62 THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING, 



out, (or perhaps it may be better done after they 

 have been out Ibme time) it may prevent their 

 being llolen. 



When young hounds are firft taken in, they 

 fhoald be kept feparate from the pack ; and as it 

 will happen at a time of the year, when there is 

 little or no hunting, you may ealily give them 

 tip one of the kennels and grafs-court adjoining. 

 Their play ends frequently in a battle ; it there^ 

 fore is lefs dangerous where all are equally 

 matched. What Somervile fays on this fubjedl 

 is exceedingly beautiful : 



" But here with watchful and obfervant eye. 

 Attend their frolics, which too often end 

 In bloody broils and death. High o'er thy head 

 Wave thy refounding whip, and with a voice 

 Fierce-menacing o'er-rule the ft-ern debate, 

 And quench their kindling rage ; for oft in fport 

 Begiin, combat enfues, growling they fnarJ, 

 Then on their haunches rear'd, rampant they feize 

 Each other's throats, with teeth, and claws, in gore 

 Befmear'd, they wound, they tear, till on the groundj 

 Panting, half-dead the conquer'd champion lies : 

 Then fudden all the bafe ignoble crowd 

 Lond-clanrring feize the helplefs worried wretch, , 

 And thirfling for his blood, drag diff'rent ways 

 His mangled carcafs on th' enfanguln'd plain. 

 O breafts of pity void ! t' opprefs the weak, 

 To point your vengeance at the friendlefs head. 

 And with one mutual cry infult the fall'n ! 

 Emblem too juft of man's degenerate race." 



If 



