Thy way with flow'rs, and as the Royal Youth Passing they view, admire, and sigh in vain ; While crowded theatres, too fontily proud Of their exotic minstrels and shrill pipes, The price of manhood, hail thee with a song, And airs soft warbling; my hoarse-sounding horn Invites thee to the Chace, the sport of kings; Image of war without its guilt. The Muse Aloft on wing shall soar, conduct with care Thy foaming courser o'er the steepy rock, Or on the river bank receive thee safe. Light bounding o'er the wave from shore to shore, Be thou our great protector, gracious Youth: And if, in future times, some envious prince, Careless of right, and guileful, should invade Thy Britain's commerce, or should strive in vain To wrest the balance from thy equal hand, Thy hunter-train, in cheerful green array'd (A band undaunted, and iner'd to toils), Shall compass thee around, die at thy feet. Or hew thy passage thro' th' embattled foe,- And clear thy way to fame: inspir'd by thee, The nobler chace of glory shall pursue Thro' fire, and smoke, and blood, and fields of death.
Nature in her productions slow, aspires By just degrees to reach perfection's height; So mimic Art works leisurely, till Time Improve the piece, or wise Experience give The proper finishing. When Nimrod bold, That mighty hunter! first made war on beasts, And stain'd the woodland green with purple dye, New and unpolish'd was the huntsuian's art; No stated rule, his wanton will his guide. With clubs and stones, rude implements of war! He arm'd his savage bands, a multitude Untrain'd: of twining osiers formi'd, they pitch Their artless toils, then range the desart hills, And scour the plains below: the trembling herd Start at th' unusual sound, and clam'rous shout Unheard before; surpris'd, alas! to find [lord, Man now their foe, whom erst they deemed their But mild and gentle, and by whom as yet Secure they graz'd. Death stretches o'er the plain Wide wasting, and grim Slaughter, redwithblood, Urg'd on by hunger keen, they wound, they kill; Their rage licentious knows no bound; at last, Encumber'd with their spoils, joyful they bear Upon their shoulders broad the bleeding prey. Part on their altars smokes, a sacrifice Thand To that all-gracious Pow'r whose bounteous Supports his wide creation; what remains, On living coals they broil, inelegant Of taste, nor skill'd as yet in nicer arts Of pamper'd luxury. Devotion pure, And strong necessity, thus first began The chace of beasts; tho' bloody was the deed, Yet without guilt: for the green herb alone Unequal to sustain man's lab'ring race, Now ev'ry moving thing that liv'd on earth Was granted him for food. So just is Heav'n, To give us in proportion to our wants.
Or chance or industry in after times Some few improvements made, but short as yet Of due perfection. In this isle remote Our painted ancestors were slow to learn: To arms devote, in the politer arts Nor skill'd norstudious; till from Neustria's coasts Victorious William to more decent rules Subdued our Saxon fathers, taught to speak The proper dialect, with horn and voice To cheer the busyhound, whose well-known cry His list'ning peers approve with joint acclaim." From him successive huntsmen learn'd to join In bloody social leagues the multitude Dispers'd, to size, to sort their various tribes; To rear, feed, hunt, and discipline the pack.
Hail, happy Britain; highly favor'd isle, And Heaven's peculiar care! to thee 'tis given To train the sprightly steed, more fleet than those Begot by winds, or the celestial breed That bore the great Pelides thro' the press Of heroes arm'd, and broke their crowded ranks, Which proudly neighing, with the sun begins Cheerful his course, and, ere his beams decline, Has measured half thy surface unfatigued. In thee alone, fair land of Liberty! Is bred the perfect hound, in scent and speed As yet unrivall'd, while in other climes Their virtue fails, a weak degen'rate race. In vain malignant steams and winter fogs Load the dull air, and hover round our coasts; The huntsman; ever gay, robust, and bold, Defies the noxious vapor, and confides In this delightful exercise to raise His drooping head, and cheer his heart with joy. Yevig rous youths! by smiling Fortune blest With large demesnes, hereditary wealth, Heap'd copious by your wise forefathers' care, Hear and attend! while I the means reveal T'enjoy these pleasures, for the weak too strong, Too costly for the poor: to rein the steed Swift stretching o'er the plain, to cheer the pack Op'ning in concerts of harmonious joy, But breathing death. What tho' the gripe severe Of brazen-fisted Time, and slow Disease. Creeping thro' ev'ry vein, and nerve unstrung, Afflict my shatter'd frame, undaunted still, Fix'd as a mountain-ash that braves the bolts Of angry Jove, tho' blasted, yet unfallen; Still can my soul in Fancy's mirror view Deeds glorious once, recal the joyous scene In all its splendors deck'd, o'er the full bowl Recount my triumphs past, urge others on With hand and voice, and point the windingway; Pleas'd with that social sweet garrulity, The poor disbanded veteran's sole delight.
