CHAP, xxi.] THE FIFTH DA Y. 211 



your company and discourse have been so useful and pleasant, 

 that, I may truly say, I have only lived since I enjoyed them and 

 turned angler, and not before. Nevertheless, here I must part 

 with you ; here in this now sad place, where I was so happy as 

 first to meet you : but I shall long for the ninth of May ; for 

 then I hope again to enjoy your beloved company, at the 

 appointed time and place. And now I wish for some somni- 

 ferous potion, that might force me to sleep away the intermitted 

 time, which will pass away with me as tediously as it does with 

 men in sorrow ; nevertheless I will make it as short as I can, by 

 my hopes and wishes : and, my good Master, I will not forget 

 the doctrine which you told me Socrates taught his scholars, that 

 they should not think to be honoured so much for being phi- 

 losophers, as to honour philosophy by their virtuous lives. You 

 advised me to the like concerning Angling, and I will endeavour 

 to do so ; and to live like those many worthy men, of which you 

 made mention in the former part of your discourse. This is my 

 firm resolution. And as a pious man advised his friend, that, to 

 beget mortification, he should frequent churches, and view monu- 

 ments, and charnel-houses, and then and there consider how 

 many dead bodies time had piled up at the gates of death, so 

 when I would beget content, and increase confidence in the 

 power, and wisdom, and providence of Almighty God, I will walk 

 the meadows, by some gliding stream, and there contemplate the 

 lilies that take no care, and those very many other various little 

 living creatures that are not only created, but fed, man knows not 

 how, by the goodness of the God of Nature, and therefore trust 

 in him. This is my purpose ; and so, let everything that hath 

 breath praise the Lord : and let the blessing of St Peter's Master 

 be with mine. 



PISCATOR. And upon all that are lovers of virtue ; and dare 

 trust in his providence ; and be quiet ; and go a-angling. 5 



"Study to be quiet."* 



VARIATION. 



5 And the like be upon my honest ingenuous Scholar, and upon all that love virtue, 

 and to be quiet, and go a- fishing. 4 th. edit. 



* x Thess. iv. n. 



