In gay parade, with bearded lances arm'd. 



Huntsman, bring 

 Thy eager pack, and trail him to his couch. 

 Hark ! the loud peal begins, the clam'rous joy, 

 The gallant chiding, loads the trembling air. 



■ • • ■ 



How greedily 

 They snuff the fishy steam, that to each blade 

 Rank-scenting clings ! See ! how the morning dews 

 They sweep, that from their feet besprinkling drop 

 Dispers'd, and leave a track oblique behind. 

 Xow on firm land they range ; then in the flood 

 They plunge tumultuous ; or thro' reedy pools 

 Rustling they work their way : no holt escapes 

 Their curious search. With quick sensation now 

 The fuming vapour stings ; flutter their hearts, 

 And joy redoubled bursts from ev'ry mouth 

 In louder symphonies. Yon hollow trunk, 

 That with its hoary head incurv'd salutes 

 The passing wave ; must be the tyrant's fort, 

 And dread abode. How these impatient climb, 

 While others at the root incessant bay : 

 They put him down. See, there he dives along ! 

 Th' ascending bubbles mark his gloomy way. 

 Quick fix the nets, and cut off his retreat 

 Into the shelt'ring deeps. Ah, there he vents ! 

 The pack lunge headlong, and protended spears 

 Menace destruction : while the troubled surge 



55 



