AND ANGLING SONGS. 261 



XXII. 

 With air and fire at their control, 



And the electric power divine, 



Why trespass on the Naiad's shrine 

 These taskers of the hand and soul ? 



XXIII. 



Forbid it, ye strong powers that be ! 



Arrest the evil while you can, 



And let not the Leviathan 

 Swallow the tribute of the sea. 



XXIV. 



Its rivers are a nation's trust 



The people's dearest heritage, 



Which it is bound from age to age 

 To hold inviolate from lust ; 



xxv. 



With jealousy the fountain-heads 



To fend against all reckless waste ; 



Nor suffer elements unchaste 

 To dim the diamond of their beds. 



XXVI. 



Up and be busy, ye to whom 



This sacred duty appertains ! 



Our rivers rescue from their chains, 

 And snatch from their impending doom. 



XXVII. 



No weary drought will vex them then, 



No fiery shape invade the lea ; 



But salmon riches crowd the sea, 

 And roll up to our doors again. 



