THE COMPLETE ANGLER 79 



to other hens. And, doubtless, there is a- kind of small 

 trout, which will never thrive to be big ; that breeds 

 very many more than others do, that be of a larger size : 

 which you may rather believe, if you consider that the 

 little wren and titmouse will have twenty young ones 

 at a time,* when usually the noble hawk, or 

 the musical thrassel or blackbird, exceed not four 

 or five. 



And now you shall see me try my skill to catch a trout ; 

 and at my next walking, either this evening, or to-morrow 

 morning, I will give you direction how you yourself shall 

 fish for him. 



VEN. Trust me, master, I see now it is a harder matter 

 to catch a trout than a chub : for I have put on patience, 

 and followed you these two hours, and not seen a fish stir, 

 neither at your minnow nor your worm. 



Pise. Well, scholar, you must endure worse luck some- 

 time, or you will never make a good angler. But what 

 say you now ? There is a trout now, and a good one too, 

 if I can but hold him, and two or three more turns 

 will tire him. Now you see he lies still, and the sleight 

 is, to land him ; reach me that landing net ; so, Sir, now 

 he is mine own, what say you now ? Is not this worth all 

 my labour and your patience ? 



VEN. On my word, master, this is a gallant trout ; 

 what shall we do with him ? 



Pise. Marry, e'en eat him to supper : we'll go to my 

 hostess, from whence we came ; she told me, as I was 

 going out of door, that my brother Peter, a good angler 

 and a cheerful companion, had sent word that he would 

 lodge there to-night, and bring a friend with him. My 

 hostess has two beds, and I know you and I may have the 

 best ; we'll rejoice with my brother Peter and his friend, 



* If Walton had said half the number, he would have been right. 

 The wren will sometimes lay a dozen eggs, but cannot hatch the 

 whole of them. E. 



