34 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



as any you ever saw ; and for clear, beautiful streams, Hant- 

 shire itself, by Mr. Izaak Walton's good leave, can show none 

 such ; nor, I think, any country in Europe. 



ViAT. You go far, Sir, in the praise of your country rivers, 

 and, I perceive, have read Mr. Walton's Complete Angler, by 

 your naming of Hantshire ; and, I pray, what is your opinion of 

 that book ? 



Pisc. My opinion of Mr. Walton's book is the same with every 

 man's that understands anything of the art of angling, that it is 

 an excellent good one, and that the fore mentioned gentleman 

 understands as much of fish and fishing as any man living ; but 

 I must tell you further, that I have the happiness to know his 

 person, and to be intimately acquainted with him, and in him to 

 know the worthiest man, and to enjoy the best and the truest 

 friend any man ever had ; nay, I shall yet acquaint you further, 

 that he gives me leave to call him father, and I hope is not yet 

 ashamed to own me for his adopted son. 



ViAT. In earnest. Sir, I am ravished to meet with a friend of 

 Mr. Izaak Walton's, and one that does him so much right in so 

 good and true a character ; for 1 must boast to you, that I have 

 the good fortune to know him too, and came acquainted with 

 him much after the same manner I do with you ; that he was 

 my master, who first taught me to love angling, and then to be- 

 come an angler : and, to be plain with you, I am the very man 

 deciphered in his book under the name of Venator ; for I was 

 wholly addicted to the chase, till he taught me as good, a more 

 quiet, innocent, and less dangerous diversion.* 



• But if the breathless chase o'er hill and dale 



Exceed your strength, a sport of less fatigue — 



Not less delightful — the prolific stream 



Affords. The chrystal rivulet, that o'er 



Its stony channel rolls its rapid maze, 



Swarms with the silver fry. * * 



****** 



♦ * * When life was new. 



Sportive and petulant, and charmed with toys, 

 In th' transparent eddies have I lav'd, 

 And traced with patient steps the fairy banks, 

 With the well imitated fl^, to hook 



