The Chace/Book 1
THE
CHACE.
A
POEM.
The Argument of the First Book.
The Subject proposed. Address to his Royal Highness the Prince. The Origin of Hunting. The rude and unpolish'd Manner of the first Hunters. Beasts at first hunted for Food and Sacrifice. The Grant made by God to Man of the Beasts, &c. The regular Manner of Hunting first brought into this Island by the Normans. The best Hounds and best Horses bred here. The Advantage of this Exercise to us, as Islanders. Address to Gentlemen of Estates. Situation of the Kennel and its several Courts. The Diversion and Employment of Hounds in the Kennel. The different Sorts of Hounds for each different Chace. Description of a perfect Hound. Of sizing and sorting of Hounds, the middle-sized Hound recommended. Of the large deep-mouth'd Hound for hunting the Stag and Otter. Of the Lime Hound; their Use on the Borders of England and Scotland. A Physical Account of Scents. Of good and bad scenting Days. A short Admonition to my Brethren of the Couples.
THE
CHACE.
A
POEM.
The Chace I sing, Hounds, and their various Breed,
And no less various Use. O thou Great Prince!
Whom Cambria's tow'ring Hills proclaim their Lord,
Deign thou to hear my bold, instructive Song.
While grateful Citizens with pompous Shew, 5
Rear the triumphal Arch, rich with th' Exploits
Of thy Illustrious House; while Virgins pave
Thy Way with Flow'rs, and, as the Royal Youth
Passing they view, admire, and sigh in vain;
While crowded Theatres, too fondly proud 10
Of their exotick Minstrels, and shrill Pipes,
The Price of Manhood, hail thee with a Song,
And Airs soft-warbling; my hoarse-sounding Horn
Invites thee to the Chace, the Sport of Kings;
Image of War, without its Guilt. The Muse 15
Aloft on Wing shall soar, conduct with Care
Thy foaming Courser o'er the steepy Rock,
Or on the River Bank receive thee safe,
Light-bounding o'er the Wave, from Shore to Shore.
Be thou our great Protector, gracious Youth! 20
And if in future Times, some envious Prince,
Careless of Right and guileful, shou'd invade
Thy Britain's Commerce, or shou'd strive in vain
To wrest the Balance from thy equal Hand;
Thy Hunter-Train, in chearful Green array'd, 25
(A Band undaunted, and inur'd to Toils,)
Shall compass thee around, dye at thy Feet,
Or hew thy Passage thro' th' embattled Foe,
And clear thy Way to Fame; inspir'd by thee
The nobler Chace of Glory shall pursue 30
Thro' Fire, and Smoke, and Blood, and Fields of Death.
And no less various Use. O thou Great Prince!
Whom Cambria's tow'ring Hills proclaim their Lord,
Deign thou to hear my bold, instructive Song.
While grateful Citizens with pompous Shew, 5
Rear the triumphal Arch, rich with th' Exploits
Of thy Illustrious House; while Virgins pave
Thy Way with Flow'rs, and, as the Royal Youth
Passing they view, admire, and sigh in vain;
While crowded Theatres, too fondly proud 10
Of their exotick Minstrels, and shrill Pipes,
The Price of Manhood, hail thee with a Song,
And Airs soft-warbling; my hoarse-sounding Horn
Invites thee to the Chace, the Sport of Kings;
Image of War, without its Guilt. The Muse 15
Aloft on Wing shall soar, conduct with Care
Thy foaming Courser o'er the steepy Rock,
Or on the River Bank receive thee safe,
Light-bounding o'er the Wave, from Shore to Shore.
Be thou our great Protector, gracious Youth! 20
And if in future Times, some envious Prince,
Careless of Right and guileful, shou'd invade
Thy Britain's Commerce, or shou'd strive in vain
To wrest the Balance from thy equal Hand;
Thy Hunter-Train, in chearful Green array'd, 25
(A Band undaunted, and inur'd to Toils,)
Shall compass thee around, dye at thy Feet,
Or hew thy Passage thro' th' embattled Foe,
And clear thy Way to Fame; inspir'd by thee
The nobler Chace of Glory shall pursue 30
Thro' Fire, and Smoke, and Blood, and Fields of Death.
