Page:The Bengali Book of English Verse.djvu/92

60 Unused to agriculture, and devoid Of e'en such lore as is required to rear Cattle or sheep or poultry with success, They look alone to what their woods supply, Gums, berries, honey, wholesome nuts and game, To meet their wants, and thus from youth become Experienced trappers, wary, quick of eye, And full of rare devices to ensnare The game that furnishes their fires with meat.

They often start at eve in knots of four, Equipped with a slight pole of pliant wood, From which as from a balance-beam depend A heap of branches, and an earthen jar With blazing fagots piled of driest wood. This strange machine, contrived with simple art, To cast a flaring light upon the path, The foremost hunter on his shoulder bears, And while the second, as he jogs, oft shakes A rod of iron garnished with ten rings, That jingle lightly like a bunch of keys, The hindmost follow with their hunting poles Of toughened cane, six yards and more in length.

When near the covert side, the jingling sound Excites the timid hare, nay bolder game, To scour the precincts, and detect the cause: It tempts the open, but the occult glare Frustrates its purpose, and it stands agaze; Till a quick thwack! delivered with just aim, Cuts short its blank surprise and life at once.

If the sport lasts an hour or two, so rich Are all the coverts of their woods in game, The hunters come home with a varied bag Of hares and porcupines and spotted deer.