"The Compleat ^Angler 



To the Reader of The Compleat Angler. 



First mark the title well ; my friend that gave it 

 Has made it good ; this book deserves to have it. 

 For he that views it with judicious looks , 

 Shall find it full of art, baits, lines, and hooks. 



'The world the river is ; both you and /, 



And all mankind, are either fish or fry : 



If we pretend to reason, first or last 



His baits will tempt us, and his hooks hold fast. 



Pleasure or profit, either prose or rhyme, 



If not at first, will doubtless take in time. 



He sits in secret blest theology, 

 Waited upon by grave philosophy, 

 Both natural and moral ; history, 

 Deck'd and adorn* d with flowers of poetry ; 

 'The matter and expression striving which 

 Shall most excel in worth, yet not seem rich. 

 'There is no danger in his baits ; that hook 

 rove the safest that is surest took. 



Nor are we caught alone, but (which is best] 



We shall wholesome, and be toothsome, drest: 



Drest to be fed, not to be fed upon ; 



And danger of a surfeit here is none. 



'The solid food of serious contemplation 



Is sauced, here, with such harmless recreation, 



'That an ingenuous and religious mind 



Cannot enquire for more than it may find 



Ready at once prepared either excite 



Or satisfy a curious appetite. 



More praise is due ; for 'tis both positive 

 And truth, which once was interrogative, 



12 



