His utmost speed, and stretches ev'ry nerve. 

 How quick she turns ! their gaping jaws eludes, 

 And yet a moment lives ; till round inclosed 

 By all the greedy pack, with infant screams 

 She yields her breath, and there reluctant dies. 



Ere yet the morning peep 

 Or stars retire from the first blush of day, 

 With thy far-echoing voice alarm thy pack, 

 And rouse thy bold compeers. Then to the copse, 

 Thick with entangling grass, or prickly furze, 

 With silence lean thy many coloured hounds, 

 In all their beauty's pride. See ! how they range 

 Dispers'd, how busily this way and that 

 They cross, examining with curious nose 

 Each likely haunt. Hark ! on the drag I hear 

 Their doubtful notes, preluding to a cry 

 More nobly full, and swell'd with ev'ry mouth. 

 As straggling armies at the trumpet's voice, 

 Press to their standard ; hither all repair, 

 And hurry thro' the woods ; with hasty step 

 Rustling, and full of hope ; now driv'n on heaps 

 They push, they strive ; while from his kennel sneaks 

 The conscious villain. See ! he skulks along, 

 Sleek at the shepherd's cost, and plump with meals 

 I'urloin'd. So thrive the wicked here below. 

 Tho' high his brush he bears, tho' tipt with white 

 It gaily shine ; yet ere the sun declin'd 

 Recall the shades of night, the pamper'd rogue 



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