THE SALMON. 11 



ing up the river, and seldom or never swim down 

 the stream, unless on their journeying to the sea, 

 when disturbed by the hawling or shooting of nets, 

 the prowling of the otter, or when exhausted by the 

 fatiguing tackle of the angler. 



To the admirers of nature, no sight can be more 

 gratifying than to observe salmon ascending torrents 

 and vaulting over rocks of such height as no other 

 fish would attempt. We have heard much said, 

 and seen much written both in prose and verse, of 

 the Kennerth, a salmon leap, upon the river Teivi in 

 Pembrokeshire. Drayton, with some other poets 

 and authors, in describing this place have mentioned 

 that the salmon takes his tail in his teeth in making 

 the spring or leap. 



When as the salmon seeks a fresher stream to find, 

 (Which hither from the sea comes yearly by his kind 

 As he in season grows,) and stems the watry tract 

 Where Tivy falling down doth make a cataract, 

 Forc't by the rising rocks that there her course oppose, 

 As though within their bounds they meant her to enclose ; 

 Heere when the labouring fish doth at the foot arrive, 

 And finds that by his strength but vainly he doth strive, 

 His tail takes in his teeth ; and bending like a bow 

 That 's to the compass drawn, aloft himself doth throwe : 

 Then springing at his height, as doth a little wand, 

 That bended end to end, and flerted from the hand, 

 Far off itself doth cast ; so doth the salmon vault. 

 And if at first he fail, his second summersault 

 He instantly assaies ; and from his nimble ring 

 Still yarking, never leaves, until himself he fling 

 Above the streamful top of the surrounding heap. 



DRAYTON 's Polyolbion. 



