CHAPTER XVI 



IS OF NOTHING, OR THAT WHICH IS NOTHING WORTH 



[ffourtb 2>al 



Pise. My purpose was to give you some directions con- 

 cerning Roach and Dace, and some other inferior fish, which 

 make the angler excellent sport, for you know there is 

 more pleasure in hunting the hare than in eating her ; but 

 I will forbear at this time to say any more, because you 

 see yonder come our brother Peter and honest Coridon : 

 but I will promise you, that as you and I fish, and walk 

 to-morrow towards London, if I have now forgotten any- 

 thing that I can then remember, I will not keep it from 

 you. 



Well met, gentlemen : this is lucky that we meet so 

 just together at this very door. Come, hostess, where are 

 you ? Is supper ready ? Come, first give us drink, and 

 be as quick as you can, for I believe we are all very hungry. 

 Well, brother Peter, and Coridon, to you both ; come, 

 drink, and then tell me what luck of fish : we two have 

 caught but ten trouts, of which my scholar caught three ; 

 look, here's eight, and a brace we gave away : we have 

 had a most pleasant day for fishing and talking, and are 

 returned home both weary and hungry, and now meat 

 and rest will be pleasant. 



PET. And Coridon and I have had not an unpleasant 

 day, and yet I have caught but five trouts : for indeed 

 we went to a good honest ale-house, and there we played at 

 shovel-board half the day ; all the time that it rained we 

 were there, and as merry as they that fished ; and I am 

 glad we are now with a dry house over our heads, for hark 



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