{"id":1424,"date":"2019-04-29T03:22:34","date_gmt":"2019-04-29T03:22:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/142.150.46.75\/poemsandfancies\/?p=1424"},"modified":"2019-04-29T03:34:26","modified_gmt":"2019-04-29T03:34:26","slug":"the-hunting-of-the-stag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/?p=1424","title":{"rendered":"The Hunting of the Stag"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\n

There was a stag did in the forest lie,
\nWhose neck was long, whose horns were<\/span>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span> branched up high.
\nHis haunch was broad, sides large, and back was long;
\nHis legs were nervous, and his joints were strong.
\nHis hair lay sleek and smooth; he was so fair,<\/span>3<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5
\nNone in the forest might with him compare.<\/span>4<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nIn summer\u2019s heat he in cool brakes him lay,<\/span>5<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nWhich, being high, did keep the sun away;<\/span>6<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nIn evenings cool and<\/span>7<\/sup><\/a><\/span> dewy mornings new<\/span>8<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nWould he rise up,<\/span>9<\/sup><\/a><\/span> and all the forest view.<\/span>10<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10
\nThen walking to some clear and crystal brook,<\/span>11<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nNot for to drink, but on his horns to look,
\nTaking such pleasure in his stately crown,
\nHis pride forgot<\/span>12<\/sup><\/a><\/span> that dogs might pull him down.
\nFrom thence he to<\/span>13<\/sup><\/a><\/span> a shady wood did go,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 15
\nWhere straightest pines and tallest cedars grow;
\nAnd upright olives, which th\u2019loving vine oft twines;<\/span>14<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAnd slender birch bows head<\/span>15<\/sup><\/a><\/span> to golden mines;<\/span>16<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nSmall aspen stalk which shakes like agues cold,
\nThat from perpetual motion never hold;\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 20
\nThe sturdy oak which on the seas<\/span>17<\/sup><\/a><\/span> doth ride;
\nFir, which tall masts doth make, where sails are tied;
\nThe weeping maple; and the poplar green,
\nWhose cooling buds in salves have healing been;
\nThe fatting<\/span>18<\/sup><\/a><\/span> chestnut; and the hazel small;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 25
\nThe smooth-rind beech, which groweth large and tall;
\nThe loving myrtle fit for<\/span>19<\/sup><\/a><\/span> amorous kind;
\nThe yielding willow, for<\/span>20<\/sup><\/a><\/span> inconstant mind;
\nThe cypress sad, which makes the funeral hearse;
\nAnd sycamores, where lovers write their verse;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 30
\nAnd juniper, which gives a pleasant smell;
\nAnd<\/span>21<\/sup><\/a><\/span> many more, which were too long to tell.
\nRound<\/span>22<\/sup><\/a><\/span> from their sappy roots sprout branches small;
\nSome call it underwood, that\u2019s never tall.
\nThere walking through, the stag was hindered much;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 35
\nThe bending twigs his horns did often touch.<\/span>23<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nWhile he on<\/span>24<\/sup><\/a><\/span> tender leaves and buds did browse,
\nHis eyes were troubled with the broken boughs.
\nThen straight he sought<\/span>25<\/sup><\/a><\/span> this labyrinth to<\/span>26<\/sup><\/a><\/span> unwind,
\nBut<\/span>27<\/sup><\/a><\/span> hard it was his first way out to find.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 40
\nUnto this wood a rising hill was near;<\/span>28<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nThe sweet wild thyme and marjoram grew there,<\/span>29<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAnd winter sav\u2019ry,<\/span>30<\/sup><\/a><\/span> which was never set,
\nOf<\/span>31<\/sup><\/a><\/span> which the stag took great delight<\/span>32<\/sup><\/a><\/span> to eat.
