OF 8ELB0RKE. 
135 
died, perhaps for want of proper sustenance; but tlie owner 
thouglit that by their fierce and wild demeanour they 
frighted their foster-mothers, and so were starved. 
Virgil, as a familiar occurrence, by way of simile, de- 
scribes a dove haunting the cavern of a rock, in such 
engaging numbers, that I cannot refrain from quoting the 
passage: and John Dryden has rendered it so happily in 
our language, that without further excuse I shall add his 
translation also. 
" Qualis spelunca subito commota Columba, 
Cui domus et dulces latebroso in pumice nidi, 
Fertur in arva volans, plausumque exterrita pennis 
Dat tecto ingentem — mox aere lapsa quieto, 
Radit iter liquidum, celeres neque commovet alas." 
" As when a dove her rocky hold forsakes, 
Roused, in a fright her sounding wings she shakes ; 
The cavern rings with clattering : — out she flies, 
And leaves her callow care, and cleaves the skies : 
At first she flutters : — but at length she springs 
To smoother flight, and shoots upon her wings." 