Nature, in her Productions slow, aspires
By just Degrees to reach Perfection's Height:
So mimick Art works leisurely, 'till Time
Improve the Piece, or wise Experience give 35
The proper Finishing. When Nimrod bold,
That mighty Hunter, first made War on Beasts,
And stain'd the Wood-land Green with purple Dye,
New, and unpolish'd was the Huntsman's Art;
No stated Rule, his wanton Will his Guide. 40
With Clubs and Stones, rude Implements of War,
He arm'd his savage Bands, a Multitude
Untrain'd; Of twining Osiers form'd, they pitch
Their artless Toiles, then range the desert Hills,
And scow'r the Plains below; the trembling Herd 45
Start at th' unusual Sound, and clam'rous Shout
Unheard before; surpriz'd alass! to find
Man now their Foe, whom erst they deem'd their Lord,
But mild, and gentle, and by whom as yet
Secure they graz'd. Death stretches o'er the Plain 50
Wide-wasting, and grim Slaughter red with Blood:
Urg'd on by Hunger keen, they wound, they kill,
Their Rage licentious knows no bound; at last
Incumber'd with their Spoils, joyful they bear
Upon their Shoulders broad, the bleeding Prey. 55
Part on their Altars smokes a Sacrifice
To that all-gracious Pow'r, whose bounteous Hand
Supports his wide Creation; what remains
On living Coals they broil, inelegant
Of Taste, nor skill'd as yet in nicer Arts 60
Of pamper'd Luxury. Devotion pure,
And strong Necessity, thus first began
The Chace of Beasts: Tho' bloody was the Deed,
Yet without Guilt. For the green Herb alone
Unequal to sustain Man's lab'ring Race, 65
[1]Now ev'ry moving Thing that liv'd on Earth
Was granted him for Food. So just is Heav'n,
To give us in Proportion to our Wants.
By just Degrees to reach Perfection's Height:
So mimick Art works leisurely, 'till Time
Improve the Piece, or wise Experience give 35
The proper Finishing. When Nimrod bold,
That mighty Hunter, first made War on Beasts,
And stain'd the Wood-land Green with purple Dye,
New, and unpolish'd was the Huntsman's Art;
No stated Rule, his wanton Will his Guide. 40
With Clubs and Stones, rude Implements of War,
He arm'd his savage Bands, a Multitude
Untrain'd; Of twining Osiers form'd, they pitch
Their artless Toiles, then range the desert Hills,
And scow'r the Plains below; the trembling Herd 45
Start at th' unusual Sound, and clam'rous Shout
Unheard before; surpriz'd alass! to find
Man now their Foe, whom erst they deem'd their Lord,
But mild, and gentle, and by whom as yet
Secure they graz'd. Death stretches o'er the Plain 50
Wide-wasting, and grim Slaughter red with Blood:
Urg'd on by Hunger keen, they wound, they kill,
Their Rage licentious knows no bound; at last
Incumber'd with their Spoils, joyful they bear
Upon their Shoulders broad, the bleeding Prey. 55
Part on their Altars smokes a Sacrifice
To that all-gracious Pow'r, whose bounteous Hand
Supports his wide Creation; what remains
On living Coals they broil, inelegant
Of Taste, nor skill'd as yet in nicer Arts 60
Of pamper'd Luxury. Devotion pure,
And strong Necessity, thus first began
The Chace of Beasts: Tho' bloody was the Deed,
Yet without Guilt. For the green Herb alone
Unequal to sustain Man's lab'ring Race, 65
[1]Now ev'ry moving Thing that liv'd on Earth
Was granted him for Food. So just is Heav'n,
To give us in Proportion to our Wants.
Or Chance or Industry in After-Times
Some few Improvements made, but short as yet 70
Of due Perfection. In this Isle remote
Our painted Ancestors were slow to learn,
To Arms devote, of the politer Arts
Nor skill'd nor studious; till from Neustria's Coasts
Victorious William, to more decent Rules 75
Subdu'd our Saxon Fathers, taught to speak
The proper Dialect, with Horn and Voice
To chear the busy Hound, whose well-known Cry
His list'ning Peers approve with joint Acclaim.
From him successive Huntsmen learn'd to join 80
In bloody social Leagues, the Multitude
Dispers'd, to size, to sort their various Tribes,
To rear, feed, hunt, and discipline the Pack,
Some few Improvements made, but short as yet 70
Of due Perfection. In this Isle remote
Our painted Ancestors were slow to learn,
To Arms devote, of the politer Arts
Nor skill'd nor studious; till from Neustria's Coasts
Victorious William, to more decent Rules 75
Subdu'd our Saxon Fathers, taught to speak
The proper Dialect, with Horn and Voice
To chear the busy Hound, whose well-known Cry
His list'ning Peers approve with joint Acclaim.
From him successive Huntsmen learn'd to join 80
In bloody social Leagues, the Multitude
Dispers'd, to size, to sort their various Tribes,
To rear, feed, hunt, and discipline the Pack,
Hail happy Britain! highly favour'd Isle,
And Heav'n's peculiar Care! To thee 'tis giv'n 85
To train the sprightly Steed, more fleet than those
Begot by Winds, or the celestial Breed
That bore the great Pelides thro' the Press
Of Heroes arm'd, and broke their crowded Ranks;
Which proudly neighing, with the Sun begins 90
Chearful his Course; and e'er his Beams decline,
Has measur'd half thy Surface unfatigued.
In thee alone, fair Land of Liberty!
Is bred the perfect Hound, in Scent and Speed
As yet unrivall'd, while in other Climes 95
Their Virtue fails, a weak degen'rate Race.
