University of California At Los Angeles The Library Form L I TK S5S This book is DUE on the last date stamped below '!QV 10 1931 SHOOTING. A POEM. r SHOOTING, POEM. VOLANS LIQJ7IDIS IN NUBIBUSARSIT, SIGNAVITQJJE VIAM FLAMMIS . VIRGIL. LONDON': PRINTED K Y J. DAVIS, CHANCERY LANE, FOR R. FAULUER, NE\V BOND STREET, LONDON; AND MESS. PRINCE AND COOKE, OXFORD. MDCCLXXXIV. PR 3 64 555 SHOOTING, J M. A E fylvan mufes ! as my ftep invades The deep receffes of your hallow'd (hades, Say will ye bid your echoing caves prolong The harsher cadence of your vot'ry's fong ? Not anxious now to flrike the trembling wire, 5 Sweetly refponfive to your vernal choir; B Or Or from the treafur'd {lores of earth to bring The fragrant produce of the rofeate fpring : Mine the rude tafk, while fummer's fading ray To yellow antumn yields the {hort'ning day, 10 And all the variegated woods appear Clad in the glories of the withering year, With dogs and fiery weapons to profane The peaceful fabbath of your rural reign; Your defolated regions to explore 15 'Mid the wild tempeft, and the feafon frore ; Deftru&ion on your feather'd race to pour, J? And add new horrors to the wint'ry hour, frtt'h 'Twas thine, immortal SOMERVILLE ! to trace The livelier raptures of the breathlefs chace, 20 O'er [ 3 I O'er hills and dales to urge, with eager fpeed, The hound fagacious, and the panting fteed ; And guide the labors of the enthufiaft throng With all the extatic energy of fong. Severer care thefe calmer lays demand, 25 And fancy curb'd by fage Intrusion's hand ; Yet, for the mufe fome fcatter'd charms mail gleam 'Mid the rich chaos of this copious theme; Yet, here mall Glory view, with generous aim, The rifing elements of martial fame. 30 As from the chace BRITANNIA'S youth mail learn The docile fteed with ready hand to turn ; O'er the rude crag his bounding fteps to guide, Or prefs his ardor down the mountain's fide, B 2 Till \ r 4 ] Till, ruming to the field with fierce delight, 35 She fends forth other * LINDSEYS to the fight : So fhall the fteady train, of careful eye, Who wound th* aerial offspring as they fly, Whofe limbs unweary'd keep the conftant way, From morn's firfl opening dawn, till parting day, 40 Manly and firm, an unexhausted race, With hardy frames the fhining phalanx grace ; With fteps, by labor unfubdued, ihall know Inceflant to purfue the fainting foe; Shall, 'midft the rocks 'and woods, with active toil 45 Hang o'er his march, and all his movements foil ; * This gallant Officer, who was killed in one of the defcents on the coaft of France, during the war before laft, was very inftrumental in firft forming the Light Horfe of this country. Their C 5 1 Their clofe platoons, with cool and certain aim, Shall fend deftru&ion forth in vollicd flame ; Or o'er the field difpers'd, each mot they pour Shall mark fome hoftile victim's fatal hour. 50 Of old, ere imitative mortals Strove To mate the fiery bolts of thund'ring Jove, Train'd by fuperior care, the elaftic yew, With finewy arm, our Englim bowmen drew : The warlike art exulting ALBION faw 55 Protected by the foft'ring hand of law; Attentive * fenates watch'd, with anxious zeal, This martial bulwark of the general weal ; See 33. Hen. VIII ch. 9. The C 6 1 The rules they ordered, or the prize they gave, Compel' J the flothful, and enfiam'd the brave ; 60 And oft her archer-fons would trophies wear y , From GALLIA'S crofsbow won, and SCOTIA'S fpear. f / GC Nor let the frown of literary pride, 6S/U**v **** Or falfe refinement's fneer, my labors chide : Not all are form'd with unremitting view 65 Pale ftudy's reftlefs labors to purfue ; Not all their hours are dull enough to wafle In the void round of fashionable tafte ; Nor can the gentle airings, which engage The fainter wilh of languor, and of age, 70 From his purfuits the fanguine vot'ry draw Of wealth, of joy, of wifdom, or of law, Till [ 7 1 Till flow difeafe demand the leach's care, Sad fubftitute for exercife and air! Th' impatient youth, whom manly vigor fires, 75 Ruddy with health, and flung by wild defires; tf!r By active fports alone can foothe to refl The boiling fervors of his panting breaft. Nor fhall BRITANNIA'S patriots blame the caufe, To woods and fields her wealthier chiefs that draws. 