64 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [PART i. 



with wit and mirth, and leaves out the sin which is usually mixed 

 with them, he is the man ; and indeed such a companion should 

 have his charges borne ; and to such company I hope to bring 

 you this night ; for at Trout-hall, not far from this place, where I 

 purpose to lodge to-night,* there is usually an Angler that proves 

 good company. And let me tell you, good company and good 

 discourse are the very sinews of virtue. But for such discourse 

 as we heard last night, it infects others : the very boys will learn 

 to talk and swear, as they heard mine host, and another of the 

 company that shall be nameless. I am sorry the other is a 

 gentleman, for less religion will not save their souls than a 

 beggar's : I think more will be required at the last great day. 

 Well ! you know what example is able to do ; and I know what 

 the poet says in the like case, which is worthy to be noted by all 

 parents and people of civility : 5 



Many a one 



Owes to his country his religion ; 

 And in another, would as strongly grow, 

 Had but his nurse or mother taught him so. 



This is reason put into verse, and worthy the consideration of a 

 wise man. But of this no more ; for though I love civility, yet I 

 hate severe censures. I'll to my own art ; and I doubt not but 

 at yonder tree I shall catch a Chub : and then we'll turn to an 

 honest cleanly hostess, that I know right well ; rest ourselves 

 there ; and dress it for our dinner. 



VENATOR. Oh, Sir ! a Chub is the worst fish that swims ; I 

 hoped for a Trout to my dinner. 



PlSCATOR. Trust me, Sir, there is not a likely place for a Trout 

 hereabout : and we stayed so long to take our leave of your hunts- 



VARIATION. 



15 But for such discourse as we heard last night, it infects others ; the very boys will 

 learn to talk and swear as they heard mine host, and another of the company that shall 

 be nameless, ["I am sorry the other is a gentleman" "at the last great day"] well, 

 you know what example is able to do, and I know what the poet says in the like case, 

 which, is worthy to be noted by all parents and people of civility. 



Many a one, &c. 

 ist edit., the words in italic were added to the zd, and those in brackets to the id edit. 



* Trout-hall was probably a name given by Anglers to some little inn which they were 

 in the habit of frequenting, and possibly the sign was a Trout. Piscator did not, how- 

 ever, fulfil his intention of sleeping at Trout-hall, because we find that his scholar and 

 himself returned and slept at the alehouse where they dined, and which it would appear 

 from his conversation with the milkwoman, was called Bleak-hall. The cause of this 

 alteration in his plan, Piscator seems to explain to Venator, in a subsequent page, where 

 he says they would eat the trout he had caught for supper, and would go to iiis hostess, 

 from whence they came, \betmue\ "on going out of the door, she told him that his 

 brother Peter and a cheerful companion had sent word they would lodge there that 

 night." 



