The grand Tryal or, Poetical Exercitations upon the book of Job. Wherein, Suitable to each Text of that sacred Book, a modest Explanation, and Continuation of the several Discourses contained in it, is attempted by William Clark |
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| I. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| II. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| III. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| IV. |
| XXXII. |
| XXXIII. |
| XXXIV. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| V. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. | Cap. XXXIX. |
| XL. |
| XLI. |
| XLII. |
 | The grand Tryal |  |
Cap. XXXIX.
1. Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hindes do calve?
That doth preserve the several species
Of all those Creatures? by what hidden means
Are they assisted, when they take their pains?
Dost know what art those artless Brutes do use
At such occasions? how they do produce
Their young ones? who's their Mid-wife? who takes care
Of them, in that estate? who doth prepare
All that is suitable? who makes provision
Of necessars for them, in that condition?
Who layes them up? who cures them of their sores?
Who is't, that them to perfect health restores?
As first, for instance, the wild Goat, who rambles
Amongst the Rocks, and on sharp Briars and Brambles
Doth often thrust her Belly, and her Brood,
Whilst in the Cliffs she searches for her food:
So that a man would think this same unwary,
And climbing Creature, surely would miscarry:
Who doth take care of her? when doth she bring
Her young ones forth, dost know her reckoning?
Or know'st thou when the Hinds do calve? what pain
These Creatures in their labour do sustain?
Canst tell how long those Beasts do pregnant go?
Or dost the time of their delivery know?
Or dost the time of their delivery know?
The time of their delivery indeed,
Of all the Creatures that on earth do feed,
Both rational, and brutal, there is none
Endures such torment, as these Hinds alone
Do in the birth:—
They bow their bodies over, and again,
In labour to alleviate their pain:
Nay, these weak Creatures too, to make them able
T'endure their pains, of a mean Vegetable
Make use, and by that natural Midwifery,
As well as those, who use much industry,
And help of knowing Surgeons to boot,
With horrid toil, they cast their sorrows out.
Of all the Creatures that on earth do feed,
Both rational, and brutal, there is none
Endures such torment, as these Hinds alone
Do in the birth:—
They bow their bodies over, and again,
In labour to alleviate their pain:
Nay, these weak Creatures too, to make them able
T'endure their pains, of a mean Vegetable
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As well as those, who use much industry,
And help of knowing Surgeons to boot,
With horrid toil, they cast their sorrows out.
Yet the same young ones, though with so much pain
Brought to the world, do not long remain
With their kind Dames, but taught by nature, do
Run out, and make a shift for Victuals too,
For quickly they grow fat, and fed with store
Of Corn, and Grass, they see their Dames no more.
Brought to the world, do not long remain
With their kind Dames, but taught by nature, do
Run out, and make a shift for Victuals too,
For quickly they grow fat, and fed with store
Of Corn, and Grass, they see their Dames no more.
Then there's the wild Ass, an undocile creature,
So different from the tame Ass, that by nature,
It loves as much its rambling liberty,
As th'other stoops to servile drudgery.
Who taught this stupid Creature so to prize
Its liberty, and proudly to despise
Alluring mankind, who would fain entise
This thing to serve them, but 'tis all in vain,
For not by Dogs, nor Nets it will be tane.
So different from the tame Ass, that by nature,
It loves as much its rambling liberty,
As th'other stoops to servile drudgery.
Who taught this stupid Creature so to prize
Its liberty, and proudly to despise
Alluring mankind, who would fain entise
This thing to serve them, but 'tis all in vain,
For not by Dogs, nor Nets it will be tane.
But to evite the tyranny of man,
It strives as much as any creature can,
Against both hunger, parching heat, and snow,
And in the Wilderness will undergo
A thousand pinches, rather as be tam'd,
And a poor slave t' its fellow-mortals nam'd.
It strives as much as any creature can,
Against both hunger, parching heat, and snow,
And in the Wilderness will undergo
A thousand pinches, rather as be tam'd,
And a poor slave t' its fellow-mortals nam'd.