First let the kennel be the huntsman's care, Upon soine little eminence erect, And fronting to the ruddy lawn; its courts On either hand wide op'ning to receive [shines, The sun's all-cheering beams, when mild he And gilds the mountain tops: for much the pack (Rous'd from their dark alcoves) delight to stretch Gen. chap. ix. ver. 3.
And bask in his invigorating ray. Warn'd by the streaming light, and merry lark, Forth rush the jolly clan; with tuneful throats They carol loud, and in grand chorus join'd- Salute the new-born day: for not alone The vegetable world, but men and brutes Own his reviving influence, and joy
At his approach. Fountain of Light! if chance Some envious cloud veil thy refulgent brow, In vain the Muses' aid; untonch'd, unstrung, Lies my mute harp, and thy desponding bard Sits darkly musing o'er the unfinish'd lay.
Let no Corinthian pillars prop the dome; A vain expence, on charitable deeds Better dispos'd, to clothe the tatter'd wretch Who shrinks beneath the blast, to feed the poor Pinch'd with afflictive want. For use, not state, Gracefully plain, let each apartment rise. O'er all let cleanliness preside, no scraps Bestrew the pavement, and no half-pick'd bones To kindle fierce debate, or to disgust That nicer sense on which the sportsman's hope And all its future triumphs must depend. Soon as the growling pack with eager joy Have lapp'd their smoking viands, morn or eve, From the full cistern lead the ductile streams, To wash thy court well pay'dnor spare thy pains; For much to health will cleanliness avail. Seek'st thou for hounds to climb the rocky steep, And brush th' entangled covert, whose nicescent O'er greasy fallows and frequented roads Can pick the dubious way? Banish far off Each noisome stench; let no offensive smell Invade thy wide inclosure, but admit The nitrous air and purifying breeze.
Water and shade no less demand thy care. In a large square th' adjacent field inclose; There plant, in equal ranks, the spreading elm Or fragrant lime; most happy thy design, If at the bottom of thy spacious court A large canal, fed by the crystal brook, From its transparent bosom shall reflect Thy downward structure and inverted grove. Here, when the sun's too potent gleams annoy The crowded kennel; and the drooping pack, Restless and faint, loll their unmoisten'd tongues, And drop their feeble tails; to cooler shades Lead forth the panting tribes: soon shalt thou find The cordial breeze their fainting hearts revive: Tumultuous soon they plunge into the stream, There lave their reeking sides; with greedy joy Gulp down the flying wave; this way and that From shore to shore they swim, while clamor loud And wild uproar torment the troubled flood: Then on the sunny bank they roll and stretch Their dripping limbs, or else in wanton rings Coursing around, pursuing and pursued, The merry multitude disporting play.
But here with watchful and observant eye Attend their frolics, which too often end In bloody broils and death. High o'er thy head Waye thy resounding whip, and with a voice Fierce menacing o'er-rule the stern debate, And quench their kindling rage: for oft, in sport
Begun, combat ensues: growling they snarl, Then, on their haunches rear'd, rampant they seise Each others' throats; with teeth and claws in gore Besincar'd, they wound, theytear,tillontheground Panting, half dead, the conquer'd champion lies: Then sudden all the base ignoble crowd, Loud-clam'ring, seisethehelpless, worriedwretch, And, thirsting for his blood, drag different ways His mangl'd carcass on th' ensanguin'd plain. O beasts of pity void! t' oppress the weak, To point your vengeance at the friendless head, And with one mutual cry insult the fallen! Emblem too just of man's degenerate race.
