XVII 



THE ANGLER 



Angling is set down by the master 

 of the craft, whom all revere but none 

 now follow, as the Contemplative Man's 

 Recreation ; but is the angler, while 

 angling, a contemplative man ? 



That beloved and worthy brother 

 whose worm -baited hook dangles in 

 quiet waters, placid as his mind — till 

 some wayfaring perch, or bream, or bull- 

 head shall by chance come upon it, he, 

 meanwhile, with rod set in the bank, 

 taking his ease upon the fresh June 

 sward, not touching his tackle nor re- 

 garding it but with the corner of an eye 

 — he may contemplate and dream day 

 dreams. He may watch the clouds 

 drifting across the blue, the green 

 branches waving between him and 

 them, consider the lilies of the field, 

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