FIFTH DAY. 145 



the stream, where the current is stronger; 

 the fish that haunt the rapids are twice 

 as good as those in stiller water, and infi- 

 nitely more vigorous. 



J. You must be well acquainted with 

 these streams. 



S. Yes, and with many others in this 

 part of England: 



" fondly I pursued, 



Even when a child, the streams unheard, unseen. 



****** 

 Nor have I tracked their course for scanty gains ; 

 They taught me random cares and truant joys, 

 That shield from mischief and preserve from stains 

 Vague minds." 



I often find myself musing at particular 

 spots which I was wont to haunt in my child- 

 hood with nothing to disturb my reveries, 

 but the joyous note of the fly-hunting wagtail 

 as it bounds from patch to patch of bright 

 weeds, or the startled cry of the moor-hen, 



or the kingfisher skimming along the sedgy 







bank of the stream, and in its turn flushing 



