76 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



But could youth last, and love still breeds 

 Had joys 7io date, nor age no need ; 

 Then those dtlights 7Jiy mirid might move. 

 To live with thee, and be thy love. 



Mother. Well, I have done my song ; but stay, honest anglers, 

 for I will make Maudlin to sing you one short song more. Maud- 

 lin, sing that song that you sung last night, when young Coridon 

 the shepherd played so purely on his oaten pipe to you and your 

 cousin Betty. 



Maud. I will, mother. 



I married a loife of late. 

 The mare's my unhappy fate : 



I married her for love. 



As my fancy did me move. 

 And not for a worldly estate. 



But oh ! the green sickness 

 Soon changed her likeness ; 

 And all her beauty did fail : 

 But 'tis not so. 

 With those that go. 

 Through frost and snow. 

 As all men know,* 

 And carry the milking pail. 



Pisc. Well sung, good woman ; I thank you ; I'll give you 

 another dish of fish one of these days, and then beg another song 

 of you. Come, Scholar, let Maudlin alone ; do not you offer to 

 spoil her voice. Look, yonder comes mine hostess, to call us to 

 supper. How now ! is my brother Peter come ? 



Host. Yes, and a friend with him ; they are both glad to hear 

 that you are in these parts, and long to see you, and long to be at 

 supper, for they be very hungry. 



* This song and the passage before it was added to the fifth edition ; 

 until then Piscator's commendation, following it here, followed the mother's 

 son"-. Sir Harris Nicholas objects to the introduction of this song " as 

 the only objectionable allusion in the book ;" but it was not so objection- 

 able in those times as many other writings show, and seems a homely 

 boast of the good health which recommended the pastoral beauties, as 

 likely to be useful as well as pleasing wives. Had the milk-maid sung 

 " Dulcina," it would have been much " higher-kilted," as the Scotch 

 say. — Am. Ed. 