\nBut looking down upon<\/span>33<\/sup><\/a><\/span> the valleys low,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 45
\nHe saw there<\/span>34<\/sup><\/a><\/span> grass and cowslips thick did<\/span>35<\/sup><\/a><\/span> grow,
\nAnd springs, which digged<\/span>36<\/sup><\/a><\/span> themselves a passage out,
\nMuch like as serpents wind each field about,
\nRising in winter high, do<\/span>37<\/sup><\/a><\/span> overflow
\nThe flow\u2019ry banks, but make<\/span>38<\/sup><\/a><\/span> the soil to<\/span>39<\/sup><\/a><\/span> grow.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 50
\nAnd<\/span>40<\/sup><\/a><\/span> as he went, thinking therein to feed,
\nHe \u2019spied<\/span>41<\/sup><\/a><\/span> a field which sowed was with wheat seed.
\nThe blades were grown a handful high and more,
\nWhich sight to<\/span>42<\/sup><\/a><\/span> taste did soon invite him o\u2019er.
\nIn haste he went, fed<\/span>43<\/sup><\/a><\/span> full, then down did lie;<\/span>44<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 55
\nThe owner, coming there, did him espy,<\/span>45<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nStraight called his dogs to hunt him from that place;
\nAt last it came<\/span>46<\/sup><\/a><\/span> to be a forest chase.
\nThe chase grew hot; the stag apace did run;
\nDogs followed close, and men for sport did come.<\/span>47<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 60
\nAt last a troop of men, horse, dogs did meet,
\nWhich made the hart to try his nimble feet.
\nFull swift he was; his horns he bore up high;
\nThe<\/span>48<\/sup><\/a><\/span> men did shout; the dogs ran yelping by.
\nAnd bugle horns with several notes did blow;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 65
\nHuntsmen to cross the stag did sideways go.
\nThe horses beat their hooves against dry ground,
\nRaising such clouds of dust, their ways scarce found.
\nTheir sides ran down with sweat, as if they were
\nNew come from wat\u2019ring,<\/span>49<\/sup><\/a><\/span> dropping<\/span>50<\/sup><\/a><\/span> every hair.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 70
\nThe dogs, their tongues out of their mouths hung long;
\nTheir sides did like a feverish pulse beat strong;<\/span>51<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nTheir short ribs heaved<\/span>52<\/sup><\/a><\/span> up high, then fell down<\/span>53<\/sup><\/a><\/span> low,
\nAs bellows draw in wind that they may<\/span>54<\/sup><\/a><\/span> blow.
\nMen tawny grew; the sun their skins did turn;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 75
\nTheir mouths were dry; their bowels felt to burn.
\nThe stag, so hot as coals when kindled through,<\/span>55<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nYet swiftly ran when he the dogs did view.<\/span>56<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nComing at length unto a river\u2019s side,
\nWhose current flowed as with a falling tide,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 80
\nThere he leaped in, thinking some while to stay<\/span>57<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nTo wash his sides, his burning heat t\u2019allay,<\/span>58<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nHoping<\/span>59<\/sup><\/a><\/span> the dogs could not in water<\/span>60<\/sup><\/a><\/span> swim,
\nBut was<\/span>61<\/sup><\/a><\/span> deceived: the dogs do enter in.<\/span>62<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nLike fishes, tried to swim in water low,<\/span>63<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 85
\nBut<\/span>64<\/sup><\/a><\/span> out, alas, his horns too high did show.<\/span>65<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nThe<\/span>66<\/sup><\/a><\/span> dogs were covered over head and ears;<\/span>67<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nNo part is seen, only their nose appears.<\/span>68<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nThe stag and river like a race did show,
\nHe striving still the river<\/span>69<\/sup><\/a><\/span> to outgo,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 90
\nWhilst men and horses down the banks did run,<\/span>70<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nEncouraging the dogs to follow on,
\nWhere in the water,<\/span>71<\/sup><\/a><\/span> like a looking-glass,
\nHe by reflection saw<\/span>72<\/sup><\/a><\/span> their shadows pass.
\nFear did his breath cut<\/span>73<\/sup><\/a><\/span> short; his limbs did<\/span>74<\/sup><\/a><\/span> shrink\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 95
\nLike those the cramp<\/span>75<\/sup><\/a><\/span> makes to th\u2019bottom<\/span>76<\/sup><\/a><\/span> sink.