80 Let GALLIA'S fons to rural fcenes refort Only when exil'd from a partial court, Whofe deareft hopes a Monarch's favour crown, Rais'd by his fmile, or blafled by his frown ; But ALBION'S free-er lords muft try to gain. 85 The unbiafs'd fufFrage of her ruftic train. And every tie that binds her nobler band, With dearer love, to their paternal land,. Her C 8 1 Her yeomen fliall behold with grateful eye, A furer pledge of wealth aud liberty. 90 Come then, ye hardy youths, who wim to fave By generous labor powers that nature gave ! Who fly from languor, hufh'd in dread repofe Beneath the leaves of floth's enchanting rofe, Glad on the upland brow, or echoing vale, 95 To drink new vigor from the morning gale ; Come ! and the mufe mall fhew you how to foil By fports of ikill the tedious hours of toil ; The healthful leffons of the field impart, And careful teach the rudiments of art. 100 When the laft fun of Auguft's fiery reign Now bathes his radiant forehead in the main, The [ 9 ] The panoply by fportive heroes worn Is ranged in order for the enfuing morn ; Forth from the fummer guard of bolt and lock 105 Comes the thick guetre, and the fuftian frock ; With curious fkill, the deathful tube is made Clean as the firelock of the fpruce parade : Yet, let no polifh of the fportfman's gun Flafh like the foldier's weapon to the fun, 1 10 Or the bright fleel's refulgent glare preiume To penetrate the peaceful foreft's gloom ; But let it take the brown's more fober hue, Or the dark luftre of the enamel'd blue. Let the clofe pouch the wadded tow contain, 1 15 The leaden pellets, and the nitrous grain ; %. And wifely cautious, with preventive care, Be the fpare flint, and ready turnfcrew there ; c While [ '0 J While the flung net is open to receive Each prize the labors of the /lay (hall give. /I2C * J */^/f ' ''''' r %AAJL ^ VWVA.fM\- fvr**** W / Yet oft the experienced fhooter will deride This quaint exa&nefs of faftidious pride ; In fome old coat that whilom charm'd the eye* Till time had worn it into flovenry, His dufky weapon, all by rufl conceal'd, 125 Thro' rainy fervice in the fportive field, He iffues to the plain, fecure to kill, And founds his glory on fuperior ikill, The night recedes, and mild AURORA now Waves her gray banner on the eaftern brow ; Light float the mifty vapours o'er the jky, And dim the blaze of PHOEBUS* garim eye; The r i The flitting breeze jufl ftirs the ruftling brake, & . /- And curls the cryftal furface of the lake ; //M **< **w v ** Th' expectant fportfmen, urg'd by anxious hafte, 135 Snatch the refreihment of a ihort repaft, Their weapons feize, their pointers call around, And fally forth impatient to the ground. Here where the yellow wheat away is drawn, And the thick ftubble clothes the ruflet lawn, 140 Begin the fport. Eager and unconfm'd As when ftern AEOLUS unchains the wind, The active pointer, from his thong unbound, Impatient daihes o'er the dewy ground, With glowing eye, and undulating tail, 145 Ranges the field, and fnuffs the tainted gale ; c 2 Yet Yet, midft his ardor, ftill his matter fears. And the retraining whittle careful hears. So when BRITANNIA'S watchful navies fweep, In freedom's aweful caufe, the hoftile deep, 150 Tho' the brave warrior panting to engage,. And loofe on ENGLAND'S foes his patriot rage, The tempeft's howling fury deems too flow To fill his fails, and waft him to the foe ^ Yet, 'midtt the fiery conflict, if he fpy 155 From the high matt his leader's fignal flv r '.v^j^n To the command obedience inftant pays, And martial order martial courage fways. See how exact they try the ftubble o'er, Quarter the field, and every turn explore; 160 Now Now fudden wheel, and now attentive feize The known advantage of th' oppofmg breeze. At once they flop ! yon* careful dog defcries Where clofe and near the lurking covey lies. His caution mark, left even a breath betray 165 Th' impending danger to his timid prey ; In various attitudes around him ftand r Silent and motionlefs, the attending band.