174 ANGLING LITERATURE OF 



Was the prevailing vice of both the author and his 

 age. There have been many imitations of this piece in 

 modern times ; but they all come far short of the wit and 

 vivacity of the original. It is unquestionably one of the 

 finest specimens of the irony and satire, which so often 

 beset the angler in his pursuits, that we have, either in 

 this or any other language. 



" How beauteous do the azure side appear, 

 How bright the sun shine, how serene the air ? 

 How green and pleasant is each flow'ry mead, 

 Where teeming Nature does her bounty spread ? 

 How the calm streams in soft meanders glide, 

 And whisp'ring kiss the osiers as they slide ? 

 With what submission do the verdent weeds 

 Upon the surface bow their humble heads, 

 And pointing downwards, as the waters flow, 

 Seem to direct the way the stream should go : 



How blest do all things Z ds a jolly bite ; 



Efaith I've lost him : pox of Fortune's spight. 

 I thought him once my own, but now he's gone ; 



What a d n'd fool was I to strike so soon ? 



He was a thumping devil by his weight : "\ 

 A murrain take him, he has gorg'd the bait ; C 

 This hook's too small to hold a fish so great, j 



Once more have at thee : now for better luck ; 

 There's a fresh worm to tempt thee to the hook, 

 But if thy jaws are prick' d, then farewell fish, 

 I ne'er shall see thee butter'd in a dish : 

 Tor fish once wounded, from the bait retire, 

 As the burnt child will always dread the fire. 



