^2 The Secrets of Angling. 



Or to beguile another of his Wife, 

 As did /Eg]iistus Agamemnon serue : 

 Or as that Roman ' monarch led a life 

 To spoil and spend, while others pine and sterue, 

 And to compell their friends with foolish strife, 

 To take more drinke then will their health preseriie 

 And to conclude, for debt or iust desart, 

 In baser tune to sing the Counter-'^^xK. 



O let me rather on the pleasant Brinke 



Of Tyne and Trent possesse some dwelling-place ; 



Where I may see my Quill and Corke downe sinke, 



With eager bit of BarbiJl, Bleike, or Dace : 



And on the World and his Creator thinke, 



While they proud Thais painted sheat imbrace. 



And with the fume of strong Tobaccos smoke, 

 All quaffing round are ready for to choke. 



Let them that list these pastimes then pursue, 

 And on their pleasing fancies feede their fill; 

 So I the Fields and Meadowes greene may view. 

 And by the Riuers fresh may walke at will, 

 Among the Dayzes and the Violets blew : 

 Red Hyacinth and yealow Daffadill, 



Purple Narcissus, like the morning rayes. 

 Pale Ganderglas and azour Culiierkayes. 



I count it better pleasure to behold 

 The goodly compasse of the loftie Skye, 

 And in the midst thereof like burning gold 

 The flaming Chariot of the worlds great eye ; 

 The watry cloudes that in the ayre vprold 

 With sundry kindes of painted collours flie : 

 And fayre Aurora lifting vp her head, 

 And blushing rise from old Thitonus bed. 

 ' Nero. 



