136 THOMAS KEN AND IZAAK WALTON 



dated February 27, 1672, Walton refers to " my 

 friend Mr. Charles Cotton," and in a poem dated 

 January 17, 1672-3, we find Charles Cotton 

 addressing his " old and most worthy friend, Mr. 

 Izaak Walton, on his ' Life of Dr. Donne,' etc." 

 In this poem Cotton speaks of Walton as " the 

 best friend I now or ever knew," the two last 

 verses running as follows — 



" In which estate, I ask no more of fame. 

 Nor other monument of honour claim 

 Than that of your true friend to advance my name. 



"And if your many merits shall have bred 

 An abler pen, to write your life when dead, 

 I think an honester cannot be read." 



(Charles Cotton.) 

 January 17, 1672. 



NEAR LONGSTONE, RIVER WYE 



