With all these hideous howlings to the skies, 90 95 35 Yourselves have seen, what time the thunders rolled That, life to save, we leap into the pit." 100 Him answered then his loving mate and true, 105 But more discreet than he, a Cambrian ewe. "How! leap into the pit our life to save? 110 Meantime, noise kills not. Be it Dapple's bray, 115 And rush those other sounds, that seem by tongue 120 While thus she spake, I fainter heard the peals, For Reynard, close attended at his heels. By panting dog, tired man, and spattered horse, 125 Through mere good fortune, took a different course. The flock grew calm again, and I the road Following, that led me to my own abode, Much wondered that the silly sheep had found Such cause of terror in an empty sound, So sweet to huntsman, gentleman, and hound. MORAL Beware of desperate steps. The darkest day, BOADICEA° AN ODE I WHEN the British warrior queen, 130 Sought, with an indignant mien, II Sage beneath the spreading oak III "Princess! if our aged eyes Weep upon thy matchless wrongs, 'Tis because resentment ties All the terrors of our tongues. In the blood that she hast spilled; Perish hopeless and abhorred, Deep in ruin as in guilt. V "Rome, for empire far renowned, Tramples on a thousand states; Soon her pride shall kiss the ground, VI "Other Romans shall arise, Heedless of a soldier's name; 5 10 15 20 Sounds, not arms, shall win the prize, VII "Then the progeny that springs VIII Ruffians, pitiless as proud, Heaven awards the vengeance due; Empire is on us bestowed, Shame and ruin wait for you! IX "Regions Cæsar never knew X Such the bard's prophetic words, ΧΙ She, with all a monarch's pride, Rushed to battle, fought, and died; EPITAPH ON A HARE° HERE lies, whom hound did ne'er pursue, Old Tiney, surliest of his kind, Though duly from my hand he took He did it with a jealous look, And, when he could, would bite. His diet was of wheaten bread, Thistles, or lettuces instead, With sand to scour his maw. On twigs of hawthorn he regaled, And, when his juicy salads failed, |