Contrives his wicker couch: whence he surveys His long purlieu, lord of the stream, and all The finny shoals his own. But you, brave youths, Dispute the felon's claim; try every root, And every reedy bank; encourage all The busy-spreading pack, that fearless plunge Into the flood, and cross the rapid stream. Bid rocks and caves, and each resounding shore, Proclaim your bold defiance; loudly raise _390 Each cheering voice, till distant hills repeat The triumphs of the vale. On the soft sand See there his seal impressed! and on that bank Behold the glittering spoils, half-eaten fish, Scales, fins, and bones, the leavings of his feast. Ah! on that yielding sag-bed, see, once more His seal I view. O'er yon dank rushy marsh The sly goose-footed prowler bends his course, And seeks the distant shallows. Huntsman, bring Thy eager pack; and trail him to his couch. _400 Hark! the loud peal begins, the clamorous joy, The gallant chiding, loads the trembling air. Ye Naiads fair, who o'er these floods preside, Raise up your dripping heads above the wave, And hear our melody. The harmonious notes Float with the stream; and every winding creek And hollow rock, that o'er the dimpling flood Nods pendant; still improve from shore to shore Our sweet reiterated joys. What shouts! What clamour loud! What gay heart-cheering sounds _410 Urge through, the breathing brass their mazy way! Nor choirs of Tritons glad with sprightlier strains The dancing billows, when proud Neptune rides In triumph o'er the deep. How greedily They snuff the fishy steam, that to each blade Rank-scenting clings! See! how the morning dews They sweep, that from their feet besprinkling drop Dispersed, and leave a track oblique behind. Now on firm land they range; then in the flood They plunge tumultuous; or through reedy pools _420 Rustling they work their way: no holt escapes Their curious search. With quick sensation now The fuming vapour stings; flutter their hearts, And joy redoubled bursts from every mouth In louder symphonies. Yon hollow trunk, That with its hoary head incurved, salutes The passing wave, must be the tyrant's fort, And dread abode. How these impatient climb, While others at the root incessant bay: They put him down. See, there he dives along! _430 The ascending bubbles mark his gloomy way. Quick fix the nets, and cut off his retreat Into the sheltering deeps. Ah, there he vents! The pack lunge headlong, and protended spears Menace destruction: while the troubled surge Indignant foams, and all the scaly kind Affrighted, hide their heads. Wild tumult reigns, And loud uproar. Ah, there once more he vents! See, that bold hound has seized him; down they sink, Together lost: but soon shall he repent _440 His rash assault. See there escaped, he flies Half-drowned, and clambers up the slippery bank With ouze and blood distained. Of all the brutes,