CHAP. I. THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 101 



Gentlemen, I might both enlarge and lose myself in 

 such like arguments ; I might tell you that Almighty 

 God, is said to have spoken to a fish, but never to a 

 beast ; that he hath made a whale a ship, to carry and 

 set his prophet, Jonah, safe on the appointed shore. 

 Of these I might speak, but I must in manners break 

 off, for I see Theobalds house. I cry you mercy for be- 

 ing so long, and thank you for your patience. 



Auc. Sir, my pardon is easily granted you : I ex- 

 cept against nothing that you have said ; nevertheless, I 

 must part with you at this park-wall, for which I am 

 very sorry ; but I assure you, Mr. Piscator, I now 

 part with you full of good thoughts, not only of your- 

 self, but your recreation. And so. Gentlemen, God 

 keep you both . 



Pise. Well, now, Mr. Venator, you shall neither 

 want time, nor my attention to hear you enlarge your 

 discourse concerning hunting. 



Ven. Not I, Sir : I remember you said that angling 

 itself was of great antiquity, and a perfect art, and an 

 art not easily attained to ; and you have so won upon 

 me in your former discourse, that I am very desirous 

 to hear what you can say further concerning those 

 particulars. 



Pise. Sir, I did say so : and I doubt not but if you 

 and I did converse together but a few hours, to leave 

 you possessed with the same high and happy thoughts 

 that now possess me of it ; not only of the antiquity 

 of angling, but that it deserves commendations ; and 

 that it is an art, and an art worthy the knowledge and 

 practice of a wise man. 



Ven. Pray, Sir, speak of them what you think fit, 

 for we have yet five miles to the Thatch'd-house ; dur- 

 ing which walk, I dare promise you, my patience and 

 diligent attention shall not be wanting. And if you 

 shall make that to appear which you have undertaken, 

 first, that it is an art, and an art worth the learning, I 

 shall beg that I may attend you a day or two a-fishing, 

 and that I may become your scholar, and be instructed 

 in the art itself which you so much magnify. 



Pise. O. Sir, doubt not but that angling is an art ; is 



