A POEM.
167
Or, by the sudden gun, they fluttering fall,
And vile with blood, is stained their freckled down.
In Shetland's grassy holms, the mining tribe
Skulking, is there well pleased to breathe obscure,
Regardless they of what low bustling men
Concert in clamorous camp, or palace high;
But what avails their unambitious care,
If the fierce ferret spies the vaulted cell,
And rushes headlong in to seize the prey?
At once the subterraneous state alarmed 240
Shrieks out all over, whither shall they fly?
Caught in their inmost chambers, where they slept
Vainly secure. The assassin fiery eyed,
Winding up all their mazes, through and through,
Spreads desolation o'er the feeble race.
Here need I name the wind-outstripping roe?
Or branchy-horned hart, that strays unowned
In woody Ross, or Athol, nurse of hinds;
Behold! in utmost wilderness he wons,
Far off from men, content with humble fare. 250
Ere since of old, the haughty thanes of Ross,
So to the simple swain tradition tells;
Were wont with clans, and ready vassals thronged,
To wake the bounding stag, or guilty wolf,
And vile with blood, is stained their freckled down.
In Shetland's grassy holms, the mining tribe
Skulking, is there well pleased to breathe obscure,
Regardless they of what low bustling men
Concert in clamorous camp, or palace high;
But what avails their unambitious care,
If the fierce ferret spies the vaulted cell,
And rushes headlong in to seize the prey?
At once the subterraneous state alarmed 240
Shrieks out all over, whither shall they fly?
Caught in their inmost chambers, where they slept
Vainly secure. The assassin fiery eyed,
Winding up all their mazes, through and through,
Spreads desolation o'er the feeble race.
Here need I name the wind-outstripping roe?
Or branchy-horned hart, that strays unowned
In woody Ross, or Athol, nurse of hinds;
Behold! in utmost wilderness he wons,
Far off from men, content with humble fare. 250
Ere since of old, the haughty thanes of Ross,
So to the simple swain tradition tells;
Were wont with clans, and ready vassals thronged,
To wake the bounding stag, or guilty wolf,
