RIVERS AND LAKES OF WALES. 139 



'* When as the salmon seeks a fresher stream to find, 

 Which hitherto, from the sea, comes yearly by his kind, 

 So he in season grows, and stems the watery tract, 

 Where Tivy falling down doth make a cataract, 

 Forced by the rising rocks that there her course oppose, 

 As though within their bands they meant her to inclose. 

 Here, when the labouring fish doth at the foot arrive, 

 He 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 throw; 

 Then springing atliis height, as doth a little wand. 

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

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

 And if at first he fail, a second somersault 

 He instantly essays ; and from his nimble wing 

 StiD gerting, never leaves until himself he fling 

 Above the streamful top of the surrounding heap." 



The Rydal is a stream held in great repute by those anglers who 

 have frequented its waters. It is, in point of bold scenery, one of 

 the most interesting streams of the whole country. 



There are other smaller stretches of water in which rod-fishing 

 can be fully enjoyed ; but the fish in them are mostly very small. 

 These are the Arth, the Ayton, the Wirrai, and the Leri. t Still- 

 water fishing in this country may be found in the Llyn Teivi, as 

 well as in some smaller collections of water in its immediate 

 vicinity. There are also Lake Maes, Berwyn, Llyn Hir, and Llyn 

 Aeddwear, all having more or less of red trout. 



BRECKNOCKSHIRE. 



The chief rivers of this county are the Usk and the Wye; the 

 latter we have already noticed. The Usk is a first-rate salmon 

 and trouting river. More than three centuries ago the salmon of 

 this river were held in high repute. 



" Great store of fish is caught within this flood. 

 * # $ * * * * * 



A thing to note, when sammon failes in Wye, 



(And season there ; goes out as order is) 



Than still of course, in Oske doth sammon lye, 



And of good fish, in Oske, you shall not mis, 



And this seemes straunge, and, doth through Wales appeere 



In some one place, are sammons all the yeere. 



So fresh, so sweet, so red, so crimp withal, 



That man might say, ' Loe ! sammon here at call. 3 " 1555. 



Tlie lakes of this country are Welshpool, Pwll Binery, and Llyn 

 Vawr. 



