1 86 The Complete Angler 



bear it at this time, and tell you, in the next place, 

 how you are to prepare your tackling: concerning 

 which, I will, for sport sake, give you an old rhyme 

 out of an old fish book ; which will prove a part, 

 and but a part, of what you are to provide. 



My rod and my line, my float and my lead, 



My hook and my plummet, my whetstone and knife, 



My basket, my baits, both living and dead, 

 My net, and my meat, for that is the chief: 



Then I must have thread, and hairs green and small, 



With mine angling purse : and so you have all. 



But you must have all these tackling, and twice 

 so many more, with which, if you mean to be a fisher, 

 you must store yourself; and to that purpose I will 

 go with you, either to Mr. Margrave, who dwells 

 amongst the book-sellers in St. Paul's Church-yard, 

 or to Mr. John Stubs, near to the Swan in Golding- 

 lane : they be both honest men, and will fit an angler 

 with what tackling he lacks. 



VENATOR. Then, good master, let it be at 



for he is nearest to my dwelling. And I pray let's 

 meet there the ninth of May next, about two of the 

 clock ; and I'll want nothing that a fisher should be 

 furnished with. 



PlSCATOR. Well, and I'll not fail you, God willing, 

 at the time and place appointed. 



VENATOR. I thank you, good master, and I will 

 not fail you. And, good master, tell me what BAITS 

 more you remember ; for it will not now be long ere 

 we shall be at Tottenham- High-Cross ; and when 

 we come thither I will make you some requital of 

 your pains, by repeating as choice a copy of Verses as 

 any we have heard since we met together ; and that 

 is a proud word, for we have heard very good ones. 



PlSCATOR. Well, scholar, and I shall be then 

 right glad to hear them. And I will, as we walk, 

 tell you whatsoever comes in my mind, that I think 



