chap, xvi.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 213 



less thoughts, which corrode the sweets of life ; and 

 they, and they only, can say, as the poet has hap- 

 pily expressed it — 



Hail ! blest estate of lowliness ! 



Happy enjoyments of such minds, 



As, rich in self-contentedness, 



Can, like the reeds in roughest winds, 

 By yielding make that blow but small, 

 At which proud oaks and cedars fall. 



There came also into my mind at that time, cer- 

 tain verses in praise of a mean estate and an humble 

 mind : they were written by Phineas Fletcher, an ex- 

 cellent Divine, and an excellent Angler, and the 

 author of excellent Piscatory Eclogues, in which 

 you shall see the picture of this good man's mind ; 

 and I wish mine to be like it. 



No empty hopes, no courtly fears him fright, 

 No begging wants, his middle-fortune bite, 



But sweet content exiles both misery and spite. 

 His certain life, that never can deceive him, 



Is full of thousand sweets, and rich content ; 

 The smooth-leav'd beeches in the field receive him 



With coolest shade, till noon-tide's heat be spent : 

 His life, is neither toss'd in boisterous seas, 

 Or the vexatious world, or lost in slothful ease : 

 Pleas' d and full blest he lives, when he his God can please. 



His bed, more safe than soft, yields quiet sleeps, 

 While by his side his faithful spouse hath place ; 



