O"er all let cleanliness preside, no sc.r.a.ps Bestrew the pavement, and no half-picked 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 lapped their smoking viands, morn or eve, From the full cistern lead the ductile streams, To wash thy court well-paved, nor spare thy pains, For much to health will cleanliness avail.
Seek"st thou for hounds to climb the rocky steep, And brush the 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.
Water and shade no less demand thy care: In a large square the adjacent field inclose, There plant in equal ranks the spreading elm, Or fragrant lime; most happy thy design, If at the bottom of thy s.p.a.cious court, _170 A large ca.n.a.l fed by the crystal brook, From its transparent bosom shall reflect Downward thy structure and inverted grove.
Here when the sun"s too potent gleams annoy The crowded kennel, and the drooping pack, Restless and faint, loll their unmoistened 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 sh.o.r.e to sh.o.r.e they swim, while clamour loud And wild uproar torments the troubled flood: Then on the sunny bank they roll and stretch Their dripping limbs, or else in wanton rings Coursing around, pursuing and pursued, The merry mult.i.tude disporting play.
But here with watchful and observant eye Attend their frolics, which too often end _190 In b.l.o.o.d.y broils and death. High o"er thy head Wave thy resounding whip, and with a voice Fierce-menacing o"errule the stern debate, And quench their kindling rage; for oft in sport Begun, combat ensues, growling they snarl, Then on their haunches reared, rampant they seize Each other"s throats, with teeth and claws in gore Besmeared, they wound, they tear, till on the ground, Panting, half dead the conquered champion lies: Then sudden all the base ign.o.ble crowd _200 Loud-clamouring seize the helpless worried wretch, And thirsting for his blood, drag different ways His mangled carcase on the ensanguined plain.
O b.r.e.a.s.t.s of pity void! to oppress the weak, To point your vengeance at the friendless head, And with one mutual cry insult the fallen!
Emblem too just of man"s degenerate race.
Others apart by native instinct led, Knowing instructor! "mong the ranker gra.s.s Cull each salubrious plant, with bitter juice _210 Concoctive stored, and potent to allay Each vicious ferment. Thus the hand divine Of Providence, beneficent and kind To all His creatures, for the brutes prescribes A ready remedy, and is Himself Their great physician. Now grown stiff with age, And many a painful chase, the wise old hound Regardless of the frolic pack, attends His master"s side, or slumbers at his ease Beneath the bending shade; there many a ring _220 Runs o"er in dreams; now on the doubtful foil Puzzles perplexed, or doubles intricate Cautious unfolds, then winged with all his speed, Bounds o"er the lawn to seize his panting prey: And in imperfect whimperings speaks his joy.
A different hound for every different chase Select with judgment; nor the timorous hare O"ermatched destroy, but leave that vile offence To the mean, murderous, coursing crew; intent On blood and spoil. O blast their hopes, just Heaven!
_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; to unravel these The industrious beagle twists his waving tail, Through all her labyrinths pursues, and rings Her doleful knell. See there with countenance blithe, And with a courtly grin, the fawning hound Salutes thee cowering, his wide-opening 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 Flecked here and there, in gay enamelled 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, straight 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 every part So well proportioned, that the nicer skill Of Phidias himself can"t blame thy choice.
Of such compose thy pack. But here a mean Observe, nor the large hound prefer, of size Gigantic; he in the thick-woven covert Painfully tugs, or in the th.o.r.n.y brake Torn and embarra.s.sed bleeds: but if too small, _260 The pigmy brood in every furrow swims; Moiled in the clogging clay, panting they lag Behind inglorious; or else shivering creep Benumbed and faint beneath the sheltering 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 fixed 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, if mighty George approve.
So model thou thy pack, if honour touch Thy generous soul, and the world"s just applause.
But above all take heed, nor mix thy hounds Of different kinds; discordant sounds shall grate Thy ears offended, and a lagging line _280 Of babbling curs disgrace thy broken pack.
