THE COMPLETE ANGLER 199 



how it rains and blows. Come, hostess, give us more ale, 

 and our supper with what haste you may : and when we 

 have supped let us have your song, Piscator, and the catch 

 that your scholar promised us ; or else, Coridon will be 

 dogged. 



Pise. Nay, I will not be worse than my word ; you 

 shall not want my song, and I hope I shall be perfect in it. 



YEN. And I hope the like for my catch, which I have 

 ready too : and therefore let's go merrily to supper, and 

 then have a gentle touch at singing and drinking ; but 

 the last with moderation. 



COR. Come, now for your song ; for we have fed 

 heartily. Come, hostess, lay a few more sticks on the 

 fire. And now, sing when you will. 



Pise. Well then, here's to you, Coridon ; and now for 

 my song. 



O the gallant fisher's life, 



It is the best of any 1 

 'Tis full of pleasure, void of strife, 

 And 'tis beloved by many : 

 Other joys 

 Are but toys ; 

 Only this 

 Lawful is ; 

 For our skill 

 Breeds no ill, 

 But content and pleasure. 



In a morning up we rise, 

 Ere Aurora's peeping ; 

 Drink a cup to wash our eyes ; 

 Leave the sluggard sleeping : 

 Then we go 

 To and fro 

 With our knacks 

 At our backs, 

 To such streams 

 As the Thames, 

 If we have the leisure. 