- So when the fon of DANAE and JOVE* Crown'd by gay conqueft and fuccefsful love, 170 \ *X3*s jfe.' ;^ Unguided by the cautious arm of care, Your random bolts {hall wafte their force in air. /- They rife ! they rife ! Ah yet your fire reftrain, 195 Till the 'maz'd birds fecurer diftance gainj For, thrown too clofe, the {hots your hopes elude, Wide of your aim, and innocent of blood ; ^ -*^sj But mark with careful eye their leflening flight, Your ready gun, obedient to your fight, 200 And at the length where frequent trials {hew ; Your fatal weapon gives the fureft blow, Draw quick ! yet {ready care with quicknefs join, Left the fliock'd barrel deviate from the line; So So fhall fuccefs your ardent wiflies pay, 205 And fure deflru&ion wait the flying prey. As glory more than gain allures the brave To dare the combat loud, and louder wave; So the ambition of the fportfman lies More in the certain mot than bleeding prize. 210 While poachers, mindful of the feftal hour, Among the covey random (laughter pour ; And, as their numbers prefs the crimfon'd ground, Regardlefs reck not of the fecret wound, borne away, the wretched vi&im's lie 215 . *Mid filent fhades to languifh and to die. O let your breaft fuch felfifh views difclaim, And fcorn the triumph of a cafual aim : Not C >7 1 Not urg'd by rapine, but of honor proud, One object fingle from the featuring croud ; 220 So, when you fee the deftin'd quarry down, Shall juft applaufe your fkilful labor crown. If your {launch dogs require no inilant toil To refcue from their jaws the flutt'ring fpoil, Re-load your fatal piece, with prudent zeal, 225 While glows with recent flame the fmoaking fteel ; So the black grain (hall kindling warmth acquire, And take the flinty fpark with readier fire ; Or if fome fcatter'd bird, that lay behind, Sudden fhould rife, and fleet away on wind, 230 You check her rapid courfe, nor murm'ring {land, Your empty weapon ufelefs in your hand. fc*/J U/ Ui#A / *** **** [ .8 ] Now fome obfervant eye has mark'd their flight, L And feen difpers'd the weary'd covey light ; Soon to the fpot the ranging pointer drawn, 235 Explores with tender nofe the tainted lawn, Where, to his nicer fenfe, their fumes betray The fecret ambufh of the fearful prey. With cautious action now, and ftealthful pace, His careful fteps purfue the running race ; 240 Now fix'd he ftands, now moves with doubtful tread, Stop'd by their paufe, or by their motion led, Till, rooted by the fhelt'ring hedge, his feet Declare the trembling victim's laft retreat. But as, with beating breafts, on either fide 245 Th' impatient youths the pleafing talk divide, And [ '9 1 And in the row between the lurking came Lies hid from fight, ah, careful he the aim ! Left, ikreen'd and parted hy the thorny mound, The erring {hots mould give a fatal wound, 25 And change the jocund fportfman's verdant wreath For fun'ral weeds, for mourning, tears, and death. In LYDIAN plains, where rich PACTOLUS roll'd Through groves of perfume, and o'er fands of gold, CROESUS, of ASIA'S lords the proudell: name, 255 Shar'd every gift of fortune, and of fame ; So wide his empire, and fo vaft his ftore, That av'rice and ambition aik'd no more ; Tho' blefr, in thefe, the dearer blifs he knows With which a parent's happy bofom glows, 260 D 2 For For not the faireft image ever drefs'd In the fond willies of a father's breaft, By flattery fwell'd, could mate the virtuous praife To ATYS' worth that truth unbiafs'd pays. At war's loud clarion if the nations bled, 265 Conquefl his armies crown'd if ATYS led ; If the rude waves of civil difcord broke, Hufh'd was the riling ftorm if ATYS fpoke ; V&o < His lenient voice bade loud rebellion ceafe, And charm'd contending factions into peace : 270 Nor lefs his care domeftic knew to bring Joy to his fire, than fafety to his king ; Nor was the patriot's glory priz'd above The dearer