BOOK.] Chace, 275 



Expofe the dwindling refufe, nor o'crload 

 Th' indulgent mother. If thy heart relent. 

 Unwilling to deftroy, a nurfe provide, 

 And to the fofter-parent give the care 

 Of thy fuperfluous brood ; Ihe'U cherifh kind 

 The alien offspring ; pleas'd thou (halt behold 

 Her tendernefs and hofpitable love. 



If frolic now and playful they defert 

 Their gloomy cell, and on the verdant turf. 

 With nerves improv'd, purfue the mimic chace, 

 Courfing around ; unto thy choiceft friends 

 Commit thy valuM prize ; the ruftic dames 

 Shall at thy kennel wait, and in their laps 

 Receive thy growing hopes, with many a kifs 

 Carefs, and dignify their little charge 

 With feme great title, and refounding name 

 Of high import. But cautious here obferve 

 To check their youthful ardour, nor permit 

 The unexperienc'd younker, immature. 

 Alone to range the woods, or haunt the brakes 

 Where dodging conies fport : his nerves unftrung^ 

 And ftrength unequal, the laborious chace 

 Shall flint his growth, and his rafh, forward youth 

 Contract fuch vicious habits, as thy care 

 And late correction never fhall reclaim. 



When to full ftrength arrived, mature and bold. 

 Conduct them to the field ; not all at once, 

 But, as thy cooler prudence Ihall dired:. 

 Select a few, and form them by degrees 



T 2 To 



