( 279 ) 



forefter, and the huntfman. The melancholy 

 Jaques is introduced by the poet repofing on 

 the ground. 



— As he lay 



Beneath an oak, whofe antique root projefts 

 Above the brook, that brawls along the wood ; 

 To the fame place a poor fequeftered ftag, 

 That from the hunter's aim had ta'en a hurt, 



Did come to languifli '■ ' 



The wretched animal heaved forth fuch groans, 

 That their difcharge did ftretch his leathern coat 

 Almoft to burfting ; and the big round drops 

 Courfed one another down his patient face. 



— — _— Anon a carelefs herd, 



Full of rich pafture, bounding comes along, 



And never flays to greet him. Aye, quoth Jaques, 



Sweep on, ye fat and greafy citizens ; 



'Tis juft the falhion : wherefore look ye not 



Upon that poor, and broken bankrupt there. 



The hind alfo, in defence of her calf, is 

 equally formidable ; as far as her ftrength 

 allows, and her powers of exerting it. She 

 has been known to ftrike a dog fo violently 

 with the fpring of her fore-feet, which are 

 her weapons of offence, as to ftrip his ikin from 

 his flefh, and lay his fide bare. 



As it is now many years fince New-foreft 



has been a fcene of royal-diverlion, the breed 



of flags is generally diminifhed. It is a rare 



T 4 thing 



