COUNTRY CHURCHES. 199 



At last a hungry pike 



Snatches the bait, and hastens fast away ; 

 He, knowing it a fish of stubborne sway, 

 Puls up his rod, but soft, (as having skill,) 

 Wherewith the hooke fasts holds the fishe's gill, 

 Then all his line he freely yieldeth him, 

 Whilst furiously all up and downe doth swimme 

 Th' insnared fish, here on the top doth scud, 

 There underneath the banckes, then in the mud ; 

 And with his franticke fits so scares the shole, 

 That each one takes his hide, or starting hole ; 

 By this the pike cleane wearied, underneath 

 A willowe lyes, and pants, (if fishes breathe) 

 Wherewith the angler gently puls him to him ; 

 And least his hast might happen to undoe him, 

 Layes downe his rod, then takes his line in hand, 

 And, by degrees, getting the fish to land, 

 Walkes to another poole. 



A fly fisher must not expect much sport in the 

 neighbourhood of Oxford, as trout are any thing 

 but abundant. Should he however be an anti- 

 quary, as well as a disciple of Izaac Walton, he 

 will be well compensated for his trouble in visiting 

 some of the country churches with which Oxford- 

 shire abounds. That of Charlton, about eight 

 miles from Oxford, is worth looking at. There is 

 a curious cross in the church-yard, and in the 

 church an antient and beautiful screen of rich 

 gothic workmanship, supported by intersecting 

 ribs. The pannels are painted red, and the mould' 

 ings and carved ornaments have been richly gilt. 

 The antiquary will also find other things worthy 

 his notice, and he may learn that the manor was 



