r 76 AN ANGLER'S RAMBLES 



THE HOLY WELL. 



i. 



WHEN the month is happy June, 

 And her horns forsake the moon ; 

 When she greets us round and full 

 Then we' 11 haunt the Holy- Well pool ; 

 Where I ween, 

 'Neath willow green, 

 Bright swimmers are ever gliding, 



'Mong the reeds and water-weeds 

 They hold their wary hiding. 



ii. 



Not by moonlight need we tread 

 Mossy bank or river bed ; 

 No living things 'neath moonlight prowl, 

 Save beetle and bat and solemn owl ; 

 As she rides 

 The old trout hides 

 All under the still bank deeper, 

 Nor gay fly nor minnow sly 

 Can rouse the silent sleeper. 



x 



in. 



Rather at noontide we shall hie 

 To the Holy W T ell at the moorcock's cry, 

 Ere the bee visits the new-burst flower, 

 Or the noon-breeze stirs the bower ; 

 Then the trout 

 Sails round about, 

 And under the ozier bushes, 



Or descries his wing'd prize 

 Among the whispering rushes. 



