Page:The Chace - Somervile (1735).djvu/25

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Book I.
THE CHACE.
5
To that all-gracious Pow'r, whose bounteous Hand
Supports his wide Creation; what remains
On living Coals they broil, inelegant
Of Taste, nor skill'd as yet in nicer Arts 60
Of pamper'd Luxury. Devotion pure,
And strong Necessity, thus first began
The Chace of Beasts: Tho' bloody was the Deed,
Yet without Guilt. For the green Herb alone
Unequal to sustain Man's lab'ring Race, 65
[1]Now ev'ry moving Thing that liv'd on Earth
Was granted him for Food. So just is Heav'n,
To give us in Proportion to our Wants.

Or Chance or Industry in After-Times
Some few Improvements made, but short as yet 70
Of due Perfection. In this Isle remote
Our painted Ancestors were slow to learn,

To