VIII. 

 BEASTS OF CHASE, 



" The chase, the sport of kings, image of war without its 

 guilt," is Somerville's definition; and he tells us that "devo- 

 tion, pure and strong necessity, first began the chase of 

 beasts." Thus pious in conception, and innocent in pro- 

 cess, " sport " should have no need of apology. 



But let us hear the other side, and by preference — as 

 more nearly corresponding to Somerville in extremity of 

 prejudice — Thomson : 



"In the gleaming mom 

 The beasts of prey retire, that all night long, 

 Urged by necessity had ranged the dark, 

 As if their conscious ravages shunned the light, 

 Ashamed. Not so the steady tyrant man, 

 Who, with the thoughtless insolence of power 

 Inflamed beyond the most infuriate wrath 

 Of the worst monster that e'er roamed the waste, 

 For sport alone pursues the cruel chase 

 Amid the beamings of the gentle day. 

 Upbraid, ye ravening tribes, our wanton rage. 

 For hunger kindles you, and lawless want ; 

 But lavish fed, in Nature's bounty rolled, 

 To joy at anguish, and delight in blood, 

 Is what your horrid bosoms never knew." 



Nor is Cowper less pronounced in his aversion to the 

 hard exercise of hunting. 



