A large canal fed by the crystal brook, From its transparent bosom shall reflect Downward thy structure and inverted grove. Here when the sun's too potent gleams annoy The crowded kennel, and the drooping pack, Restless and faint, loll their unmoistened tongues, And drop their feeble tails; to cooler shades Lead forth the panting tribe; soon shalt thou find The cordial breeze their fainting hearts revive: Tumultuous soon they plunge into the stream, _180 There lave their reeking sides, with greedy joy Gulp down the flying wave; this way and that From shore to shore they swim, while clamour loud And wild uproar torments the troubled flood: Then on the sunny bank they roll and stretch Their dripping limbs, or else in wanton rings Coursing around, pursuing and pursued, The merry multitude disporting play. But here with watchful and observant eye Attend their frolics, which too often end _190 In bloody broils and death. High o'er thy head Wave thy resounding whip, and with a voice Fierce-menacing o'errule the stern debate, And quench their kindling rage; for oft in sport Begun, combat ensues, growling they snarl, Then on their haunches reared, rampant they seize Each other's throats, with teeth and claws in gore Besmeared, they wound, they tear, till on the ground, Panting, half dead the conquered champion lies: Then sudden all the base ignoble crowd _200 Loud-clamouring seize the helpless worried wretch, And thirsting for his blood, drag different ways His mangled carcase on the ensanguined plain. O breasts of pity void! to oppress the weak, To point your vengeance at the friendless head, And with one mutual cry insult the fallen! Emblem too just of man's degenerate race. Others apart by native instinct led, Knowing instructor! 'mong the ranker grass Cull each salubrious plant, with bitter juice _210 Concoctive stored, and potent to allay Each vicious ferment. Thus the hand divine Of Providence, beneficent and kind To all His creatures, for the brutes prescribes A ready remedy, and is Himself Their great physician. Now grown stiff with age, And many a painful chase, the wise old hound Regardless of the frolic pack, attends His master's side, or slumbers at his ease Beneath the bending shade; there many a ring _220 Runs o'er in dreams; now on the doubtful foil Puzzles perplexed, or doubles intricate Cautious unfolds, then winged with all his speed, Bounds o'er the lawn to seize his panting prey: And in imperfect whimperings speaks his joy. A different hound for every different chase Select with judgment; nor the timorous hare O'ermatched destroy, but leave that vile offence To the mean, murderous, coursing crew; intent On blood and spoil. O blast their hopes, just Heaven! _230 And all their painful drudgeries repay With disappointment and severe remorse. But husband thou thy pleasures, and give scope