280 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART I. 



all, make me more and more in love with angling. 

 Gentlemen ! my master left me alone, for an hour, this 

 day; and I verily believe, he retired himself from talk- 

 ing with me, that he might be so perfect in this song, ~ 

 was it not, master ? 



Yet both princes and states 

 May, for all our quaint baits, 

 Rule themselves and their people in quiet. 



XII. 



We scratch not our pates, 



Nor repine, at the rates 

 Our superiors impose on our living: 



But do frankly submit, 



Knowing they have more wit 

 In demanding, than we have in giving., 



XIII. 



While quiet we sit, 



We conclude all things fit; 

 Acquiescing with hearty submission-- 



For, though simple, we know 



That soft murmurs will grow, 

 At the last, unto downright sedition. 



XIV. 



We care not who says, 



And intends it dispraise, 

 That an angler t' a fool is next neighbour : 



Let him prate; what care we ? 



We're as honest as he ; 

 And so let him take that for his labour. 



XV. 



We covet no wealth 



But the blessing of health ; 

 And that greater good conscience within u, 



Such devotion we bring 



To our God, and our King, 

 That from either, no offers can win us. 



XVI. 



While we sit and fish, 



We pray, as we wish, 

 For long life to our king, James the Second. 



Honest anglers, then, may, 



Or they've very foul play, 

 With the best of good subjects be reckon'd. 