But if the amphibious otter be thy chase, Or stately stag, that o"er the woodland reigns; Or if the harmonious thunder of the field Delight thy ravished ears; the deep-flewed 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[6] kind _290 Of these the prime, as white as Alpine snows; And great their use of old. Upon the banks Of Tweed, slow winding through the vale, the seat Of war and rapine once, ere Britons knew The sweets of peace, or Anna"s dread commands To lasting leagues the haughty rivals awed, There dwelt a pilfering race; well-trained and skilled In all the mysteries of theft, the spoil
Their only substance, feuds and war their sport: Not more expert in every fraudful art _300 The arch felon was of old, who by the tail Drew back his lowing prize: in vain his wiles, In vain the shelter of the covering rock, In vain the sooty cloud, and ruddy flames That issued from his mouth; for soon he paid His forfeit life: a debt how justly due To wronged Alcides, and avenging Heaven!
Veiled in the shades of night they ford the stream,
Then prowling far and near, whate"er they seize Becomes their prey; nor flocks nor herds are safe, _310 Nor stalls protect the steer, nor strong barred doors Secure the favourite horse. Soon as the morn Reveals his wrongs, with ghastly visage wan The plundered owner stands, and from his lips A thousand thronging curses burst their way: He calls his stout allies, and in a line His faithful hound he leads, then with a voice That utters loud his rage, attentive cheers: Soon the sagacious brute, his curling tail
Flourished in air, low-bending plies around _320 His busy nose, the steaming vapour snuff 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 opening mouth That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims The audacious felon; foot by foot he marks His winding way, while all the listening crowd Applaud his reasonings. O"er the watery ford, Dry sandy heaths, and stony barren hill, _330 O"er beaten paths, with men and beasts distained, Unerring he pursues; till at the cot Arrived, and seizing by his guilty throat The caitiff" vile, redeems the captive prey: So exquisitely delicate his sense!
Should some more curious sportsman here inquire, Whence this sagacity, this wondrous power 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?
_340 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 Propelled, the serous particles evade Through the open pores, and with the ambient air Entangling mix. As fuming vapours rise, And hang upon the gently purling brook, There by the inc.u.mbent atmosphere compressed, The panting chase grows warmer as he flies, _350 And through the net-work of the skin perspires; Leaves a long-streaming trail behind, which by The cooler air condensed, remains, unless By some rude storm dispersed, or rarefied By the meridian sun"s intenser heat.
To every shrub the warm effluvia cling, Hang on the gra.s.s, impregnate earth and skies.
With nostrils opening wide, o"er hill, o"er dale, The vigorous hounds pursue, with every breath Inhale the grateful steam, quick pleasures sting _360 Their tingling nerves, while they their thanks repay, And in triumphant melody confess The t.i.tillating joy. Thus on the air Depend the hunter"s hopes. When ruddy streaks At eve forebode a bl.u.s.tering stormy day, Or lowering 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 Though oft invoked; or haply if thy call Rouse up the slumbering tribe, with heavy eyes Glazed, lifeless, dull, downward they drop their tails 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; the improving friend With open arms embrace, and from his lips Glean science, seasoned with good-natured wit.
But if the inclement skies and angry Jove Forbid the pleasing intercourse, thy books Invite thy ready hand, each sacred page Rich with the wise remarks of heroes old.
Converse familiar with the ill.u.s.trious dead; With great examples of old Greece or Rome Enlarge thy free-born heart, and bless kind Heaven, _390 That Britain yet enjoys dear Liberty, That balm of life, that sweetest blessing, cheap Though purchased with our blood. Well-bred, polite, Credit thy calling. See! how mean, how low, The bookless sauntering youth, proud of the scut That dignifies his cap, his flourished belt, And rusty couples jingling by his side.
Be thou of other mould; and know that such Transporting pleasures were by Heaven ordained Wisdom"s relief, and Virtue"s great reward.
_400
BOOK II.
THE ARGUMENT.
Of the power of instinct in brutes.--Two remarkable instances in the hunting of the roebuck, and in the hare going to seat in the morning.--Of the variety of seats or forms of the hare, according to the change of the season, weather, or wind.--Description of the hare-hunting in all its parts, interspersed with rules to be observed by those who follow that chase.--Transition to the Asiatic way of hunting, particularly the magnificent manner of the Great Mogul, and other Tartarian princes, taken from Monsieur Bernier, and the history of Gengiskan the Great.--Concludes with a short reproof of tyrants and oppressors of mankind.
