THE ANGLER'S REPAST. 319 



loch, are always better tasted than those which feed on 

 eels and frogs. 



Angler ! that all day long hast wandered by sunny 

 stream, and heart and hand, plied the meditative art, 

 who hast filled thy pannier brimful of star-sided trout,, 

 and with aching arms, and weary back, and faint 

 wavering step, crossed the threshold of some cottage- 

 inn a smiling, rural retreat that starts up, when thy 

 wishes are waning into despondency, how grateful to 

 thee is the merry song of the frying pan, strewn over 

 with the daintiest of thy spoils and superintended by a 

 laughter loving hostess and her blooming image ! and 

 thou too, slayer of salmon ! more matured and fas- 

 tidious, what sound, when thy reel is at rest, like the 

 bubbling and frothing of the fish-kettle ! what fare 

 more acceptable than the shoulder-cut, snowed over 

 with curd, of a gallant sixteen pounder, and where, in 

 the wide world, is to be found wholesomer and heartier 

 sauce, to the one as well as to the other, than a goblet 

 generously mixed of Islay, and piping hot ? Stretch 

 thy hand over thy mercies and be thankful. 



