20 LIT ERA TURE OF SEA AND RIVER FISHING. 



fishermen of old were of the same fraternity as " brothers 

 of the angle " now. This is how yElian divides fishermen 

 into classes : — 



" By those who curious have their art defined, 

 Three sorts of fishers are distinct assigned ; 

 The first in hooks delight, here some prepare 

 The angler's taper length and twisted hair ; 

 Others the tougher heads of flax entwine, 

 But firmer hands sustain the sturdy line ; 

 A third prevails by more compendious ways, 

 While numerous hooks one common line displays." 



The following is a capital rendering of a famous pas- 

 sage : — 



" A bite ! Hurrah ! the length'ning line extends, 

 Above the tugging fish the arch'd reed bends ; 

 He struggles hard, and noble sport will yield. 

 My liege, ere wearied out he quits the field. 

 See how he swims up, down, and now athwart 

 The rapid stream — now pausing as in thought ; 

 And now you force him from the azure deep ; 

 He mounts, he bends, and with resilient leap 

 Bounds into air ! There see the dangler twirl, 

 Convulsive start, hang, curl, again uncurl. 

 Caper once more like young Terpsichore 

 In giddy gyres above the sounding sea. 

 Till near'd you seize the prize with steady wrist, 

 And grasp at last the bright funambulist." 



Here is another : — 



" The fisher, standing from the shallop's head, 

 Projects the length'ning line and plunging lead, 

 Gently retracts, then draws it in apace. 

 While flocking anthias follow and give chase 

 As men their foe, so these pursue their fate, 

 And closely press the still receding bait. 

 Nor long in vain the tempting morsel pleads, 

 A hungry anthia seizes, snaps, and bleeds ; 

 The fraud soon felt, he flies in wild dismay. 

 Whiz goes the line — begins Piscator's play ! 



