XVII. WRITTEN UPON A BLANK LEAF IN "THE COMPLETE ANGLer. WHILE flowing Rivers yield a blameless sport, Shall live the name of Walton; Sage benign! Whose pen, the mysteries of the rod and line Unfolding, did not fruitlessly exhort To reverend watching of each still report He found the longest summer day too short, Or down the tempting maze of Shawford brook! The cowslip bank and shady willow-tree, And the fresh meads; where flowed, from every nook Of his full bosom, gladsome Piety! XVIII. TO THE POET, JOHN DYER. BARD of the Fleece, whose skilful Genius made That Work a living landscape fair and bright; Than those soft scenes through which thy Childhood strayed, With green Long as the thrush shall pipe on Grongar Hill! XIX. ON THE DETRACTION WHICH FOLLOWED THE PUBLICATION OF A CERTAIN POEM. See Milton's Sonnet, beginning "A Book was writ of late called Tetrachordon.' A Book came forth of late, called "Peter Bell;" Not negligent the style; the matter?-good As aught that song records of Robin Hood; Heed not, wild Rover once through heath and glen, To thee appear not an unmeaning voice, Lift up that gray-haired forehead, and rejoice XX. TO THE RIVER DERWENT. AMONG the mountains were we nursed, loved Stream! Thou, near the eagle's nest - within brief sail, I, of his bold wing floating on the gale, Where thy deep voice could lull me! - Faint the beam Of human life when first allowed to gleam On mortal notice. Glory of the Vale, Such thy meek outset, with a crown though frail Of thy soft breath! Less vivid wreath entwined Nemæan Victor's brow; less bright was worn, With captives chained; and shedding from his car The sunset splendours of a finished war Upon the proud enslavers of mankind! XXI. COMPOSED IN ONE OF THE VALLEYS OF WESTMORLAND, WITH each recurrence of this glorious morn Rise from the dead, erewhile the Cottage-dame Put on fresh raiment · till that hour unworn: Domestic hands the home-bred wool had shorn, These humble props disdained not! O green dales! |