180 ANCIENT ANGLING AUTHORS 



Into the thinner Element he's cast, 

 And on the verdant Margin gasps his Last. 

 He must not ev'ry Worm promiscuous use, 

 Judgment will tell the proper Bait to choose ; 

 The Worm that draws a long immoderate size 

 The Trout abhors, and the rank Morsel flies ; 

 And if too small, the naked Fraud's in sight, 

 And Fear forbids, while Hunger does invite. 

 Their shining Tails when a deep yellow stains, 

 That Bait will well reward the Fisher's Pains : 

 Cleanse them from Filth to give a tempting Gloss, 

 Cherish the sully'd Animals with Moss ; 

 Where they rejoice, wreathing around in Play 

 And from their bodies wipe their native Clay. 



To frame the little Animal, provide 



All the gay Hues that wait on Female Pride, 



Let Nature guide thee ; sometimes Golden Wire 



The glitt'ring Bellies of the Fly require ; 



The Peacock's Plumes thy Tackle must not fail, 



Nor the dear Purchase of the Sables Tail. 



Each gaudy Bird some slender Tribute brings, 



And lends the growing Insect proper Wings : 



Silks of all Colours must their Aid impart, 



And ev'ry Fur promote the Fisher's Art. 



So the gay Lady, with Expensive Care, 



Borrows the Pride of Land, of Sea, of Air ; 



Furs, Pearls, and Plumes, the Painted thing displays, 



Dazzles our Eyes, and easy Hearts betrays. 



Mark well the various Seasons of the Year, 

 How the succeeding Insect Race appear ; 

 In this revolving Moon one Colour reigns, 

 Which in the next the fickle Trout disdains. 

 Oft' have I seen a skilful Angler try 

 The various colours of the treacherous Fly ; 

 When he with fruitless Pain hath skim'd the Brook, 

 And the coy Fish rejects the skipping Hook, 

 He shakes the Boughs that on the Margin grow, 

 Which o'er the Stream a waving Forest throw ; 



