THE COMPLETE ANGLER 65 



Pise. Look you, Sir, there is a trial of my skill,* 

 there he is, that very chub that I showed you with the 

 white spot on his tail : and I'll be as certain to make him 

 a good dish of meat, as I was to catch him. I'll now lead 

 you to an honest ale-house where we shall find a cleanly 

 room, lavender in the windows, and twenty ballads stuck 

 about the wall ; there my hostess, which, I may tell you, 

 is both cleanly and handsome, and civil, hath dressed 

 many a one for me, and shall now dress it after my 

 fashion, and I warrant it good meat. 



YEN. Come, Sir, with all my heart, for I begin to be 



hungry, and long to be at it, and indeed to rest myself 

 too ; for though I have walked but four miles this 

 morning, yet I begin to be weary ; yesterday's hunting 

 hangs still upon me. 



Pise. Well, Sir, you shall quickly be at rest, for yonder 

 is the house I mean to bring you to. 



Come, Hostess, how do you ? Will you first give me a 

 cup of your best drink, and then dress this chub as you 

 dressed my last, when I and my friend were here about 

 eight or ten days ago ? But you must do me one courtesy, 

 it must be done instantly. 



* Walton does not explain the particulars of his trial of skill. 

 Evidently the chub was caught by dibbing or daping with a natural 

 insect. See the seventh paragraph of chap, iii., beginning, " Go to 

 the same hole," etc. E. 

 100 c 



