ENGLISH POETS ON FISHING. 645 



scarce some years ago ; but they have shown in greater 

 numbers during the last two or three seasons ; and it is 

 evident that under proper treatment the Trent might be 

 made a good salmon river. Crayfish are to be found in 

 some of its tributaries, or were so some thirty years ago. 

 The " less " mentioned in connection with the lamprey 

 means the lamperne. 



Milton can hardly be called a piscatorial poet, though he 

 sings of the evolutions of the myriads of "the voiceless 

 daughters of the unpolluted sea " (^Eschylus), which 



" Part single or with mate 



Graze the seaweed, their pasture, and through groves 

 Of coral stray ; or sporting with quick glance, 

 Show to the sun their wav'd coats dropp'd with gold ; 

 Or from their pearly shells come forth to seek 

 Moist nutriment ; or under rocks their food 

 In jointed armour watch." 



But, oh, the fall from Milton to William Browne ! and 

 yet the author of Britannia's Pastorals, published 1613, may 

 claim some attention from angling readers, who, however, 

 will hardly think that a pike in the following passage is a 

 good selection as a worm-taking fish, or the suggestion that 

 the line should be handled a proper one 



" Now as an Angler, melancholy standing, 

 Upon a greene bancke yeelding roome for landing, 

 A wrigling yealow worme thrust on his hooke 

 Now in the midst he throwes, then in a nooke ; 

 Here puls his line, there throwes it in againe, 

 Mendeth his Corke and Baite, but all in vaine, 

 He long stands viewing of the curled stream j 

 At last a hungry Pike, or well-growne Breame t 

 Snatch at the worme, and hasting fast away, 

 He, knowing it a Fish of stubborne sway, 

 Puls up his rod, but soft ; (as having skill) ; 

 Wherewith the hooke fast holds the Fishe's gill 



