A POEM. 131 



Or should he within range, straight from you fly, 







You chance to bag him not, in pain he'll die 



Unseen ; for, struck upon the rump, 'twill take 



Much lead, and forcibly propell'd, to make 



Him bite the earth ; but when that haps, the prize 



All other game in beauty much outvies, 



And to the bag adds weight : but you will vex 



The honest Sportsman, if the other sex 



You do not spare ; unfortunately, they, 



If tried for, are by far an easier prey 



Than are their showy lords : thus those who ill 



Their weapon use, and fire at ALL, will kill 



Most of the former, and perhaps would fail 



E'en to bring down one solitary male. 



Thus folly has been often known to make 



Wanton destruction, merely for the sake 



Of idly boasting that so many brace 



He bagg'd hens nameless, when he states the case. 



Where Keepers watch by night, attend by day, 



See all their Master and his Friends may slay, 



