190 AN ANGLER'S RAMBLES 



confirmed by what I experienced at the outset of my career as 

 an angler. Every reminiscence connected with these experi- 

 ences tends to assure me that there existed a bond of affection, 

 fraternal in its nature, among the saunterers by the streams, a 

 sympathy such as holds among those who have been comrades 

 together in some glorious campaign ; nor am I entirely disabused 

 of this idea, although I must confess it does not present itself 

 with the same force as formerly. 



SONG. 



i. 

 WHILE others are brawling, let anglers agree 



And in concord the goblet replenish ; 

 Should contention prevail, then away on the gale 

 All mirth and hilarity vanish. 



ii. 

 No strife we '11 allow, no clamorous words 



To sever the friendships of summer, 

 But hand within hand, in amity stand 



And consign every wrong to the rummer ! 



iii. 



'Oh ! Peace and Content are the angler's best wealth ; 



No journey without them he ventures ; 

 Like angels, they wait at the porch of his gate 



And greet him again when he enters. 



IV. 



Then joyously mingle the soul of the grain 

 With a sober supply from the tankard ; 



'Twill cost not a care, so long as we share 

 The cups of content and of concord ! 



