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52 The Complete Angler 



VENATOR. I'll sit down ; and hope well, because 

 you seem to be so confident. 



PlSCATOR. Look you, Sir, there is a trial of my 

 skill ; there he is : that very Chub, that I showed 

 you, with the white spot on his tail. And I'll be 

 as certain to make him a good dish of meat as I 

 was to catch him : I'll now lead you to an honest 

 ale-house, where we shall find a cleanly room, 

 lavender in the windows, and twenty ballads stuck 

 about the wall. There my hostess, which I may 

 tell you is both cleanly, and handsome, and civil, 

 hath dressed many a one for me ; and shall now 

 dress it after my fashion, and I warrant it good meat. 



VENATOR. Come, Sir, with all my heart, for 

 I begin to be hungry, and long to be at it, and 

 indeed to rest myself too ; for though I have walked 

 but four miles this morning, yet I begin to be 

 weary; yesterday's hunting hangs still upon me. 



PlSCATOR. Well, Sir, and you shall quickly be at 

 rest, for yonder is the house I mean to bring you to. 



Come, hostess, how do you ? Will you first give 

 us a cup of your best drink, and then dress this 

 Chub, as you dressed my last, when I and my 

 friend were here about eight or ten days ago? 

 But you must do me one courtesy, it must be done 

 instantly. 



HOSTESS. I will do it, Mr. Piscator, and with 

 all the speed I can. 



PlSCATOR. Now, Sir, has not my hostess made 

 haste? and does not the fish look lovely? 



VENATOR. Both, upon my word, Sir ; and there- 

 fore let's say grace and fall to eating of it. 



PlSCATOR. Well, Sir, how do you like it? 



VENATOR. Trust me, 'tis as good meat as I ever 

 tasted. Now let me thank you for it, drink to you 

 and beg a courtesy of you ; but it must not be 

 denied me. 



