Book III.
THE CHACE.
89
Chace him from thence: needless their impious Deed,
The Huntsman knows him by a thousand Marks,
Black, and Imbost; nor are his Hounds deceiv'd;
Too well distinguish these, and never leave
Their once devoted Foe; familiar grows
His Scent, and strong their Appetite to kill.
Again he flies, and with redoubled Speed
Skims o'er the Lawn; still the tenacious Crew 490
Hang on the Track, aloud demand their Prey
And push him many a League. If haply then
Too far escap'd, and the gay courtly Train
Behind are cast, the Huntsman's clanging Whip
Stops full their bold Career; passive they stand, 495
Unmov'd, an humble, an obsequious Crowd,
As if by stern Medusa gaz'd to Stones.
So at their Gen'ral's Voice whole Armies halt
In full Pursuit, and check their Thirst of Blood.
The Huntsman knows him by a thousand Marks,
Black, and Imbost; nor are his Hounds deceiv'd;
Too well distinguish these, and never leave
Their once devoted Foe; familiar grows
His Scent, and strong their Appetite to kill.
Again he flies, and with redoubled Speed
Skims o'er the Lawn; still the tenacious Crew 490
Hang on the Track, aloud demand their Prey
And push him many a League. If haply then
Too far escap'd, and the gay courtly Train
Behind are cast, the Huntsman's clanging Whip
Stops full their bold Career; passive they stand, 495
Unmov'd, an humble, an obsequious Crowd,
As if by stern Medusa gaz'd to Stones.
So at their Gen'ral's Voice whole Armies halt
In full Pursuit, and check their Thirst of Blood.
Soon
