76
THE CHACE.
Book III.
And Hurdles slight, they close; o'er these is spread
A Floor of verdant Turf, with all its Flow'rs
Smiling delusive, and from strictest Search
Concealing the deep Grave, that yawns below.
Then Boughs of Trees they cut, with tempting Fruit
Of various Kinds surcharg'd; the downy Peach, 270
The clust'ring Vine, and of bright golden Rind
The fragrant Orange. Soon as Ev'ning grey
Advances slow, besprinkling all around
With kind refreshing Dews the thirsty Glebe,
The stately Elephant from the close Shade 275
With Step majestick strides, eager to taste
The cooler Breeze, that from the Sea-beat Shore
Delightful breaths, or in the limpid Stream
To lave his panting Sides; joyous he scents
The rich Repast, unweeting of the Death 280
That lurks within. And soon he sporting breaks
A Floor of verdant Turf, with all its Flow'rs
Smiling delusive, and from strictest Search
Concealing the deep Grave, that yawns below.
Then Boughs of Trees they cut, with tempting Fruit
Of various Kinds surcharg'd; the downy Peach, 270
The clust'ring Vine, and of bright golden Rind
The fragrant Orange. Soon as Ev'ning grey
Advances slow, besprinkling all around
With kind refreshing Dews the thirsty Glebe,
The stately Elephant from the close Shade 275
With Step majestick strides, eager to taste
The cooler Breeze, that from the Sea-beat Shore
Delightful breaths, or in the limpid Stream
To lave his panting Sides; joyous he scents
The rich Repast, unweeting of the Death 280
That lurks within. And soon he sporting breaks
The
