chap, v.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 89 



THE ANGLER'S SONG. 



As inward love breeds outward talk, 

 The hound some praise, and some the hawk 

 Some, better pleas' d loith private sport 

 Use tennis, some a mistress court : 



But these delights I neither wish, 

 Nor envy, while I freely fish. 



Who hunts, doth oft in danger ride ; 



Who hawks, lures oft both far and wide ; 



Who uses games shall often prove 



A loser ; but who falls in love, 



Is fettered in fond Cupid's snare : 

 My Angle breeds me no such care. 



Of recreation there is none 



So free as Fishing is alone; 



All other pastimes do no less 



Than mind and body both possess : 

 My hand alone my work can do, 

 So I can fish and study too. 



I care not, I, to fish in seas, 

 Fresh rivers best my mind do please, 

 Whose sweet calm course I contemplate, 

 And seek in life to imitate : 



In civil bounds I fain would keep, 

 And for my past offences weep. 