He laughs at all your Citizens, who dwell
In plenty at their ease, and faring well,
Laugh at all those in wants, he will not sell
His liberty for all those toyes, nor be
Subject to th'lashing of the Whip, not he,
For all the sure allowance he might have
Of food, were he, like other beasts, your slave.
In plenty at their ease, and faring well,
Laugh at all those in wants, he will not sell
His liberty for all those toyes, nor be
Subject to th'lashing of the Whip, not he,
For all the sure allowance he might have
Of food, were he, like other beasts, your slave.
But rather is content in Wilderness
To make a shift, and feed on acid grass,
Salt herbs, or any thing, that may sustain
Its life, then under bonds with man remain.
To make a shift, and feed on acid grass,
Salt herbs, or any thing, that may sustain
Its life, then under bonds with man remain.
Then there's the Unicorn (or if you will,
The wild Bull) pray hast thou attain'd such skill,
As but to catch it? and far less to tame
A creature of that strength, or but to dream,
Of bringing of that beast at any rate,
To serve thy use, who doth all bondage hate?
Or being catch'd, canst thou by feeding bribe
This wanton beast to tarry by thy Crib?
The wild Bull) pray hast thou attain'd such skill,
As but to catch it? and far less to tame
A creature of that strength, or but to dream,
Of bringing of that beast at any rate,
To serve thy use, who doth all bondage hate?
Or being catch'd, canst thou by feeding bribe
This wanton beast to tarry by thy Crib?
Canst this fierce Creature to thy labouring break,
And calmly lay the Yoke upon his neck?
Canst make him softly foot it 'fore the Plow,
And keep the furrows, as the Oxen do?
Or will he draw the Harrows orderly
After thee, when thou sowest? or decently
Turn at the furrows end, and follow thee
With the same pace, as men do daily see
The beasts of labour are accustomed,
And when unyok'd, with th'others tamely feed?
And calmly lay the Yoke upon his neck?
Canst make him softly foot it 'fore the Plow,
And keep the furrows, as the Oxen do?
Or will he draw the Harrows orderly
After thee, when thou sowest? or decently
Turn at the furrows end, and follow thee
With the same pace, as men do daily see
The beasts of labour are accustomed,
And when unyok'd, with th'others tamely feed?
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Wilt thou be such a fool, because he's strong,
And able to endure much fatigue long,
As trust thy labouring to him? dost expect,
That he the yoke will suffer for thy sake?
And able to endure much fatigue long,
As trust thy labouring to him? dost expect,
That he the yoke will suffer for thy sake?
Wilt thou be so unmann'd, as in the least,
Be made believe that wild unruly beast,
Will in the Harvest yok'd in Cart, or wain,
From Field, to Barn-yard, carry home thy Grain
For if thou dost, who would not justly thee
Suspect to be a greater beast then he.
Yet all these beasts (though ne're so feirce, and wild,)
I can by single word make tame, and mild;
I can, with ease, make all such creatures bow,
And yok'd, or unyok'd, with submission too,
Serve me, what ere I have a mind to doe.
For thou must not think that I do in vain,
Those savage creatures in the fields maintain,
But that I have an use for each of them,
As well as men for creatures that are tame.
Be made believe that wild unruly beast,
Will in the Harvest yok'd in Cart, or wain,
From Field, to Barn-yard, carry home thy Grain
For if thou dost, who would not justly thee
Suspect to be a greater beast then he.
Yet all these beasts (though ne're so feirce, and wild,)
I can by single word make tame, and mild;
I can, with ease, make all such creatures bow,
And yok'd, or unyok'd, with submission too,
Serve me, what ere I have a mind to doe.
For thou must not think that I do in vain,
Those savage creatures in the fields maintain,
But that I have an use for each of them,
As well as men for creatures that are tame.
And now to show thee how much those do err,
In understanding who with me compare:
Or think they can by any Science reach,
The knowledge of what none but I can teach:
I'll question thee on things familiar,
Of home bred creatures, such as dayly are
About thy doors: and thence I'll plainly show,
Thou dost not even those creatures fully know.
