14 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [part i. 



beneficial both to man and beast : to men who 

 have their several recreations upon it, as horse- 

 races, hunting, sweet smells, pleasant walks : 

 the Earth feeds man, and all those several beasts 

 that both feed him, and afford him recreation. 

 What pleasure doth man take in hunting the stately 

 Stag, the generous Buck, the wild Boar, the cun- 

 ning Otter, the crafty Fox, and the fearful Hare ? 

 And if I may descend to a lower game, what plea- 

 sure is it sometimes with gins to betray the very 

 vermin of the earth ? as namely, the Fitchet, the 

 Fulimart, the Ferret, the Pole-cat, the Mould- 

 warp, and the like creatures that live upon the face, 

 and within the bowels of the earth ? How doth 

 the earth bring forth herbs, flowers, and fruits, both 

 for physic and the pleasure of mankind ? and above 

 all, to me at least, the fruitful vine, of which when 

 I drink moderately, it clears my brain, cheers my 

 heart, and sharpens my wit. How could Cleopatra 

 have feasted Mark Antony with eight wild-boars 

 roasted whole at one supper, and other meat suit- 

 able, if the earth had not been a bountiful mother ? 

 But to pass by the mighty Elephant, which the earth 

 breeds and nourisheth, and descend to the least of 

 creatures, how doth the earth afford us a doctrinal ex- 

 ample in the little Pismire, who in the summer pro- 

 vides and lays up her winter provision, and teaches 

 man to do the like ! The earth feeds and carries 

 those horses that carry us. If I would be prodigal 

 of my time and your patience, what might not I say 



