Reliquiae Wottonianae, or, A collection of lives, letters, poems with characters of sundry personages : and other incomparable pieces of language and art : also additional letters to several persons, not before printed / by the curious pencil of the ever memorable Sir Henry Wottan ...

On a Bank as I sate a Fishing: A description of the Spring.

ANd now all Nature seem'd in love, The lusty sap began to move; New juiee did stir th'embracing Vines, And Birds had drawn their Valentines: The jealous Trout, that low did lie, Rose at a well-dissembled flie: There stood my Friend, with patient skill Attending of his trembling quill.

Already were the Eves possest VVith the swift Pilgrims daubed nest. The Groves already did rejoyce In Philomels triumphing voice. The showers were short, the weather mild, The morning fresh, the evening smill'd. Ione takes her neat-rub'd Pale, and now She trips to milk the Sand-red Cow; VVhere for some sturdy foot-ball Swain, •…•…ne strokes a sillabub or twain. The Fields and Gardens were beset VVith Tulip, Crocus, Violet: And now, though late, the modest Rose Did more then half a blush disclose. Thus all look'd gay, all full of chear, To welcome the New-livery'd year.

H. W.