140 ANGLING LITERATURE IN 



In 1843, the c Queen of the Thames,' a piece in one 

 act, was represented at the Opera House, London. There 

 are five principal characters : Michael Brayling ( a 

 wealthy bachelor, fond of fishing) ; Edward (a young 

 farmer) ; Bobby Bush (an errand boy) ; Elizabeth (a 

 young orphan) ; and Miss Elizabeth Pike (an unmarried 

 damsel of forty). The performance opens with singing 

 " All, all is still, 

 O'er dell and hill, 



The dawn is faintly glowing ; 

 Beneath its veil 

 Of twilight pale, 



The silver Thames is flowing. 



ELIZABETH appears at the lattice. 

 So, I, through Nature's soft disguise, 



From thy dear side must rove, 

 Till midnight fall, and starry skies 

 Be-light me back to love. 

 JUliz. , . . Hush, hush, I pray, 

 Make no delay, 



The dawn is softly breaking ; 

 The first bright ray 

 That here finds way 



My guardian will be waking. 



So, haste, through Nature's soft disguise, 



And every fear remove, 

 Till close of eve, when starry skies 

 Be-light thee back to love. 



[He kisses Us hand, and appears on the 

 bridge, when Miss PIKE, her night- 

 cap on, opens her window, L. H. 

 Observing. 



