The Anglican Friar, and the Fish which he Took by Hook and by Crook. active 19th century Novice

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СКАЧАТЬ bowed to him, and begged, polite,

      His pardon for the sudden fright

      Which I, unconscious, gave.

      "It was the beauteous scene which made

      Me scamper down so wild," I said;

      "For which I pardon crave.

      For, like yourself, I love the sport,

      And 'twas this sparkling stream which brought

      Out hitherward my feet.

      What numbers, sir! what splendid trout!

      You must have early sallied out:

      Such sport I seldom meet!"

      "A stranger, then, you are," said he;

      "The fishes here bite mostly free,

      They love the gaudy fly.

      But scarce an hour I here have been,

      And hooked the few that you have seen

      For breakfast. By the bye,

      I very nearly had forgot

      That time for me will tarry not,

      That hour is drawing nigh.

      But, sir, with pleasure, if you love

      The sport, I'll show you where they rove,

      For often here am I;

      And every nook and hole I know,

      Which any time you please I'll show:

      My house you yonder spy".

      I, thanking, praised the old man's skill,

      Though, as I viewed him nearer still,

      I deemed him younger far

      Than I at first beholding thought;

      'Twas care, not age, had deeply wrought

      The wrinkle-furrowed scar.

      But though erect as poplar straight,

      He bent not 'neath the crushing weight

      Of Time's remorseless might.

      Yet few and scanty were his locks,

      Which were than Shetland's rill-bathed flocks

      Longer and purer white.

      A sudden int'rest in mine eyes,

      Which unaccounted will arise

      Ofttimes within the brain,

      I felt tow'rds him, and longed to know

      What circumstance had made him so—

      If grief, or wearing pain.

      He friendly seemed, and not averse

      On fishing topics to converse;

      At length I told my woe,

      How that my flies and lines behind

      Were left. Said he, "Oh, never mind;

      If home with me you'll go,

      With pleasure I will lend you all

      You want; my stock's by no means small—

      Not very modern though.

      And, p'rhaps, if I, a stranger, may

      Request a boon, as such a way

      From home you've rambled out,

      I should feel overjoyed if you

      Would stay and let your palate too

      Be tickled by my trout.

      Except my housekeeper there's none,

      And she will pardon what I've done,

      So pray do not refuse."

      I, pondering for a moment, thought,

      When he a fresh inducement brought

      Which drowned my frail excuse.

      "And afterwards I'll take you out

      Where you may catch as fine a trout

      As ever bit at hook."

      And, truly, I sharp hunger felt,

      And as three miles from where I dwelt

      I was, I gladly took

      Him at his word, and pleased him quite

      By thus accepting his invite.

      He seized my hand and twice it shook,

      And thanking me with cordial look,

      He smiling said, "For you I feel

      A friendship, sir, I'll not conceal.

      You cause my fancies back to fly

      To youth's bright days, when fearless I,

      Like you, would dash through passes where

      A slip had sent me past all care;

      But now those joyous moments seem

      Like wanderings in a pleasant dream,

      And never will return, I fear.

      But, see, my garden-gate is here."

      He led the way, with fish in hand;

      We neared the house, perhaps not grand

      In point of size, yet truly there

      Resided Elegance, and Care

      Expended on each part had been:

      No imperfections could be seen,

      For Order reigned throughout the place,

      Assisted by her sister Grace.

      The СКАЧАТЬ