180 ANGLING LITERATURE OF 



to captivate the most illustrious, as well as the more 

 humble, and to be equally loved by the most contrary 

 minds." 



His Eclogues are nine in number : On Fishing Seasons ; 

 On Night Fishing ; On the River Enemies to the Trout and 

 the Salmon ; The Sea Swains ; On an Angler being crossed 

 in Love ; The Angler's Song ; The Strife ; The Fowlers ; 

 and lastly, The Complaint ; or y The Friends. 



Gay, the author of the Fables and The Beggar's Opera, 

 employed his pen on angling pursuits. The following 

 quotations will show how the author handles the 

 subject : 



" As in successive course the seasons roll, 

 So circling pleasures recreate the soul ; 

 When genial spring a living warmth bestows, 

 And o'er the year her verdant mantle throws ; 

 No swelling inundation hides the ground, 

 But crystal currents glide within their bounds ; 

 The finny brood their wonted haunts forsake, 

 Float in the sun, and skim along the lake ; 

 With frequent leap they range the shallow streams, 

 Their silver coats reflect the dazzling beams j 

 Now let the fisherman his toils prepare, 

 And arm himself with every watery snare j 

 His hooks, his lines peruse, and careful eye 

 Increase his tackle, and his rod re- tie." 



THE FLY. 



" Mark well the various seasons of the year, 

 How the succeeding insect race appear, 



