146 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



friend of mine, and I am sure no enemy to 

 angling. 



What ! Prayer by the Book, and common ? Yes ; why not ? 



The spirit of grace 

 And supplication 

 Is not left free alone 



For time and place, 



But manner too : to read or speak by rote 

 Is all alike to him that prays 

 In 's heart what with his mouth he says. 



They that in private, by themselves alone, 



Do pray, may take 

 What liberty they please, 

 In choosing of the ways 



Wherein to make 



Their souls' most intimate affections known 

 To Him that sees in secret, when 

 Th' are most concealed from other men. 



But he that unto others leads the way 

 In public prayer, 

 Should do it so 

 As all that hear may know 



They need not fear 



To tune their hearts unto his tongue and say 

 Amen ! not doubt they were betrayed 

 To blaspheme, when they meant to have prayed. 



Devotion will add life unto the letter : 



And why should not 

 That which authority 

 Prescribes esteemed be 



Advantage got ? 

 If th* prayer be good, the commoner the better, 



