In Memoriam, Izaak Walton, Obiit. 15th December, 1683 Twelve Sonnets and an Epilogue, By T. Westwood |
 |
|
| I. | I.
|
| II. |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
 | In Memoriam, Izaak Walton, Obiit. 15th December, 1683 |  |
I.
[Father of Anglers! when, two hundred years]
Father of Anglers! when, two hundred yearsAgone, Death sealed thine eyes, his visage frore
Was touched—the legend tells—with pity sore.
He closed thine eyes and sealed them safe from tears,
With touch of frosty finger on their spheres,
But spared thy heart, and let its pulses beat
Unchecked. “Not death, but dreams”—he said—“O sweet
Soul, be thy portion—dreams of woods and meres,
Trout-dimpled pool, bright beck, and sighing sedge—
Dreams of old faces, comrades dear, that throng
About thee, with gay gossip, laugh and song,
In hostel, or by honeysuckle hedge.
Such dreams be thine, with endless Morn and May!”
And ceasing, the gaunt Shadow went his way.
| In Memoriam, Izaak Walton, Obiit. 15th December, 1683 | |