As first who on the Peacock hath bestow'd,
Such a fair train? Who is it that allow'd
Such outward beauty to that screeching creature:
Who made his neck rise in such comely feature,
Adorn'd with such a changing set of Plums,
As proud of his apparrel, he presumes
To think himself a creature most compleat,
Were't not that sometimes he doth view, his feet,
Which black, and loathsome, and so differing
From his whole body, makes the lofty thing
Despise it self, and seems to let him know,
That there is nothing that's compleat below.
Or dost thou know from whence the Estrich had
These curious feathers in her wings, which made,
And sow'd in plums, adorn the proudest crest,
That dares appear, of either man, or beast.
And teach you too, that man for all his pride,
(In which he undervalues all beside.
That live on Earth) to make himself appear
More beautiful then other creatures are,
Is forc'd to borrow Plums out of the wing
Of a poor naughty Bird, and fairly bring
His fairest head-attire from such a creature.
As is the most insipid thing in nature.
In understanding who with me compare:
Or think they can by any Science reach,
The knowledge of what none but I can teach:
I'll question thee on things familiar,
Of home bred creatures, such as dayly are
About thy doors: and thence I'll plainly show,
Thou dost not even those creatures fully know.
As first who on the Peacock hath bestow'd,
Such a fair train? Who is it that allow'd
Such outward beauty to that screeching creature:
Who made his neck rise in such comely feature,
Adorn'd with such a changing set of Plums,
As proud of his apparrel, he presumes
To think himself a creature most compleat,
Were't not that sometimes he doth view, his feet,
Which black, and loathsome, and so differing
From his whole body, makes the lofty thing
Despise it self, and seems to let him know,
That there is nothing that's compleat below.
Or dost thou know from whence the Estrich had
These curious feathers in her wings, which made,
And sow'd in plums, adorn the proudest crest,
That dares appear, of either man, or beast.
And teach you too, that man for all his pride,
(In which he undervalues all beside.
That live on Earth) to make himself appear
More beautiful then other creatures are,
Is forc'd to borrow Plums out of the wing
Of a poor naughty Bird, and fairly bring
His fairest head-attire from such a creature.
As is the most insipid thing in nature.
A stupid creature, one that's memorable
For nothing, but its bulk: and hardly able
To rank it self for its sagacity,
Amongst the meanest of the birds that fly
A blockish creature, of so dull a sense,
As were't not meerly for my Providence,
Its species would be lost: for when sh'has laid
Her Eggs, and with light sand them overspread,
She simply thinks her businesse is done,
And without more ado, away she's gone,
Whilst to the wide world she her brood doth trust,
And carelessly doth leave them in the dust.
For nothing, but its bulk: and hardly able
To rank it self for its sagacity,
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A blockish creature, of so dull a sense,
As were't not meerly for my Providence,
Its species would be lost: for when sh'has laid
Her Eggs, and with light sand them overspread,
She simply thinks her businesse is done,
And without more ado, away she's gone,
Whilst to the wide world she her brood doth trust,
And carelessly doth leave them in the dust.
Forgetting how these things obnoxious ly
To th'foot of every one that passeth by
The place, where she hath left them, nay at least,
(Though men may have discretion) yet the beast
O'th' Forrest, who doth not observe its paces,
With its hard hoof, might crush them all to pieces.
To th'foot of every one that passeth by
The place, where she hath left them, nay at least,
(Though men may have discretion) yet the beast
O'th' Forrest, who doth not observe its paces,
With its hard hoof, might crush them all to pieces.
Thus to her own brood she's unnatural,
And seems to have no thought for them at all,
But quite forsakes those poor adventurers,
And looks upon them, as they were not hers:
So that her labours, and her pains appear
T'have been in vain, when thus, without all fear
Of what may be the event, foolishly
She leaves her issue, and most barbarously,
Not only leaves them, but forgets them too,
A thing no creature, but her self would do.
