THE IIOiXDS. 16; 



Alone to range the woods, or hunt the brakes 

 Where dodj^ing conies sport : his nerves unstrung, 

 And strength une(]ual, the laborious chase 

 Shall stint his growth, and his rash forward youth 

 Contract such vicious habits as thy care 

 And late correction never shall reclaim. 



Huntsman! lead on ; behind, the clust'ring pack 

 Subniiss attend, hear with respect thy whip 

 Loud clanging, and thy harsher voice obey. 

 Spare not the straggling cur that wildly roves, 

 But let thy brisk assistant on his back 

 Imprint thy just resentments ; let each lash 

 Bite to the quick, till Imwling he return, 

 And, whining, creep amid the trembling crowd. 



Oft lead them forth where wanton lambkins play. 

 And bleating dams with jealous eye observe 

 Their tender care. If at the crowding flock 

 He bay presumptuous, or with eager haste 

 Pursue them scatter'd o'er the verdant plain, 

 In the foul fact attach'd, to the strong ram 

 Tie fast the rash offender. See ! at first 

 His horn'd companion, fearful and amaz'd, 

 Shall drag him, trembling, o'er the rugged ground ; 

 Then, with his load fatigued, shall turn ahead. 

 And with his curl'd hard front incessant peal 

 The panting wretch, till, breathless and astunn'd. 

 Stretched on the turf he lie. Then spare not thou 

 The twining whip, but ply his bleeding sides 

 Lash after lash, and with thy threat'ning voice. 

 Harsh-echoing from the hills, inculcate loud 

 His vile offence. Sooner shall trembling doves, 

 Escap'd the hawk's sharp talons, in mid-air 

 Assail their dang'rous foe, than he once more 

 Disturb the peaceful flocks. 



When to full strength arriv'd, mature and bold. 

 Conduct them to the field ; not all at once. 

 But, as thy cooler prudence shall direct, 

 Select a few, and form them by degrees 

 To stricter discipline. With these comfort 

 The stanch and steady sages of thy pack, 

 By long experience vers'd in all the wiles 

 And subtle doublings of the various chase. 

 Early the lesson of the youthful train 

 When instinct prompts, and when example guides. 

 If the too forward younker at the head 

 Press boldly on, in wanton sportive mood. 

 Correct his haste, and let him feel, abash'd, 

 The ruling whip ; but if he stop behind 

 In wary modest guise, to his own nose 

 Confiding sure, give him full scope to work 