Nor will it less delight the attentive sage To observe that instinct, which unerring guides The brutal race, which mimics reason"s lore And oft transcends: heaven-taught, the roe-buck swift Loiters at ease before the driving pack And mocks their vain pursuit, nor far he flies But checks his ardour, till the steaming scent That freshens on the blade, provokes their rage.
Urged to their speed, his weak deluded foes
Soon flag fatigued; strained to excess each nerve, _10 Each slackened sinew fails; they pant, they foam; Then o"er the lawn he bounds, o"er the high hills Stretches secure, and leaves the scattered crowd To puzzle in the distant vale below.
"Tis instinct that directs the jealous hare To choose her soft abode: with step reversed She forms the doubling maze; then, ere the morn Peeps through the clouds, leaps to her close recess.
As wand"ring shepherds on the Arabian plains
No settled residence observe, but shift _20 Their moving camp, now, on some cooler hill With cedars crowned, court the refreshing breeze; And then, below, where trickling streams distil From some penurious source, their thirst allay, And feed their fainting flocks: so the wise hares Oft quit their seats, lest some more curious eye Should mark their haunts, and by dark treacherous wiles Plot their destruction; or perchance in hopes
Of plenteous forage, near the ranker mead, Or matted blade, wary, and close they sit.
_30 When spring shines forth, season of love and joy, In the moist marsh, "mong beds of rushes hid, They cool their boiling blood: when Summer suns Bake the cleft earth, to thick wide-waving fields Of corn full-grown, they lead their helpless young: But when autumnal torrents, and fierce rains Deluge the vale, in the dry crumbling bank Their forms they delve, and cautiously avoid
The dripping covert: yet when Winter"s cold Their limbs benumbs, thither with speed returned _40 In the long gra.s.s they skulk, or shrinking creep Among the withered leaves, thus changing still, As fancy prompts them, or as food invites.
But every season carefully observed, The inconstant winds, the fickle element, The wise experienced huntsman soon may find His subtle, various game, nor waste in vain His tedious hours, till his impatient hounds With disappointment vexed, each springing lark Babbling pursue, far scattered o"er the fields.
_50 Now golden Autumn from her open lap Her fragrant bounties showers; the fields are shorn; Inwardly smiling, the proud farmer views The rising pyramids that grace his yard, And counts his large increase; his barns are stored, And groaning staddles bend beneath their load.
All now is free as air, and the gay pack In the rough bristly stubbles range unblamed; No widow"s tears o"erflow, no secret curse Swells in the farmer"s breast, which his pale lips _60 Trembling conceal, by his fierce landlord awed: But courteous now he levels every fence, Joins in the common cry, and halloos loud, Charmed with the rattling thunder of the field.
Oh bear me, some kind Power invisible!
To that extended lawn, where the gay court View the swift racers, stretching to the goal; Games more renowned, and a far n.o.bler train, Than proud Elean fields could boast of old.
Oh! were a Theban lyre not wanting here, _70 And Pindar"s voice, to do their merit right!
Or to those s.p.a.cious plains, where the strained eye In the wide prospect lost, beholds at last Sarum"s proud spire, that o"er the hills ascends, And pierces through the clouds. Or to thy downs, Fair Cotswold, where the well-breathed beagle climbs, With matchless speed, thy green aspiring brow,
And leaves the lagging mult.i.tude behind.
Hail, gentle Dawn! mild blushing G.o.ddess, hail!
Rejoiced I see thy purple mantle spread _80 O"er half the skies, gems pave thy radiant way, And orient pearls from every shrub depend.
Farewell, Cleora; here deep sunk in down Slumber secure, with happy dreams amused, Till grateful steams shall tempt thee to receive Thy early meal, or thy officious maids, The toilet placed, shall urge thee to perform The important work. Me other joys invite, The horn sonorous calls, the pack awaked Their matins chant, nor brook my long delay.
