248 IZAAK WALTON AND HIS FRIENDS 



A Translation. 



To my most distiixgxdshed friend and brother Master Izaac 

 Walton^ past master in the art of angling. 



One fish and one only is doctor of the rest, and 

 health is assured to those to whom it is given to 

 touch the doctor. Here is a wonderful image of 

 our Saviour Jesus, where every letter^ holds His 

 secret. 



This fish I desire, and mayest thou catch this 

 fish (good brother of the rod) : He would pay my 

 debts and thine to God. Fish is he and fisher, 

 believe me, a fish would wish to love such an one 

 though he were a fisher. 



Henry Bayley, M.A. 



The reader may note that the fish was the usual emblem of 

 Christ, chosen because the Greek word forms the initials of His 

 name and titles, and also because Christians are born by baptism 

 in water. 2 The fish symbol is only found in the Latin Church. 



1 Ix^i'Sj Piscis. 



1 'lt)<rov^, Jesus. 



X Xpicrrds, Christus. 

 e GeoO, Dei. 

 'T 'Tios, Filius. 



2 Son-rjp, Salvator. 



^ Lecky's Rationalism in Europe, Vol. I., p. 202. 



