74 The Complete Angler 



some of your best barley-wine, the good liquor that 

 our honest forefathers did use to think of; the drink 

 which preserved their health, and made them live 

 so long, and to do so many good deeds. 



PETER. On my word, this Trout is perfect in 

 season. Come, I thank you, and here is a hearty 

 draught to you, and to all the brothers of the angle 

 wheresoever they be, and to my young brother's 

 good fortune to-morrow. I will furnish him with 

 a rod, if you will furnish him with the rest of the 

 tackling : we will set him up, and make him a 

 fisher. And I will tell him one thing for his en- 

 couragement, that his fortune hath made him 

 happy to be scholar to such a master; a master 

 that knows as much, both of the nature and breed- 

 ing of fish, as any man ; and can also tell him as 

 well how to catch and cook them, from the Minnow 

 to the Salmon, as any that I ever met withal. 



PiSCATOR. Trust me, brother Peter, I find my 

 scholar to be so suitable to my own humour, which 

 is to be free and pleasant and civilly rnerry, that 

 rny resolution is to hide nothing that I know from 

 him. Believe me, scholar, this is my resolution ; 

 and so here's to you a hearty draught, and to all 

 that love us and the honest art of Angling. 



VENATOR. Trust me, good master, you shall not 

 sow your seed in barren ground ; for I hope to re- 

 turn you an increase answerable to your hopes : but, 

 however, you shall find me obedient, and thankful, 

 and serviceable to my best ability. 



PiSCATOR. 'Tis enough, honest scholar! come, 

 let's to supper. Come, my friend Coridon, this 

 Trout looks lovely ; it was twenty-two inches when 

 it was taken ; and the belly of it looked, some part 

 of it, as yellow as a marigold, and part of it as 

 white as a lily ; and yet, methinks, it looks better 

 in this good sauce. 



