The Fourth Day 105 



the George in Ware, and it may be, by giving that 

 very great Trout the rod, that is, by casting it to him 

 into the water, I might have caught him at the long 

 run, for so I use always to do when I meet with an 

 over-grown fish ; and you will learn to do so too, 

 hereafter, for I tell you, scholar, fishing is an art, or, 

 at least, it is an art to catch fish. 



VENATOR. But, master, I have heard that the 

 great Trout you speak of is a Salmon. 



PlSCATOR. Trust me, scholar, I know not what to 

 say to it. There are many country people that be- 

 lieve hares change sexes every year : and there be 

 very many learned men think so too, for in their 

 dissecting them they find many reasons to incline 

 them to that belief. And to make the wonder seem 

 yet less, that hares change sexes, note that Dr. Mer. 

 Casaubon affirms, in his book " Of credible and in- 

 credible things," that Gasper Peucerus, a learned 

 physician, tells us of a people that once a year turn 

 wolves, partly in shape, and partly in conditions. 

 And so, whether this were a Salmon when he came 

 into fresh water, and his not returning into the sea 

 hath altered him to another colour or kind, I am not 

 able to say ; but I am certain he hath all the signs of 

 being a Trout, both for his shape, colour, and spots ; 

 and yet many think he is not. 



VENATOR. But, master, will this Trout which I 

 had hold of die ? for it is like he hath the hook in 

 his belly. 



PlSCATOR. I will tell you, scholar, that unless the 

 hook be fast in his very gorge, 'tis more than prob- 

 able he will live, and a little time, with the help of 

 the water, will rust the hook, and it will in time wear 

 away, as the gravel doth in the horse-hoof, which 

 only leaves a false quarter. 



And now, scholar, let's go to my rod. Look you, 

 scholar, I have a fish too, but it proves a logger- 