And seems to have no thought for them at all,
But quite forsakes those poor adventurers,
And looks upon them, as they were not hers:
So that her labours, and her pains appear
T'have been in vain, when thus, without all fear
Of what may be the event, foolishly
She leaves her issue, and most barbarously,
Not only leaves them, but forgets them too,
A thing no creature, but her self would do.
And what's the reason, why this stolid creature
Acts contrare to the very rules of nature?
Why thus it is: because I thought not fit
At first t'allow her so much mother-wit,
As even to take a care of what's her own,
And as for understanding, she has none.
But what she wants of wit, and common sense,
I do supply it by my Providence:
For of those Eggs by her abandoned,
I do take care, and have so ordered,
That on the open sand where these do ly,
The Sun should th'unkind mothers place supply:
And by the heat of his warm, transient rays
Should hatch those Eggs, and save her species;
Which else by her extream, supine neglect.
Would totally decay, and go to wrack.
Acts contrare to the very rules of nature?
Why thus it is: because I thought not fit
At first t'allow her so much mother-wit,
As even to take a care of what's her own,
And as for understanding, she has none.
But what she wants of wit, and common sense,
I do supply it by my Providence:
For of those Eggs by her abandoned,
I do take care, and have so ordered,
That on the open sand where these do ly,
The Sun should th'unkind mothers place supply:
And by the heat of his warm, transient rays
Should hatch those Eggs, and save her species;
Which else by her extream, supine neglect.
Would totally decay, and go to wrack.
And yet as dull, and stolid as she is,
She may be thought sagacious in this,
That when pursu'd by th'Hunter, she on high
Doth lift her self, and though she cannot fly,
By reason of her heavy bulk, so well
As other birds, yet she appears to sail,
And fly, and run together, for with feet
And wings, she nimbly makes her way so fleet,
As none can overtake her, nay she knows
How to defend her self, when Hunters close
Approach her with their Poles, for then she throws
Behind her with her feet, to stop the chase,
Small stones, sand, dust, and gravel in the face,
Of those who do pursue her, and defyes
All their attaques, whilst thus she runs and flyes
To save her life, with so much art, and force,
As she despises both their Foot, and Horse.
She may be thought sagacious in this,
That when pursu'd by th'Hunter, she on high
Doth lift her self, and though she cannot fly,
By reason of her heavy bulk, so well
As other birds, yet she appears to sail,
And fly, and run together, for with feet
And wings, she nimbly makes her way so fleet,
As none can overtake her, nay she knows
How to defend her self, when Hunters close
Approach her with their Poles, for then she throws
Behind her with her feet, to stop the chase,
Small stones, sand, dust, and gravel in the face,
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All their attaques, whilst thus she runs and flyes
To save her life, with so much art, and force,
As she despises both their Foot, and Horse.
The Horse, why there's a creature, that indeed
In wit, strength, courage, doth as much exceed
The most of Beasts, which on the earth do breed,
As th'Estrich doth in dulness: there's a creature
For th'use of man accommodate by nature,
A lofty thing, that on its Joynts doth rise,
Stands straight, lifts up his Crest, with flaming eyes:
Appears a creature full of generous pride,
With other so fair qualities beside.
As to serve mankind he is no less able,
Then to his fellow-brutes he's formidable.
Who gave him this same strength, who made him shake
His dangling Maine, and Perwig, his neck
With horrid curles, and friezlings, when in wrath
He seems to threaten nothing less then death?
Who gave him so much courage, that he fears
Nothing that moving on the earth appears?
But with such resolution in he flies
Amongst the thickest of his enemies,
As unconcern'd, as Thunder-bolt, which breaks
Even where it pleases, so he havock makes
Of all that do oppose him, for he soon.
By valour bears the proudest of'em down.
In wit, strength, courage, doth as much exceed
The most of Beasts, which on the earth do breed,
As th'Estrich doth in dulness: there's a creature
For th'use of man accommodate by nature,
A lofty thing, that on its Joynts doth rise,
Stands straight, lifts up his Crest, with flaming eyes:
Appears a creature full of generous pride,
With other so fair qualities beside.
