THE COMPLETE ANGLER 291 



Pise. Sir, this is a war where you sometimes win, and 

 must sometimes expect to lose. Never concern yourself 

 for the loss of your fly, for ten to one I teach you to 

 make a better. Who's that calls ? 



SERV. Sir, will it please you to come to dinner ? 



Pise. We come. You hear, Sir, we are called, and 

 now take your choice, whether you will climb this steep 

 hill before you, from the top of which you will go directly 

 into the house, or back again over these stepping-stones, 

 and about by the bridge. 



VIAT. Nay, sure, the nearest way is best ; at least 

 my stomach tells me so ; and I am now so well acquainted 

 with your rocks, that I fear them not. 



Pise. Come then, follow me ; and so soon as we have 

 dined, we will down again to the little house, where I 

 will begin at the place I left off about fly-fishing, and 

 read you another lecture ; for I have a great deal more 

 to say upon that subject. 



VIAT. The more the better : I could never have met 

 with a more obliging master, my first excepted ; nor 

 such sport can all the rivers about London ever afford, 

 as is to be found in this pretty river. 



Pise. You deserve to have better, both because I 

 see you are willing to take pains, and for liking this 

 little so well ; and better I hope to shew you before 

 we part. 



