Page:The Chace - Somervile (1735).djvu/81

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Book III.
THE CHACE.
61
Dash'd the resounding Surge. Nor less at Land
His royal Cares; wise, potent, gracious Prince!
His Subjects from their cruel Foes he sav'd,
And from rapacious Savages their Flocks. 15
Cambria's proud Kings (tho' with Reluctance) paid
Their tributary Wolves; Head after Head,
In full Account, 'till the Woods yield no more,
And all the rav'nous Race extinct is lost.
In fertile Pastures, more securely graz'd 20
The social Troops; and soon their large Increase
With curling Fleeces whiten'd all the Plains.
But yet alas! the wily Fox remain'd,
A subtle, pilf'ring Foe, proling around
In Midnight Shades, and wakeful to destroy. 25
In the full Fold, the poor defenceless Lamb,
Seiz'd by his guileful Arts, with sweet warm Blood
Supplies a rich Repast. The mournful Ewe,
Her dearest Treasure lost, thro' the dun Night

Wanders