She feasts her young with blood; and, hov'ring o'er

Th' unslaughter'd host, enjoys the promis'd gore.

[36]Know'st thou how many moons, by me assign'd,

Roll o'er the mountain goat, and forest hind,

While pregnant they a mother's load sustain?

They bend in anguish, and cast forth their pain.

Hale are their young, from human frailties freed;

Walk unsustain'd, and unassisted feed;

They live at once; forsake the dam's warm side;

Take the wide world, with nature for their guide;