44 The Secrets of Angling. 



FOR THE CHUB AND TROUT. 



See where another hides himselfe as slye, 



As did Acteon, or the fearefull Deere ; 



Behinde a withy, and with watchfull eye 



Attends the bit within the water cleere, 



And on the top thereof doth moue his (lye, 



With skilfull hand, as if he liuing were. 



Loe how the Chub, the Rociie, the Dace, and Trout, 

 To catch thereat doe raze and swimme about. 



His Rod, or Cane, made darke for being scene, 

 The lesse to feare the warie Fish withall : 

 The Line well twisted is, and wrought so cleane 

 That being strong, yet doth it shew but small, 

 His Hooke not great, nor little, but betweene, 

 That light vpon the watry brimme may fall, 



The Line in length scant halfe the Rod exceedes, 

 And neither Corke, nor Leade thereon it needes. 



FOR THE TROUT, AND EELE. 



Now see some standing where the streame doth fall, 

 With headlong course behind the sturdy weere, . 

 That ouerthwart the riuer, like a wall, 

 The water stops, and strongly vp doth beare, 

 And at the Tayles, of Mills and Arches small, 

 Where as the shoote is swift and not too cleare, 



Their lines in length not twice aboue an ell, 

 But with good store of lead and twisted well. 



Round handsome hookes that will not breake nor bend, 



The big red worm, well scowred, is their bayte, 



Which downe vnto the bottome doth discend. 



Whereas the Trout and Eele doth lye in wayte, 



And to their feeding busily intend, 



Which when they see they snatch and swallow straight. 



Vpon their lines are neither Corke nor Quill. 



But when they fecle them plucke then strike they stil. 



