154 THOMAS KEN AND IZAAK WALTON 



was sent me ; for I have been so obedient 

 to your desires as to endure all the praises 

 you have ventur'd to fix upon me in it, and 

 when I have thankt you for them as the efforts 

 of an undissembled love, then let me tell you, 

 sir, that I will really endeavour to live up to 

 the character you have given of me, if there 

 were no other reason ; yet for this alone, that 

 you that love me so well, and always think 

 what you speak, may not, for my sake, suffer 

 by a mistake in your judgment. 



"And, Sir, I have ventur'd to fill a part 

 of your margin, by way of Paraphrase, for 

 the Readers clearer understanding the situa- 

 tion, both of your Fishing-hotise and the 

 pleasantness of that you dwell in. An I have 

 ventur'd also to give a copy of verses, that you 

 were pleas'd to send me, now some years past ; 

 in which he may see a good Picture of both ; 

 and so much of your own mind to, as will 

 make any Reader that is blest with a Generous 

 Soul, to love you the better. I confess that 

 for doing this, you may justly judg me too 

 bold ; if you do I will say so too ; and so far 

 commute for my offence ; that though I be 

 more than a hundred miles from you, and in 



