48 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



it sometimes with gins to betray the very vermin of 

 the earth, as namely the fichat, the full mart, the 

 ferret, the pole-cat, the mouldwarp, and the like 

 creatures that live upon the face and within the 

 bowels of the earth ! How doth the earth bring 

 forth herbs, flowers, and fruits, both for physic 

 and the pleasure of mankind ! and above all, to 

 me at least, the fruitful vine, of which when I 

 drink moderately, it clears my brain, cheers my 

 heart, and sharpens my wit. How could Cleopatra 

 have feasted Mark Antony with eight wild boars 

 roasted whole at one supper, and other meat suit- 

 able, if the earth had not been a bountiful mother ? 

 But to pass by the mighty elephant, which the 

 earth breeds and nourisheth, and descend to the 

 least of creatures, how doth the earth afford us a 

 doctrinal example in the little pismire, who in the 

 summer provides and lays up her winter provision, 

 and teaches man to do the like ! The earth feeds 

 and carries those horses that carry us. If I would 

 be a prodigal of my lime and your patience, what 

 might not I say in commendation of the earth, 

 that puts limits to the proud and raging sea, and 

 by that means preserves both man and beast, that it 

 destroys them not, as we see it daily doth those that 

 venture upon the sea, and are there shipwrecked, 

 drowned, and left to feed haddocks ; when we 

 that are so wise as to keep ourselves on earth, 

 walk, and talk, and live, and eat, and drink, and 

 go a-hunting ; of which recreation I will say a lit- 

 tle, and then leave Mr. Piscator to the commenda- 

 tion of angling. 



