LEWISHAM — THE RAVENSBOURNE — ANGLING. 5 



Oh visit not with brow severe 



His failings, — o'er them drop a tear ! 



A little walk, yon steep ascend 

 And pleasure will your toil commend. 

 Behold, in undulating swell, 

 How rise the hills, how sinks the dell. 

 Now let your steps descending turn 

 Along the banks of Ravensbourne ; 

 And, though not sure to meet delight, 

 Her nymphs, perchance, will you requite. 

 Some Birds, even now, will here in song 

 Be heard the sylvan shades among ; 

 The Thrush, the Redbreast in the grove, 

 Still warble soft their notes of love ; 

 And Larks, high soaring in the air, 

 Proclaim their pleasure still is there ; 

 Of Chaffinch " chinks" the woods are proud, 

 And shrieks of Blackbirds echo loud;* 

 While Swallows, many, bounding, fleet, 

 Bathe in the stream both win°;s and feet. 

 What time along the marge you stray, 

 Behold the fishes' sportive play; — 

 Oh may no angler, in yon nook, 

 Disturb those tenants of the brook, 

 Nor wound them with insidious hook ! 



* The Blackbird, although rarely if ever heard in song in the 

 autumn, utters, nevertheless, upon being disturbed, a singular 

 and continued shrieking or note, which, although well known 

 to the natural historian, is not easily described. 



