thy full fickle leaves. 



The morning fun, that gilds with trembling rays 

 Windfor's high tow'rs, beholds the courtly train 

 Mount for the chace, nor views in all his courfe 

 A fcene fo gay : heroic, noble youths. 

 In arts and arms renown'd, and lovely nymphs. 

 The faireft of this ifle, where beauty dwells 

 Delighted, and deferts her Paphian grove 

 For our more favour'd fhades : in proud parade 

 Thefe ihine magnificent, and prefs around 



S 3 The 



