THE TROUT 69 



to judge whether our conjectures are borne out by the 

 historical testimony of bygone ages : — 



"How ofttimes with my rod in hand, 

 In wandering by the stream, 

 I've liken'd the angler's magic wand 

 To life's deceptive dream ! 



The sky, perchance, looks fair and bright, 



The breeze curls on the brook, 

 The waters tinged to please the sight, 



Trout waiting for the hook ! 



"We plunge and strive from spot to spot. 



But not =■■ fish will rise — 

 In wonderment at our ill-luck, 



Turn up our wistful eyes. 



In daily life the same we see. 

 When hope mounts on the wing ; 



Our means to ends may not agree. 

 And griefs from labour spring. 



Again, sometimes, the day is sour, 



And darken'd are the skies ; 

 Fair sport seems not within our power, 



Though artful be our flies. 



But here, again, at fault we are. 



Success attends our skill, 

 And fish in scores come wide and far. 



Our fishing-creel to fill. 



In life's career the same we see, 



When hope flags in the rear, 

 And dark's the shade of destiny 



When our success is near. 



A moral, too, your line may point, 



When tangled is the hair ; 

 Let patience with her oil anoint, 



'Twill save you from despair. 



The same in life when ills assail, 



Perplex'd with mischiefs rank, 

 Patience and skill will seldom fail 



To unloose the knotted hank."^ 



1 Eclectic Review for July 1852. 



