CHAP, i.] THE FIRST DAY. 223 



where there is foul way ;" and is of good use to inform you of the 

 riches of the country you are come into, and of its continual travel 

 and traffic to the country town you came from : which is also 

 very observable by the fulness of its road, and the loaden horses 

 you meet everywhere upon the way. 



VIATOR. Well, Sir ! I will be content to think as well of your 

 country as you would desire. And I shall have a great deal of 

 reason both to think and to speak very well of you, if I may 

 obtain the happiness of your company to the forementioned place, 

 provided your affairs lead you that way, and that they will permit 

 you to slack your pace, out of complacency to a traveller utterly a 

 stranger in these parts, and who am still to wander further out of 

 my own knowledge. 



PISCATOR. Sir, you invite me to my own advantage. And I 

 am ready to attend you, my way lying through that town ; but 

 my business, that is, my home, some miles beyond it : however, I 

 shall have time enough to lodge you in your quarters, and after- 

 wards to perform my own journey. In the meantime, may I be 

 so bold as to inquire the end of your journey ? 



VIATOR. 'Tis into Lancashire, Sir, and about some business 

 of concern to a near relation of mine ; for I assure you, I do not 

 use to take so long journeys as from Essex upon the single account 

 of pleasure. 



PISCATOR. From thence, Sir ! I do not then wonder you 

 should appear dissatisfied with the length of the miles, and the 

 foulness of the way, though I am sorry you should begin to quarrel 

 with them so soon ; for believe me, Sir, you will find the miles 

 much longer, and the way much worse, before you come to your 

 journey's end. 



VIATOR. Why ! truly, Sir ! for that I am prepared to expect 

 the worst ; but methinks the way is mended since I had the good 

 fortune to fall into your good company. 



PISCATOR. You are not obliged to my company for that, but 

 because you are already past the worst, and the greatest part of 

 your way to your lodging. 



VIATOR. I am very glad to hear it, both for the ease of my- 

 self and my horse ; but especially because I may then expect a 

 freer enjoyment of your conversation ; though the shortness of 

 the way will, I fear, make me lose it the sooner. 



PISCATOR. That, Sir, is not worth your care ; and I am sure 

 you deserve much better, for being content with so ill company. 

 But we have already talked away two miles of your journey ; for, 