In vain malignant Steams, and Winter Fogs
Load the dull Air, and hover round our Coasts,
The Huntsman ever gay, robust, and bold,
Defies the noxious Vapour, and confides 100
In this delightful Exercise, to raise
His drooping Head, and cheer his Heart with Joy.
And Heav'n's peculiar Care! To thee 'tis giv'n 85
To train the sprightly Steed, more fleet than those
Begot by Winds, or the celestial Breed
That bore the great Pelides thro' the Press
Of Heroes arm'd, and broke their crowded Ranks;
Which proudly neighing, with the Sun begins 90
Chearful his Course; and e'er his Beams decline,
Has measur'd half thy Surface unfatigued.
In thee alone, fair Land of Liberty!
Is bred the perfect Hound, in Scent and Speed
As yet unrivall'd, while in other Climes 95
Their Virtue fails, a weak degen'rate Race.
In vain malignant Steams, and Winter Fogs
Load the dull Air, and hover round our Coasts,
The Huntsman ever gay, robust, and bold,
Defies the noxious Vapour, and confides 100
In this delightful Exercise, to raise
His drooping Head, and cheer his Heart with Joy.
Ye vig'rous Youths, by smiling Fortune blest
With large Demesnes, hereditary Wealth,
Heap'd copious by your wise Fore-Fathers Care, 105
Hear and attend! while I the Means reveal
T'enjoy those Pleasures, for the Weak too strong,
Too costly for the Poor: To rein the Steed
Swift-stretching o'er the Plain, to chear the Pack
Op'ning in Consorts of harmonious Joy, 110
But breathing Death. What tho' the Gripe severe
Of brazen-fisted Time, and flow Disease
Creeping thro' ev'ry Vein, and Nerve unstrung,
Afflict my shatter'd Frame, undaunted still,
Fix'd as a Mountain Ash, that braves the Bolts 115
Of angry Jove; tho' blasted, yet unfallen;
Still can my Soul in Fancy's Mirrour view
Deeds glorious once, recal the joyous Scene
In all its Splendors deck'd, o'er the full Bowl
Recount my Triumphs past, urge others on 120
With Hand and Voice, and point the winding Way:
Pleas'd with that social sweet Garrulity,
The poor disbanded Vet'ran's sole Delight.
With large Demesnes, hereditary Wealth,
Heap'd copious by your wise Fore-Fathers Care, 105
Hear and attend! while I the Means reveal
T'enjoy those Pleasures, for the Weak too strong,
Too costly for the Poor: To rein the Steed
Swift-stretching o'er the Plain, to chear the Pack
Op'ning in Consorts of harmonious Joy, 110
But breathing Death. What tho' the Gripe severe
Of brazen-fisted Time, and flow Disease
Creeping thro' ev'ry Vein, and Nerve unstrung,
Afflict my shatter'd Frame, undaunted still,
Fix'd as a Mountain Ash, that braves the Bolts 115
Of angry Jove; tho' blasted, yet unfallen;
Still can my Soul in Fancy's Mirrour view
Deeds glorious once, recal the joyous Scene
In all its Splendors deck'd, o'er the full Bowl
Recount my Triumphs past, urge others on 120
With Hand and Voice, and point the winding Way:
Pleas'd with that social sweet Garrulity,
The poor disbanded Vet'ran's sole Delight.
First let the Kennel be the Huntsman's Care,
Upon some little Eminence erect, 125
And fronting to the ruddy Dawn; its Courts
On either Hand wide op'ning to receive
The Sun's all-chearing Beams, when mild he shines,
And gilds the Mountain Tops. For much the Pack
(Rous'd from their dark Alcoves) delight to stretch,
And bask, in his invigorating Ray:
Warn'd by the streaming Light, and merry Lark,
Forth rush the jolly Clan; with tuneful Throats
They carol loud, and in grand Chorus join'd
Salute the new-born Day. For not alone 135
The vegetable World, but Men and Brutes
Own his reviving Influence, and joy
At his Approach. Fountain of Light! if Chance
Some envious Cloud veil thy refulgent Brow,
In vain the Muses Aid, untouch'd, unstrung, 140
Lies my mute Harp, and thy desponding Bard
Sits darkly musing o'er th' unfinish'd Lay.
Upon some little Eminence erect, 125
And fronting to the ruddy Dawn; its Courts
On either Hand wide op'ning to receive
The Sun's all-chearing Beams, when mild he shines,
And gilds the Mountain Tops. For much the Pack
(Rous'd from their dark Alcoves) delight to stretch,
And bask, in his invigorating Ray:
Warn'd by the streaming Light, and merry Lark,
Forth rush the jolly Clan; with tuneful Throats
They carol loud, and in grand Chorus join'd
Salute the new-born Day. For not alone 135
The vegetable World, but Men and Brutes
Own his reviving Influence, and joy
At his Approach. Fountain of Light! if Chance
Some envious Cloud veil thy refulgent Brow,
In vain the Muses Aid, untouch'd, unstrung, 140
Lies my mute Harp, and thy desponding Bard
Sits darkly musing o'er th' unfinish'd Lay.
