54 LITERATURE OF SEA AND RIVER FISHING. 



of J. D., which Walton has in his quotation of six stanzas 

 in the first edition of the Complete Angler (1653). All four 

 editions of The Secrets had appeared before Walton's book, 

 and it is difficult to say from which he quoted, or whether 

 some part was quoted from memory ; and the writer can- 

 not, without reference, which would be a very difficult 

 matter, state what variations occur in the editions them- 

 selves. But his idea is that Walton made the alterations 

 " on his own hook," so to speak, and more particularly in 

 the first stanza quoted. In the Westwood reprint of J. D. 

 it reads thus : — 



" O let me rather on the pleasant Brinke 

 Of Tyne and Trent possesse some dwelling place ; 

 Where I may see my Quill and Corke down sinke, 

 With eager bit of Barbill, Bleike, or Dace : 

 An on the World and his Creator thinke, 

 While they proud That's painted sheat imbrace. 

 And with the fume of strong Tobacco's smoke, 

 All quaffing round are ready for to choke." 



In Walton's version it runs : — 



" Let me live harmlessly, and near the brink 



Of Trent or Avon have a dwelling place ; 

 Where I may see my quill, or cork, down sink 



With eager bite of Perch, or Bleak, or Dace ; 

 And on the world and my Creator think : 



Whilst some men strive ill-gotten goods t' embrace ; 

 And others spend their time in base excess 

 Of wine, or worse, in war and wantonness." 



In addition to the other "variations," it will be seen that 

 the three last lines of Walton's stanza are entirely substi- 

 tuted for those of J. D. ; and as old Izaak was fond of his 

 pipe, like the majority of " good " anglers, it is almost 

 impossible to escape the conclusion that he deliberately 

 made the substitution, because he would not help to 



