THE TROUT. 153 



the fisherman as he wanders on from stretch to stretch 

 of some lovely river. But the poet, according to the 

 etymology of his name, is a "maker" or "creator" 

 (■7rott)TT)<s) , and can " make " prose into poetry and indeed 

 anything out of nothing. Thus, then, the poet Gay : — 



" You now a more delusive art must try, 

 And tempt their hunger with the curious fly. 

 To frame the little animal, provide 

 All the gay hues that wait on female pride : 

 Let Nature guide thee ; sometimes golden wire 

 The shining hellies of the fly require ; 

 The peacock's plumes thy tackle must not fail, 

 Nor the dear purchase of the sable's tail. 

 Each gaudy bird some slender tribute brings, 

 And lends the growing insect proper wings ; 

 Silks of all colours must their aid impart, 

 And ev'ry fur promote the fisher's art. 

 So the gay lady, with expensive care, 

 Borrows the pride of land, of sea, and air ; 

 Furs, pearls, and plumes the glittering thing displays, 

 Dazzles our eyes, and easy hearts betrays." 



The poet then goes on to refer to the fisherman making 

 his flies on the river-bank, when he finds that the stock 

 in his book fails to attract the fish : — 



" Mark well the various seasons of the year, 

 How the succeeding insect race appear ; 

 In this revolving moon one colour reigns, 

 Which in the next the fickle trout disdains. 

 Oft have I seen a skilful angler try 

 The various colours of the treach'rous fly ; 

 When he with fruitless pain hath skimm'd the brook, 

 And the coy fish rejects the skipping hook, 

 He shakes the boughs that on the margin grow, 

 Which o'er the stream a waving forest throw, 

 When if an insect fall (his certain guide), 

 He gently takes him from the whirling tide, 



