THE COMPLETE ANGLER 191 



some advise to fish for the barbel with sheep's tallow and 

 soft cheese beaten or worked into a paste, and that it is 

 choicely good in August, and I believe it ; but doubtless 

 the lob-worm well scoured, and the gentle not too much 

 scoured ; and cheese ordered as I have directed, are baits 

 enough, and I think will serve in any month, though I 

 shall commend any angler that tries conclusions, and is 

 industrious to improve the art. And now, my honest 

 scholar, the long shower and my tedious discourse are 

 both ended together ; and I shall give you but this obser- 

 vation, that when you fish for barbel, your rod and line 

 be both long and of good strength, for, as I told you, you 

 will find him a heavy and a dogged fish to be dealt withal, 

 yet he seldom or never breaks his hold if he be once 

 strucken. And if you would know more of fishing for the 

 umber or barbel, get into favour with Doctor Sheldon, 

 whose skill is above others ; and of that the poor that 

 dwell about him have a comfortable experience. 



And now let us go and see what interest the trouts will 

 pay us for letting our angle-rods lie so long and so quietly 

 in the water, for their use. Come, scholar, which will you 

 take up ? 



VEN. Which you think fit, master. 



Pise. Why, you shall take up that, for I am certain, 

 by viewing the line, it has a fish at it. Look you, scholar ! 

 well done ! Come, now take up the other too : well ! 

 now you may tell my brother Peter, at night, that you 

 have caught a leash of trouts this day. And now let's 

 move towards our lodging, and drink a draught of red 

 cow's milk as we go ; and give pretty Maudlin and her 

 honest mother a brace of trouts for their supper. 



YEN. Master, I like your motion very well ; and I 

 think it is now about milking-time ; and yonder they be 

 at it. 



Pise. God speed you, good woman ! I thank you both 

 for our songs last night : I and my companion have had 



