chap. I.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 13 



Already were the eaves possest 

 With the swift Pilgrim's daubed nest : 

 The groves already did rejoice, 

 In Philomel's triumphing voice : 



The showers were short, the weather mild, 

 The morning fresh, the evening smil'd. 

 Joan takes her neat rubb'd pail, and now 

 She trips to milk the sand-red cow ; 



Where, for some sturdy foot-ball swain, 

 Joan strokes a syllabub or twain, 

 The fields and gardens were beset 

 With tulips, crocus, violet : 



And now, though late, the modest rose 

 Did more than half a blush disclose. 

 7'hus all looks gay, and full of cheer, 

 To welcome the new-livery' d year. 



These were the thoughts that then possessed the 

 undisturbed mind of Sir Henry Wotton. Will you 

 hear the wish of another Angler, and the commen- 

 dation of his happy life, which he also sings in 

 verse ? viz. Jo. Davors, Esq. ; 



Let me live harmlessly, and near the brink 

 Of Trent or Avon, have a divelling -place ; 



Where I may see my quill or cork down sink 

 With eager bite of Perch, or Bleak, or Dace ; 



And on the world and my Creator think : 



Whilst some men strive ill-gotten goods t' embrace ; 



And others spend their time in base excess 



Of wine, or worse, in war and wantonness. 