charity of filial love. While While profp'rous fcenes the monarch's thoughts beguile, Too little warn'd of Fortune's tranfient fmile, 'Mid the dark moments of the boding night A horrid vifion feem'd to meet his fight, With dying mien his ATYS flood confefs'd ? Transfix'd by hoftile fleel his bleeding breaft. zSo Swift from his couch he ftarts, while wild defpair W- > t*?fo Contracts his eyeballs, and uplifts his hair. In vain the orient morn's reviving pow'r Chaced the pale phantoms of the midnight hour 5 The recollected fcene his peace annoys, 285 Sinks in his heart, and poifons all his joys ; Around him viiionary falchions gleam In aft to realize his dreadful dream ; And if by chance loud rumour wafts from far Uncertain clamours of intended war, 290 His r " 3 His lab'ring bread foretells the fatal deed, And fees in fancied fights his ATYS bleed. What mall his fears invent, or how controul The generous ardor of the hero's foul ? His mind to gentler thoughts he tries to move, 295 And conquer ftroiig renown by ftronger love The fairefl maid of LYDIA'S glowing dames, Whofe beauteous form the manly youth enflames, With eaftern rofes crown'd, is blufhing led In Hymeneal pomp, to ATYS* bed. 300 To cares of empire, and to toils of fight, Succeed the feftal day, and genial night ; Soft Pleafure fpreads around her blooming flow'rs, And wanton CUPID leads the laughing hours. Amid L -3 I Amid thefe joys, from MYSIA'S fubjecl: plain, 305 Before the throne, behold a fuppliant train ! " O mighty prince !" they cry, " we now repair " To claim the aid of thy paternal care; " A {avage monfter of portentous fize, " Whofe cruel ft rength our utmofl force defies, 310 " Ranges our fields, fpreads devaftation round, " And roots th' unripen'd harveft from the ground. " O, let thy youths, to range the woods who know, " Attend with faithful dogs, and twanging bow ; " In his dire haunts the fierce invader brave, 315 " Repel his fury, and thy fubje&s fave. " Perhaps the prince'* The eager monarch, here, Urg'd by the influence of parental fear, Arrefts their fpeech: " My arms, my youths mall go, ** V< ^^W^ ^^^^C^^^^^ v \^K~ <{ Your terrors quell, and check this favage foe ; 320 C * 3 s * But for my fon, him other cares employ, " And the foft fcenes of Hymeneal joy, *' Nor muft the rugged chace, or dubious fight, *' Mar the fweet tranfports of the nuptial rite. He ceas'd ; attentive round the MYSIAN band, Pleas'd with the promised aid, fubmiffive ftand. Not fo the prince, his ardent bofom glows Toburft the'filken bands of flill repofe. " Ah ! what, my fire, " he cries, " has ATYS done? " What fad diftruft awaits your haplefs fon, 330 " That thus immers'din floth you keep him far " From fields of glory, and from toils of war ? " For love's foft raptures though the hero burn, " Yet fame and danger claim their wonted turn. How C S ] " How fhall I meet, involv'd in this difgrace, 335 " The indignant murmurs of your warrior race ? * c How will, with tears of filent fcorn, my bride " Her alter'd lord's inglorious fafety chide ! " O give my wimes way, or let me hear " The hidden fource of this injurious fear." 340 This earneft prayer the fmother'd fecret draws, And the fad Monarch owns the latent caufe : When ATYS, fmiling : " How (hall I reprove " The fond excefles of paternal love, " Tho* for my undeferving life is fliowu 345 *' A nice regard you never paid your own ? " But fhall the heir of CROESUS' martial name " Inglorious life prefer to glorious fame ? E " Life E *6 1 " Life is a blifs, when crown'd by virtue's meed, " And death a prize, when honor bids us bleed ; 350 " Omens and dreams in vain the purpofe ftay " When duty calls, and glory points the way. " Or grant fome god the vifion fent, yet here " Vain are yoiar cares, and ufelefs is your fear ; " Tranfix'd by fteel my bleeding bread you favv, 355 " Not torn and mangled by a beftial jaw ; " Then let me go, and when you meet your fon " Clad in the fliaggy Ipoils his arms have won, " The fhadowy phantoms of the night mall ceafe *' To haunt your {lumbers, and diflurb your peace." 