They followed wheresoe'er the game did go, Through kitchen, parlour, hall, and chamber too; And, as they pass'd the city and the court,
My Prince look'd out, and deign'd to view my sport;
Which then, although I suffer for it now,
If some say true, he liking did allow;
And so much, had I had but the wit to stay,
I might myself, perhaps, have heard him
But I, that time, as much as any daring,
More for my pleasure than my safety caring,
Seeing fresh game from every covert rise,
Crossing by thousands still before their eyes,
After I rush'd, and following close my hounds,
Some beasts I found lie dead, some full of wounds,
Among the willows scarce with strength to move.
One I found here, another there, whom Love
Had grip'd to death: and, in the self-same state
Lay one devour'd by Envy, one by Hate.
Lust had bit some; but I soon pass'd beside them:
Their fester'd wounds so stunk, none could abide
Choler hurt divers, but Revenge kill'd more; Fear 'frighted all, behind him and before. Despair drove on a huge and mighty heap, Forcing some down from rocks and hills to leap, Some into water, some into the fire;
So on themselves he made them wreak his ire.
But I remember, as I pass'd that way,
Where the great King and Prince of Shepherds lay,
About the walls were hid, some, once more known,
That my fell cur Ambition had o'erthrown.
Many I heard, pursu'd by Pity, cry;
And oft I saw my blood-hound, Cruelty,
Eating her passage even to the heart,
Whither once gotten, she is loath to part.
All plied it well, and made so loud a cry,
'Twas heard beyond the shores of Britany.
Some rated them, some storm'd, some lik'd the
Some thought me worthy praise, some worthy blame.
But I, not fearing th'one, mis-'steeming t'other, Both in shrill halloos and loud yearnings smother. Yea, the strong-mettled, and my long-breath'd
Seeing the game encreasing in their view,
Grew the more frolic, and the course's length
Gave better breath and added to their strength.
Which Jove perceiving, for Jove heard their cries
Rumbling amongst the spheres' concavities,
He mark'd their course and courages encrease,
Saying, 'twere pity such a chace should cease;
And therewith swore their mouths should never
But hunt as long 's mortality did last.
Soon did they feel the power of his great gift,
And I began to find their pace more swift.
I follow'd, and I rated, but in vain
Striv'd to o'ertake or take them up again:
They never stayed since, nor nights nor days,
But to and fro still run a thousand ways;
Yea, often to this place where now I lie,
They'll wheel about to cheer me with their
And one day in good time will vengeance take
On some offenders, for their master's sake.
For know, my friends! my freedom in this sort
For them I lose, and making myself sport.
Why? was there any harm at all in this?
No, Willy! and I hope yet none there is.
.Note, and I'll tell thee how !
Thou know'st that Truth and Innocency now,
If plac'd with meanness, suffer more despight
Than Villainies, accompanied with might.
But thus it fell; while that my hounds pursu'd
Their noisome prey, and every field lay strew'd
With monsters, hurt and slain; upon a beast,
More subtile and more noisome than the rest,
My lean-flank'd bitch, call'd Envy, hap'd to 'light,
And, as her wont is, did so surely bite,
That though she left behind small outward smart,
The wounds were deep, and rankled to the heart.
This, joining to some other, that of late
Were very eagerly pursu'd by Hate,
To fit their purpose, having taken leisure,
Did thus conspire to work me a displeasure.
For imitation, far surpassing apes,
They laid aside their fox and wolvish shapes,
And shrouded in the skins of harmless sheep,
Into bye-ways and open paths did creep;
Where they, as hardly drawing breath, did lie,
Shewing their wounds to every passer-by,
To make them think that they were sheep so foil'd,
And by my dogs, in their late hunting, spoil'd.
Beside, some other, that envied my game,
And for their pastime kept such monsters tame,
As you do know there's many for their pleasure
Keep foxes, bears, and wolves, as some great
treasure,
Yea, many get their living by them too,
And so did store of these I speak of do;
Who, seeing that my kennel had affrighted,
Or hurt some vermin wherein they delighted,
And finding their own power by much too weak
Their malice on my innocence to wreak,
Swoln with the deepest rancour of despite,
Some of our greatest shepherds' folds by night
They closely enter'd; and there having stain'd
Their hands in villainy, of me they 'plain'd,
Affirming, without shame or honesty,
I and my dogs had done it purposely.
Whereat they storm'd, and call'd me to a trial,
Where innocence prevails not, nor denial.
But for that cause, here in this place I lie,
Where none so merry as my dogs and I.
Believe it, here's a tale will suiten well
For shepherds in another age to tell.
And thou shalt be remember'd with delight,
By this, hereafter, many a winter's night;
For of this sport another age will ring;
Yea, nymphs that are unborn thereof shall sing;
And not a beauty on our greens shall play,
That hath not heard of this thy hunting-day.
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