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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