Page:The Chace - Somervile (1735).djvu/100

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THE CHACE.
Book III.
Th' Advantage spies; and at one sidelong Glance
Rips up his Groin. Wounded, he rears aloft,
And plunging, from his Back the Rider hurls
Precipitant; then bleeding spurns the Ground,
And drags his reeking Entrails o'er the Plain.
Mean while the surly Monster trots along,
But with unequal Speed; for still they wound,
Swift-wheeling in the spacious Ring. A Wood
Of Darts upon his Back he bears; adown 340
His tortur'd Sides, the crimson Torrents roll
From many a gaping Font. And now at last
Stagg'ring he falls, in Blood and Foam expires.

But whither roves my devious Muse, intent
On antique Tales? While yet the royal Stag 345
Unsung remains. Tread with respectful Awe
Windsor's green Glades; where Denham, tuneful Bard,
Charm'd once the list'ning Dryads, with his Song

Sublimely