120
THE CHACE.
Book IV.
The cavern'd Banks, by the tenacious Roots
Of hoary Willows arch'd; gloomy Retreat
Of the bright scaly Kind; where they at Will,
On the green wat'ry Reed their Pasture graze, 355
Suck the moist Soil, or slumber at their Ease,
Rock'd by the restless Brook, that draws aslope
Its humid Train, and laves their dark Abodes.
Where rages not Oppression? Where, alass!
Is Innocence secure? Rapine and Spoil 360
Haunt ev'n the lowest Deeps; Seas have their Sharks,
Rivers and Ponds inclos'd, the rav'nous Pike;
He in his Turn becomes a Prey; on him
Th' amphibious Otter feasts. Just is his Fate
Deserv'd: But Tyrants know no Bounds; nor Spears
That bristle on his Back, defend the Perch
From his wide greedy Jaws; nor burnish'd Mail
The yellow Carp; nor all his Arts can save
Th' insinuating Eel, that hides his Head
Of hoary Willows arch'd; gloomy Retreat
Of the bright scaly Kind; where they at Will,
On the green wat'ry Reed their Pasture graze, 355
Suck the moist Soil, or slumber at their Ease,
Rock'd by the restless Brook, that draws aslope
Its humid Train, and laves their dark Abodes.
Where rages not Oppression? Where, alass!
Is Innocence secure? Rapine and Spoil 360
Haunt ev'n the lowest Deeps; Seas have their Sharks,
Rivers and Ponds inclos'd, the rav'nous Pike;
He in his Turn becomes a Prey; on him
Th' amphibious Otter feasts. Just is his Fate
Deserv'd: But Tyrants know no Bounds; nor Spears
That bristle on his Back, defend the Perch
From his wide greedy Jaws; nor burnish'd Mail
The yellow Carp; nor all his Arts can save
Th' insinuating Eel, that hides his Head
Beneath
