Of so fishless a stream
But that ’tis—like St. Mary’s—Ottery!
For an Eel I have learned how to try,
By a method of Walton’s own showing,—
But a fisherman feels
Little prospect of Eels,
In a path that’s devoted to towing!
I have tried all the water for miles,
Till I’m weary of dipping and casting;
And hungry and faint,—