Others apart, by native instinct led, Knowing instructor! 'mong the ranker grass Cull each salubrious plant, with bitter juice Concoctive stor'd, and potent to allay Each vicious ferment. Thus the hand divine Of Providence, beneficent and kind To all his creatures, for the brutes prescribes A ready remedy, and is himself Their great physician. Now grown stiff with age And many a painful chace, the wise old hound, Regardless of the frolic pack, attends His master's side, or slumbers at his ease Beneath the bending shade: there many a ring Runs o'er in dreams; now on the doubtful soil Puzzles perplex'd, or doubles intricate, Cautious unfolds; then wing'd with all his speed Bounds o'er the lawn to seise his panting prey, And in imperfect whimp'ring speaks his joy.
A diff'rent hound for ev'ry diff'rent chace Select with judgement; nor the tim'rous hare O'ermatch'd destroy, but leave that vile offence To the mean murd'rous coursing crew, intent On blood and spoil. O, blast their hopes, just And all their painful drudgeries repay [Heav'n! With disappointment and severe remorse; But husband thou thy pleasures, and give scope To all her subtle play. By nature led,
A thousand shifts she tries: t' unravel these Th' industrious beagle twists his waving tail, Thro' all her labyrinths pursues, and rings Her doleful knell. See there with count'nance blithe,
And with a courtly grin, the fawning hound Salutes the cow'ring; his wide op'ning nose Upwards he curls: and his large sloe-black eyes Melt in soft blandishments and humbled joy: His glossy skin, or yellow pied, or blue,' In lights or shades by Nature's pencil drawn, Reflects the various tints; his ears and legs, Fleck'd here and there, in gay enamell'd pride Rival the speckled pard; his rush-grown tail O'er his broad back bends in an ample arch: On shoulders clean upright and firm he stands : His round cat-foot, straight hams, and wide- spread thighs,
And his low dropping chest, confess his speed, His strength, his wind, or on the steepy hill Or far extended plain; in ev'ry part So well-proportion'd, that the nicer skill Of Phidas himself can't blame thy choice: Of such compose thy pack. But here a mean
Observe, nor the large hound prefer, of size Gigantic; he in the thick-woven covert Painfully tugs, or in the thorny brake Torn and embarrass'd bleeds: but if too small, The pigmy brood in ev'ry furrow swims; Moil'd in the clogging clay, panting they lag Behind in glorious; or else shiv'ring creep, Benumb'd and faint, beneath the sheltering thorn: For hounds of middle size, active and strong, Will better answer all thy various ends, And crown thy pleasing labors with success. As some brave captain, curious and exact, By his fix'd standard forms in equal ranks His gay battalion, as one man they move Step after step, there size the same, their arms Far gleaming dart the same united blaze: Reviewing generals his merit own; How regular! how just ! and all his cares Are well repaid if mighty George approve : So model thou thy pack, if honor touch Thy gen'rous soul, and the world's just applause. But of all take heed, nor mix thy hounds Of diff'rent kinds; discordant sounds shall grate Thy cars offended, and a lagging line Of babbling curs disgrace thy broken pack. But if th' amphibious otter be thy chace, Or stately stag that o'er the woodland reigns; Or if th' harmonious thunder of the field Delight thy ravish'd ears; the deep-flew'd hound Breed up with care, strong, heavy, slow, but sure: Whose ears down-hanging from his thick round head [voice Shall sweep the morning dew, whose clanging Awake the mountain Echo in her cell, And shake the forests: the bold talbot kind, Of these the prime, as white as Alpine snows, And great their use of old. Upon the banks Of Tweed, slow winding thro' the vale, the scat Of war and rapine once, ere Britons knew The sweets of peace, or Anna's dread commands To lasting leagues the haughty rivals aw'd, There dwelt a pilf'ring race, well train'd and In all the mysteries of theft, the spoil [skill'd Their only substance, feuds and war their sport; Nor more expert in every fraudful art
Th' arch felon * was of old, who by the tail Drew back his lowing prize: in vain his wiles, In vain the shelter of the cov'ring rock, In vain the sooty cloud and ruddy flames That issued from his mouth: for soon he paid His forfeit life; a debt how justly due To wrong'd Alcides and avenging Heav'n! Veil'd in the shades of night they ford the stream, Then prowling far and near, whate'er they seise Beconies their prey; nor flocks nor herds are safe, Nor stalls protect the steer, nor strongbarr'ddoors Secure the fav'rite horse. Soon as the morn Reveals his wrongs, with ghastly visage wan The plunder'd owner stands, and from his lips A thousand thronging curses burst their way: He calls his stout allies, and in a line His faithful hound he leads, then with a voice
That utters loud his rage, attentive cheers; Soon the sagacious brute, his curling tail Flourish'd in air, low bending plies around His busy nose, the steaming vapor snuffs Inquisitive, nor leaves one turf untried, "Till conscious of the recent strains, his heart Beats quick; his snuffing nose, his active tail, Attest his joy; then with deep opening mouth, That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims Th' audacious felon: foot by foot he marks His winding way, while all the list'ning crowd Applaud his reas'nings. O'er the watʼry ford, Dry sandy heaths, and stony barren hills, O'er beaten paths with men and beasts distain'd, Unerring he pursues, 'till at the cot Arriv'd, and seising by his guilty throat The catiff vile, redeems the captive prey: So exquisitely delicate his sense!
