EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 105 



Beneath that dear, though narrow shed, 

 We sisters all were born and bred.' 



' Oh, what must be the favour'd place 

 That yields such charms and native grace ; 

 As sedgy weeds no more can shroud 

 Than noon-day's sun an envious cloud ! 

 Love's genuine progeny you seem, 

 From each fair face such pleasures beam. 1 



* Our business is to tend our flocks, 

 To throw our lines beyond the rocks ; 

 When fed, we drive our flocks at eve, 

 So now, kind Sir, we take our leave.' 



* Well might it grieve your beauties rare, 



To waste themselves on desert air, 

 When courts and cities would delight 

 To give them to the public sight ; 

 But tell me, do you feel content 

 On toils so homely to be pent ? ' 



' More true content within us dwells, 

 While roving through these streamy dells, 

 Than fills the hearts of ladies great, 

 While dancing in the rooms of state ; 

 No wealth we want, or fine array, 

 Our cares and wanderings make us gay.' " 



With some variations from Dr. Aikin's version. 



In 1612, we find another Italian publication, of about 

 two hundred and fifty pages, entitled, La Cana de Piscare, 

 in which there are some interesting descriptions of angling 

 excursions on some of the higher sections of the river 



