Page:The Chace - Somervile (1735).djvu/140

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THE CHACE.
Book IV.
The cavern'd Banks, by the tenacious RootsOf hoary Willows arch'd; gloomy RetreatOf the bright scaly Kind; where they at Will,On the green wat'ry Reed their Pasture graze, 355Suck the moist Soil, or slumber at their Ease,Rock'd by the restless Brook, that draws aslopeIts humid Train, and laves their dark Abodes.Where rages not Oppression? Where, alass!Is Innocence secure? Rapine and Spoil 360Haunt ev'n the lowest Deeps; Seas have their Sharks,Rivers and Ponds inclos'd, the rav'nous Pike;He in his Turn becomes a Prey; on himTh' amphibious Otter feasts. Just is his FateDeserv'd: But Tyrants know no Bounds; nor SpearsThat bristle on his Back, defend the PerchFrom his wide greedy Jaws; nor burnish'd MailThe yellow Carp; nor all his Arts can saveTh' insinuating Eel, that hides his Head

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