THE COMPLETE ANGLER. "77 



this great pool, you must venture over these slippery, cobbling 

 stones : believe me, Sir, there you were nimble, or else you had 

 been down ; but now you are got over, look to yourself; for on 

 my word, if a fish rise here he is like to be such a one as will 

 endanger your tackle. How now ? 



ViAT. I think you have such command here over the fishes, that 

 you can raise them by your word, as they say conjurers can do 

 spirits, and afterward make them do what you bid them ; for 

 here's a trout has taken my fly : I had rather have lost a crown. 

 What luck's this ! he was a lovely fish, and turned up a side like 

 a salmon ! 



Pisc. O, Sir, this is a war where you sometimes win, and must 

 sometimes expect to lose. Never concern yourself for the loss 

 of your fly ; for ten to one I teach you to make a better. Who's 

 that calls ? 



Serv. Sir, will it please you to come to dinner ? 



Pisc. We come. You hear, Sir, we are called ; and now 

 take your choice, whether you will climb this steep hill before 

 you, from the top of which you will go directly into the house, 

 or back again over these stepping-stones, and about by the bridge. 



ViAT. Nay, sure, the nearest way is best ; at least my stomach 

 tells me so ; and I am now so well acquainted with your rocks, 

 that I fear them not. 



Pisc Come, then, follow me ; and so soon as we have dined, 

 we will down again to the little house, where I will begin at the 

 place I left off* about fly-fishing, and read you another lecture ; 

 for I have a great deal more to say upon that subject. 



ViAT. The more the better : I could never have met with a 

 more obliging master, my first excepted ; nor such sport can all 

 the rivers about London ever afford as is to be found in this pretty 

 river. 



Pisc You deserve to have better, both because I see you are 

 willing to take pains, and for liking this little so well ; and better 

 I hope to show you before we part. 



