Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/179

 * His hook not great, nor little, but between,      [21. p. 194.]* That light upon the wat'ry brim may fall; The line in length scant half the rod exceeds, And neither cork nor lead it needs.

For the Trout and Eel.

Now see some standing where the stream doth fall With headlong course behind the sturdy weir, That overthwart the river like a wall,           [22. p. 195.]* The water stops, and strongly up doth bear; And at the tails of mills and arches small, Where as the shoot is swift and not too clear; Their lines in length not twice above an ell, But with good store of lead, and twisted well.

Round handsome hooks that will not break nor bend, The big red worm well scoured is their bait, Which down unto the bottom doth descend, Where as the trout and eel doth lie in wait, And to their feeding busily intend; Which when they see, they snatch and swallow straight. Upon their lines are neither cork nor quill; But when they feel them pluck, then strike they still.

For the Sewant and Flounder.

Behold some others ranged all along, To take the sewant, yea, the flounder sweet: That to the bank in deepest places throng To shun the swifter stream that runs so fleet; And lie and feed the brackish waves among, Where as the waters fresh and salt do meet. And there the eel and shad sometimes are caught, That with the tide into the brooks are brought.