As to serve mankind he is no less able,
Then to his fellow-brutes he's formidable.
Who gave him this same strength, who made him shake
His dangling Maine, and Perwig, his neck
With horrid curles, and friezlings, when in wrath
He seems to threaten nothing less then death?
Who gave him so much courage, that he fears
Nothing that moving on the earth appears?
But with such resolution in he flies
Amongst the thickest of his enemies,
As unconcern'd, as Thunder-bolt, which breaks
Even where it pleases, so he havock makes
Of all that do oppose him, for he soon.
By valour bears the proudest of'em down.
Canst thou then make this noble beast afraid,
And like a timorous Ass, hang down his head?
Canst stop his nostrils, when he fiercely neighs,
And with his voice doth seem to pierce the skyes?
And like a timorous Ass, hang down his head?
Canst stop his nostrils, when he fiercely neighs,
And with his voice doth seem to pierce the skyes?
His martial neighing makes the Hills resound,
When with his angry hoof, he tears the ground,
Erects his Crest, and chops upon his Bit,
VVith gnashing teeth, 'cause it will not permit
His fury to run out as he thinks fit.
His Bit, like Soap-ball, rouling in his mouth,
Makes him spit out much of his wrath in froath,
Whilst with a longing not to be exprest
By mortal man, this strong, couragious beast,
This most magnanimous, and fearless thing,
Longs to be at his sprightly skirmishing:
For joy he praunces, and courvetts, when he
Doth preparations for the Battel see:
When there are sudden hopes of death, and wounds,
And nothing in his ears, but terrour sounds.
When all the fields are covered far and nigh,
With thick Battallions of stout Infantry
And closs-rank'd-Squadrons of brave Cavalry:
O how he's tickled with that deathful sight,
As if in nothing more he took delight,
(For things, which you do black, and dreadful call,
He fancies the most pleasant things of all,
That life affords) he would not quit the sport
He there expects to have, in any sort,
For all the whissling pleasures of a Court.
No man for loves fruition has such charms,
As he to meet th'enraged man at arms.
When with his angry hoof, he tears the ground,
Erects his Crest, and chops upon his Bit,
VVith gnashing teeth, 'cause it will not permit
His fury to run out as he thinks fit.
His Bit, like Soap-ball, rouling in his mouth,
Makes him spit out much of his wrath in froath,
Whilst with a longing not to be exprest
By mortal man, this strong, couragious beast,
This most magnanimous, and fearless thing,
Longs to be at his sprightly skirmishing:
For joy he praunces, and courvetts, when he
Doth preparations for the Battel see:
When there are sudden hopes of death, and wounds,
And nothing in his ears, but terrour sounds.
When all the fields are covered far and nigh,
With thick Battallions of stout Infantry
And closs-rank'd-Squadrons of brave Cavalry:
O how he's tickled with that deathful sight,
As if in nothing more he took delight,
(For things, which you do black, and dreadful call,
He fancies the most pleasant things of all,
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He there expects to have, in any sort,
For all the whissling pleasures of a Court.
No man for loves fruition has such charms,
As he to meet th'enraged man at arms.
Yes, all the charms, which do his breast possess,
He by his frequent neighings doth express,
And still expecting with impatience
When his beloved Battel should commence.
He chaffs and foams at mouth so furiously,
As even his Rider, with difficulty,
For all his strength, and skill, by force of Rein,
Can this now half-engaged Beast restrain.
When he perceives the glistering Sword appear,
And over Helmet brandish'd every where,
Make no small threatning Figure in the Air:
For to afright him, no device is able,
The Sword is to him but a very bauble.
He by his frequent neighings doth express,
And still expecting with impatience
When his beloved Battel should commence.
He chaffs and foams at mouth so furiously,
As even his Rider, with difficulty,
For all his strength, and skill, by force of Rein,
Can this now half-engaged Beast restrain.
