258 THE COMPLETE ANGLER 



VIAT. I attend you. But what pretty river is this, 

 that runs under this stone bridge ? Has it a name ? 



Pise. Yes, it is called Henmore ; * and has in it both 

 trout and grayling ; but you will meet with one or two 

 better anon. And so soon as we are past through the 

 town, I will endeavour by such discourse as best likes you, 

 to pass away the time till you come to your ill quarters. 



VIAT. We can talk of nothing with which I shall be 

 more delighted than of rivers and angling. 



Pise. Let those be the subjects then ; but we are now 

 come to the Talbot. What will you drink, Sir, ale, or 

 wine ? 



VIAT. Nay, I am for the country liquor, Derbyshire 

 ale, if you please ; for a man should not, methinks, come 

 from London to drink wine in the Peak. 



Pise. You are in the right ; and yet let me tell you, 

 you may drink worse French wine in many taverns in 

 London, than they have sometimes at this house. What 

 ho ! bring us a flagon of your best ale ; and now, Sir, 

 my service to you, a good health to the honest gentleman 

 you know of, and you are welcome into the Peak. 



VIAT. I thank you, Sir, and present you my service 

 again, and to all the honest brothers of the angle. 



Pise. I'll pledge you, Sir : so, there's for your ale, 

 and farewell. Come, Sir, let us be going, for the sun 

 grows low, and I would have you look about you as you 

 ride ; for you will see an odd country, and sights that will 

 seem strange to you. 



* Now called Shoo Brook, without a trout or grayling in it. 'Tis 

 a mere ditch of running walei. in which the little boys of Ashbourn 

 commence their angling career by fishing for minnows. E. 



