The Compleat ^Angler 



see he will not last long, follow therefore my masters, follow, for 

 Sweetlips was like to have him at this last vent. 



VEN. Oh me ! all the horse are got over the river, what shall we 

 do now ? Shall we follow them over the water ? 



HUNT. No, sir, no, be not so eager ; stay a little and follow me, 

 for both they and the dogs will be suddenly on this side again I 

 warrant you ; and the otter too, it may be : now have at him with 

 Kilbuck, for he vents again. 



VEN. Marry so he does, for look he vents in that corner. Now, 

 poor Ringwood has him : now he's gone again, and has bit the poor 

 dog. Now Sweetlips has her ; hold her, Sweetlips ! now all the 

 dogs have her, some above and some under water; but now, 

 now she's tired, and past losing : come bring her to me, Sweetlips. 

 Look, 'tis a bitch otter, and she has lately whelped, let's go 

 to the place where she was put down, and not far from it 

 you will find all her young ones, I dare warrant you, and kill them 

 all too. 



HUNT. Come, gentlemen, come all, let's go to the place where we 

 put down the otter. Look you, hereabout it was that she kennelled ; 

 look you, here it was indeed, for here's her young ones, no less than 

 five ; come, let's kill them all. 



Pise. No, I pray, sir, save me one, and I'll try if I can make 

 her tame, as I know an ingenious gentleman in Leicestershire 

 (Mr. Nicholas Seagrave) has done ; who hath not only made her 

 tame, but to catch fish, and do many other things of much 

 pleasure. 



HUNT. Take one with all my heart, but let us kill the rest. 

 And now let's go to an honest ale-house, where we may have a 

 cup of good barley-wine, and sing Old Rose, and all of us rejoice 

 together. 



VEN. Come, my friend Piscator, let me invite you along with 

 us ; I'll bear your charges this night, and you shall bear mine 

 to-morrow ; for my intention is to accompany you a day or two in 

 fishing. 



Pise. Sir, your request is granted, and I shall be right glad both 

 to exchange such a courtesy, and also to enjoy your company. 



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