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 reverent watching of each still report
That Nature utters from her rural shrine.—
O nobly versed in simple discipline,
Meek, thankful soul, the vernal day how short
To thy lov’d pastime given by sedgy Lee,
Or down the tempting maze of Shawford brook!
Fairer than life itself, in thy sweet Book,
The cowslip bank and shady willow-tree,
And the fresh meads; where flow’d, from every nook
Of thy full bosom, gladsome Piety!