Classic Poem

I.

The breeze is on the Heron Lake,
The May-sun shineth clear;
Away we bound through the broomy brake,
With our wands and angling gear.

II.

The birch-wreath o'er the water-edge
Scatters sweet flies about,
And round his haunt of sighing sedge
Bells up the yellow trout.

III.

Beware! beware! his eye is bright
As falcon's in the sky;
But artful feather hove aright
Will hood a keener eye.

IV.

Beware! beware the water-weed,
And the birch that waves behind,
And gently let the good line speed
Before thee on the wind.

V.

Oh! gently let the good line flow,
And gently wile it home;
There's many a gallant fin, I trow,
Under the ribbed foam.

VI.

A merry fish on a stallion hair
'Tis a pleasant thing to lead
On May-days, when the cowslip fair
Is blooming on the mead.

VII.

When the breeze is up, and the sun is out,
And grey flies two or three
Sport in the noontide, round about
The shadow of a tree.

VIII.

Oh! then the heart bounds pleasantly,
And its thoughts are pleasant things,
Gushing in joyous purity,
Like silent water-springs!