THE COMPLETE ANGLER 265 



Pise. You are pleasant, and I am glad to see you so : 

 but I have rid over the bridge many a dark night. 



VIAT. Why according to the French proverb, and 

 'tis a good one among a great many of worse sense and 

 sound that language abounds in, Ce que Diea garde, est 

 bien garde. " They whom God takes care of are in 

 safe protection : " but, let me tell you, I would not ride 

 over it for a thousand pounds, nor fall off it for two ; 

 and yet I think I dare venture on foot, though if you 

 were not by to laugh at me, I should do it on all four. 



Pise. Well, Sir, your mirth becomes you, and I am 

 glad to see you safe over, and now you are welcome into 

 Staffordshire. 



VIAT. How, Staffordshire ! What do I there, trow ? 

 there is not a word of Staffordshire in all my direction. 



Pise. You see you are betrayed into it, but it shall 

 be in order to something that will make amends ; and 

 'tis but an ill mile or two out of your way. 



VIAT. I believe all things, Sir, and doubt nothing. Is 

 this your beloved River Dove ? 'Tis clear and swift 

 indeed, but a very little one. 



Pise. You see it, here, at the worst : we shall come 

 to it anon again, after two miles riding, and so near as 

 to lie upon the very banks. 



VIAT. Would we were there once : but I hope we have 

 no more of these Alps to pass over. 



Pise. No, no, Sir, only this ascent before you, which 

 you see is not very uneasy, and then you will no more 

 quarrel with your way. 



VIAT. Well, if ever I come to London, of which many 

 a man there, if he were in my place, would make a question, 

 I will sit down and write my travels ; and, like Tom 

 Coriate,* print them at my own charge. Pray what do 

 you call this hill we came down ? 



* Tom Coriate lived in the reign of King James the First ; and, as 

 Wood calls him, was the whetstone of all the wits of that age : and, 

 100 i * 



