RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of Somerville, The Chace: A poem. CUL-DAR87.86. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 3.2022. RN1
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volumes CUL-DAR 87-90 contain material for Darwin's book Descent of man 2d ed. (1874-1877).
Darwin cited another verse in Descent 2d ed., pp. 120-121:
"'And with a courtly grin, the fawning hound
Salutes thee cow'ring, his wide op'ning nose
Upward he curls, and his large sloe-black eyes
Melt in soft blandishments, and humble joy.' The Chase, book i."
[86]
[in margin:] Dreams of Dogs
[pp. 13-14.]
Somerville speaks of an old Hound who
Now grown stiff with age,
And many a painful chace, the wise old hound
Regardless of the frolick pack, attends
His master's side, or slumbers at his ease.
Beneath the bending shade; there many a ring
Runs o'er in dreams; now on the doubtful foil
Puzzles perplexed, or doubles intricate
Cautious unfolds, then wing'd with all his speed,
Bounds o'er the lawn to seize his panting prey;
And in imperfect whimp'rings speaks his joy.
The Chase, Somerville. Book I.
Dreams
[William Somervile. 1735. The chace. A poem. London.]
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 25 September, 2022