234 AN ANGLER'S RAMBLES 



gud 'un,' was the compliment paid by our worthy attendant on 

 committing it to the pannier. 



THE BRETHREN OF THE STREAMS. 



i. 

 A JOLLY craft is ours, hurra ! 



The brethren of the streams ! 

 In joy we pass the livelong day, 



And close it under dreams. 

 The chiming river is our guide, 



Meandering through the vale, 

 And from its chimes we cull the rhymes 



Of legendary tale. 



n. 

 The secrets of the river's life 



Are ours to gain and guard, 

 We are the priests who in the strife 



The angler join and bard ; 

 Who blend with every wayward turn 



Some feat of the olden times, 

 And the sweet prattle of the burn 



Interpret into rhymes. 



in. 

 It is a pleasant one, and free, 



This wandering sport of ours, 

 Above us waves the leafy tree, 



Bloom under us the flowers ; 

 And in our hands the pliant rod 



Is waving to and fro, 

 The shapely boughs above us nod ; 



And the flowers smile below. 



