XVII. WRITTEN UPON A BLANK LEAF IN "THE COMPLETE ANGLER. WHILE flowing Rivers yield a blameless sport, To reverend watching of each still report The cowslip bank and shady willow-tree, And the fresh meads; where flowed, from every nook Of his full bosom, gladsome Piety! XVIII. TO THE POET, JOHN DYER. BARD of the Fleece, whose skilful Genius made Than those soft scenes through which thy Childhood stray Long as the thrush shall pipe on Grongar Hill! XIX. ON THE DETRACTION WHICH FOLLOWED THE PUBLICATION OF A CERTAIN POEM. See Milton's Sonnet, beginning "A Book was writ of late called Tetrachordon." " A Book came forth of late, called " Peter Bell;" Not negligent the style; the matter?-good As aught that song records of Robin Hood; Heed not, wild Rover once through heath and glen, XX. TO THE RIVER DERWENT. AMONG the mountains were we nursed, loved Stream! Such thy meek outset, with a crown though frail Of thy soft breath! - Less vivid wreath entwined Nemaan Victor's brow; less bright was worn, Meed of some Roman Chief in triumph borne With captives chained; and shedding from his car The sunset splendours of a finished war Upon the proud enslavers of mankind! XXI. COMPOSED IN ONE OF THE VALLEYS OF WESTMORLAND, WITH each recurrence of this glorious morn That saw the Saviour in his human frame Rise from the dead, erewhile the Cottage-dame Domestic hands the home-bred wool had shorn, Whose temples bled beneath the platted thorn. These humble props disdained not! O green dales ! Sad may I be who heard your sabbath chime |