Page:The Chace - Somervile (1735).djvu/145

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Book IV.
THE CHACE.
125
Affrighted, hide their Heads. Wild Tumult reigns,And loud Uproar. Ah, there once more he vents!See, that bold Hound has seiz'd him; down they sink,Together lost: But soon shall he repent 440His rash Assault. See, there escap'd, he fliesHalf drown'd, and clambers up the slipp'ry BankWith Ouze and Blood distain'd. Of all the Brutes,Whether by Nature form'd, or by long Use,This artful Diver best can bear the WantOf vital Air. Unequal is the Fight,Beneath the whelming Element. Yet thereHe lives not long; but Respiration needsAt proper Intervals. Again he vents;Again the Crowd attack. That Spear has pierc'd 450His Neck; the crimson Waves confess the Wound.Fix'd is the bearded Lance, unwelcome Guest,Where-e'er he flies; with him it sinks beneath,

With

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