188 DIRECTIONS now TO FISH FOR PERCH, 



Let others freeze with angling reeds, 

 And cut their legs with shells and weeds. 

 Or treacherously poor fish beset 

 With strangling snare or windowy net; 



Let coarse bold hands, from slimy nest. 

 The bedded fish in banks outwrest; 

 Let curious traitors sleave silk flies, 

 To 'witch poor wandering fishes' eyes : 



For thee, thou need'st no such deceit. 

 For thou thyself art thine own bait: 

 That fish that is not catch'd thereby 

 Is wiser far, alas, than L 



Piscator. Well remembered, honest scholar. 

 I thank you for these choice verses, which I have 

 heard formerly, but had quite forgot, till they 

 were recovered by your happy memory. And be- 

 cause, as you say, our angles are as money put to 

 use, that thrives when we play, therefore we'll 

 sit still, and enjoy ourselves a little longer under 

 this honeysuckle hedge. 



