64 THE COMPLETE ANGLER 



This is reason put into verse, and worthy the con- 

 sideration of a wise man. But of this no more ; for 

 though I love civility, yet I hate severe censures. I'll 

 to my own art ; and I doubt not but at yonder tree I 

 shall catch a chub : and then we'll turn to an honest 

 cleanly hostess, that I know right well ; rest ourselves 

 there ; and dress it for our dinner. 



VEN. Oh, Sir ! a chub is the worst fish that swims ; 

 I hoped for a trout to my dinner. 



Pise. Trust me, Sir, there is not a likely place for a 

 trout hereabout : and we staid so long to take leave of 

 your huntsmen this morning, that the sun is got so high, 

 and shines so clear, that I will not undertake the catching 

 of a trout till evening. And though a chub be, by you 

 and many others, reckoned the worst of fish ; yet you 

 shall see I'll make it a good fish by dressing it. 



VEN. Why, how will you dress him ? 



Pise. I'll tell you by and by, when I have caught him. 

 Look you here, Sir, do you see ? (but you must stand very 

 close), there lie upon the top of the water, in this very 

 hole, twenty chubs. I'll catch only one, and that shall 

 be the biggest of them all : and that I will do 

 so, I'll hold you twenty to one, and you shall see 

 it done. 



VEN. Ay, marry, Sir, now you talk like an artist, and 

 I'll say you are one, when I shall see you perform what 

 you say you can do ; but I yet doubt it. 



Pise. You shall not doubt it long, for you shall see 

 me do it presently : look, the biggest of these chubs has 

 had some bruise upon his tail by a pike, or some other 

 accident, and that looks like a white spot ; that very 

 chub I mean to put into your hands presently ; sit you 

 but down in the shade, and stay but a little while, and 

 I'll warrant you I'll bring him to you. 



VEN. I'll sit down, and hope well, because you seem 

 to be so confident. 



