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THE CHACE.
Book IV.
The Wound; spare not thy Flesh, nor dread
th' Event:
Vulcan shall save, when Æsculapius fails.

Here, shou'd the knowing Muse recount the Means
To stop this growing Plague. And here, alass!
Each Hand presents a sov'reign Cure, and boasts 290
Infallibility, but boasts in vain.
On this depend, each to his sep'rate Seat
Confine, in Fetters bound; give each his Mess
Apart, his Range in open Air; and then
If deadly Symptoms to thy Grief appear; 295
Devote the Wretch, and let him greatly fall,
A gen'rous Victim for the publick Weal.

Sing, Philosophick Muse, the dire Effects
Of this contagious Bite on hapless Man.

The