Should some more curious sportsman here inWhence this sagacity, this wond'rous pow'r Of tracing step by step or man or brute? What guide invisible points out their way O'er the dank marsh, bleak hill, and sandy plain? The courteous Muse shall the dark cause reveal. The blood that from the heart incessant rolls In many a crimson tide, then here and there In smaller rills disparted, as it flows Propell'd, the serous particles evade Thro' th' open pores, and with the ambient air Entangling mix. As fuming vapors rise, And hang upon the gently-purling brook, There by the incumbent atmosphere compress'd, The panting chace grows warmer as he flies, And thro' the net-work of the skin perspires, Leaves a long streaming trail behind, which by The cooler air condens'd, remains, unless By some rude storm dispers'd, or rarified By the meridian sun's intenser heat. To ev'ry shrub the warm effluvia cling, Hang on the grass, impregnate earth and skies. With nostrils op'ning wide, o'er hill, o'er dale, The vig'rous hounds pursue, with ev'ry breath Inhale the grateful steain, quick pleasures sting Their tingling nerves, while they their thanks
And in triumphant melody confess The titillating joy. Thus on the air Depend the hunter's hopes. When ruddy streaks At eve forbode a blust'ring stormy day, Orlow'ring clouds blacken the mountain's brow; With nipping frosts, and the keen biting blasts Of the dry parching east, menace the trees, With tender blossoms teeming; kindly spare Thy sleeping pack, in their warm beds of straw Low-sinking at their ease! listless they shrink Into some dark recess, nor hear thy voice, Tho' oft invok'd; or haply if thy call Rouse up the slumb'ring tribe with heavy eyes, Glaz'd, lifeless, dull, downward they drop their tails
Inverted: high on their bent backs erect Their pointed bristles stare, or 'mong the tufts
Of ranker weeds each stomach-healing plant Curious they crop, sick, spiritless, forlorn. These inauspicious days on other cares Employ thy precious hours; th' improving friend With open arms embrace, and from his lips Glean science, season'd with good-natur'd wit But if th' inclement skies and angry Jove Forbid the pleasing intercourse, thy books Invite thy ready hand; each sacred page Rich with the wise remarks of heroes old. Converse familiar with the illustrious dead; With great examples of old Greece or Romie Enlarge thy free-born heart, and bless kind That Britain yet enjoys dear Liberty. [Heaven That balm of life, that sweetest blessing, cheap Tho'purchas'd with our blood. Well-bred, polite, Credit thy calling. See! how mean, how low, The bookless saunt'ring youth, proud of the That dignifies his cap, his flourish'd belt, [skut And rusty couples jingling by his side! Be thou of other mould; and know that such Transporting pleasures were by heaven ordain'd Wisdom's relief, and Virtue's great reward.
