74 How Angling Began. 



Framing thereof an inward contemplation, 

 To set his thoughts from other fancies free 



And whiles hee lookes on these with joyfulf 

 eye, 



His minde is rapt above the starry skye." 



Following these delightful verses, full of 

 the pure spirit of poetry, we have what I 

 think is the finest part of his work viz., 

 a history of angling through the different 

 ages : 



"But how this Art of Angling did beginne, 

 And who the use thereof and practise found, 

 How many times and ages since have bin, 

 Wherein the sunne hath daily compast round,. 

 The circle that the signes twice sixe are in : 

 And yeelded yearly comfort to the ground, 

 It were too hard for me to bring about, 

 Since Ovid wrote not all that story out." 



A fine description follows of the Deluge 

 of Deucalion, when only he and his wife 

 Pyrrha were saved, who being themselves 

 too old to replenish the world, they consult 

 the Oracle of Themis, and were directed 

 to repair the loss of mankind by throwing 

 behind them the bones of their grand- 

 mother : 



" For long before that fearful Deluge great, 

 The universall Earth had overflowne ; 

 A heavenly power there placed had her seate, 

 And answeres gave of hidden things un- 

 knowne. 