Let no Corinthian Pillars prop the Dome,
A vain Expence, on charitable Deeds
Better dispos'd, to cloath the tatter'd Wretch, 145
Who shrinks beneath the Blast, to feed the Poor
Pinch'd with afflictive Want: For Use, not State,
Gracefully plain, let each Apartment rise.
O'er all let Cleanliness preside, no Scraps
Bestrew the Pavement, and no half-pick'd Bones, 150
To kindle fierce Debate, or to disgust
That nicer Sense, on which the Sportsman's Hope,
And all his future Triumphs must depend.
Soon as the growling Pack with eager Joy
Have lapp'd their smoking Viands, Morn or Eve, 155
From the full Cistern lead the ductile Streams,
To wash thy Court well-pav'd, nor spare thy Pains,
For much to Health will Cleanliness avail.
Seek'st thou for Hounds to climb the rocky Steep,
And bruth th'entangled Covert, whose nice Scent 160
O'er greasy Fallows, and frequented Roads
Can pick the dubious Way? Banish far off
Each noisome Stench, let no offensive Smell
Invade thy wide Inclosure, but admit
The nitrous Air, and purifying Breeze. 165
A vain Expence, on charitable Deeds
Better dispos'd, to cloath the tatter'd Wretch, 145
Who shrinks beneath the Blast, to feed the Poor
Pinch'd with afflictive Want: For Use, not State,
Gracefully plain, let each Apartment rise.
O'er all let Cleanliness preside, no Scraps
Bestrew the Pavement, and no half-pick'd Bones, 150
To kindle fierce Debate, or to disgust
That nicer Sense, on which the Sportsman's Hope,
And all his future Triumphs must depend.
Soon as the growling Pack with eager Joy
Have lapp'd their smoking Viands, Morn or Eve, 155
From the full Cistern lead the ductile Streams,
To wash thy Court well-pav'd, nor spare thy Pains,
For much to Health will Cleanliness avail.
Seek'st thou for Hounds to climb the rocky Steep,
And bruth th'entangled Covert, whose nice Scent 160
O'er greasy Fallows, and frequented Roads
Can pick the dubious Way? Banish far off
Each noisome Stench, let no offensive Smell
Invade thy wide Inclosure, but admit
The nitrous Air, and purifying Breeze. 165
Water and Shade no less demand thy Care:
In a large Square th'adjacent Field inclose,
There plant in equal Ranks the spreading Elm,
Or fragrant Lime; most happy thy Design,
If at the Bottom of thy spacious Court, 170
A large Canal fed by the crystal Brook,
From its transparent Bosom shall reflect
Thy downward Structure and inverted Grove.
Here when the Sun's too potent Gleams annoy
The crowded Kennel, and the drooping Pack 175
Restless and faint, loll their unmoisten'd Tongues,
And drop their feeble Tails; to cooler Shades
Lead forth the panting Tribe, soon shalt thou find
The cordial Breeze their fainting Hearts revive:
Tumultuous soon they plunge into the Stream, 180
There lave their reeking Sides, with greedy Joy
Gulp down the flying Wave, this Way and that
From Shore to Shore they swim, while Clamour loud
And wild Uproar torments the troubled Flood:
Then on the sunny Bank they roll and stretch 185
Their dripping Limbs, or else in wanton Rings
Coursing around, pursuing and pursued,
The merry Multitude disporting play.
In a large Square th'adjacent Field inclose,
There plant in equal Ranks the spreading Elm,
Or fragrant Lime; most happy thy Design,
If at the Bottom of thy spacious Court, 170
A large Canal fed by the crystal Brook,
From its transparent Bosom shall reflect
Thy downward Structure and inverted Grove.
Here when the Sun's too potent Gleams annoy
The crowded Kennel, and the drooping Pack 175
Restless and faint, loll their unmoisten'd Tongues,
And drop their feeble Tails; to cooler Shades
Lead forth the panting Tribe, soon shalt thou find
The cordial Breeze their fainting Hearts revive:
Tumultuous soon they plunge into the Stream, 180
There lave their reeking Sides, with greedy Joy
Gulp down the flying Wave, this Way and that
From Shore to Shore they swim, while Clamour loud
And wild Uproar torments the troubled Flood:
Then on the sunny Bank they roll and stretch 185
Their dripping Limbs, or else in wanton Rings
Coursing around, pursuing and pursued,
The merry Multitude disporting play.
