150 AN ANGLER'S RAMBLES 



was certainly provoking, but it may serve as a warning to the 

 lessees of deer- shootings in Scotland, to make themselves 

 thoroughly acquainted with the existing arrangement betwixt 

 landlord and tenant before they conclude their paction for the 

 venison. 



A LOCH SCENE. 



i. 

 NEVER in dream-land met the eye 



A scene so fair and witching ; 

 Lake, heath, and forest, hill and dale, 

 And, gilding all in its farewell, 



A sunset so enriching ! 



ii. 

 The chasten'd rapture of that. hour 



Steals, like a vision, o'er me ; 

 I see again the mirror'd heights 

 The tranquil blending of delights 



In the sweet lake before me. 



in. 

 A ruin on its islet stands, 



The walls with ivy pendant, 

 Its grey stones crumbling underneath, 

 Peer coldly through the shroud-like wreath 



Of that.untrain'd ascendant. 



IV. 



But glancing from the record rude 



Of the remoter ages, 

 Behold the image of a stag, 

 Timorous of the water-flag, 



Its eager thirst assuages ! 



