222 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



May. And best of melody to boot, Doctor; thou 

 art tun'd to the point of admiration. But these are 

 voices familiar to us outside ? Hark you ? 



Leister. So methinks, Bill, albeit when or where 

 heard, I recollect not. 



Otter. Marry do I ; an it be not Mark Wandle-weir 

 and Master Herl-broke, Tom Otter is other than Tom 

 Otter. 



Leister. Thou sayest it. Welcome, gentlemen, most 

 welcome. [Enter WANDLE-WEIR and HERL-BROKE.] 

 Hilloa ! mistress, loads of comfort ; bring fire, water, 

 meats and marrows with cordials cunning and 

 strengthy hose and hot slippers ; there be two here 

 who have dropt out of a cloud, blastworn and wetted 

 throat high. 



Wandle. A pitiable account of us, Mr. Leister ; but 

 in truth thou hast hit the mark. How fares it with 

 our loving fraternity ? 



Swivel. Eight bountifully, gentle brother, This, you 

 may note, is our feast of farewells, whereat we encase 

 our wands, close our panniers, and determine our retreat 

 from the stream-side. But play thy part at the tren- 

 cher, good sir ; thou must unfold a tale of thy wander- 

 ings ere we separate. 



Wandle. Willingly, Doctor. You shall have the arcana 

 of my exploits at a beck, although, to speak the truth, 

 I have proved an adventureless adventurer. 



Swivel. And hast achieved nothing worthy of thy 

 craft ? 