But here with watchful and observant Eye,
Attend their Frolicks, which too often end 190
In bloody Broils and Death. High o'er thy Head
Wave thy resounding Whip, and with a Voice
Fierce-menacing o'er-rule the stern Debate,
And quench their kindling Rage; for oft in Sport
Begun, Combat ensues, growling they snarl, 195
Then on their Haunches rear'd, rampant they seize
Each others Throats, with Teeth, and Claws, in Gore
Besmear'd, they wound, they tear, 'till on the Ground,
Panting, half dead the conquer'd Champion lies:
Then sudden all the base ignoble Crowd 200
Loud-clam'ring seize the helpless worried Wretch,
And thirsting for his Blood, drag diff'rent Ways
His mangled Carcass on th' ensanguin'd Plain.
O Breasts of Pity void! t'oppress the Weak,
To point your Vengeance at the friendless Head, 205
And with one mutual Cry insult the Fall'n!
Emblem too just of Man's degen'rate Race.
Attend their Frolicks, which too often end 190
In bloody Broils and Death. High o'er thy Head
Wave thy resounding Whip, and with a Voice
Fierce-menacing o'er-rule the stern Debate,
And quench their kindling Rage; for oft in Sport
Begun, Combat ensues, growling they snarl, 195
Then on their Haunches rear'd, rampant they seize
Each others Throats, with Teeth, and Claws, in Gore
Besmear'd, they wound, they tear, 'till on the Ground,
Panting, half dead the conquer'd Champion lies:
Then sudden all the base ignoble Crowd 200
Loud-clam'ring seize the helpless worried Wretch,
And thirsting for his Blood, drag diff'rent Ways
His mangled Carcass on th' ensanguin'd Plain.
O Breasts of Pity void! t'oppress the Weak,
To point your Vengeance at the friendless Head, 205
And with one mutual Cry insult the Fall'n!
Emblem too just of Man's degen'rate Race.
Others apart by native Instinct led,
Knowing Instructor! 'mong the ranker Grass
Cull each salubrious Plant, with bitter Juice 210
Concoctive stor'd, and potent to allay
Each vitious Ferment. Thus the Hand divine
Of Providence, beneficent and kind
To all his Creatures, for the Brutes prescribes
A ready Remedy, and is himself 215
Their great Physician. Now grown stiff with Age,
And many a painful Chace, the wise old Hound
Regardless of the frolick Pack, attends
His Master's Side, or slumbers at his Ease
Beneath the bending Shade; there many a Ring 220
Runs o're in Dreams; now on the doubtful Foil
Puzzles perplex'd, or Doubles intricate
Cautious unfolds, then wing'd with all his Speed,
Bounds o'er the Lawn to seize his panting Prey:
And in imperfect Whimp'rings speaks his Joy. 225
Knowing Instructor! 'mong the ranker Grass
Cull each salubrious Plant, with bitter Juice 210
Concoctive stor'd, and potent to allay
Each vitious Ferment. Thus the Hand divine
Of Providence, beneficent and kind
To all his Creatures, for the Brutes prescribes
A ready Remedy, and is himself 215
Their great Physician. Now grown stiff with Age,
And many a painful Chace, the wise old Hound
Regardless of the frolick Pack, attends
His Master's Side, or slumbers at his Ease
Beneath the bending Shade; there many a Ring 220
Runs o're in Dreams; now on the doubtful Foil
Puzzles perplex'd, or Doubles intricate
Cautious unfolds, then wing'd with all his Speed,
Bounds o'er the Lawn to seize his panting Prey:
And in imperfect Whimp'rings speaks his Joy. 225
A diff'rent Hound for ev'ry diff'rent Chace
Select with Judgment; nor the tim'rous Hare
O'er-match'd destroy, but leave that vile Offence
To the mean, murd'rous, coursing Crew; intent
On Blood and Spoil. O blast their Hopes, just Heav'n! 230
And all their painful Drudgeries repay
With Disappointment and severe Remorse.
But husband thou thy Pleasures, and give Scope
To all her subtle Play: By Nature led
A thousand Shifts she tries; t'unravel these 235
Th' industrious Beagle twists his waving Tail,
Thro' all her Labyrinths pursues, and rings
Her doleful Knell. See there with Count'nance blith,
And with a courtly grin, the fawning Hound
Salutes thee cow'ring, his wide op'ning Nose 240
Upward he curls, and his large Sloe-black Eyes
Melt in soft Blandishments, and humble Joy;
His glossy Skin, or Yellow-pied, or Blue,
In Lights or Shades by Nature's Pencil drawn,
Reflects the various Tints; his Ears and Legs 245
Fleckt here and there, in gay enamel'd Pride,
Rival the speckled Pard; his Rush-grown Tail
O'er his broad Back bends in an ample Arch;
On Shoulders clean, upright and firm he stands;
His round Cat Foot, strait Hams, and wide-spread Thighs, 250
And his low-dropping Chest, confess his Speed,
His Strength, his Wind, or on the steepy Hill,
Or far extended Plain; in ev'ry Part
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.
