10 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [part i. 



cheer herself and those that hear her, she then quits 

 the earth, and sings as she ascends higher into the 

 air ; and, having ended her heavenly employment, 

 grows then mute and sad to think she must descend 

 to the dull earth, which she would not touch hut 

 for necessity. 



How do the Black-bird and Thrassel with their 

 melodious voices, bid welcome to the cheerful Spring, 

 and in their fixed months warble forth such ditties 

 as no art or instrument can reach to ? 



Nay, the smaller birds also do the like in their 

 particular seasons, as namely the Laverock, the Tit- 

 lark, the little Linnet, and the honest Robin, that 

 loves mankind both alive and dead. 



But the Nightingale, another of my airy crea- 

 tures, breathes such sweet loud music out of her 

 little instrumental throat, that it might make man- 

 kind to think miracles are not ceased. He that at 

 midnight, when the very labourer sleeps securely, 

 should hear, as I have very often, the clear airs, the 

 sweet descants, the natural rising and falling, the 

 doubling and redoubling of her voice, might well 

 be lifted above earth, and say, " Lord, what music 

 hast thou provided for the Saints in Heaven, when 

 thou affordest bad men such music on Earth ! " 



And this makes me the less to wonder at the 

 many Aviaries in Italy, or at the great charge of 

 Varro his Aviary, the ruins of which are yet to be 

 seen in Rome, and is still so famous there, that it 

 is reckoned for one of those notables which men of 



