The Chase. a Poem (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ...and humbly sue, to save The vanquish'd host. What mortal can deny When suppliant beauty begs? At his command Op'ning to right and left, the well-train'd troops 615 Leave a large void for their retreating foes. Away they fly, on wings of fear upborne, To seek on distant hills their late abodes. Ye proud oppressors, whose vain hearts exult In wantonness of pow'r, 'gainst the brute race, ll Fierce robbers like yourselves, a guiltless war Wage uncontroll'd: here quench your thirst of bloocl; But learn from AURENGZEBii to spare mankind. BOOK III. r N Albion's isle when glorious Edgar reign'd, He wisely provident, from her white cliffs Launch'd half her forests, and with num'rous fleets Cover'd his wide domain: there proudly rode Lord of the deep, the great prerogative Of British monarchs. Each invader bold, Dane and Norwegian, at a distance gazed, And disappointed, gnash'd his teeth in vain. He scour'd the seas, and to remotest shores With swelling sails the trembling corsair fled, Rich commerce flourish'd; and with busy oars Dash'd the resounding surge. Nor less at land His royal cares; wise, potent, gracious prince 1 His subjects from their cruel foes he saved, And from rapacious savages their flocks. CAMBRIA's proud kings (tho' with reluctance) paid Their tributary wolves; head after head, In full account, till the woods yield no more, And all the rav'nous race extinct is lost. In fertile pastures, more securely grazed The social troops; and soon their large increase With curling fleeces whiten'd all the plains. But yet, alas the wily fox remain'd, A subtle, pilf'ring foe, prowling around In midnight shades, and wakeful to destroy. In the full fold, the poor defenceless lamb, Seized by his guileful arts, with sweet warm blood Supplies a...