THE FALL OF THE DEER. [FROM AN OLD MS.]

OW the loud Crye is up, and harke! The barkye Trees give back the Bark; The House Wife heares the merrie rout, And runnes,—and lets the beere run out, Leaving her Babes to weepe,—for why? She likes to heare the Deer Dogges crye, And see the wild Stag how he stretches The naturall Buck-skin of his Breeches, Running like one of Human kind Dogged by fleet Bailiffes close behind— As if he had not payde his Bill For Ven’son, or was owing still For his two Hornes, and soe did get Over his Head and Ears in Debt;— Wherefore he strives to paye his Waye With his long Legges the while he maye:— But he is chased, like Silver Dish, As well as anye Hart may wish Except that one whose Heart doth beat So faste it hasteneth his feet;— And runninge soe, he holdeth Death Four Feet from him,—till his Breath Faileth, and slacking Pace at last, From runninge slow he standeth faste, With hornie Bayonettes at baye, To Baying Dogges around, and they Pushing him sore, he pusheth sore, And goreth them that seeke his Gore, Whatever Dogge his Horne doth rive Is dead—as sure as he’s alive! Soe that courageous Hart doth fight With Fate, and calleth up his might, And standeth stout that he maye fall Bravelye, and be avenged of all, Nor like a craven yeeld his Breath Under the Jawes of Dogges and Death!