A 



TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 



ROBERT OFFLEY ASHBURTON 



EARL OF CREWE 



OF MADELEY MANOR, IN THE COUNTY OF 



STAFFORD, THIS NEW EDITION OF 



THE COMPLECT ANGLER IS 



HUMBLY DEDICATED 



Lord of the Madeley peace, the quiet grass, 



The It lied pond, and muffled sleepy mill ; 



Lord of each legendary fish that swims 



Deep down and swift beneath that emerald glass ; 



While, soft as shadows, round its grassy rims 



The patient anglers move from east to west, 



Patient at morn, at evening patient still 



Peace, if not fish, was theirs, and peace is best : 



To you, John Offley's far-descended son, 



What to your grandsire past computing " great " 



Our Walton gave is here re-dedicate ; 



Heirloom of ancient friendship friendly still 



In this old book, though all the talk be done. 



R. LE G. 



838 



