“So fresh, so sweete, so red, so crimpe withal,”[366]
which, in conventual times, afforded an ample supply to the numerous
religious communities on its banks, to whom a carneous diet was only
permitted as an occasional indulgence. Epicures confirm the ancient
reputation of the river in this respect; and during the season, the
disciples of Isaak Walton, and the readers of Sir Humphrey Davy’s
“Salmonia,” are constant visitors to the banks of the Uske, which, by
way of climax, is said to produce better sport for the angler than any
other river in Wales--or even the Severn--a quality which has become
proverbial.
“Though bright the waters of the Towy,
The Wye, the Severn, and the Tivy;
Yet, well I wot, they cannot shew ye
Such _salmon_ as the Uske can give ye!
It was--(we choose not to go farther)--
The favoured dish of bold King <g>Arthur</g>;
Who, when he chose like king to dine,
Went down to Uske with rod and line,
And there drew slily to the bank
Such trout as best became his rank;
Sometimes by twains, at others singly,
But always with a twitch so kingly,
The salmon seemed as much delighted,
As if they really had been ‘knighted!’
No wonder, for they quickly found
An _entrée_ at the <g>Table Round</g>,
Where, seated with his gallant knights,
Those heroes of a hundred fights;--
‘Leave,’ quoth he, ‘acorns in the husk,
Here’s glorious salmon from the Uske!’” &c.
[Illustration: _Pembroke Castle_]