30 History of the 



" And blocks as black as pitch (with boring augurs found), 



" There at the general flood supposed to be drowned. 



" Thus chief of Mersey's train, away with her I run, 



" When in her prosperous course she wat'reth Warrington, 



" And her fair silver load in Le'rpoole down doth lay. 



" A road none more renown'd in the Vergivian sea. 



" Ye lusty lasses, then, in Lancashire that dwell, 



" For beauty that are said to bear away the bell. 



" Your country's hornpipe ye so mincingly that tread, 



" As ye the egg-pye love, and apple cheery red, 



'■ In all your mirthful songs and merry meetings tell 



" That Erwell every way doth Ribble far excel." 



A transformation in the charms of. the river has taken place 

 since the poet sang the praises of the " lovely Erwell ; " and 

 whatever the circumstances may have been in the past, the man, 

 to-day, would be a false witness who declared " That Erwell every 

 way doth Ribble far excel." 



There is an interesting reference to Rossendale as the district in 

 which the river Irwell takes its rise, in a poem entitled " Irwell," {6) 

 possessing some merit. After a short introduction it proceeds : — 



But not so high my fancy soars, 

 Content to roam on Irwell's shores, 

 Its fleeting relics seek among, 

 Fit subjects for my simple song ; 

 Nor would my muse to this aspire. 

 But thoughts of early days inspire 

 My pen to move unfettered, free, 

 Irwell, in love alone to thee I 



Black as thou art, thou sullen stream, 

 Thee have I chosen for my theme; 

 For there are spots which skirt thy tide 

 Full many a favoured land might pride. 

 Where speed thy waters in their youth, 

 As childhood bright, and pure as truth. 

 So very fair, I've seen on thee 

 The shadowed form of passing bee. 



(b) Irwell and other Poems by A. (Joseph Anthony), Dedicated to Charles 

 Swain, 1843. 



