240 THE COMPLETE ANGLER 



I will tell you, scholar, I have heard a grave divine * 

 say, that God has two dwellings, one in heaven, and the 

 other in 'a meek and thankful heart. Which Almighty 

 God grant to me, and to my honest scholar : and so you 

 are welcome to Tottenham High Cross. 



VEN. Well, master, I thank you for all your good 

 directions ; but for none more than this last, of thank- 

 fulness, which I hope I shall never forget. And pray let's 

 now rest ourselves in this sweet shady arbour, which 

 Nature herself has woven with her own fine finger; 'tis 

 such a contexture of woodbines, sweetbriar, jessamine, 

 and myrtle ; and so interwoven, as will secure us both 

 from the sun's violent heat and from the approaching 

 shower. And being sat down, I will requite a part of 

 your courtesies with a bottle of sack, milk, oranges, and 

 sugar ; which, all put together, make a drink like nectar ; 

 indeed, too good for any but us anglers. And so, master, 

 here is a full glass to you of that liquor : and when you 

 have pledged me I will repeat the verses which I promised 

 you : it is a copy printed among some of Sir Henry 

 Wotton's, and doubtless made either by him or by a lover 

 of angling. Come, master, now drink a glass to me, 

 and then I will pledge you, and fall to my repetition ; it 

 is a description of such country recreations as I have 

 enjoyed since I had the happiness to fall into your com- 

 pany. 



Quivering fears, heart-tearing cares, 

 Anxious sighs, untimely tears, 



Fly, fly to courts, 



Fly to fond worldlings' sports, 

 Where strain'd sardonic smiles are glosing still, 

 And Grief is forced to laugh against her will : 



Where mirth's but mummery, 



And sorrows only real be. 



* Dr. Donne, as a reverend and learned friend of mine informs 

 me. H. 



