RIVER SCENERY. 265 



against which it forced its passage, forming eddies 

 or little whirlpools before it resumed its calmer 

 course. These rocks were overhung with the bran- 

 ches of some fine oaks which flourished on the 

 shore, and whose roots were moistened by the ever 

 flowing stream. Ik was a scene of calm seclusion. 

 The sound was alone broken by the bittern's cry, or 

 the song of the throstle in a neighbouring brake. 

 Now and then swallows pursued their silent course 

 up and down the river under tho shadow of the over- 

 spreading trees, and then darted over them as if in 

 pursuit of some fresh objects of their search. The 

 lights and shadows were clearly and beautifully 

 defined as the sun glowed in the firmament 



' In his east the glorious lamp was seen, 

 ' Regent of day ; and ail th' horizon round 

 ' Invested with bright rays.' 



No cloud or mist obscured its beams, as they 

 rested on the high topp'd trees, while flies and 

 other insects flitted in the shades produced by the 

 trunks of these fine wide-spreadings oaks, whose 

 gnarled and tortuous roots appeared to grasp the 

 ground as if to enable them to support the super- 

 incumbent weight of the gigantic trees. 



As the anglers advanced, they now and then 

 heard the sound of the distant water as it forced its 

 way over some rocky obstruction into a pool, sur- 

 rounded by high reeds, and shaded by drooping 

 willows ; and sometimes they caught a view of a 



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