BIBLIOGRAPHICAL PREFACE. xm 



might very well have made a mistake, as he was quoting 

 from memory, the verses he gives varying from those in 

 the book : but a record of the Stationer's Company is more 

 to be trusted, and tiiere is on their book (March 23d, 1612) 

 an entry of this very work as by John Dennys, Esqr. 

 Though, as must be the case with a didactic poem on such 

 a subject, the information is neither very clearly nor cor- 

 rectly given, it deserved to be a favorite of Walton's, from 

 the beauty of its verses, a good specimen of ^vhich he has 

 given. Here is another : 



" There look whereas that poplar gray doth grow, 

 Hard by the same when one doth closely stand, 

 And with the winde his hooke and bait doth throw 

 Amid the stream with slender hazell wand. 

 Whereas he sees the dace themselves do show, 

 His eye is quick, and ready is his hand ; 

 And when the fish doth rise to catch the baite, 

 He presently doth strike, and takes her straight 



" world's deceit ! how are we thrall'd by thee. 

 That doest thy gall in sweetest pleasures hide ! 

 When most we think in happiest state to be. 

 Then do we soonest into dangers slide. 

 Behold the fish that even now was free, 

 Unto the deadly hooke how he is tide : 

 So vaine delights allure us to the snare, 

 Wherein unawares we fast entangled are." 



*o" 



The poem is divided into three books. The First, con- 

 taining, 1. The antiquity of angling, with the art of fish- 

 ing, and of fishing in generaj. 2. The lawfulness, pleas- 

 ure, and profit thereof, with all objections answered against 

 it. 3. To know the seasons and times to provide the 

 looles, and how to choose the best, and the manner how 

 to make them fit to take each several fish. — The Second, 1. 

 The angler's experience how to use his tools and baits to 

 make profit by his game. 2. What fish is not taken with 

 angle and what is : and what is best for health. 3. In what 

 Waters and Rivers to find each fish. — Tbft Thi''d, 1. T'^-^ 