_90 My courser hears their voice; see there with ears And tail erect, neighing he paws the ground; Fierce rapture kindles in his reddening eyes, And boils in every vein. As captive boys Cowed by the ruling rod, and haughty frowns Of pedagogues severe, from their hard tasks, If once dismissed, no limits can contain The tumult raised within their little b.r.e.a.s.t.s, But give a loose to all their frolic play:
So from their kennel rush the joyous pack; _100 A thousand wanton gaieties express Their inward ecstasy, their pleasing sport Once more indulged, and liberty restored.
The rising sun that o"er the horizon peeps, As many colours from their glossy skins Beaming reflects, as paint the various bow When April showers descend. Delightful scene!
Where all around is gay, men, horses, dogs, And in each smiling countenance appears Fresh-blooming health, and universal joy.
_110 Huntsman, lead on! behind the cl.u.s.tering pack Submiss attend, hear with respect thy whip Loud-clanging, and thy harsher voice obey:
Spare not the straggling cur, that wildly roves; But let thy brisk a.s.sistant on his back Imprint thy just resentments; let each lash Bite to the quick, till howling he return And whining creep amid the trembling crowd.
Here on this verdant spot, where nature kind, With double blessings crowns the farmer"s hopes; _120 Where flowers autumnal spring, and the rank mead Affords the wandering hares a rich repast, Throw off thy ready pack. See, where they spread And range around, and dash the glittering dew.
If some stanch hound, with his authentic voice, Avow the recent trail, the jostling tribe Attend his call, then with one mutual cry The welcome news confirm, and echoing hills Repeat the pleasing tale. See how they thread
The brakes, and up yon furrow drive along!
_130 But quick they back recoil, and wisely check Their eager haste; then o"er the fallowed ground How leisurely they work, and many a pause The harmonious concert breaks; till more a.s.sured With joy redoubled the low valleys ring.
What artful labyrinths perplex their way!
Ah! there she lies; how close! she pants, she doubts If now she lives; she trembles as she sits, With horror seized. The withered gra.s.s that clings Around her head, of the same russet hue _140 Almost deceived my sight, had not her eyes With life full-beaming her vain wiles betrayed.
At distance draw thy pack, let all be hushed, No clamour loud, no frantic joy be heard, Lest the wild hound run gadding o"er the plain Untractable, nor hear thy chiding voice.
Now gently put her off; see how direct To her known mews she flies! Here, huntsman, bring (But without hurry) all thy jolly hounds,
And calmly lay them in. How low they stoop, _150 And seem to plough the ground! then all at once With greedy nostrils snuff the fuming steam That glads their fluttering hearts. As winds let loose From the dark caverns of the bl.u.s.tering G.o.d, They burst away, and sweep the dewy lawn.
Hope gives them wings while she"s spurred on by fear.
The welkin rings; men, dogs, hills, rocks, and woods In the full concert join. Now, my brave youths, Stripped for the chase, give all your souls to joy!
See how their coursers, than the mountain roe _160 More fleet, the verdant carpet skim, thick clouds Snorting they breathe, their shining hoofs scarce print The gra.s.s unbruised; with emulation fired They strain to lead the field, top the barred gate, O"er the deep ditch exulting bound, and brush The th.o.r.n.y-twining hedge: the riders bend O"er their arched necks; with steady hands, by turns Indulge their speed, or moderate their rage.
Where are their sorrows, disappointments, wrongs, Vexations, sickness, cares? All, all are gone, _170 And with the panting winds lag far behind.
Huntsman! her gait observe, if in wide rings She wheel her mazy way, in the same round Persisting still, she"ll foil the beaten track.
But if she fly, and with the favouring wind Urge her bold course; less intricate thy task: Push on thy pack. Like some poor exiled wretch The frighted chase leaves her late dear abodes, O"er plains remote she stretches far away, Ah! never to return! for greedy Death _180 Hovering exults, secure to seize his prey.
Hark! from yon covert, where those towering oaks Above the humble copse aspiring rise, What glorious triumphs burst in every gale Upon our ravished ears! The hunters shout, The clanging horns swell their sweet-winding notes, The pack wide-opening load the trembling air With various melody; from tree to tree