By thought matured, and quicken’d by desire,[[143]]
New arts, new arms, his wayward wants require.
From the tough yew a slender branch he tears,
With self-taught skill the twisted grass[[144]] prepares;
Th’ unfashioned bow, with labouring efforts bends
80
In circling form, and joins th’ unwilling ends.
Next some tall reed he seeks—with sharp-edg’d stone
Shapes the fell dart, and points with whiten’d bone.[[145]]
Then forth he fares. Around in careless play,