within the precincts of this yard,

each in his narrow confines barr’d,

dwells every beast that can be found

on afric or on indian ground;

how different was the life they led

in those wild haunts where they were bred,

to this tame servitude and fear,

enslaved by man, they suffer here!

in that uneasy close recess

couches a sleeping lioness;

that next den holds a bear; the next

a wolf, by hunger ever vext:

there, fiercer from the keeper’s lashes,

his teeth the fell hyena gnashes;

that creature on whose back abound

black spots upon a yellow ground,

a panther is—the fairest beast

that haunteth in the spacious east:

44

he underneath a fair outside

does cruelty and treachery hide.

that catlike beast that to and fro

restless as fire does ever go,

as if his courage did resent

his limbs in such confinement pent,

that should their prey in forest take,

and make the indian jungles quake,

a tiger is. observe how sleek

and glossy smooth his coat; no streak

on satin ever match’d the pride

of that which marks his furry hide.

how strong his muscles! he with ease

upon the tallest man could seize;

in his large mouth away could bear him,

and into thousand pieces tear him:

yet cabin’d so securely here,

the smallest infant need not fear.

that lordly creature next to him

a lion is. survey each limb;

observe the texture of his claws,

the massy thickness of those jaws;

his mane that sweeps the ground in length,

like samson’s locks, betokening strength.

in force and swiftness he excels

each beast that in the forest dwells;

45

the savage tribes him king confess

throughout the howling wilderness.

woe to the hapless neighbourhood

when he is press’d by want of food!

of man, or child, or bull, or horse

he makes his prey, such is his force.

a waste behind him he creates,

whole villages depopulates;

yet here within appointed lines

how small a grate his rage confines!

this place, methinks, resembleth well

the world itself in which we dwell.

perils and snares on every ground

like these wild beasts beset us round.

but providence their rage restrains,

our heavenly keeper sets them chains;

his goodness saveth every hour

his darlings from the lion’s power.