Page:The Chace - Somervile (1735).djvu/26

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
6
THE CHACE.
Book I.
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