When he perceives the glistering Sword appear,
And over Helmet brandish'd every where,
Make no small threatning Figure in the Air:
For to afright him, no device is able,
The Sword is to him but a very bauble.
The rattling Quiver stuck, with Arrows full,
The Spear, and Shield to him appear but dull,
And empty Symbols of approaching War;
For he fears nothing that a man can dare.
The Spear, and Shield to him appear but dull,
And empty Symbols of approaching War;
For he fears nothing that a man can dare.
But when he sees the Forces on each side
Draw up in order, and both far and wide
Extend their Front:—
O how he huggs himself, because he now
Expects some action without more adoe:
O how he paws, and with his foot doth wound,
In his hote rage, the unprovocking ground;
As if the harmless Turff, on which he stood,
Withstood his fury: how he neighs aloud,
And stretching out his head, once, and again,
In passion almost breaks the curbing Rein.
At sound of Trumpet, he's no more afraid,
Nor at the thundering noise of Drums dismaid,
Then if one whistled through a Flagelet,
Or on the bottom of a Barrel beat.
Draw up in order, and both far and wide
Extend their Front:—
O how he huggs himself, because he now
Expects some action without more adoe:
O how he paws, and with his foot doth wound,
In his hote rage, the unprovocking ground;
As if the harmless Turff, on which he stood,
Withstood his fury: how he neighs aloud,
And stretching out his head, once, and again,
In passion almost breaks the curbing Rein.
At sound of Trumpet, he's no more afraid,
Nor at the thundering noise of Drums dismaid,
Then if one whistled through a Flagelet,
Or on the bottom of a Barrel beat.
For this undaunted Beast doth so rejoyce
In the redoubling of that horrid noise,
Which Drums, and Trumpets do afford, and takes
Such pleasure in the noise the Army makes:
Whilst Officers on Horse-back, here and there
Traversing through the Ranks and Files, prepare
All things for action, and aloud command
What they think fit, with Truncheons in their hand:
That with his neighing he doth answer make,
And Ecchoes all the Language which they speak,
With such wild noise, as doth the Air confound;
But when the Trumpet doth in earnest sound
The signal to the fight—Sa—sa—he cryes,
Bears down his head, shoots lightning from his eyes,
And with top-gallop to the Battel dyes.
Have you not seen a Faulcon in his flight,
Chasing his prey, as in a Line, down-right,
When far above it in the open Sky,
With so great strength, and force upon it fly,
As to the ground it bears it by, and by.
So this brave beast, so soon as Trumpet sounds,
Contemning noise, and clamour, dangers, wounds,
Nay death it self, upon its enemies,
And on its prey, with mighty valour flys.
In the redoubling of that horrid noise,
Which Drums, and Trumpets do afford, and takes
Such pleasure in the noise the Army makes:
Whilst Officers on Horse-back, here and there
Traversing through the Ranks and Files, prepare
All things for action, and aloud command
What they think fit, with Truncheons in their hand:
That with his neighing he doth answer make,
And Ecchoes all the Language which they speak,
With such wild noise, as doth the Air confound;
But when the Trumpet doth in earnest sound
The signal to the fight—Sa—sa—he cryes,
Bears down his head, shoots lightning from his eyes,
And with top-gallop to the Battel dyes.
Have you not seen a Faulcon in his flight,
Chasing his prey, as in a Line, down-right,
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With so great strength, and force upon it fly,
As to the ground it bears it by, and by.
So this brave beast, so soon as Trumpet sounds,
Contemning noise, and clamour, dangers, wounds,
Nay death it self, upon its enemies,
And on its prey, with mighty valour flys.
And now we speak of Hawks: why there is too,
A noble bird, which I have made to bow
For humane use, a roaving bird of prey,
Which in the air so swiftly cuts a way,
With stretch'd, slow-moving wings, as to the eye,
He seems like arrow from a bow to fly,
Who taught herso to fly then? pray was't thou
Her tutor? didst thou teach her? though 'tis true,
By art the meanest of you do attain
The knowledge how to tame, and how to train
This ravenous bird, and bring her to your lure,
And make her for your use her prey secure.
