66 The Complete Angler' 



I left this place, and entered into the next 

 Qeld, a second pleasure entertained me ; 'twas a 

 handsome milk-maid, that had not yet attained so 

 much age and wisdom as to load her mind with any 

 fears of many things that will never be, as too many 

 / men too often do ; but she cast away all care, and 

 sung like a nightingale. Her voice was good, and 

 the ditty fitted for it ; it was that smooth song which 

 was made by Kit Marlow, now at least fifty years 

 ago; and the milk-maid's mother sung an answer to 

 it, which was made by Sir Walter Raleigh, in his 

 younger days. They were old-fashioned poetry, 

 but choicely good ; I think much better than the 

 strong lines that are now in fashion in this critical 

 age. Look yonder ! on my word, yonder, they both 

 be a-milking again. I will give her the Chub, and 

 persuade them to sing those two songs to us. 



God speed you, good woman ! I have been a-fish- 

 ing ; and am going to Bleak Hall to my bed ; and 

 having caught more fish than will sup myself and 

 my friend, I will bestow this upon you and your 

 daughter, for I use to sell none. 



MILK- WOMAN. Marry ' God requite you, Sir, and 

 we'll eat it cheerfully. [And if you come this way 

 a-fishing two months hence, a grace of God! I'll 

 give you a syllabub of new verjuice, in a new-made 

 hay-cock, for itl And my Maudlin shall sing you 

 one of her best oallads ; for she and I both love all 

 J anglers, they be such honest, civil, quiet men. In 

 the meantime will you drink a draught of red cow's 

 milk ? you shall have it freely. 



PlSCATOR. No, I thank you ; but, I pray, do us 

 a courtesy that shall stand you and your daughter 

 in nothing, and yet we will think ourselves still 

 something in your debt : it is but to sing us a song 

 that was sung by your daughter when I last passed 

 over this meadow, about eight or nine days since. 