360 The Monarch hears, and with relu&ant eyes Gives the confent his boding heart denies ; His [ *7 J His brow a placid guife diffembling wears, While reafon vainly combats flronger fears. It chanc'd a youth of PHRYGIANS royal train, 365 His hand polluted by a brother (lain, ExiFd by vengeance from his native ground, In CROESUS' peaceful court a refuge found ; Where oft would ATYS' gentler care impart The balm of friendfliip tothS wounded heartj fav'*y]Q To him the wretched king in fecret fpoke, While tears and fighs his faltering accents choke; " If, brave ADRASTUS, thy oppreffive woes 46 In SARDIS' Sheltering walls have found repofe, " If here the expiating rite renew'd 375 ** Has paid the forfeit for fraternal blood, E * "If " If pity's tear, if friendfhip's lenient balm " Have tried with ftudious zeal thy griefs to calm, " Go with my fon, and by attentive care O ^fe^. tv V .$* Partake his labors, and his dangers mare. 380 " Shield him from peril that my foul alarms, " And bring him back in fafety to my arms* 1 * " j?r*.; L ^ ^ it '"' *\* To whom the youth : " Oft has my ready bread " Panted to afk the office you requeft, " As oft my confcious fhame that wifh reflrain'd, 385: " Difgrac'd by exile, and by murder ftain'd : -*A vr^s^ V^, The echoing hills and foreft walks refound With fhouts of men, and chidings of the hound. A^ < Rous'd from his lair, and hTuing on the plain, 39-5 Forth burfls the monfter on the hunter train, Around the circling youths impatient : jftand, -^ & j1&LC&~4 And launch their fteeljr darts with ready hand* Too rafhly eager as the PHRYGIAN threw, With erring aim the pointed javTm flew, 400 In ATYS* breaft the quiv'ring weapon flood, ^ ^en--. . And drank with fatal barbs his vital blood. The mournful fhrieks that rent the ambient air, The weeping troops, ADR AST us' loud defpair ; The filent agony, the gufliing tide 405 fc*.A -<*^ ^As^* r Of the fad parent, and the widow'd bride > The I 3 ] The plaints they utter, and the woes they feel, (S&T fflti No heart can image, and no tongue reveal. As the ill-fated youth is borne along, All pale and bleeding, thro' the groaning throng, 410 By the cold corfe ADRASTUS frantic cries, Death in his voice, and horror in his eyes ; ** Why have the gods in partial vengeance fired " Their choiceft curfes on my wretched head ? " Fated the keeneft ftrokes of wrath to prove, 415 e^A/*x^ ^Su^ ** And doom'd to murder thofe whom moil; I love I * l O much wrong'd fire, let thy avenging hand " Expiate by guilty blood this weeping land : " Be on my heart thy inftant fury hurl'd, 46 And fave from future paricide the world ! 420 Alas [ 3' ] " Alas, my fon !" the wretched King replied, *' 'Tis aweful JOVE who thus corrects my pride, " Which, crown'd by conqueft, and withpowerelate, " Its fortune deem'd beyond the reach of fate. " Alas ! too late repentant, now I find 425 " The fleeting happhiefs of human kind ! " \Vith unexpected (hock, this cruel blow " Has laid at once my vain ambition low;. " The offended gods this chaftifement have given, " Thou but the fatal inftrument of heaven." 430 Silent the youth withdrew, till fad were paid The tributary rites to ATYS' made i Then, as chill midnight's dreary hours return, Weeping he fought the monumental urn : " ATYS !' I 3* 3 *< ATYS !" he cried, " behold ADRASTUS come 435 " A willing vi&im to thy hallow'd tomb ! **- This erring hand, the fatal flroke that gave, *' Shall lay thy murderer breathlefs on thy grave." Then pierc'd with fudden arm his flruggling breaft, And on the blood-flam' d marble funk to reft. 440 As more obliquely on autumnal ikies With milder force October's funs arife, The purple pheafant tempts the youth to rove With well train'd fpaniels thro' the faded grove. See how with emulative zeal they ftrive, 445 Thrid the loofe fedge, and thro* the thicket drive ! Not ranging lawlefs o'er the foreft wide, But clofe attendant on their mafter's fide ; No [ 33. ] No babbling voice the bofom falfely warms, Or fwells the panting heart with vain alarms, 