Book IV.
THE CHACE.
115
Sits growling o'er his Prey: Each Hour presents 270
A diff'rent Scene of Ruin and Distress.
How busy art thou Fate! and how severe
Thy pointed Wrath! the Dying and the Dead
Promiscuous lye; o'er these the Living fight
In one eternal Broil; not conscious why, 275
Nor yet with whom. So Drunkards in their Cups,
Spare not their Friends, while senseless Squabble reigns.
A diff'rent Scene of Ruin and Distress.
How busy art thou Fate! and how severe
Thy pointed Wrath! the Dying and the Dead
Promiscuous lye; o'er these the Living fight
In one eternal Broil; not conscious why, 275
Nor yet with whom. So Drunkards in their Cups,
Spare not their Friends, while senseless Squabble reigns.
Huntsman! it much behooves thee to avoid
The perilous Debate. Ah! rouze up all
Thy Vigilance, and tread the treach'rous Ground 280
With careful Step. Thy Fires unquench'd preserve,
As erst the Vestal Flame; the pointed Steel
In the hot Embers hide; and if surpriz'd
Thou feel'st the deadly Bite, quick urge it home
Into the recent Sore, and cauterize 285
The perilous Debate. Ah! rouze up all
Thy Vigilance, and tread the treach'rous Ground 280
With careful Step. Thy Fires unquench'd preserve,
As erst the Vestal Flame; the pointed Steel
In the hot Embers hide; and if surpriz'd
Thou feel'st the deadly Bite, quick urge it home
Into the recent Sore, and cauterize 285
The
