NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 63 



Theoph. And are they of as much agility of 

 body? 



Am. In every respect. 



Theoph. Of necessity, then, they must be ex- 

 cellent companions to consort with the angler, 

 whiles the miser and avaricious hugs his bags, 

 the epicure his luxurious, voracious appetite, 

 and the wretched and covetous angler his paunch 

 and pannier. Let art, industry, and experience 

 gratify the artist. But as fortune favours you 

 in your second adventure, such are my resolves 

 to magnify the art. 



Am. You do well, I perceive, to do nothing 

 rashly. 



Theoph. And you do it better, by doing on't 

 advisedly. 



Am. Then have at all ; and I think I have 

 him ; look how he leaps and struggles for life ; 

 but this prognosticks a sign of death : for, when 

 the swan sings his own funeral epitaph, which 

 of the family of birds join in consort with him ? 

 so when the trout dances corantos to the angler, 

 what but the line rings his funeral passing- peal ? 

 Now, see how he lies gasping for breath, though 

 every breath of air is as bad as opium ; and la- 

 ments his misfortune to be so unfortunate, be- 

 cause not to live out half his time ; where every 

 cheque of the line challengeth death, and sends 

 him a summons to prepare for the pannier. So 



