The Secrets of Angling. 37 



But when in time the feare and dread of man 



Fell more and more on every liuing thin^- 



And all the creatures of the world be"-an 



To stand in awe of this vsurping King, 



Whose tyranny so fane extended than 



That Earth and Seas it did in thraldome bring; 



It was a worke of greater paine and skill, 



The wary Fish in lake or Brooke to kill. 



So worse and worse two ages more did passe, 

 Yet still this Art more perfect daily grew, 

 For then the slender Rod inuented was, 

 Of finer sort than former ages knew. 

 And Hookes were made of siluer and of brasse, 

 And Lines of Hempe and Flaxe were framed new. 

 And sundry baites experience found out more, 

 Then elder times did know or try before. 



But at the last the Iron age drew neere, 

 Of all the rest the hardest, and most scant, 

 Then Lines were made of Silke and subtile hayre 

 And Rods of lightest Cane and Hazell plant, 

 And Hookes of hardest Steele inuented were, 

 That neither skill nor workemanship did want, 

 And so this Art did in the end attaine 

 Vnto that state where now it doth remaine. 



But here my weary Muse a while must rest, 

 That is not vsed to so long a way; 

 And breath, or pause a little at the least 

 At this Lands end, vntill another day. 

 And then againe, if so she thinke it best : 

 Our taken-taske afresh wee will assay, 



And forward goe as first we did intend, 

 Till that wee come vnto our iourneyes end. 



The end of the first Book. 



