Book II.
THE CHACE.
43
From Brake to Brake she flies, and visits all 260
Her well-known Haunts, where once she rang'd secure,
With Love and Plenty blest. See! there she goes,
She reels along, and by her Gate betrays
Her inward Weakness. See, how black she looks!
The Sweat that clogs th' obstructed Pores, scarce leaves 265
A languid Scent. And now in open View
See, see, she flies! each eager Hound exerts
His utmost Speed, and stretches ev'ry Nerve.
How quick she turns! their gaping Jaws eludes,
And yet a Moment lives; 'till round inclos'd 270
By all the greedy Pack, with infant Screams
She yields her Breath, and there reluctant dies.
So when the furious Bacchanals assail'd
Threician Orpheus, poor ill-fated Bard!
Her well-known Haunts, where once she rang'd secure,
With Love and Plenty blest. See! there she goes,
She reels along, and by her Gate betrays
Her inward Weakness. See, how black she looks!
The Sweat that clogs th' obstructed Pores, scarce leaves 265
A languid Scent. And now in open View
See, see, she flies! each eager Hound exerts
His utmost Speed, and stretches ev'ry Nerve.
How quick she turns! their gaping Jaws eludes,
And yet a Moment lives; 'till round inclos'd 270
By all the greedy Pack, with infant Screams
She yields her Breath, and there reluctant dies.
So when the furious Bacchanals assail'd
Threician Orpheus, poor ill-fated Bard!
Loud
