44 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



The lofty woods, the forests wide and lon^, 

 Adorri'dwith leaves and branches fresh and green. 

 In whose cool bowers the birds with many a song 

 Do welcome U'ith their quire the summer's Queen : 

 The meadows fair, where Flora's gifts among 

 Are intermix' d , with verdant grass between : 

 The silver-scaled fish, that softly swim 

 Within the sweet brook's crystal watery stream. 



All these, and mariy more of his creation 

 That made the heavens, the angler oft doth see ; 

 Taking therein no little delectation. 

 To think how strange, how wonderful they be ; 

 Framing thereof an inward contemplation. 

 To set his heart from other fancies free ; 



And whilst he looks on these with joyful eye. 



His mind is rapt above the starry sky. 



Sir, I am glad my memory has not lost these last verses, be- 

 cause they are somewhat more pleasant and more suitable to 

 May-day, than my harsh discourse, and I am glad your patience 

 hath held out so long, as to hear them and me : for both together 

 have brought us within the sight of the Thatched-house : and I 

 must be your debtor, if you think it worth your attention, for the 

 rest of my promised discourse, till some other opportunity, and a 

 like time of leisure. 



Vex. Sir, you have angled me on with much pleasure to the 

 Thatched-house ; and I now find your words true, " That good 

 company makes the way to seem short;" for trust me. Sir, I 

 thought we had wanted three miles of this house till you shewed 

 it to me ; but now we are at it, we'll turn into it, and refresh 

 ourselves with a cup of drink and a little rest. 



Pisc. Most gladly. Sir, and we'll drink a civil cup to all the 

 ottor-hunters that are to meet you to-morrow. 



Vex. That we will. Sir, and to all the lovers of angling too, 

 of wliich number I am now willing to be one myself; for by the 

 help of your good discourse and company, I have put on new 

 thoughts both of the art of angling, and of all tbat profess it : 

 and if you will but meet me to-morrow, at the time and place 

 appointed, and bestow one day with me and my friends in hunt- 

 ing the otter, I will dedicate the next two days to wait upon you, 



