94
THE CHACE.
Book III.
Of Willows, bending low their downy Heads.
Outrageous Transport fires the greedy Pack;
These swim the Deep, and those crawl up with Pain
The slipp'ry Bank, while others on firm Land 575
Engage; the Stag repells each bold Assault,
Maintains his Post, and Wounds for Wounds returns.
As when some wily Corsair boards a Ship
Full-freighted, or from Africk's golden Coasts,
Or India's wealthy Strand, his bloody Crew 580
Upon her Deck he flings; these in the Deep
Drop short, and swim to reach her steepy Sides,
And clinging climb aloft; while those on Board
Urge on the Work of Fate; the Master bold,
Press'd to his last Retreat, bravely resolves 585
To sink his Wealth beneath the whelming Wave,
His Wealth, his Foes, nor unreveng'd to dye.
So fares it with the Stag: So he resolves
Outrageous Transport fires the greedy Pack;
These swim the Deep, and those crawl up with Pain
The slipp'ry Bank, while others on firm Land 575
Engage; the Stag repells each bold Assault,
Maintains his Post, and Wounds for Wounds returns.
As when some wily Corsair boards a Ship
Full-freighted, or from Africk's golden Coasts,
Or India's wealthy Strand, his bloody Crew 580
Upon her Deck he flings; these in the Deep
Drop short, and swim to reach her steepy Sides,
And clinging climb aloft; while those on Board
Urge on the Work of Fate; the Master bold,
Press'd to his last Retreat, bravely resolves 585
To sink his Wealth beneath the whelming Wave,
His Wealth, his Foes, nor unreveng'd to dye.
So fares it with the Stag: So he resolves
To
