Book III.
THE CHACE.
93
Conceal'd, and lost, deceives each prying Eye
Of Man or Brute. In vain the crowding Pack 555
Draw on the Margin of the Stream, or cut
The liquid Wave with oary Feet, that move
In equal Time. The gliding Waters leave
No Trace behind, and his contracted Pores
But sparingly perspire: The Huntsman strains 560
His lab'ring Lungs, and puffs his Cheeks in vain :
At length a Blood-hound bold, studious to kill,
And exquisite of Sense, winds him from far;
Headlong he leaps into the Flood, his Mouth
Loud-op'ning spends amain, and his wide Throat
Swells ev'ry Note with Joy; then fearless dives
Beneath the Wave, hangs on his Hanch, and wounds
Th' unhappy Brute, that flounders in the Stream,
Sorely distress'd, and struggling strives to mount
The steepy Shore. Haply once more escap'd; 570
Again he stands at Bay, amid the Groves
Of Man or Brute. In vain the crowding Pack 555
Draw on the Margin of the Stream, or cut
The liquid Wave with oary Feet, that move
In equal Time. The gliding Waters leave
No Trace behind, and his contracted Pores
But sparingly perspire: The Huntsman strains 560
His lab'ring Lungs, and puffs his Cheeks in vain :
At length a Blood-hound bold, studious to kill,
And exquisite of Sense, winds him from far;
Headlong he leaps into the Flood, his Mouth
Loud-op'ning spends amain, and his wide Throat
Swells ev'ry Note with Joy; then fearless dives
Beneath the Wave, hangs on his Hanch, and wounds
Th' unhappy Brute, that flounders in the Stream,
Sorely distress'd, and struggling strives to mount
The steepy Shore. Haply once more escap'd; 570
Again he stands at Bay, amid the Groves
Of
