VII WATER 255 



down on a lake from some hill or clifE it 

 almost looks solid, like some great blue 

 crystal. 



It is not merely for purposes of commerce 

 or convenience that men love to live near 

 rivers. 



Let me live harmlessly, and near the brink 

 Of Trent or Avon have my dwelling-place ; 



Where I may see my quill, or cork, down sink, 

 With eager bite of pike, or bleak, or dace ; 



And on the world and my Creator think : 

 While some men strive ill-gotten goods t' embrace : 



And others spend their time in base excess 



Of wine ; or worse, in war, or wantonness. 



Let them that will, these pastimes still pm-sue, 

 And on such pleasing fancies feed their fill : 



So I the fields and meadows green may view 

 And daily by fresh rivers walk at will. 



Among the daisies and the violets blue. 

 Red hyacinth and yellow daffodil.^ 



It is interesting and delightful to trace a 

 river from its source to the sea. 



"Beginning at the hill-tops," says Geikie, 

 "we first meet with the spring or 'well-eye,' 

 from which the river takes its rise. A patch 

 of bright green, mottling the brown heathy 



1 r. Davors. 