Select with Judgment; nor the tim'rous Hare
O'er-match'd destroy, but leave that vile Offence
To the mean, murd'rous, coursing Crew; intent
On Blood and Spoil. O blast their Hopes, just Heav'n! 230
And all their painful Drudgeries repay
With Disappointment and severe Remorse.
But husband thou thy Pleasures, and give Scope
To all her subtle Play: By Nature led
A thousand Shifts she tries; t'unravel these 235
Th' industrious Beagle twists his waving Tail,
Thro' all her Labyrinths pursues, and rings
Her doleful Knell. See there with Count'nance blith,
And with a courtly grin, the fawning Hound
Salutes thee cow'ring, his wide op'ning Nose 240
Upward he curls, and his large Sloe-black Eyes
Melt in soft Blandishments, and humble Joy;
His glossy Skin, or Yellow-pied, or Blue,
In Lights or Shades by Nature's Pencil drawn,
Reflects the various Tints; his Ears and Legs 245
Fleckt here and there, in gay enamel'd Pride,
Rival the speckled Pard; his Rush-grown Tail
O'er his broad Back bends in an ample Arch;
On Shoulders clean, upright and firm he stands;
His round Cat Foot, strait Hams, and wide-spread Thighs, 250
And his low-dropping Chest, confess his Speed,
His Strength, his Wind, or on the steepy Hill,
Or far extended Plain; in ev'ry Part
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.
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
Step after Step, their Size the same, their Arms
Far-gleaming, dart the same united Blaze:
Reviewing Generals his Merit own;
How regular! How just! And all his Cares
Are well repaid, is mighty George approve. 275
So model thou thy Pack, if Honour touch
Thy gen'rous Soul, and the World's just Applause.
But above all take heed, nor mix thy Hounds
Of diff'rent Kinds; discordant Sounds shall grate
Thy Ears offended, and a lagging Line 280
Of babbling Curs disgrace thy broken Pack.
But if th' amphibious Otter be thy Chace,
Or stately Stag, that o'er the Woodland reigns;
Or if th' harmonious Thunder of the Field
Delight thy ravish'd Ears; the deep-flew'd Hound
Breed up with Care, strong, heavy, slow, but sure;
Whose Ears down-hanging from his thick round Head
Shall sweep the Morning Dew, whose clanging Voice
Awake the Mountain Echo in her Cell,
And shake the Forests: The bold Talbot Kind 290
Of these the Prime, as white as Alpine Snows;
And great their Use of old. Upon the Banks
Of Tweed, slow-winding thro' the Vale, the Seat
Of War and Rapine once, e'er Britons knew
The Sweets of Peace, or Anna's dread Commands 295
To lasting Leagues the haughty Rivals aw'd,
There dwelt a pilf'ring Race; well-train'd and skill'd
In all the Mysteries of Theft, the Spoil
Their only Substance, Feuds and War their Sport:
Not more expert in ev'ry fraudful Art 300
Th' Arch [2] Felon was of old, who by the Tail
Brew back his lowing Prize: In vain his Wiles,
In vain the Shelter of the cov'ring Rock,
In vain the sooty Cloud, and ruddy Flames
That issu'd from his Mouth; for soon he paid 305
His forfeit Life: A Debt how justly due
To wrong'd Alcides, and avenging Heav'n!
Veil'd in the Shades of Night they ford the Stream,
Then proling far and near, whate'er they seize
Becomes their Prey; nor Flocks nor Herds are safe, 310
Nor Stalls protect the Steer, nor strong barr'd Doors
Secure the fav'rite Horse, Soon as the Morn
Reveals his Wrongs, with ghastly Visage wan
The plunder'd Owner stands, and from his Lips
A thousand thronging Curses burst their Way: 315
He calls his stout Allies, and in a Line
His faithful Hound he leads, then with a Voice
That utters loud his Rage, attentive chears:
Soon the sagacious Brute, his curling Tail
Flourish'd in Air, low-bending plies around 320
His busy Nose, the steaming Vapour snuffs
Inquisitive, nor leaves one Turf untried,
'Till conscious of the recent Stains, his Heart
Beats quick; his snuffling Nose, his active Tail
Attest his Joy; then with deep op'ning Mouth 325
That makes the Welkin tremble, he proclaims
Th'audacious Felon; Foot by Foot he marks
His winding Way, while all the list'ning Crowd
Applaud his Reas'nings. O'er the wat'ry Ford,
Dry sandy Heaths, and stony barren Hills, 330
O'er beaten Paths, with Men and Beasts distain'd,
Unerring he pursues; till at the Cot
Arriv'd, and seizing by his guilty Throat
The Caitif vile, redeems the captive Prey:
So exquisitely delicate his Sense! 335
By his fix'd Standard forms in equal Ranks
His gay Battalion, as one Man they move 270
Step after Step, their Size the same, their Arms
Far-gleaming, dart the same united Blaze:
Reviewing Generals his Merit own;
How regular! How just! And all his Cares
Are well repaid, is mighty George approve. 275
So model thou thy Pack, if Honour touch
Thy gen'rous Soul, and the World's just Applause.
