8 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



pities me for being no wiser, than to play with her, and laughs 

 and censures my folly for making sport for her, when we two 

 play together ?" 



Thus freely speaks Montaigne concerning cats ; and I hope I 

 may take as great a liberty to blame any man, and laugh at him 

 too, let him be never so grave, that hath not heard what anglers 

 can say in the justification of their art and recreation ; which I 

 may again tell you is so full of pleasure, that we need not borrow 

 their thoughts to think ourselves happy. 



Ven. Sir, you have almost amazed me ; for though I am no 

 scofTer, yet I have, I pray let me speak it without oifence, 

 always looked upon anglers as more patient and more simple 

 men, than I fear I shall find you to be. 



understanding her no hetter ? To this purpose speaks Mountagne 

 concerning Cats : And I hope I may take as great a libertie to 

 blame any Scoffer, that has never heard what an Angler can say 

 in the justification of his Art and Pleasure. 



But, if this satisfie not, I pray bid the Scoffer put this Epigram 

 into his pocket, and read it every morning for his breakfast (for 

 I wish hiin no better;) Hee shall finde it fix'd before the Dia- 

 logues of Lucian (who may be justly accounted the father of the 

 Family of all Scoffers :) And though I owe none of that Frater- 

 nitie so much os good will, yet I have taken a little pleasant pains 

 to make such a conversion of it as may make it the fitter for all 

 of that Fraternity. 



Lucian well skill'd in scoffing, this has writ, 

 Friend, that's your lolly which you think your wit : 

 This you vent oft, void both of wit and fear. 

 Meaning an other, when your self you jeer. 



But no more of the Scoffer : for since Solomon^ sayes, he is 

 an abomination to men, he shall be so to me ; and I tliink, to all 

 that love Vertuc and Angling. 



Vint. Sir, you have almost amazed me : for though 1 am no 

 Scoflx^r, yet I have (I pray let me speak it without offence) 



* Pro. 21, 9. 



