The Compleat ^Angler 



VEN. Sir, we are all so happy as to have a fine, fresh, cool 

 morning ; and I hope we shall each be the happier in the other's 

 company. And, gentlemen, that I may not lose yours, I shall either 

 abate or amend my pace to enjoy it ; knowing that (as the Italians say) 

 "Good company in a journey makes the way to seem the shorter." 



Auc. It may do so, sir, with the help of good discourse, which 

 methinks we may promise from you that both look and speak so 

 cheerfully ; and for my part I promise you, as an invitation to it, 

 that I will be as free and open-hearted as discretion will allow me to 

 be with strangers. 



VEN. And, sir, I promise the like. 



Pise. I am right glad to hear your answers, and in confidence 

 you speak the truth, I shall put on a boldness to ask you, sir, 

 whether business or pleasure caused you to be so early up, and walk 

 so fast ; for this other gentleman hath declared that he is going to 

 see a hawk that a friend mews for him. 



VEN. Sir, mine is a mixture of both, a little business and more 

 pleasure ; for I intend this day to do all my business, and then 

 bestow another day or two in hunting the Otter, which a friend, that 

 I go to meet, tells me is much pleasanter than any other chase what- 

 soever : howsoever, I mean to try it ; for to-morrow morning we 

 shall meet a pack of Otter-dogs of noble Mr. Sadler's, upon Amwell 

 Hill, who will be there so early that they intend to prevent the 

 sun rising. 



Pise. Sir, my fortune has answered my desires, and my purpose 

 is to bestow a day or two in helping to destroy some of those 

 villanous vermin ; for I hate them perfectly, because they love fish 

 so well, or rather, because they destroy so much ; indeed so much 

 that, in my judgment, all men that keep Otter-dogs ought to have 

 pensions from the king, to encourage them to destroy the very breed 

 of those base Otters, they do so much mischief. 



VEN. But what say you to the Foxes of the Nation, would not 

 you as willingly have them destroyed ? for doubtless they do as 

 much mischief as Otters do. 



Pise. Oh sir, if they do, it is not so much to me and my frater- 

 nity, as those base vermin the Otters do. 



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