Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/181

 * Or yellow frogs that in the waters crawl; But all alive they must be evermore, For as for baits that dead and dull do lie, They least esteem, and set but little by.

But take good heed your line be sure and strong. The knots well knit and of the soundest hair, Twistèd with some well-coloured silk among; And that you have no need your rod to fear: For these great fish will strive and struggle long, Rod line and all, into the stream to bear. And that your hook be not too small and weak. Lest that it chance to stretch or hap to break.

And as in Arden, or the mountains hoar Of Appennine, or craggy Alps among; The mastiffs fierce that hunt the bristled boar, Are harnessed with curats light and strong; So for these fish, your line a foot or more Must armèd be with thinnest plate along; Or slender wire well fasten'd thereunto, That will not slip nor easily undo.

The other kind that are unlike to these, Do live by corn or any other seed; Sometimes by crumbs of bread, of paste or cheese; Or grasshoppers that in green meadows breed; With brood of wasps, of hornets, doars, or bees, Lip berries from the briar bush or weed, Blood worms and snails, or crawling gentles small, And buzzing flies that on the waters fall.