306 HINTS ON ANGLING. 



The rich looked on the poor, 

 As brother staunch and true, 



Nor robbed him of his right, 

 When this old rod was new! 



v. 



When this old rod was new, 



No fires illumed the sky, 

 To write in words of flame, 



The poor man's misery. 

 Employment was his right, 



His wages fair he drew 

 Oppression was unknown, 



When this old rod was new! 



VI. 



When this old rod was new, 



No factory mushroom dared, 

 Wring wealth from blood and tears, 



And hold that wealth unshared! 

 The toil-worn man had friends, 



Nor mean, nor weak, nor few, 

 But nobles of the land, 



When this old rod was new! 



VII. 



When this old rod was new, 



The sons of toil could ply 

 The " gentle art" right cheerily, 



And cast the treacherous fly ; 

 But time hath wrought sad change, 



A change the land shall rue 

 No keeper marred the sport, 



When this old rod was new! 



vm. 

 When this old rod was new, 



No British man might die 

 On British ground, 'mid British wealth, 



Of want and misery. 

 No one-eyed laws were made, 



The rich alone to view; 

 They did not punish poverty, 



When this old rod was new! 



