RIVERS AND LAKES OF WALES, 223 



Forced by the rising rocks that there her course oppose, 

 As though within their bands they meant her to enclose. 

 Here, when the labouring fish doth at the foot arrive, 

 He finds that by his strength but vainly he doth strive ; 

 His tail takes in his teeth : and, bending like a bow 

 That's to the compass drawn, aloft himself doth throw ; 

 Then springing at his height, as doth a little wand. 

 That, bended end to end, and flii-ted from the hand, 

 Far off itself doth cast ; so doth the salmon vault : 

 And if at first he fail, a second somersault 

 He instantly essays ; and from his nimble wing 

 Still gerting, never leaves until himself he fling 

 Above the streamful top of the surrounding heap." 



The Eydal is a stream held in great repute by those 

 anglers who have frequented its waters. It is, in point 

 of bold scenery, one of the most interesting streams of 

 the whole country. 



There are other smaller stretches of water in which 

 rod-fishing can be fully enjoyed, but the fish in them 

 are mostly very small. These are the Arth, the Ayton, 

 the Wirrai, and the Leri. Still-water fishing in this 

 county may be found in the Llyn Teivi, as well as in 

 some smaller collections of water in its immediate 

 vicinity. There are also Lake Maes, Berwyn, Llyn 

 Sir, and Llyn Aeddwear, all having more or less of 

 red trout. 



BKECKNOCKSHIRK 



The chief rivers of this county are the Usk and the 

 Wye ; the latter we have already noticed. The Usk is 

 a first-rate salmon and trouting river. More than three 

 centuries ago the salmon of this river were held in 

 high repute. 



" Great store of fish is caught within this flood. 



A thing to note, when sammon failes in Wye 



(And season there ; goes out as order is). 



Than still of course, in Oske doth sammon lye, 



And of good fish, in Oske, yon shall not mis, 



And this seemes straunge, and, doth through "Wales appeere 



In some one place, are sammons all the yeere. 



So fresh, so sweet, so red, so crimp withal, 



That man might say, 'Loe ! sammon here at call.'" — 1555. 



