74
THE CHACE.
Book III.
And Avenue to Death. Hither he calls 230
His watchful Bands; and low into the Ground
A Pit they sink, full many a Fathom deep.
Then in the midst a Column high is rear'd,
The Butt of some fair Tree; upon whose Top
A Lamb is plac'd, just ravish'd from his Dam. 235
And next a Wall they build, with Stones and Earth
Encircling round, and hiding from all View
The dreadful Precipice. Now when the Shades
Of Night hang low'ring o'er the Mountain's Brow;
And Hunger keen, and pungent Thirst of Blood, 240
Rouze up the slothful Beast, he shakes his Sides,
Slow-rising from his Lair, and stretches wide
His rav'nous Paws, with recent Gore distain'd.
The Forests tremble, as he roars aloud,
Impatient to destroy. O'erjoy'd he hears 245
The bleating Innocent, that claims in vain
The Shepherd's Care, and seeks with piteous Moan
His watchful Bands; and low into the Ground
A Pit they sink, full many a Fathom deep.
Then in the midst a Column high is rear'd,
The Butt of some fair Tree; upon whose Top
A Lamb is plac'd, just ravish'd from his Dam. 235
And next a Wall they build, with Stones and Earth
Encircling round, and hiding from all View
The dreadful Precipice. Now when the Shades
Of Night hang low'ring o'er the Mountain's Brow;
And Hunger keen, and pungent Thirst of Blood, 240
Rouze up the slothful Beast, he shakes his Sides,
Slow-rising from his Lair, and stretches wide
His rav'nous Paws, with recent Gore distain'd.
The Forests tremble, as he roars aloud,
Impatient to destroy. O'erjoy'd he hears 245
The bleating Innocent, that claims in vain
The Shepherd's Care, and seeks with piteous Moan
The
