Classic Poem

I.

W HERE torrents foam,
While others roam
Among the yielding heather,
Some river meek
We'll forth and seek,
And lay our lines together.

II.

Some sylvan stream,
Where shade and gleam
Are blended with each other;
Below whose bank
The lilies lank
All humbler flowers ensmother.

III.

Where cushats coo
And ring-doves woo
The shining channel over,
From leafy larch
Or birchen arch —
Their unmolested cover.

IV.

There daily met,
No dark regret
Shall cloud our noon of pleasure;
We'll carry rule
O'er stream and pool
And none to claim a measure!

V.

With tackles rare
On chosen hair,
March fly and minnow tender
We shall invite
The scaly wight
To eye them and surrender.

VI.

And when out-worn,
We'll seek some thorn
With shadow old and ample, —
The natural ground
Moss-laid around,
An angler's resting temple!