Introduction 



Bank as I sat a-Fishing," he very likely refers to Walton, for he is 

 doubtless the " friend " of these lines : 



The jealous Trout^ that low did lie^ 

 Rose at a well dissembled fly : 

 There stood my friend^ with patient skill 

 Attending of his trembling quill. 



Probably a reminiscence of one of the many fishing excursions 

 Walton and his friend used to make together along the Thames 

 near Eton, where Wotton had a fishing-house. The " Reliquiae " 

 contain two letters to " Iz. Wa." One has already been quoted. The 

 other ran as follows : 



MY WORTHY FRIEND. 



Since I last saw you I have been confined to my chamber 

 by a quotidian fever, I thank God, of more contumacy than malignity. 

 It had once left me, as I thought, but it was only to fetch more com- 

 pany, returning with a surcrew of those splenetic vapours, that are called 

 hypochondriacal ; of which most say the cure is good company ; and I 

 desire no better physician than yourself. I have in one of those fits 

 endeavoured to make it more easy by composing a short Hymn ; and 

 since I have apparelled my best thoughts so lightly as in verse, I hope I 

 shall be pardoned a second vanity, if I communicate it with such a friend 

 as yourself ; to whom I wish a cheerful spirit, and a thankful heart to 

 value it, as one of the greatest blessings of our good God, in whose dear 

 love I leave you, remaining, 



Your poor friend to serve you, 



H. WOTTON. 



Oh thou great Power ! in whom I move^ 



For whom I Hve^ to whom I die^ 



Behold me through thy beams of love, 



Whilst on this couch of tears I lie ; 

 And cleanse my sordid soul within^ 

 By thy Christ's blood^ the bath of sin. 



No hallowed 0/A, no grains I need^ 

 No rags of saints^ no purging fire^ 

 One rosy drop from David" 1 * seed^ 

 Was worlds of seas to quench thine ire. 



Oh precious Ransom ! which once paid 



That Consummatum est was said. 

 Hi 



