252 AN ANGLERS RAMBLES 



IV. 

 His thirsty tooth the gad-fly whets, 



Incited by the cruel glare ; 



The spider wrapt in crafty lair 

 Watches the flutter of her nets. 



v. 

 The lizard basks upon the bank ; 



The slow-worm in our pathway crawls ; 



The loathly adder, on the knolls, 

 Lies coil'd among the herbage rank. 



VI. 



All nature wears an air of spleen 

 A cast of languor, not repose, 

 That in the season of the rose 



Seems alien to her wonted mien. 



VII. 



Upon the feather' d tribe, the charm 

 Works in a more or less degree ; 

 The swallow, which hath cross'd the sea, 



Within the circuit of the farm 



vin. 



Shows flagging wing. The doves retire 

 Below the curtains of the grove, 

 And in the under-tones of love 



Communicate their one desire. 



IX. 



With furled canvas, under thatch 

 Of a desponding willow, stands, 

 Like the carved work of cunning hands, 



The heron keeping weary watch. 