Their moving camp; now on some cooler hill, With cedars crown'd, court therefreshing breeze; And then below, where trickling streams distil From some penurious source, their thirst allay, And feed their fainting flocks: so the wise hares Oft quit their seats, lest some more curious eye Should mark their haunts, and by dark treche- rous wiles
Plot their destruction; or perchance in hopes Of plenteous forage, near the ranker mead Or inatted blade wary and close they sit. When spring shines forth, season of love and joy, In the moist marsh, 'mong beds of rushes hid, They cool their boiling blood. When summer
Bake the cleft earth, to thick wide-waving fields Ofcorn full grown they lead their helpless young; But when autumnal torrents and fierce rains Deluge the vale, in the dry crumbling bank Their forms they delve, and cautiously avoid The dripping covert: yet when winter's cold Theirlimbsbenumbs, thither with speed return'd, In the long grass they sculk, or shrinking creep Among the wither'd leaves: thus changing still As fancy prompts them, or as food invites. But ev'ry season carefully observ'd, Th' inconstant winds, the fickle element, Of the power of instinct in brutes. Two remark- His subtle, various game, nor wastes in vain The wise experienc'd huntsman soon may find able instances in the hunting of the rocbuck, His tedious hours, till his impatient hounds, and in the hare going to seat in the morning. With disappointment vex'd, cach springing lark Of the variety of seats or forms of the hare, Babbling pursue, far scatter'd o'er the fields. according to the changes of the season, weather, Now golden Autuma from her open lap or wind. Description of the hare-hunting in Herfragrantbounteousshow'rs; thefieldsareshorn: all its parts, interspersed with rules to be ob- Inwardly smiling the proud farmer views served by those who follow that chace. Tran-The rising pyramids that grace his yard, sition to the Asiatic way of hunting, particu- Andcounts his large increase: his barus are stor'd; larly the magnificent manner of the Great And groaning staddles bend beneath their load. Mogul, and other Tartarian princes, taken All now is free as air, and the gay pack from Monsieur Bernier, and the History of In the rough bristly stubbles range unblan'd. Gengiskan the Great. Concludes with a short No widow's tears o'erflow, no secret curse reproof of tyrants and oppressors of mankind. Swells in the farmer's breast, which his pale lips NOR will it less delight th' attentive sage, Trembling conceal by his fierce landlord'aw'd; Tobserve that instinct which unerring guides But courteous now he levels ev'ry fence, The brutal race, which mimics reason's lore, Joins in the common cry, and haloos loud, And oft transcends. Heaven-taught, the roe-Charm'd with the rattling thunder of the field. buck swift O bear ine, some kind pow'r invisible ! Loiters at ease before the driving pack, To that extended lawn, where the gay court And mocks their vain persuit, nor far he flics: View the swift racers stretching to the goal; But checks his ardor, till the steaming scent Gaines more renown'd, and a far noble train, That freshens on the blade provokes their rage.Than proud Elean fields could boast of old ;' Urg'd to their speed, his weak deluded foes Oh were a Theban lyre not wanting here, Soon flag fatigu'd; strain'd to excess, each nerve, And Pindar's voice, to do their merit right! Each slacken'd sinew, fails: they pant, they Or to those spacious plains where the strain'deye, In the wide prospect lost, beholds at last Sarum's proud spire, that o'er the hills ascends, And pierces thro' the clouds: or to thy downs, Fair Cotswold! where the well-breath'd beagle climbs
foam : [hills Then o'er the lawn he bounds, o'er the high Stretches secure, and leaves the scatter'd crowd To puzzle in the distant vale below.
