Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/178



Mark what a line he hath, well made and strong, Of Bucephal or Bayard's strongest hair Twisted with green or watchet silk among Like hardest twine that holds th'entangled deer; Not any force of fish will do it wrong In Tyne or Trent or Thames he needs not fear: The knots of every link are knit so sure That many a pluck and pull they may endure.

His cork is large, made handsome smooth and fine, The leads according, close, and fit thereto; A good round hook set on with silken twine That will not slip nor easily undo: His bait great worms that long in moss have been, Which by his side he beareth in a shoe; Or paste wherewith he feeds him oft before, That at the bottom lies a foot or more.

For the Chub and Trout.

See where another hides himself as sly As did ACTÆON or the fearful deer, Behind a withy, and with watchful eye Attends the bite within the water clear, And on the top thereof doth move his fly With skilful hand, as if he living were, Lo how the chub, the roach, the dace and trout, To catch thereat do gaze and swim about.

His rod or cane, made dark for being seen The less to fear the wary fish withal; The line well twisted is, and wrought so clean That being strong yet doth it show but small;