82 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



for a companion that is cheerful, and free from swearing and 

 scurrilous discourse, is worth gold. I love such mirth as does 

 not make friends ashamed to look upon one another next morn- 

 ing ; nor men that cannot well bear it, to repent the money they 

 spend when they be warmed with drink : and take this for a rule, 

 you may pick out such times and such companies, that you may 

 make yourselves merrier for a little than a great deal of money ; 

 for " It is the company, and not the charge, that makes the 

 feast :" and such a companion you prove, I thank you for it.* 



But I will not compliment you out of the debt that I owe you ; 

 and therefore I will begin my song, and wish it may be so well 

 liked. 



THE ANGLER'S SONG. 



As inward love breeds outward talk. 

 The hound some praise, and some the hawk : 

 Some better pleas'd with private sporty 

 Use tennis, some a mistress court: 



But these delights I neither wish, 



JK'or envy, while I freely fish. 



Who hu7its, doth oft in danger ride ; 

 W7io hawks, lures oft both far and wide ; 

 Who uses games, shall often prove 

 A loser ; but who falls in love, 



Is fettered in fond Cupid's snare: 

 My angle breeds me no such care. 



Of recreation there is none 

 So free as fishing is alone ; 

 All other pastimes do no less 

 Than mind and body both possess : 



My hand alone my work ca7i dOf 



So I can fish and study too. 



J care not, I, to fish in seas. 

 Fresh rivers best my mind do please ; 

 Whose sweet calm course I contemplate 

 And seek in life to imitate : 



In civil boujids I faiii would keep. 

 And for my past offences weep. 



* How true, and yet how free from pragmatical severity ! May every 

 angler who reads this remember it ! — Am. Ed. 



