XXVI.
Till where a brooke strays hollow through the bent.
When all confusd, and snuffing wyldlie round,
In vain their fretful! haste explord the scent:
But Reynards cunning all in vain was spent;
The Huntsman from his stand his arts had spyd.
Had markt his doublings and his shrewd intent,
How both the bancks he trac'd, then backward plyd
His track some twentie roods, then bounding sprong aside.
XXVII.
Where, hearkening everie sound, an hare was laid;
Then from the thickest bush he slylie lept,
And wary scuds along the hawthorne shade,
Till by the hills slant foot he earths his head
Amid a briarie thickett: Emblem meet
Of wylie statesman of his foes adred;
He oft misguides the peoples rage, I weet,
On others, whilst himself winds off with slie deceit.
