,5184 Somervile'i [fourth 



Pvock'd by the reftlcfs brook, that draws aflope 

 Its humid train, and laves their dark abodes. 

 Where rages not oppreffion ? Where, alas ! 

 Is innocence fecure ? Rapine and fpoil 

 Haunt ev'n the loweft deeps •, feas have their Iharks; 

 Hivers and ponds inclos'd, the rav'nous pike 5 

 He in his turn becomes a prey, on him 

 Th' amphibious otter feafts. Juft is his fate 

 Deferv'd: but tyrants know no bounds; nor fpears 

 That brittle on his back, defend the perch 

 From his wide greedy jaws; nor burnifh'd mail 

 The yellow carp; nor all his arts can fave 

 Th' infinuating eel, that hides his head 

 Beneath the flimy mud j nor yet efcapes 

 Thecrimfon-fpotted trout, the river's pride. 

 And beauty of the ftream. Without remorfe. 

 This midnight pillager ranging around, 

 Infatiate fwallows all. The owner mourns 

 Th' unpeopled rivulet, and gladly hears 

 The huntfman's early call, and fees with joy 

 The jovial crew, that march upon its banks 

 In gay parade, with bearded lances arm'd. 



This fubtle fpoiler of the beaver kind. 

 Far off perhaps, where ancient alders fliade 

 The deep ftill pool, within fome hollow trunk 

 Contrives his wicker couch ; whence he furveys 

 His long purlieu, lord of the flream, and all 

 The finny Ihoals his own. But you, brave youths, 

 Dilpute the felon's claim ; try ev'ry root, 



And 



