" In this rude sorte began this simple Art, 



And so remained in that first age of old, 

 When Saturne did Amalthea's home impart 

 Vnto the world, that then was all of gold ; 

 The fish as yet had felt but little smart, 



And were to bite more eager, apt, and bold ; 

 And plenty still supplide the place againe 

 Of woefull want whereof we now complaine." 



" But when in time the feare and dread of man 



Fell more and more on every liuing thing, 

 And all the creatures of the world began 

 To stand in awe of this vsurping king, 

 Whose tyranny so farre extended than 

 That Earth and Seas it did in thraldome bring ; 

 It was a work of greater paine and skill, 

 The wary Fish in Lake or Brooke to kill. 



" So, worse and worse, two ages more did passe, 



Yet still this Art more perfect daily grew, 

 For then the slender Rod invented was, 



Of finer sort than former ages knew, 

 And Hookes were made of siluer and of brasse, 

 And Lines of Hemp and Flaxe were framed new, 

 And Sundry baites experience found out more, 

 Than elder times did know or try before. 



" But at the last the Iron age drew neere, 



Of all the rest the hardest and most scant, 

 Then lines were made of Silke and subtile hayre, 



And Rods of lightest Cane and hazell plant, 

 And Hookes of hardest steele inuented were, 

 That neither skill nor workmanship did want. 

 And so this Art did in the end attaine 

 Vnto that state where now it doth remaine." 



.John Dennys (1613). 



