Oh luxury! Beyond the heat br And dust of town, with dangling feet br Astride the rock below the dam, br In the cool shadows where the calm br Rests on the stream again, and all br Is silent save the waterfall,-- br I bait my hook and cast my line, br And feel the best of life is mine. br br No high ambition can I claim -- br I angle not for lordly game br Of trout, or bass, or wary bream -- br A black perch reaches the extreme br Of my desires; and "goggle-eyes" br Are not a thing that I despise; br A sunfish, or a "chub," or a "cat"-- br A "silver-side"-- yea, even that! br br In eloquent tranquility br The waters lisp and talk to me. br Sometimes, far out, the surface breaks, br As some proud bass an instant shakes br His glittering armor in the sun, br And romping ripples, one by one, br Come dallyiong across the space br Where undulates my smiling face. br br The river's story flowing by, br Forever sweet to ear and eye, br Forever tenderly begun -- br Forever new and never done. br Thus lulled and sheltered in a shade br Where never feverish cares invade, br I bait my hook and cast my line, br And feel the best of life is mine.