90
THE CHACE.
Book III.
Soon at the King's Command, like hasty Streams 500
Damm'd up a while, they foam, and pour along
With fresh recruited Might. The Stag, who hop'd
His Foes were lost, now once more hears astunn'd
The dreadful Din; he shivers ev'ry Limb,
He starts, he bounds; each Bush presents a Foe. 505
Press'd by the fresh Relay, no Pause allow'd,
Breathless, and faint, he faulters in his Pace,
And lifts his weary Limbs with Pain, that scarce
Sustain their Load; he pants, he sobs appall'd;
Drops down his heavy Head to Earth, beneath 510
His cumb'rous Beams oppress'd. But if perchance
Some prying Eye surprize him; soon he rears
Erect his tow'ring Front, bounds o'er the Lawn
With ill-dissembled Vigour, to amuse
The knowing Forester; who inly smiles 515
At his weak Shifts, and unavailing Frauds.
So midnight Tapers waste their last Remains,
Damm'd up a while, they foam, and pour along
With fresh recruited Might. The Stag, who hop'd
His Foes were lost, now once more hears astunn'd
The dreadful Din; he shivers ev'ry Limb,
He starts, he bounds; each Bush presents a Foe. 505
Press'd by the fresh Relay, no Pause allow'd,
Breathless, and faint, he faulters in his Pace,
And lifts his weary Limbs with Pain, that scarce
Sustain their Load; he pants, he sobs appall'd;
Drops down his heavy Head to Earth, beneath 510
His cumb'rous Beams oppress'd. But if perchance
Some prying Eye surprize him; soon he rears
Erect his tow'ring Front, bounds o'er the Lawn
With ill-dissembled Vigour, to amuse
The knowing Forester; who inly smiles 515
At his weak Shifts, and unavailing Frauds.
So midnight Tapers waste their last Remains,
Shine
