414 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART JI. 



little foot-bridge you see there, and try your fortune. 

 Take heed of slipping into the water as you follow me 

 under this rock. So, now you are over : and now 

 throw in. 



Viat. This is a fine stream indeed : there's one ! I 

 have him. 



Pise. And a precious catch you have of him ; pull 

 him out! I see you have a tender hand. This is a di- 

 minutive gentleman ; e'en throw him in again, and let 

 him grow till he be more worthy your anger. 



Viat. Pardon me. Sir, all's fish that comes to the 

 hook with me now. Another! 



Pise. And of the same standing. 



Viat. 1 see I shall have good sport now: another ! 

 and a Grayling. Why you have fish here at will. 



Pise. Come, come ! cross the bridge ; and go, down 

 the other side, lower, where you will find finer streams 

 and better sport, I hope, than this. Look you, Sir, 

 here is a fine stream now. You have length enough ; 

 stand a little further off, let me entreat you ; and do 

 but fish this stream like an artist, and peradventure a 

 good fish may fall to your share. How now ! what ! 

 is all gone? 



Viat. No, I but touch'd him : but that was a fish 

 worth taking. 



Pise. Why now, let me tell you, you lost that fish 

 by your own fault, and through your own eagerness 

 and haste ; for you are never to offer to strike a good 

 fish if he do not strike, himself till, first, you see him 

 turn his head, after he has taken your fly; and then 

 you can never strain your tackle in the striking, if you 

 strike with any manner of moderation. Come! throw 

 in once again ; and fish me this stream by inches : for 

 I assure you, here are very good fish : both Trout and 

 Grayling lie here; and at that great stone on the 

 other side, it is ten to one a good Trout gives you the 

 meeting. 



Viat. I have him now: but he is gone down to- 

 wards the bottom. I cannot see what he is, yet he 

 should be a good fish by his weight : but he makes nq 

 great stir 