450 Till all at once their choral tongues proclaim The fecret refuge of the lurking game ; Loud on the breeze the chearful clamour floats, And the high wood re-echoes with the notes. Swift is their courfe, no lengthened warnings now 455 Space to collect the fcatter'd thoughts allow, No wary pointer (hews the cautious eyes Where from his ruflet couch the bird lhall rife : Perhaps light running o'er the mony ground, His devious fleps your fanguine hopes confound ; 460 Or, by the tangled branches hid from fight, Sudden he wings his unexpected flight. No open view along the uncumber'd field To the cool aim will time and diftance yield ; F But [" 34 ] But the nice circumftance will oft demand 465 The quickeft eyefight, and the readieft hand, Swift as he rifes from the thorny brake, With inftant glance the fleeting mark to take, And with prompt arm the tranfient moment feize, 'Mid the dim gloom of intervening trees. 470 His gaudy plumage when the male difplays In bright luxuriance to the folar rays, Arreft with hafty mot his whirring fpeed, And fee unblamed the mining vi&im bleed ; But when the hen to thy difcerning view 475 Her fober pinion fpreads of dufkier hue, The attendant keeper's prudent warning hear, And fpare the offspring of the future year, Elfe fliall the fine which cuftom laid of old Avenge her (laughter by thy forfeit gold. 480 Soon [ 35 ] Soon as the ready dogs their quarry fpring, And fwift he fpreads his variegated wing, Ceafed is their cry, with filent look they wait Till the loud gun decides the event of fate ; Nor, if the mots are thrown with erring aim, 485 And proudly foars away the unwounded game, Will the ftaunch train purfue him as he flies With ufelefs fpeed, and unavailing cries. And now when cloudy ikies and drizzly rains Swell the full fprings, and drench the moiften'd plains, 490 The extended fpace of land and ocean crofs'd From the bleak fcenes of Hyperborean froft, With a&ive wing the unwearied Woodcocks fly To fouthern climates, and a milder fky, F 2 The [ 36 ] The ozier'd borders of the brook explore, And with deep bills the foreft marfhes bore. Where now matured yon {lender afties ftand, Rife from their {tools and tempt the woodman's hand, Where the loofe trunks admit the partial ray Along the border take your cautious way. 500 Here let your care the morten'd gun employ, Left the thick boughs the purpofed aim annoy ; Let fuper-added fteel with preflure fure, From the dank drip the melter'd pan fecure : And as the filent bird the ftems among 505 Wheels flow his defultory flight along, With fteady eye his wavering motion watch, And thro' the parting trees the advantage catch ; Tho' diftant be the fhot, the flighted wound Shall lay the fluttering victim on the ground. 510 Roufed [ 37 ] Roufed by the fpaniel, 'midft the foreft fhade, Behold the trembling Leveret crofs the glade ! If round the extended plains yield ample fpace, Or for the rapid courfe, or chearful chace, 0, facred be her fteps ! nor let thy hand 515 Blaft the fair hopes of a congenial band, r for a transient pleafure meanly foil The lengthened tranfport of the hunter's toil; But where fleep hills and fpacious woodlands rife, r the long flight the frequent copfe denies, 520 Blamelefs arrefl her rapid flight, nor fpare The timid victim for the inglorious fnare. Where fliining rills with copious moifture feed The deeper verdure of the irriguous mead, 92315 r C 38 ] Or where between the purple heaths is feen 525 The mofly bofom of the low ravine, The fearful Snipes, hid from the fearching eye, 'Mid the dank fedge and nodding rufhes lie. With fudden turns oblique, when firft they rife, As from the weaver's arm the (buttle flies 530 They fhape their wavering courfe ; but patient flay Till, with fecurer wing, they foar away ; Then as aloft their outftretch'd pinions fail, ^ Borne on the bofom of the buoyant gale ; The fatal (hot fent forth with cautious fight, 535 Shall bring them wheeling from their towering height. When winter now, a gloomy tyrant, reigns In dreadful filence o'er the ravaged