238 HUNTING DIRECTORY. 



Somervile's Description of 



His long purlieu, lord of the stream, and all 



The finny shoals his own. But you, brave youths. 



Dispute the felon's claim ; try every root. 



And every reedy bank ; encourage all 



The busy-spreading pack, that fearless plunge 



Into the flood, and cross the rapid stream. 



Bid rocks and caves, and each resounding shore, 



Proclaim your bold defiance ; loudly raise 



Each cheering voice, till distant hills repeat 



The triumphs of the vale. On the soft sand 



See there his seal impress'd ! and on that bank 



Behold the glittering spoils, half-eaten fish, 



Scales, fins, and bones, the leavings of his feast. 



Ah! on that yielding sag-bed, see, once more, 



His seal I view. O'er yon dark rushy marsh 



The sly goose-footed prowler bends his course, 



And seeks the distant shallows. Huntsman, bring 



Thy eager pack, and trail him to his couch. 



Hark ! the loud peal begins, the clamorous joy. 



The gallant chiding, loads the trembling air. How greedily 



They snufT the fishy steam, that to each blade 



Rank-scenting clings. See ! how the morning dews 



They sweep, that from their feet besprinkling drop 



Dispers'd, and leave a track oblique behind. 



Now on firm land they range; then in the flood 



They plunge tumultuous ; or through reedy pools 



Rustling they work their way ; no hole escapes 



Their curious search. With quick sensation now 



The fuming vapour stings ; flutter their hearts, 



And joy redoubled bursts from every mouth 



In louder symphonies. Yon hollow trunk, 



That with its hoary head incurv'd salutes 



The passing wave, must be the tyrant's fort, 



And dread abode. How these impatient climb. 



While others at the root incessant bay ! 



They put him down. See, there he dives along! 



Th' ascending bubbles mark his gloomy way. 



Quick fix the nets, and cut off his retreat 



