Book I.
THE CHACE.
17
So well proportion'd, that the nicer Skill
Of Phidias himself cant' blame thy Choice. 255
Of such compose thy Pack. But here a Mean
Observe, nor the large Hound prefer, of Size
Gigantick; he in the thick-woven Covert
Painfully tugs, or in the thorny Brake
Torn and embarrass'd bleeds: But if too small, 260
The pigmy Brood in ev'ry Furrow swims;
Moil'd in the clogging Clay, panting they lag
Behind inglorious; or else shivering creep
Benumb'd and faint beneath the shelt'ring Thorn.
For Hounds of middle Size, active and strong,
Will better answer all thy various Ends,
And crown thy pleasing Labours with Success.
Of Phidias himself cant' blame thy Choice. 255
Of such compose thy Pack. But here a Mean
Observe, nor the large Hound prefer, of Size
Gigantick; he in the thick-woven Covert
Painfully tugs, or in the thorny Brake
Torn and embarrass'd bleeds: But if too small, 260
The pigmy Brood in ev'ry Furrow swims;
Moil'd in the clogging Clay, panting they lag
Behind inglorious; or else shivering creep
Benumb'd and faint beneath the shelt'ring Thorn.
For Hounds of middle Size, active and strong,
Will better answer all thy various Ends,
And crown thy pleasing Labours with Success.
As some brave Captain, curious and exact,
By his fix'd Standard forms in equal Ranks
His gay Battalion, as one Man they move 270
By his fix'd Standard forms in equal Ranks
His gay Battalion, as one Man they move 270
Step
