1 2 Introduction. 



effected by no unskilful hand, and without too much sacrifice of the precious 

 metal of the original. Sir Philip Sidney's ordeal has, indeed, seldom been 

 undergone, with so little deterioration. The quaint character of the poem is 

 preserved in the prose version and the passages added (especially the introduction) 

 have a striking merit of their own. 



It is proof of the vitality of Uennys' verse, that it retains its strength, 

 sweetness and savour in its more sober form. Those curious in parallels may 

 compare " The Qualities of an Angler," in the third book of the poem, with 

 chapter 2 (its corresponding passage) of the " Pleasures of Princes." 



It is not needful that I should enter on a critical appreciation of this little 

 poem, the finest passages of which are well known and highly esteemed. Thus 

 much, however, may be said, that, so replete is it, in its higher moods, with 

 subtlety of rhythm, sweetness of expression, and elevation of thought and 

 feeling, that even from the angling point of view, we cannot but consider it a 

 notable piece of condescension, and marvel at the devotion of so much real 

 poetic genius to a theme so humble. With the exception of the " Compleat 

 Angler," no higher compliment than this poem has been paid to the sport. 

 Subsequent rhymers, indeed, have achieved analogous feats, but from other 

 heights, or rather from other depths witness the " Innocent Epicure," a polished 

 piece of artificiality, and often grotesque, by force of polish ; and '' The Anglers, 

 Eight Dialogues in Verse," by Scott of Ipswich, in which the technical and 

 humorous are dexterously enough interwoven ; but such trifling in verse, as 

 these and other poems of their kind display, is not to be confounded for an 

 instant with the art-work and heart-work of John Dennys, (the Angler's " Glorious 

 John ") who could not have been more in earnest, had he sung of men and 

 angels ; who drapes himself in his singing robes on the very threshold of his 

 theme, as by an assured vocation, and only doffs them with his ultimate 

 line : 



" And now we are arived at the last, 



In wished harbour where we meane to rest ; 

 And make an end of this our journey past; 



Here then in quiet roade I think it best 

 We strike our sailes and stedfast Anchor cast, 



For now the sunne low setteth in the west." 



