University of Virginia Library

BALLADE TO A FISH OF THE BROOKE.

Why flyest thou away, with fear?
Trust me, there's nought of danger near,
I have no wicked hooke,
All cover'd 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;

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For Nature unto thee
Perchance hath given a tender wife,
And children dear, to charme thy life,
As she hath done for me.
Enjoy thy streame, 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!