But what's all that? by nature she knows more,
Then you can teach her, and did know before
You catch'd her, how to catch her prey, and fly,
As well as you by all your industry
Can e're instruct her in the thing; although
You think you more then such poor creatures know,
Well then I'll ask thee:
When the wild Hawk doth her old feathers cast,
And fears en cuerpo, the cold northern blast
May do her harm: is't thou who did advise
That naked creature to become so wise,
As to avoid the winters cold, in time,
To make a progresse to a warmer clime,
Untill her feathers do grow up again?
Dost think she's taught so by the art of men?
A noble bird, which I have made to bow
For humane use, a roaving bird of prey,
Which in the air so swiftly cuts a way,
With stretch'd, slow-moving wings, as to the eye,
He seems like arrow from a bow to fly,
Who taught herso to fly then? pray was't thou
Her tutor? didst thou teach her? though 'tis true,
By art the meanest of you do attain
The knowledge how to tame, and how to train
This ravenous bird, and bring her to your lure,
And make her for your use her prey secure.
But what's all that? by nature she knows more,
Then you can teach her, and did know before
You catch'd her, how to catch her prey, and fly,
As well as you by all your industry
Can e're instruct her in the thing; although
You think you more then such poor creatures know,
Well then I'll ask thee:
When the wild Hawk doth her old feathers cast,
And fears en cuerpo, the cold northern blast
May do her harm: is't thou who did advise
That naked creature to become so wise,
As to avoid the winters cold, in time,
To make a progresse to a warmer clime,
Untill her feathers do grow up again?
Dost think she's taught so by the art of men?
Or doth the princely Eagle soar on high,
And to the tops of Rocks, and Mountains fly
At thy command? where she doth build her Nest,
And with her young ones doth securely rest?
And to the tops of Rocks, and Mountains fly
At thy command? where she doth build her Nest,
And with her young ones doth securely rest?
For safety she with pleasure doth dispense,
And 'mongst the Rocks she keeps her residence:
Whilst other birds do lodge in trees, and bushes,
In banks of rivers, marishes, bull-rushes,
Heaths, and corn-fields, house-tops, and some such places,
This bird inhabits, where no humane traces
Are to be found, and as the soveraign
Of all the winged nation, doth remain
In her strong castle, where secure she lyes,
Under the covert of a precipice.
And 'mongst the Rocks she keeps her residence:
Whilst other birds do lodge in trees, and bushes,
In banks of rivers, marishes, bull-rushes,
Heaths, and corn-fields, house-tops, and some such places,
This bird inhabits, where no humane traces
Are to be found, and as the soveraign
Of all the winged nation, doth remain
In her strong castle, where secure she lyes,
Under the covert of a precipice.
There she resides, in that strong cittadel,
She like a Lady paramount, doth dwell;
From whence the countrey all around she spyes,
And views afar: her sharp, and vigorous eyes,
Make a large Horizon: from thence, with ease,
As from a watch-tower, she at a distance sees
Th'inferiour Birds, who unconcern'dly fly,
And so securely ramble through the Sky,
As if indeed they fear'd no Enemy.
Then from her Fortress she flys out amain,
Falls in amongst them, and with little pain
Snatches so many of 'em, as at least
Upon those slaughtered Captives, she may feast
Both she, and her voracious Family,
For a long Summers-day conveniently.
She like a Lady paramount, doth dwell;
From whence the countrey all around she spyes,
And views afar: her sharp, and vigorous eyes,
Make a large Horizon: from thence, with ease,
As from a watch-tower, she at a distance sees
349
And so securely ramble through the Sky,
As if indeed they fear'd no Enemy.
Then from her Fortress she flys out amain,
Falls in amongst them, and with little pain
Snatches so many of 'em, as at least
Upon those slaughtered Captives, she may feast
Both she, and her voracious Family,
For a long Summers-day conveniently.
| The grand Tryal | |