THE COMPLETE ANGLER- 275 



CHAPTER XVI. 



Is of nothing; or, that which is nvthing worth. 



PlSCATOIU 



MY purpose was : To give you some directions, 

 concerning Roach and Dace, and some other inferior 

 fish which make the angler excellent sport; for you 

 know there is more pleasure in hunting the hare than 

 in eating her : But 1 will forbear, at this time, to say 

 any more ; because you see, yonder, come our brother 

 Peter and honest Coridon. But 1 will promise you, 

 that as you and I fish, and walk, to-morrow, towards 

 London if I have, now, forgotten any thing that I 

 >can, then, remember, I will not keep it from you. 



Well met, gentlemen! this is lucky that we meet 

 so, just together, at this very door. Come, hostess J 

 where are you ? is supper ready ? Come, first, give 

 us drink : And be as quick as you can ; for I believe 

 we are all very hungry. Well, brother Peter and 

 Coridon! to you both. Come, drink! and then tell 

 me what luck, of fish : We two have caught but ten 

 trouts, of which my scholar caught three : look ! here's 

 eight, and a brace we gave away. We have had a 

 most pleasant day, for fishing and talking ; and 

 are returned home, both weary and hungry, and, 

 now, meat and rest will be pleasant. 



Pet. And Coridon and I have not had an unplea- 

 sant day : and yet I have caught but five trouts ; for, 

 indeed, we went to a good honest ale-house, and, 

 there, we played at shovel-board half the day ; all 

 the time that it rained we were there, and as merry 

 as they that fished. And I am glad, we are now with 

 a dry house over our heads ; for, hark ! how it rains 

 and blows. Come, uostess ! give us more ale, and our 



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