AND ANGLING SONGS. 253 



X. 



The valley's glory broad and bright, 



Which flash'd with life the May-month long, 

 And with its challenges of song 



Saluted the starr'd ear of night, 



XL 

 Has shrunk into a narrow thread, 



Or, if assuming ampler course, 



It still affects the river's force, 

 The life and song alike are fled. 



XII. 



The valley's glory now no more, 



So straiten'd are its ways and means, 



So cast the tints the golds and greens 



Which ranged across from shore to shore. 



XIII. 



So lazily the pulses beat, 



Which once their merry throb sent out, 



And stirr'd the hidings of the trout 

 And wing'd the river's twinkling feet, 



XIV. 



And buoy'd with promises of cheer 

 The angler's heart, like sough of corn, 

 That with the breezes of the morn 



Comes flowing on the sower's ear. 



xv. 

 Alas ! the angler's hopes fall crush'd, 



Arrested in their radiant flight 



His aspirations of delight, 

 Their music and persuasion hush'd. 



