CHARLES COTTON, ESQ. xxr 



than a hundred miles from you, and in the eighty-third year of 

 my age, yet I will forget both, and next month begin a pilgri- 

 mage to beg your pardon ; for I would die in your favor, and till 

 then will live, Sir, 



Your most affentionate 



Father and Friend, 



IzAAK Walton. 



London, April 29, 1676, 



The following delightful stanzas, addressed by Cotton " to his dear and 

 most worthy friend Mr. Isaac Walton," were printed with the collection 

 of his Poems, in 1669. Their date is uncertain, but they may very well be 

 considered an invitation to the visit which Walton promises in the forego- 

 ing letter : — Am. Ed. 



Whilst in this cold and hlusfring clime. 



Where bleak winds howl and tempests roaVt 

 We pass away the roughest time, 

 Has been of many years before ; 



Whilst from the most tempestuous nooks 



The chillest blasts our peace invade^ 

 And by great rains our smallest brooks 

 Are almost navigable made ; 



Vl^ilst all the ills are so improved. 



Of this dead quarter of the year^ 

 That even you, so much belov'd. 



We would not now wish with tis here ; 



In this estate, I say, it is 



Some comfort to us to suppose. 

 That in a. better clime than this 



You, our dear friend, have more repose ; 



And some delight to me the while. 



Though nature ?iow does weep in rain. 

 To think that I have seen her smile. 



And haply may I do again. 



If the all-ruling Power please 

 We live to see another May, 

 We'll recompense an age of these 

 Foul days in one fine fishing day. 

 PART II. B 



