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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO A FISH OF THE BROOK by JOHN WOLCOTT

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHY FLYEST THOU AWAY WITH FEAR?
Last Line: TO PULL THE RASKALL IN!
Subject(s): FISH & FISHING;

WHY flyest thou away with fear?
Trust me there's naught of danger near,
I have no wicked hooke
All covered with a snaring bait,
Alas, to tempt thee to thy fate,
And dragge thee from the brooke.

O harmless tenant of the flood,
I do not wish to spill thy blood,
For Nature unto thee
Perchance hath given a tender wife,
And children dear, to charm thy life,
As she hath done for me.

Enjoy thy stream, O harmless fish;
And when an angler for his dish,
Through gluttony's vile sin,
Attempts, a wretch, to pull thee out,
God give thee strength, O gentle trout,
To pull the raskall in!



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