52 IRfngs of tbe 1Rofc, IRffle, anb (Bun 



pull him out ! I see you have a tender hand : this 

 is a diminutive gentleman, e'en throw him in again and 

 let him grow till he be more worthy your anger. 



Viat. Pardon me, Sir, all's fish that comes to the 

 hook with me now. Another ! 



Pise. And of the same standing. 



Viat. I see I shall have good sport now : another ! 

 and a Grayling. Why, you fish here at will. 



Pise. Come, come, cross the bridge and go down 

 the other side lower, where you will find finer stream 

 and better sport I hope than this. Look you, Sir, 

 here is a fine stream now, you have length enough, 

 stand a little further off, let me entreat you, and do 

 but fish the stream like an artist and peradventure a 

 good fish may fall to your share. How now ! What ! 

 is all gone ? 



Viat. No, I but touch'd him : but that was a fish 

 worth taking. 



Pise. Why now, let me tell you, you lost that fish 

 by your own fault : for you are never to offer to strike 

 a good fish, if he do not strike himself, till first you see 

 him turn his head after he has taken your fly, and then 

 you can never strain your tackle in the striking, if you 

 strike with any manner of moderation. Come, throw 

 in once again and fish me this stream by inches : for 

 I assure you here are very good fish : both trout and 

 grayling lie here : and at that great stone on the 

 other side, it is ten to one a good trout gives you the 

 meeting." 



In his " Ode to". Poverty " Charles Cotton gives a 

 pathetic picture of the miseries of his life. 