plains, Involves [ 39 ] Involves in meets of fnow the bending woods, And throws his icy mantle o'er the floods, 540 Clofe by the harden'd brook, whofe fullen ftrearn No more foft murmuring aids the poet's dream, Where, 'midft the matted fedge, the emerging flood With air and life renews the finny brood, /& fjt&* The patient fowler {lands with filent aim 545 To watch the ftation of the watery game : Not like the gentle angler, carelefs laid In the cool fhelter of the fummer fhade, But train'd with hardy finews to defy The chilling keennefs of a wintery iky ; 550 While here the aquatic Wild-fowl's timid race With wonted pinion feek the well known place ; Where rufhes thick the Widgeon's haunt conceal, The blue-winged Mallard, and the tenderer Teal ; ^Zs^tf*^ Swift Swift on the various race, in fiery fhower, The fcattering fhots unfeen deftrucYion pour, With mingled (laughter ftrew the frofl-bound flood, And dye the fullied fnovv with gufhing blood. Such are the fports that fertile ALBION yields, Such the wing'd inmates of her milder fields ; 560 But bounteous Nature, with diffufive hand, Spreads wide her various produce o'er the land, Each different region marks with nurturing care, And bids a race congenial flourifh there. A tribe peculiar by her power is plac'd 565 . On the drear mountain, and the howling wafte, Which art and induftry would rear in vain, Or in the flickered vale, or cultured plain. Hence Hence wandering far from ENGLAND'S gentler fcene, Her fpacious champains, and her paftures green, 570 The hardy youth will CAMBRIA'S cliffs explore, Or climb the heights of CALEDONIA- hoar, The Groufe and fable Heath-cock to purfue Where moors unbounded tire the fated view, While noontide filence reigns, fave where the tide 575 Pours in fwoln torrents from the mountain's fide ; And fummer funs in full effulgence med Their burning fervors on the throbbing head. Thus has my verfe in humble ftrains revealM r fVA-t^ The various pleafures of the fportive field, 580 And (hewn the different labors of the day As the revolving feafons roll away : But I 4* ] But vainly (hall preceptive rules, impart A perfect knowledge of this manly art ; Practice alone can certain ikill produce, 585 And theory confirmed by co'nftant ufe. As well the {tripling of the gay parade, Proud of his filken fam and fmart cockade, Tho' taught by wife inflructors to explore The martial depth of mathematic lore, 590 Might hope to drive VICTORIA'S crimfon car Triumphant o'er the bleeding ranks of war, Ere the long march, the early toil, and late, The frequent fcenes of danger and of fate, The fervor of the glowing breaft allay, 595 Change ardor's blaze for valor's temperate ray, And teach the mind, unruffled and ferene, To keep her powers 'midft horrors wildefl fcene. The C 43 ] The hardy youth who pants with eager flame To fend his leaden bolts with certain aim, 600 Mud ne'er with difappointed iiopes recoil From cold and heat, from hunger and from toil, Muft climb the hill, muft tread the marmy glade, Or force his paffage thro* the oppofing (hade, Muft range untamed by SOL'S meridian power, 60 c And brave the force of winter's keened hour, Till induftry and time their work have wrought, And honor crown the (kill that labor taught* Yet fome, thefe harfher rudiments to fpare, And equal art with eafier toil to mare, 610 Or watch with careful aim and ready fight The fwallow wheeling in her fummer flight, G 2 Or I 44 1 Or on fome lofty clifF, whofe chalky fteep Hangs with rude brow impending o'er the deep, Where gulls and fcreamingffea-mews haunt the rock, 615 Pour fire inceflant on the mingled flock. But vain their hopes prefented to the eye In fuch diverfive lines the objects fly, That the 'maz'd fight unnumber'd marks purfues, Uncertain where to aim, and which to chufe ; 620 Decifion quick and calm, the {hooter's boaft, By frequent change, is check'd, confusM, and loft, And, guarded by irrefolute delay, Untouch'd fhall future coveys fleet away. More hurtful ftill to try with diftant blow 625 To bring the percher