The Thifd Day 51 



This is reason put into verse, and worthy the con- 

 sideration of a wise man. But of this no more ; for 

 though I love civility, yet I hate severe censures. 

 Ill to my own art ; and I doubt not but at yonder 

 tree I shall catch a Chub : and then we'll turn to an 

 honest cleanly hostess, that I know right well ; rest 

 ourselves there ; and dress it for our dinner. 



VENATOR. Oh, Sir! a Chub is the worst fish 

 that swims ; I hoped for a Trout to my dinner. 



PlSCATOR. Trust me, Sir, there is not a likely 

 place for a Trout hereabout : and we staid so long 

 to take our leave of your huntsmen this morning, 

 that the sun is got so high, and shines so clear, 

 that I will not undertake the catching of a Trout till 

 evening. And though a Chub be, by you and 

 many others, reckoned the worst of fish, yet you 

 shall see I'll make it a good fish by dressing it. 



VENATOR. Why, how will you dress him ? 



PlSCATOR. I'll tell you by-and-by, when I have 

 caught him. Look you here, Sir, do you see ? but 

 you must stand very close, there lie upon the top 

 of the water, in this very hole, twenty Chubs. I'll 

 catch only one and that shall be the biggest of 

 them all : and that I will do so, I'll hold you 

 twenty to one, and you shall see it done. 



VENATOR. Ay, marry! Sir, now you talk like 

 an artist ; and I'll say you are one, when I shall see 

 you perform what you say you can do : but I yet 

 doubt it. 



PlSCATOR. You shall not doubt it long ; for you 

 shall see me do it presently. Look! the biggest 

 of these Chubs has had some bruise upon his tail, 

 by a Pike or some other accident; and that looks 

 like a white spot. That very Chub I mean to put 

 into your hands presently ; sit you but down in the 

 shade, and stay but a little while ; and I'll warrant 

 you, I'll bring him to you. 



