4 



,specting the following poem, and there is reason to 

 conclude it is now first printed. The date of the manu- 

 script 



this pursuit over other more expensive diversions is too connected with the 

 present article to be omitted. 



" Hawking and hunting have had their excellencies celebrated with large 

 encomiums by divers pens; and although I intend not any undervaluing to 

 those noble recreations, so much famed in all ages and hy ail degrees, yet I 

 must needs affirm, that they foil not within the compass of every one's 

 ability to pursue, being, as it were, only entailed on great persons and vast 

 estates} for if meaner fortunes seek to enjoy them, Actaeoa's fable often 

 proves a true story, and those birds of prey not seldom quarry upon their 

 masters : besides, those recreations are more subject to choleu and passion, 

 by how much those creatures exceed a hook or line in worth; and indeed in 

 those exercises our pleasure depends much upon the will a^d humor of a sul- 

 len cur, or kite (as I have heard their own passions phrase them) which also 

 require much attendance, care, and skill, to keep her serviceable to our 

 ends. Further, these delights are often prejudicial to the husbandman in his 

 corn, grass, and fences j but in this pleasant and harmless Art of Angling, a 

 man hath none to quarrel with but himself, and we are usually so entirely 

 our own friends as not to retain an irreconcileable hatred against ourselves, 

 but can in short time easily compose the enmity j and besides ourselves none 

 are offended, none endamaged ; and this recreation falleth within the ca- 

 pacity of the lowest fortime to compass, affording also profit as well as plea- 

 sure ; in following of which exercise a man mav employ his thoughts in the 

 noblest studies, almost as freely as in his closet ; the minds of anglers being 

 usually more calm and composed than many others, especially hunters and 

 falkoners, who too frequently los? their delight in their passion, and too often 

 bring home more of melancholy and discontent than satisfaction in their 

 thoughts ; but the angler, when he hath the worst success, looseth but a 

 hook or line, or perhaps (what he never possessed) a fish, and suppose he 

 take nothing, yet he enjoyeth a delightful! walk by pleasant rivers, in sweet 

 pastures, amongst odoriferous flowers, which gratifie his senses and delight 

 his mind ; which contentments induce many (who affect not angling) to 

 chocse those places of pleasure for their summer's recreation and health. 

 But peradventure some may alledge that this art is mean, melancholy and 

 insipid : I suppose the old answer, de gustibus non est disfutandtimj will hold 

 as firmly in recreations as palats ; many have supposed angling void of de- 

 light, having never tried it, yet have afterwards experimented it so full of 



Content, 



