Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE ANGLER'S BALLAD, by CHARLES COTTON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Away to the brook Last Line: With the best of good subjects be reckon'd. Subject(s): Fish & Fishing; Anglers | ||||||||
I AWAY to the brook, All your tackle outlook, Here's a day that is worth a year's wishing; See that all things be right, For 'tis a very spite To want tools when a man goes a fishing. II Your rod with tops two, For the same will not do If your manner of angling you vary: And full well you may think, If you troll with a pink, One too weak will be apt to miscarry. III Then basket, neat made By a Master in's trade, In a belt at your shoulders must dangle; For none e'er was so vain To wear this to disdain, Who a true brother was of the angle. IV Next, pouch must not fail, Stuff'd as full as a mail, With wax, cruels, silks, hair, furs and feathers, To make several flies, For the several skies, That shall kill in despite of all weathers. V The boxes and books For your lines and your hooks, And, though not for strict need notwithstanding, Your scissors, and your hone To adjust your points on, With a net to be sure for your landing. VI All these being on, 'Tis high time we were gone, Down, and upward, that all may have pleasure; Till, here meeting at night, We shall have the delight To discourse of our fortunes at leisure. VII The day's not too bright, And the wind hits us right, And all Nature does seem to invite us; We have all things at will For to second our skill, As they all did conspire to delight us. VIII Or stream now, or still, A large panier will fill, Trout and grayling to rise are so willing; I dare venture to say 'Twill be a bloody day, And we all shall be weary of killing. IX Away then, away, We lose sport by delay, But first leave all our sorrows behind us; If misfortune do come, We are all gone from home, And a fishing she never can find us. X The Angler is free From the cares that degree Finds itself with so often tormented; And although we should slay Each a hundred to-day, 'Tis a slaughter needs ne'er be repented. XI And though we display All our arts to betray What were made for man's pleasure and diet; Yet both Princes and States May, for all our quaint bates, Rule themselves and their people in quiet. XII We scratch not our pates, Nor repine at the rates Our superiors impose on our living; But do frankly submit, Knowing they have more wit In demanding, than we have in giving. XIII Whilst quiet we sit We conclude all things fit, Acquiescing with hearty submission; For, though simple, we know That soft murmurs will grow At the last unto down-right sedition. XIV We care not who says, And intends it dispraise, That an Angler t'a fool is next neighbour; Let him prate, what care we, We're as honest as he, And so let him take that for his labour. XV We covet no wealth But the blessing of health, And that greater good Conscience within; Such devotion we bring To our God and our King, That from either no offers can win. XVI Whilst we sit and fish, We do pray as we wish, For long life to our King James the Second; Honest anglers then may, Or they've very foul play, With the best of good subjects be reckon'd. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...JOURNEY INTO THE EYE by DAVID LEHMAN THE GREAT BLACK HERON by DENISE LEVERTOV ISLA MUJERES by WILLIAM MATTHEWS SCHOOLS OF LITTLE FISH by MARVIN BELL TWO PICTURES OF A LEAF by MARVIN BELL OF FISH AND FISHERMEN by JOHN CIARDI AN EPITAPH ON M.H. by CHARLES COTTON LAURA SLEEPING; ODE by CHARLES COTTON RESOLUTION OF A POETICAL QUESTION CONCERNING FOUR RURAL SISTERS: 2 by CHARLES COTTON |
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