198 HINTS ON ANGLING. 



all the inhabitants to death, without distinction of age or 

 sex. This event gave the death-blow to the ancient 

 capital of the Morini. 



It is contended by some authors, who are sustained by 

 the traditions of the country, neither of which, however, 

 seem to be fully relied on, that the sea once flowed up 

 to Therouanne, as to St. Omer and other towns in the de- 

 partment, and that Caesar assembled his troops and pre- 

 pared his galleys near the first-named place, previous to 

 his final embarkation for the memorable descent on the 

 shores of Britain, from some port near the present site of 

 Boulogne. The contrast between the present condition 

 of the little valley, with its flocks and herds, and peasants 

 and villages, and cheerful mills; and its former supposed 

 character as the muddy bottom of a deep estuary, through 

 which flowed the waves of the sounding sea, gave rise to 

 the following song. Since the days of Walton, anglers 

 have felt themselves entitled to make songs on any subject 

 they please, and sing them whenever they please; and, 

 therefore we make no apology for its introduction. 



i. 



Awake, awake, the May-morn Sun, 



Sheds light on rock, and tower, and tree; 



The harbinger of joy and fun, 

 The God of mirth and jollity ! 



Come, bring the rods, and let us plan, 



A trip to dear old Therouanne. 



ii. 



When Caesar's galleys spread their sails, 

 To land on Britain's storm-bound shore, 



From Therouanne hills he caught the gales, 

 That o'er the wave his fortunes bore ; 



But now a slender trout-stream glides 



Where once old ocean poured his tides. 



