C TI 3 

 COMMENDATORY VERSES. 



TO MY DEAR BROTHER 



IZAAK WALTON, 



UPON HIS 



COMPLETE ANGLER. 



ERASMUS in his learned Colloquies 

 Has mixt some toys, 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 flow 

 I Pleasure and information : both which are 

 I Taught us with so much art, that I might swear, 

 Safely, the choicest critick cannot tell, 

 Whether your matchless judgment most excell 

 In angling, or its praise : where commendation 

 First charms ; then, makes an art a recreation. 

 'Twas so to me ; who saw the chearful spring 

 Pictured in every meadow, heard birds sing 

 Sonnets in every grove, saw fishes play 

 In the cool crystal springs, 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. 

 E 4 



