THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



Pisc. Oh, Sir, if they do, it is not so much to me and my 

 fraternity, as those base vermin the otters do.* 



Aug. Why, Sir, I pray, of what fraternity are you, that you 

 are so angry with the poor otters ? 



Pisc. I am. Sir, a brother of the angle, and therefore an 

 enemy to the otter : for you are to note, that we anglers all love 

 one another, and therefore do I hate the otter, both for my own 

 and for their sakes who are of my brotherhood. 



Vex. And I am a lover of hounds ; I have followed many a 

 pack of dogs many a mile, and heard many merry huntsmen 

 make sport and scoff at anglers. 



Aug. And I profess myself a falconer, and have heard many 

 grave, serious men pity them, 'tis such a heavy, contemptible, 

 dull recreation. 



Pisc. Oh Sir, if they do, it is not so much to me and my 

 Fratcrnitie, as that base Vermin the Otters do. 



Viat. Why Sir, I pray, of what Fraternity are you, that you 

 are so angry with the poor Otter ? 



Pisc. I am a Brother of the Angle, and therefore an enemy to 

 the Otter, he does me and my friends so much mischief ; for you 

 are to know, that we Anglers all love one another: and therefore 

 do I hate the Otter perfectly, even for their sakes that are of my 

 Brotherhood. 



Viat. Sir, to be plain with you, I am sorry you are an Angler : 

 for I have heard many grave, serious men pitie, and many plea- 

 sant men scofTe at Anglers. 



Pisc. Sir, there are many men that are by others taken to be 

 serious grave men, which we contemn and pitie ; men of sowre 

 complexions ; mony-getting-men, that spend all their time first in 

 getting, and next in anxious care to keep it : men that are con- 

 demn'd to be rich, and alwayes discontented, or busie. For 

 these poor-rich-men, wee Anglers pitie them ; and stand in no 

 need to borrow their thoughts to think our selves happie : For 



* Here see the spirit of the book, which was to lead the mind away from 

 the political agitations of the day to the quiet pleasures of angling. It is 

 very remarkable, that with Walton's strong feelings on church and state 

 subjects, he should have avoided touching on them. — im. Ed. 



