The Secrets of Angling. 41 



Sit then Thalia on some pleasant banke, 



Among so many as fair Auon hath, 



And marke the Anglers how they march in ranke, 



Some out of Bristoll, some from healthfull Bath ; 



How all the Joiners sides along they flanke, 



And through the Meadowes make their wonted path : 



See how their wit and cunning they apply, 



To catch the Fish that in the waters lye. 



FOR THE GOODGION. 



Loe, in a little Boate where one dotli stand, 

 That to a Willow Bough the while is tide, 

 And with a pole doth stirre and raise the sand ; 

 Where as the gentle streame doth softly glide, 

 And then with slender Line and Rod in hand, 

 The eager bit not long he doth abide. 



Well leaded is his Line, his Hooke but small. 



A good big Corke to beare the streame withall. 



His baite the least red worme that may be found, 

 And at the bottome it doth alwayes lye ; 

 Whereat the greedy Goodgion bites so sound 

 That Hooke and all he swalloweth by and by : 

 See how he strikes, and puls them vp as round 

 As if new store the play did still supply. 



And when the bit doth dye or bad doth prone, 

 Then to another place he doth remoue. 



This Fish the fittest for a learner is 



That in that Art delights to take some paine ; 



For as high flying Haukes that often misse 



The swifter foulcs, are eased with a traine, 



So to a young beginner yeeldeth this, 



Such readie sport as makes him proue againe. 



And leades him on with hope and glad desire. 



To greater skill, and cunning to aspire. 



