zBz Somervile's [rouRTii 



Sing, philofophic Mufe, the dire effeds 

 or this contagious bite on haplefs man. 

 The ruftic fwains, by long tradition taught 

 Of leeches old, as foon as they perceive 

 The bite imprefsM, to the fea-coafts repair. 

 Plung'd in the briny flood, th' unhappy youth 

 Now journeys home fecure ; but foon Ihall wiih 

 The Teas as yet had cover 'd him beneath 

 The foaming furge, full many a fathom deep. 

 A fate more difmal, and fuperior ills. 

 Hang o'er his head devoted. When the moon, 

 Clofing her monthly round, returns again 

 To glad the night; or when full-orb'd fhe fhines 

 High in the vault of heav'n ; the lurking pefl 

 Begins the dire aflault, Thepois'nous foam. 

 Thro' the deep wound inftill'd with hollile rage. 

 And all its fiery particles faline. 

 Invades th' arterial fluid, whofe red waves 

 Tempeftuous heave, and, their coheflon broke. 

 Fermenting boil ; inteftine war enfues. 

 And order to confufion turns embroird. 

 Now the diftended veffels fcarce contain 

 The v;ild uproar, but prefs each weaker part. 

 Unable to refift, the tender brain. 

 And ilomach, fuffer moft ; convulfions fliake 

 His trembling nerves, and wandering pungent pains 

 Pinch fore the fleeplefs wretch ; his flutt'ring pulfe 

 Oft intermits ; penfive and fad he mourns 

 His cruel fate, and to his weeping friends 

 Laments in vain i to hafty anger proncj 



Refents 



