THE COMPLETE ANGLER 81 



" I was for that time lifted above earth, 

 And possess'd joys not promised in my birth." 



As I left this place, and entered into the next field, a 

 second pleasure entertained me ; 'twas a handsome milk- 

 maid, that had not yet attained so much age and wisdom, 

 as to load her mind with any fears of many things that will 

 never be, as too many men often do : but she cast away 

 all care, and sung like a nightingale : her voice was good, 

 and the ditty fitted for it : it was that smooth song which 

 was made by Kit Marlowe, now at least fifty years ago : 

 and the milk-maid's mother sung an answer to it, which 

 was made by Sir Walter Raleigh in his younger days. 



They were old-fashioned poetry, but choicely good, I 

 think much better than the strong lines that are now in 

 fashion in this critical age. Look yonder ! on my word, 

 yonder they both be a-milking again. I will give her the 

 chub, and persuade them to sing those two songs to us. 



God speed you, good woman ! I have been a-fishing, 

 and am going to Bleak Hall to my bed, and having caught 

 more fish than will sup myself and my friend, I will bestow 

 this upon you and your daughter, for I use to sell none. 



MiLK-W. Marry, God requite you, Sir, and we'll eat 

 it cheerfully ; and if you come this way a-fishing two 

 months hence, a grace of God, I'll give you a syllabub of 

 new verjuice in a new-made hay-cock for it, and my 

 Maudlin shall sing you one of her best ballads ; for she and 

 I both love all anglers, they be such honest, civil, quiet 

 men ; in the meantime will you drink a draught of red 

 cow's milk ? you shall have it freely. 



Pise. No, I thank you ; but, I pray, do us a courtesy 

 that shall stand you and your daughter in nothing, and 

 yet we will think ourselves still something in your debt ; 

 it is but to sing us a song that was sung by your daughter 

 when I last passed over this meadow about eight or nine 

 days since. 



