WINDSOR-FOREST.
9
The swain with tears to beasts his labour yields,
And famish'd dies amidst his ripen'd fields.
No wonder savages or subjects slain
Were equal crimes in a despotic reign;
Both doom'd alike for sportive Tyrants bled,
But subjects starv'd while savages were fed.
Proud Nimrod first the bloody chace began,
A mighty hunter, and his prey was man.
Our haughty Norman boasts that barb'rous name,
And makes his trembling slaves the royal game.
The [1]fields are ravish'd from th'industrious swains,
From Men their cities, and from Gods their fanes:
The levell'd towns with weeds lie cover'd o'er;
The hollow winds thro' naked Temples roar;
And famish'd dies amidst his ripen'd fields.
No wonder savages or subjects slain
Were equal crimes in a despotic reign;
Both doom'd alike for sportive Tyrants bled,
But subjects starv'd while savages were fed.
Proud Nimrod first the bloody chace began,
A mighty hunter, and his prey was man.
Our haughty Norman boasts that barb'rous name,
And makes his trembling slaves the royal game.
The [1]fields are ravish'd from th'industrious swains,
From Men their cities, and from Gods their fanes:
The levell'd towns with weeds lie cover'd o'er;
The hollow winds thro' naked Temples roar;
- ↑ Alluding to the new forest, and the tyrannies exercis'd there by William the first.
Round
