276 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART I. 



supper with what haste you may : and when we have 

 supped, let us have your song, Piscator! and the 

 catch that your scholar promised us ; or, else 5 Coridon 

 will be dogged. 



Pise. Nay, I will not be worse than my word ; 

 you shall not want my song, and I hope I shall be 

 perfect in it. 



Ven. And I hope the like for my catch, which I 

 have ready too : and, therefore, let's go merrily to 

 supper, and then have a gentle touch at singing and 

 drinking - 3 but the last with moderation. 



Cor. Come ! now for your song for we have fed 

 heartily. Come, hostess ! lay a tew more sticks on 

 the rire. And, now, sing when you will. 



Pise. Well then, here's to you, Coridon! and, 

 now for my song. 



Oh the gallant fisher's life, 



It is the best of any ; 

 ? Tis full of pleasure, void 

 And 'tis belov'd by many : 

 Other joys 

 Are but toys : 

 Only this 

 Lawful is ; 



I For our skill 



Breeds no ill, 

 j But, content and pleasure, 



In a morning, up -we rise, 

 Ere Aurora's peeping ; 



Drink a cup to wash our eyes ; 

 Leave the sluggard sleeping: 

 Then we go, 

 To and fro, 

 With our knacks 

 At our backs, 

 To such streams 

 As the Thames, 



If we have the leisure. 



