2 5 ^ WA TERSIDE SKETCHES. 



To deal with these a man must needs be bold. 



Pray sink the bait can in that nearest hole, 



Else will those gudgeon prematurely die, 



Nor roach nor dace their little span will save. 



I'll give my bait, I think, another shy; 



E'er saw'st thou pike so cowardly behave ? 



Mark now these thirty yards; how neat they show, 



Coiled carefully upon the level ground 



One, two, three swish call'st thou not that a throw ? 



That should a good fish take, if one's around. 



Have you the papers seen ? or Punch ? or Fun ? 



It doesn't matter ; only one gets dull 



On hours of waiting. 



" Look ! by Jove, a run. 



Down goes the float. See how the pike can pull. 

 This is as it should be. I dare would bet 

 A heavy jack is running out the line 

 Into deep water, into deeper yet 

 Before he gives a pause. 



"Let us combine. 



To drink his health. Unscrew thy silver flask 

 And sip we lightly the ambrosial tap ; 

 Now turn with caution to the genial task. 

 In grass or sedge should we our capture wrap ? 

 Prepare the gaff with care, else do I vouch 

 Our prize may vanish at the nick of time. 

 A little moment further shall he pouch ; 

 To strike in haste is piscatorial crime. 

 Haul in the line with very cautious hand : 

 Thus the requirements of the case are met. 

 I'll show you how a captured pike should land 

 And you, the lesson learned, will not forget. 

 I gently strike soon as the line is taut 

 Though the barbed hook has doubtless done its work ; 

 The bending rod denotes a finster caught, 

 The plunging top betrays his angry jerk. 

 He's spent, I ween, as warily he's drawn, 

 Reluctant, but not hostile, to the shore. 

 The winch revolves. 



" Here on this grass-grown lawn 

 Shall lie the prey, to murder fry no more. 

 The float appears from the pellucid deep, 



