The First Day 1 1 



the very breed of those base Otters, they do so 

 much mischief. 



VENATOR. But what say you to the Foxes of 

 the Nation, would not you as willingly have them 

 destroyed ? for doubtless they do as much mischief 

 as Otters do. 



PlSCATOR. Oh, Sir, if they do, it is not so much 

 to me and my fraternity, as those base vermin the 

 Otters do. 



AUCEPS. Why, Sir, I pray, of what fraternity are 

 you, that you are so angry with the poor Otters ? 



PlSCATOR. I am, Sir, a Brother of the Angle, 

 and therefore an enemy to the Otter : for you are 

 to note, that we Anglers all love one another, and 

 therefore do I hate the Otter both for my own, and 

 their sakes who are of my brotherhood. 



VENATOR. And I am a lover of Hounds ; I have 

 followed many a pack of dogs many a mile, and 

 heard many merry Huntsmen -make sport and scoff 

 at Anglers. 



AUCEPS. And I profess myself a Falconer, and 

 have heard many grave, serious men pity them, it 

 is such a heavy, contemptible, dull recreation. 



PlSCATOR. You know, Gentlemen, it is an easy 

 thing to scoff at any art or recreation ; a little wit 

 mixed with ill nature, confidence, and malice, will 

 do it ; but though they often venture boldly, yet 

 they are often caught, even in their own trap, ac- 

 cording to that of Lucian, the father of the family 

 of Scoffers : 



Lucian, well skilled in scoffing, this hath writ, 

 Friend, that's your folly, which you think your wit : 

 This you vent oft, void both of wit and fear, 

 Meaning another, when yourself you jeer. 



If to this you add what Solomon' says of Scoffers, 

 that they are an abomination to mankind, let him 

 that thinks fit scoff on, and be a Scoffer still ; but 



