220 AN ANGLER S RAMBLES 



v. 



Ferrule bent distorted ring 

 Top curtail'd or past repair 

 The continual wear and tear, 



And relaxing of its spring ; 



VI. 



Every notch by knife impress'd, 

 Ranging up and down the butt, 

 In its form of cross or rutt, 



Is to thee of interest. 



VII. 



In the fortunes of thy wand 



Thou hast part, no common part, 

 And the beatings of thy heart 



With its triumphs correspond. 



VIII. 



Give it place in thine abode 

 In thy dwelling's inner shrine 

 In the chamber made divine 



By love and faith, lay up thy rod. 



IX. 



When the wielder's arm is weak, 

 And care's fever is at height ; 

 In the watches of the night, 



'Mid the silence it will speak ; 



