164 AN ANGLER'S RAMBLES 



circumstance of its having, although well supplied with feeders, 

 no visible outlet, are made mention of, along with the sport 

 obtained in them, in the Angler's Companion. In fishing to 

 advantage the charr-loch, I experienced, besides the difficulty 

 arising from the wooded state of its banks and narrow margins, 

 the further drawback on success which calm, sunny weather is 

 the occasion of. The following invocation to the winds was 

 composed by me under those or similar circumstances : 



THE INVOCATION, 

 i. 



OH ! waken, winds, waken ! the waters are still, 

 And silence and sunlight recline on the hill, 

 The angler is watching beside the green springs 

 For the low welcome sound of your wandering wings. 



ii. 



With rod all appointed, and ready at need, 

 His withe-woven pannier flung down on the mead, 

 He looks to the lake from his ambush of trees, 

 And sighs for the curl of the cool summer breeze. 



in. 



Calm-bound is the form of the water-fowl fair, 

 And the spear of the rush stands erect in the air ; 

 And the dragon-fly roams o'er the lily-bed gay, 

 Where basks the bold pike in a sun-smitten bay. 



IV. 



Oh ! waken, winds, waken ! wherever asleep, 



On cloud or dark mountain, or down in the deep, 



The angler is watching beside the green springs 



For the low welcome sound of your wandering wings ! 



