The propagated cry redoubling bounds, And winged zephyrs waft the floating joy Through all the regions near. Afflictive birch No more the schoolboy dreads, his prison broke, Scampering he flies, nor heeds his master’s call; The weary traveller forgets his road, And climbs the adjacent hill; the ploughman leaves The unfinish’d furrow; nor his bleating flocks Are now the shepherd’s joy; men, boys, and girls, Desert the unpeopled village; and wild crowds Spread o’er the plain, by the sweet frenzy seized. Look, how she pants! and o’er yon opening glade Slips, glancing, by; while, at the further end, The puzzling pack unravel wile by wile, Maze within maze. The covert’s utmost bound Slily she skirts; behind them, cautious, creeps, And, in that very track, so lately stain’d By all the steaming crowd, seems to pursue The foe she flies. Let cavillers deny That brutes have reason; sure, ’tis something more, ’Tis Heaven directs, and stratagems inspires, Beyond the short extent of human thought. But hold--I see her from the covert break; Sad, on yon little eminence, she sits; Intent she listens, with one ear erect, [Sidenote: BOOK II THE CHASE v. 214-238.] Pondering, and doubtful, what new course to take, And how to escape the fierce blood-thirsty crew, That still urge on, and still, in vollies loud, Insult her woes, and mock her sore distress. As now, in louder peals, the loaded winds Bring on the gathering storm, her fears prevail; And o’er the plain, and o’er the mountain’s ridge, Away she flies; nor ships, with wind and tide, And all their canvas wings, scud half so fast. Once more, ye jovial train, your courage try, And each clean courser’s speed. We scour along, In pleasing hurry and confusion toss’d; Oblivion to be wish’d. The patient pack Hang on the scent, unwearied; up they climb, And ardent we pursue; our labouring steeds We press, we gore; till once the summit gain’d, Painfully panting, there we breathe awhile; Then, like a foaming torrent, pouring down Precipitant, we smoke along the vale. Happy the man, who, with unrivall’d speed, Can pass his fellows, and with pleasure view The struggling pack; how, in the rapid course, Alternate they preside, and, justling, push To guide the dubious scent; how giddy youth Oft, babbling, errs, by wiser age reproved; [Sidenote: BOOK II THE CHASE v. 239-262.]