STANZAS TO THE LADIES, ON ANGLING. 



GENTLE ladies, to you 



Just a sentence or two 

 We address, as wives, daughters and mothers ; 



And because we're aware 



There are some of the fair 

 Who peep into the books of their brothers. 



And it may, perhaps, so be, 

 That this book you may see, . 



And respecting it come to conclusion ; 



And we could not, we thought, 

 Seem to set you at nought, 



By treating you all with exclusion. 



Persons take different views 



Of the means which you use, 

 To obtain healthful recreation ; 



And we really think you 



Have just causes to rue 

 The false notions some take of your station. 



With a great deal of care, 



Like sweet flowers most rare, 

 You are nursed, in ten thousand of cases : 



Though we plainly can see, 



That if good nursing be, 

 It nevertheless makes pale faces. 



Our mother, the first, 



Was not sillily nursed, 

 When she roved among Eden's sweet flowers ; 



But in pure balmy air 



Was bright, healthy, and fair, 

 As the roses themselves in the bowers. 



