142 LITERATURE OF SEA AND RIVER FISHING. 



Has been the poet's theme : 

 Gentles, and pastes, and viler roe 

 Hae had their praises sung enow 



In drumlie verse and stream, 

 But let us sing the worm in June, 



Auld Coquet crystal clear ; 

 All leafy Nature's now in tune. 

 Now doth true skill appear. 

 Sae moyley an' coyly 



Steal on the gleg-e'ed ti'out ; 

 He sees ye, an' flees ye — 

 Gifno — ye'll pick him out. 



" Just as the early, tuneful lark, 

 Dame Nature's vocal chapel-clerk, 



Carols his hymn of praise. 

 Just as the dews frae flowers distil, 

 And air recovers frae nights chill, 



Thro' Phoebus' slantin' rays ; 

 Wi' weel-graithed gear up stream then hie, 



Unerring cast the lure ; 

 The barely covered spankers lie 

 Unwatchfully secure. 



Then lungin' and plungin' 

 You feel the finny prize, 

 Now gantin' an' pantin' 



Stretched on his side he dies. 



" Straight as a sapling fir your wand, 

 Mid-teens o' feet, and light to hand, 



With hook of ample size. 

 Inserted just below the head 

 Of worm, well scoured and purplish red, 



Like arrow sourceward flies, 

 Swift with the current see it wear, 



Then trembling, mid-stream stay. 

 That instant strike — my life, he's there . 

 At leisure creelward play. 



Then stay there an' play there, 



Enjoy thy latest cast. 

 For the worm aye, in turn aye, 

 Will conquer a' at last." 



