COMMENDATORY VERSES.* 



TO MY DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW, + MR IZAAK WALTON, 

 UPON HIS "COMPLETE ANGLER." 



ERASMUS in his learned Colloquies 

 Has mixt some toys, 5 that by varieties 

 He might entice all readers : for in him 

 Each child may wade, or tallest giant swim. 

 And such is this discourse : there's none so low, 

 Or highly learn'd, to whom hence may not flu\v 

 Pleasure and information : both which are 

 Taught us with so much art, that I might swear 

 Safely, the choicest critic cannot tell, 

 Whether your matchless judgment most excel 

 In Angling or its praise : where commendation 

 First charms, then makes an art a recreation. 



'Twas so to me ; who so the cheerful spring 

 Pictur'd in every meadow, heard birds sing 

 Sonnets in every grove, saw fishes play 

 In the cool crystal streams, like lambs in May : 

 And they may play, till Anglers read this Book ; 

 But after, 'tis a wise fish 'scapes a hook. 



Jo. FLOUD, Mr. of Arts.* 



TO THE READER OF "THE COMPLETE ANGLER." 



FIRST mark the Title well : my Friend that gave it 

 Has made it good ; this book deserves to have it. 



VARIATION.] 5 mirth. -zd edit, as in text in -$d edit. 



* None of the verses occur in the first, but they are all to be found in the second 

 edition, excepting the two last by Dr Duport, which were inserted for the first time in 

 the fifth edition. 



t In \\\G fifth edition, the words "in-law" are omitted ; but as they correctly explain 

 the writer's relationship, they are here adopted. 



I Some account of this person, who was the brother of Walton's first wife, and of his 

 family, will be found in the Life of Walton, at the commencement of the volume. 