from th* aerial bough. [ 45 1 How mall his thoughts the level that prepare With all the caution of mechanic care, Exact and fleady as the fageVeye Thro' GALILEO'S tube fur veys the iky, 630 With ready view the tranfient object feize Swift as the motion of the rapid breeze, Purfue the uncertain mark with fwift addrefs, And catch the fleeting moment of fuccefs ? \ ' Ere yet the Mufe her lay preceptive end ' 635 Ye eager youths thefe friendly rules attend : 'Tis not enough, that cautious aim, and fure, From erring mots your brave compeers fee u re, That prudence guard thofe ills which erft might flow From the win g'd javelin., and the founding bow ; 640: Fon For on the gun unnumber'd dangers wait, And various forms of unexpected fate. Drawn thro' the thorny hedge, the uncertain lock May give with fudden fpring, a deadly fhock ; Or the loofe fpark the rapid flam may raife, 645 And wrap the fulphurous duft in inftant blaze. 'Tis b^nce the military race prepare The novice youth with fuch affiduous care, And teach him with punctilious art to wield The weighty fire-lock in the embattled field. 650 Tho' fome may deem the attention urg'd too far, As the meer pomp and circumflance of war ; When clofely wedged the firm battalions ftand, Rank prefs'd on rank, and band impelling band, Did * Did not faftidious zeal with cautious plan 655 Define each aft, and every motion fcan, Oft would the bullet 'mid the battles roar The thirfty herbage die with friendly gore, And oft the dangerous weapon's kindling breath Change fields of exercife, to fields of death. 660 'er the plain, btf&>\-^ $Jrl& ^l ft Behold yon' eager race who o' With Simulating heel and loofen'd reign, Their panting courfers urge to leave behind The rapid currents of the northern wind, Tho', as with headlong rage they rum along, 665 Impending dangers feen> to wait the throng ; Tho' accident with more apparent face Seem to attend the ardor of the chace ; Yet, [ 48 ] Yet, 'midfl thefe calmer fports, with ghaftly mien The pallid form of (laughter lurks imfeen ; 670 And while the hunter checks his bold career fr-C/y To pour on RUSSEL'S tomb the forrowmg tear. The fportive train who haunt the fatal glades Where hoary CAMUS flows by GRANTA'S hades, Shall weep the unexpected blow that gave 675 Their much-loved COTTON to a timelefs grave. Lamented youth ! when erft on WARLEY'S plains We led in radiant arms our ruftic fwains, What time BRITANNIA, friendlefs and forlorn, Her mores expofed, her naval trophies torn ; 68c* Bold in her native vigor dared oppofe Rebellious fubje&s, and combining foes ; In vain thy generous bofom burn'd to ftand The manly bulwark of an injured land, [ 49 ] Or nobly bleeding by the hoftile ball, 685 In freedom's, and in ALBION'S caufe to fall ; Doom'd by relentlefs fate, to prefs the ground, The unhappy vicYim of a cafual wound. Votaries of rural joy ! with mine while flow Your kindred {breams of fympathetic woe, 690 By falutary care, ah ! learn to mun The hidden dangers of the unguarded gun ! And, as in fields of pleafure you acquire The foldier's manly toil and fteady fire, His cautious ufe of arms attentive heed, 695 Careful by no inglorious wound to bleed, Nor lavifh life, but in the facred caufe Of BRITAIN'S injured rights, and violated laws. THE END. . . ADVERTISEMENT. POEM on the Art of Shooting, entitled Pteriplegia, was publiflied fome years ago by Mr. MARKLAND, but by no means of fufficient merit to preclude future attempts of a fimilar nature ; though its having pafied through feveral editions is a proof that the fubjeft of it is generally interefting. The Eptfode of ATYS and ADRASTUS is taken from the firft book of HERO- DOTUS ; the Author hopes it will not be confidered as an intention to rival the elegant Poem written by the prefent Laureat, on the fame ftory ; to which, he con- ceives, it can bear no more comparifon, than a group of figures introduced to enliven a landfcape can to an hiftorical picture. UN Hill Illll Hill HI A 000 000 737 7 MAR 2 5 19 DUE 2 WKS FROM DATd RECEIVED UNIVERSI I REGIONAL