Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/157

 * So that their fruitful stocks they do unfold, And lay abroad their offspring to be seen: Where Nature shows her great increase of kind To such as seek their tender shoots to find.

Then go into some great Arcadian wood Where store of ancient hazels do abound; And seek amongst their springs and tender brood Such shoots as are the straightest, long and round: And of them all (store up what you think good) But fairest choose, the smoothest and most sound; So that they do not two years' growth exceed, In shape and beauty like the Belgick reed.

These prune and cleanse of every leaf and spray, Yet leave the tender top remaining still; Then home with thee go bear them safe away, But perish not the rine and utter pill;[A] And on some even boarded floor them lay, Where they may dry and season at their fill; And place upon their crooked parts some weight To press them down, and keep them plain and straight.

So shalt thou have always in store the best And fittest rods to serve thy turn aright: For not the brittle cane, nor all the rest, I like so well, though it be long and light; Since that the fish are frighted with the least Aspect of any glittering thing, or white; Nor doth it by one half so well incline As doth the pliant rod, to save the line.