\nThus out of breath, no longer could he stay,
\nBut leaped<\/span>77<\/sup><\/a><\/span> on land and swiftly ran<\/span>78<\/sup><\/a><\/span> away.
\nChange gave him<\/span>79<\/sup><\/a><\/span> ease, ease strength; in strength hope lives;
\nHope joys the heart, and joy light heels<\/span>80<\/sup><\/a><\/span> still gives.<\/span>81<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 100
\nHis feet did like<\/span>82<\/sup><\/a><\/span> a feathered arrow fly,<\/span>83<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nOr like a wing\u00e8d bird, that mounts the sky.<\/span>84<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nThe dogs, like ships that sail with wind and tide,
\nWhich<\/span>85<\/sup><\/a><\/span> cut the air, and waters deep divide,
\nOr like as greedy merchants, which for gain<\/span>86<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 105
\nVenture their life, and traffic on the main.<\/span>87<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nThe hunters, like to boys which, without fear,<\/span>88<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nTo see a sight will hazard life that\u2019s dear,<\/span>89<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nWhich sad become<\/span>90<\/sup><\/a><\/span> when mischief takes not<\/span>91<\/sup><\/a><\/span> place,
\nAnd<\/span>92<\/sup><\/a><\/span> out of countenance, as with disgrace,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 110
\nBut when they see a ruin and a fall,
\nReturn<\/span>93<\/sup><\/a><\/span> with joy, as if they\u2019d conquered<\/span>94<\/sup><\/a><\/span> all.
\nAnd thus did their three several passions meet:<\/span>95<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nFirst the desire to catch the dogs made fleet,<\/span>96<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nThen fear the stag made<\/span>97<\/sup><\/a><\/span> run, his life to save,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 115
\nWhilst men for love of mischief digged<\/span>98<\/sup><\/a><\/span> his grave.
\nThe angry dust flew in each face about,<\/span>99<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAs if \u2019twould with revenge their eyes put out,<\/span>100<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nYet they all<\/span>101<\/sup><\/a><\/span> fast went on with a huge cry.<\/span>102<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nThe stag no hope had left, nor help did \u2019spy;<\/span>103<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 120
\nHis heart so heavy grew with grief and care,
\nThat his small feet his body scarce could<\/span>104<\/sup><\/a><\/span> bear.
\nYet loath to die or yield to foes was he,
\nAnd<\/span>105<\/sup><\/a><\/span> to the last would strive for victory.
\n\u2019Twas not for want of courage he did run,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 125
\nBut that an army against one did come.<\/span>106<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nHad he the valor of bold Caesar<\/span>107<\/sup><\/a><\/span> stout,
\nYet yield he must<\/span>108<\/sup><\/a><\/span> to them, or die no doubt.
\nTurning his head, as if he dared their spite,
\nPrepared himself against them all to fight.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 130
\nSingle he was; his horns were all his helps
\nTo guard him from a multitude of whelps.
\nBesides, a company of men were there,
\nIf dogs should fail, to strike him everywhere.
\nBut to the last his fortune he\u2019d<\/span>109<\/sup><\/a><\/span> try out;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 135
\nThen men and dogs did<\/span>110<\/sup><\/a><\/span> circle him about.
\nSome bit; some barked; all plied<\/span>111<\/sup><\/a><\/span> him at the bay,
\nWhere with his horns he toss\u00e8d<\/span>112<\/sup><\/a><\/span> some away.
\nBut Fate his thread had spun; he<\/span>113<\/sup><\/a><\/span> down did fall,
\nShedding some tears at his own funeral.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 140<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There was a stag did in the forest lie, Whose neck was long, whose horns were branched up high. His haunch was broad, sides large, and back was long; His legs were nervous, and his joints were strong. His hair lay sleek and smooth; he was so fair,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5 None in the forest might … Continue reading The Hunting of the Stag<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[222],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1424","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-clasp-2-3"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1424","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1424"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1424\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1429,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1424\/revisions\/1429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1424"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1424"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1424"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}