But above all take heed, nor mix thy Hounds
Of diff'rent Kinds; discordant Sounds shall grate
Thy Ears offended, and a lagging Line 280
Of babbling Curs disgrace thy broken Pack.
But if th' amphibious Otter be thy Chace,
Or stately Stag, that o'er the Woodland reigns;
Or if th' harmonious Thunder of the Field
Delight thy ravish'd Ears; the deep-flew'd Hound
Breed up with Care, strong, heavy, slow, but sure;
Whose Ears down-hanging from his thick round Head
Shall sweep the Morning Dew, whose clanging Voice
Awake the Mountain Echo in her Cell,
And shake the Forests: The bold Talbot Kind 290
Of these the Prime, as white as Alpine Snows;
And great their Use of old. Upon the Banks
Of Tweed, slow-winding thro' the Vale, the Seat
Of War and Rapine once, e'er Britons knew
The Sweets of Peace, or Anna's dread Commands 295
To lasting Leagues the haughty Rivals aw'd,
There dwelt a pilf'ring Race; well-train'd and skill'd
In all the Mysteries of Theft, the Spoil
Their only Substance, Feuds and War their Sport:
Not more expert in ev'ry fraudful Art 300
Th' Arch [2] Felon was of old, who by the Tail
Brew back his lowing Prize: In vain his Wiles,
In vain the Shelter of the cov'ring Rock,
In vain the sooty Cloud, and ruddy Flames
That issu'd from his Mouth; for soon he paid 305
His forfeit Life: A Debt how justly due
To wrong'd Alcides, and avenging Heav'n!
Veil'd in the Shades of Night they ford the Stream,
Then proling far and near, whate'er they seize
Becomes their Prey; nor Flocks nor Herds are safe, 310
Nor Stalls protect the Steer, nor strong barr'd Doors
Secure the fav'rite Horse, Soon as the Morn
Reveals his Wrongs, with ghastly Visage wan
The plunder'd Owner stands, and from his Lips
A thousand thronging Curses burst their Way: 315
He calls his stout Allies, and in a Line
His faithful Hound he leads, then with a Voice
That utters loud his Rage, attentive chears:
Soon the sagacious Brute, his curling Tail
Flourish'd in Air, low-bending plies around 320
His busy Nose, the steaming Vapour snuffs
Inquisitive, nor leaves one Turf untried,
'Till conscious of the recent Stains, his Heart
Beats quick; his snuffling Nose, his active Tail
Attest his Joy; then with deep op'ning Mouth 325
That makes the Welkin tremble, he proclaims
Th'audacious Felon; Foot by Foot he marks
His winding Way, while all the list'ning Crowd
Applaud his Reas'nings. O'er the wat'ry Ford,
Dry sandy Heaths, and stony barren Hills, 330
O'er beaten Paths, with Men and Beasts distain'd,
Unerring he pursues; till at the Cot
Arriv'd, and seizing by his guilty Throat
The Caitif vile, redeems the captive Prey:
So exquisitely delicate his Sense! 335
Shou'd some more curious Sportsman here enquire,
Whence this Sagacity, this wond'rous Pow'r,
Of tracing Step by Step, or Man or Brute?
What Guide invisible points out their Way,
O'er the dank Marsh, bleak Hill, and sandy Plain?
The courteous Muse shall the dark Cause reveal.
The Blood that from the Heart incessant rolls
In many a crimson Tide, then here and there
In smaller Rills disparted, as it flows
Propell'd, the ferous Particles evade 345
Thro' th' open Pores, and with the ambient Air
Entangling mix. As fuming Vapours rise,
And hang upon the gently purling Brook,
There by th'incumbent Atmosphere compress'd.
The panting Chace grows warmer as he flies, 350
And thro' the Net-work of the Skin perspires;
Leaves a long-streaming Trail behind, which by
The cooler Air condens'd, remains, unless
By some rude Storm dispers'd, or rarified
By the Meridian's Sun's intenser Heat, 355
To ev'ry Shrub the warm Effluvia cling,
Hang on the Grass, impregnate Earth and Skies.
With Nostrils op'ning wide, o'er Hill, o'er Dale,
The vig'rous Hounds pursue, with ev'ry Breath
Inhale the grateful Steam, quick Pleasures sting 360
Their tingling Nerves, while they their Thanks repay,
And in triumphant Melody confess
The titillating Joy. Thus on the Air
Depend the Hunter's Hopes. When ruddy Streaks
At Eve forebode a blust'ring stormy Day,
Or low'ring Clouds blacken the Mountain's Brow,
When nipping Frosts, and the keen biting Blasts
Of the dry parching East, menace the Trees
With tender Blossoms teeming, kindly spare
Thy sleeping Pack, in their warm Beds of Straw 370
Low-sinking at their Ease; listless they shrink
Into some dark Recess, nor hear thy Voice
Tho' oft invok'd; or haply if thy Call
Rouze up the slumb'ring Tribe, with heavy Eyes
Glaz'd, lifeless, dull, downward they drop their Tails 375
Inverted; high on their bent Backs erect
Their pointed Bristles stare, or 'mong the Tufts
Of ranker Weeds, each Stomach-healing Plant
Curious they crop, sick, spiritless, forlorn.
