Page:The Hind and the Panther - Dryden (1687).djvu/39

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
The Hind and the Panther.
29
One evening while the cooler shade she sought,
Revolving many a melancholy thought,
Alone the walk'd, and look'd around in vain,
With ruful visage for her vanish'd train:
None of her sylvan subjects made their court;
Leveés and coucheés pass'd without resort.
So hardly can Usurpers manage well
Those, whom they first instructed to rebel:
More liberty begets desire of more,
The hunger still encreases with the store.
Without respect they brush'd along the wood
Each in his clan, and fill'd with loathsome food,
Ask'd no permission to the neighb'ring flood.
The Panther, full of inward discontent,
Since they wou'd goe, before 'em wisely went:
Supplying want of pow'r by drinking first,
As if she gave 'em leave to quench their thirst.
Among the rest, the Hind, with fearful face
Beheld from far the common wat'ring place,

Nor