"Tis instinct that directs the jealous hare To choose her soft abode. With step revers'd She forms the doubling maze; then, ere the morn ceps thro' the clouds, leaps to her close recess. As wandering shepherds on th' Arabian plains No settled residence observe, but shift
And orient pearls from ev'ry shrub depend. Farewell Cleora! here, deep sunk in down, Slumber secure, with happy dreams ainus'd, "Till grateful steams shall tempt thee to receive Thy early meal; or thy officious maids, The toilette plac'd, shall urge thee to perform Th' important work. Me other joys invite ; The horn sonorous calls, the pack awak'd Their matins chant, nor brook my long delay; My courser hears their voice: see there! with ears And tail erect, neighing he paws the ground: Fierce rapture kindles in his redd'ning eyes, And boils in ev'ry vein. As captive boys, Cow'd by the ruling rod and haughty frowns Of pedagogues severe, from their hard tasks If once dismiss'd, no limits can contain The tumult rais'd within their little breasts, But give a loose to all their frolic play; So from their kennel rush the joyous pack; A thousand wanton gaieties express Their inward ecstasy, their pleasing sport Once more indulg'd, and liberty restor'd. The rising sun, that o'er th' horizon peeps, As many colors from their glossy skins Beaming reflects, as paint the various bow When April show'rs descend. Delightful scene! Where all around is gay-men, horses, dogs; And in each smiling countenance appears Fresh blooming health, and universal joy. Huntsman! lead on: behind the clustering pack Submiss attend, hear with respect thy whip Loud clanging, and thy harsher voice obey. Spare not the straggling cur that wildly roves, But let thy brisk assistant on his back Imprint thy just resentments; let each lash Bite to the quick, till howling he return, And whining creep amid the trembling crowd. Here on this verdant spot, where Nature kind With double blessings crowns the farmer's hopes, Where flow'rs autumnal spring, and the rank Affords the wand'ring hares a rich repast, [mead Throw off thy ready pack. See where they spread, And range around, and dash the glitt ring dew! If some staunch hound, with his authentic voice, Avow the recent trail, the jostling tribe Attend his call, then with one mutual cry The welcome news confirm, and echoing hills Repeat the pleasing tale. See how they thread The brakes, and up yon furrow drive along! But quick they back recoil, and wisely check Their eager haste; then o'er the fallow'd ground How leisurely they work, and many a pause Th' harmonious concert breaks; till, more assur'd, With joy redoubled the low valleys ring. What artful labyrinths perplex their way! Ah! there she lies; how close! she pants; she If now she lives: she trembles as she sits, [doubts With horror scis'd. The wither'd grass that Around her head, of the same russet hue, [clings Almost deceiv'd my sight, had not her eyes With life full-beaming her vain wiles betray'd. At distance draw thy pack; let all be hush'd; No clamor loud, no frantic joy, be heard; Lest the wild hound run gladding o'er the plain
Untractable, nor hear thy chiding voice. Now gently put her off; see how direct [bring To her known mew she flies! Here huntsinau, (But without hurry) all thy jolly hounds, And calmly lay them in. How low they stoop, And seem to plough the ground! then all at once With greedy nostrils snuff the fuming stream That glads their flutt'ring hearts. As winds let loose
From the dark caverns of the blust'ring god, They burst away, and sweep the dewy lawn. Hope gives them wings, while she's spurr'd on by fear. [woods,
The welkin rings, men,. dogs, hills, rocks, and In the full concert join. Now, tny brave youths! Stripp'd for the chace, give all your souls to joy. See how their coursers, than the mountain roe More fleet,the verdant carpet skim! thick clouds Snorting they breathe, their shining hoofs scarce The grass unbruis'd; with emulation fir'd [print The strain to lead the field, top the barr'd gate, O'er the deep ditch exulting bound, and brush The thorny-twining hedge the riders bend O'er their arch'd necks; with steady hands by turns Indulge their speed, or moderate their rage. Wherearetheir sorrows, disappointments, wrongs, Vexations, sickness, cares? All, all are gone! And with the panting winds lag far behind.
Huntsman! her gait observe; if in wide rings She wheel her mazy way, in the same round Persisting still, she'll foil the beaten tract; But if she fly, and with the fav'ring wind Urge her bold course, less intricate thy task; Push on thy pack. Like some poor exil'd wretch, The frighted chace leaves her dear abodes, O'er plains remote she stretches far away, Ah, never to return! for greedy Death Hov'ring exults, secure to seise his prey.
The pack wide op'ning load the trembling air With various melody; from tree to tree The propagated cry redoubling bounds; And winged zephyrs waft the floating joy Thro' all the regions wear. Afflictive birch No more the school-boy dreads; his prison broke, Scamp'ring he flies, nor heeds his master's call. The weary traveller forgets his road, And climes the adjacent hill. The ploughman Th' unfinish'd furrow; nor his bleating flocks Are now the shepherd's joy. Men, boys, and girls, Desert the unpeopled village; and wild crowds Spread o'er the plain, by the sweet phrensy seis'd. Look how she pants! and o'er yon op'ningglade Slips glancing by; while at the further end The puzzling pack unravel wile by wile, Maze within maze? The covert's utmost bound Slily she skirts; behind them cautious creeps, * And in that very track so lately stain'd By all the steaming crowd, seems to pursue
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