The Angler's Wish. Izaak Walton (1593-1683). III. The Seasons. Bliss Carman, et al., eds. 1904. The World's Best Poetry. V. Nature

Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume V. Nature. 1904.

III. The Seasons

The Angler’s Wish

Izaak Walton (1593–1683)


I IN these flowery meads would be,
These crystal streams should solace me;
To whose harmonious bubbling noise
I, with my angle, would rejoice,
Sit here, and see the turtle-dove	5
Court his chaste mate to acts of love;

Or, on that bank, feel the west-wind
Breathe health and plenty; please my mind,
To see sweet dew-drops kiss these flowers,
And then washed off by April showers;	10
Here, hear my Kenna 1 sing a song:
There, see a blackbird feed her young,

Or a laverock build her nest;
Here, give my weary spirits rest,
And raise my low-pitched thoughts above	15
Earth, or what poor mortals love.
Thus, free from lawsuits, and the noise
Of princes’ courts, I would rejoice;

Or, with my Bryan and a book,
Loiter long days near Shawford brook;	20
There sit by him, and eat my meat;
There see the sun both rise and set;
There bid good morning to next day;
There meditate my time away;
And angle on; and beg to have	25
A quiet passage to a welcome grave.

Note 1. “Kenna,” the name of his supposed mistress, seems to have been formed from the name of his wife, which was Ken. [back]