These inauspicious Days, on other Cares 380
Employ thy precious Hours; th'improving Friend
With open Arms embrace, and from his Lips
Glean Science, season'd with good-natur'd Wit.
But if th'inclement Skies, and angry Jove
Forbid the pleasing Intercourse, thy Books 385
Invite thy ready Hand, each sacred Page
Rich with the wise Remarks of Heroes old.
Converse familiar with th' illustrious Dead;
With great Examples of old Greece or Rome
Enlarge thy free-born Heart, and bless kind Heav'n,
That Britain yet enjoys dear Liberty,
That Balm of Life, that sweetest Blessing, cheap
Tho' purchas'd with our Blood. Well-bred, polite,
Credit thy Calling. See! how mean, how low,
The bookless sauntring Youth, proud of the Skut 395
That dignifies his Cap, his flourish'd Belt,
And rusty Couples gingling by his Side.
Be thou of other Mold; and know that such
Transporting Pleasures, were by Heav'n ordain'd
Wisdom's Relief, and Virtue's great Reward. 400
Whence this Sagacity, this wond'rous Pow'r,
Of tracing Step by Step, or Man or Brute?
What Guide invisible points out their Way,
O'er the dank Marsh, bleak Hill, and sandy Plain?
The courteous Muse shall the dark Cause reveal.
The Blood that from the Heart incessant rolls
In many a crimson Tide, then here and there
In smaller Rills disparted, as it flows
Propell'd, the ferous Particles evade 345
Thro' th' open Pores, and with the ambient Air
Entangling mix. As fuming Vapours rise,
And hang upon the gently purling Brook,
There by th'incumbent Atmosphere compress'd.
The panting Chace grows warmer as he flies, 350
And thro' the Net-work of the Skin perspires;
Leaves a long-streaming Trail behind, which by
The cooler Air condens'd, remains, unless
By some rude Storm dispers'd, or rarified
By the Meridian's Sun's intenser Heat, 355
To ev'ry Shrub the warm Effluvia cling,
Hang on the Grass, impregnate Earth and Skies.
With Nostrils op'ning wide, o'er Hill, o'er Dale,
The vig'rous Hounds pursue, with ev'ry Breath
Inhale the grateful Steam, quick Pleasures sting 360
Their tingling Nerves, while they their Thanks repay,
And in triumphant Melody confess
The titillating Joy. Thus on the Air
Depend the Hunter's Hopes. When ruddy Streaks
At Eve forebode a blust'ring stormy Day,
Or low'ring Clouds blacken the Mountain's Brow,
When nipping Frosts, and the keen biting Blasts
Of the dry parching East, menace the Trees
With tender Blossoms teeming, kindly spare
Thy sleeping Pack, in their warm Beds of Straw 370
Low-sinking at their Ease; listless they shrink
Into some dark Recess, nor hear thy Voice
Tho' oft invok'd; or haply if thy Call
Rouze up the slumb'ring Tribe, with heavy Eyes
Glaz'd, lifeless, dull, downward they drop their Tails 375
Inverted; high on their bent Backs erect
Their pointed Bristles stare, or 'mong the Tufts
Of ranker Weeds, each Stomach-healing Plant
Curious they crop, sick, spiritless, forlorn.
These inauspicious Days, on other Cares 380
Employ thy precious Hours; th'improving Friend
With open Arms embrace, and from his Lips
Glean Science, season'd with good-natur'd Wit.
But if th'inclement Skies, and angry Jove
Forbid the pleasing Intercourse, thy Books 385
Invite thy ready Hand, each sacred Page
Rich with the wise Remarks of Heroes old.
Converse familiar with th' illustrious Dead;
With great Examples of old Greece or Rome
Enlarge thy free-born Heart, and bless kind Heav'n,
That Britain yet enjoys dear Liberty,
That Balm of Life, that sweetest Blessing, cheap
Tho' purchas'd with our Blood. Well-bred, polite,
Credit thy Calling. See! how mean, how low,
The bookless sauntring Youth, proud of the Skut 395
That dignifies his Cap, his flourish'd Belt,
And rusty Couples gingling by his Side.
Be thou of other Mold; and know that such
Transporting Pleasures, were by Heav'n ordain'd
Wisdom's Relief, and Virtue's great Reward. 400
- ↑ Gen. chap. ix. ver. 3.
- ↑ Cacus, Virg. Æn. Lib. VIII.