The Compleat ^Angler 



mine host, and another of the company that shall be nameless ; I 

 am sorry the other is a gentleman ; for less religion will not save 

 their souls than a beggar's : I think more will be required at the 

 last great day. Well ! you know what example is able to do ; and 

 I know what the poet says in the like case, which is worthy to be 

 noted by all parents and people of civility : 



. . . many a one 

 Owes to his country his religion; 

 And in another would as strongly grow^ 

 Had but his nurse or mother taught him so. 



This is reason put into verse, and worthy the consideration of a 

 wise man. But of this no more ; for though I love civility, yet I 

 hate severe censures. I'll to my own art ; and I doubt not but at 

 yonder tree I shall catch a chub : and then we'll turn to an honest 

 cleanly hostess that I know right well ; rest ourselves there ; and 

 dress it for our dinner. 



VEN. Oh, sir ! a chub is the worst fish that swims ; I hoped for 

 a trout for my dinner. 



Pise. Trust me, sir, there is not a likely place for a trout here- 

 about : and we stayed so long to take leave of your huntsmen this 

 morning, that the sun is got so high, and shines so clear, that I 

 will not undertake the catching of a trout till evening ; and though a 

 chub be, by you and many others, reckoned the worst of fish ; yet 

 you shall see I'll make it a good fish by dressing it. 



VEN. Why, how will you dress him ? 



Pise. I'll tell you by-and-by, when I have caught him. Look 

 you here, sir, do you see ? (but you must stand very close), there 

 lie upon the top of the water, in this very hole, twenty chubs. 

 I'll catch only one, and that shall be the biggest of them all ; and 

 that I will do so, I'll hold you twenty to one, and you shall see it 

 done. 



VEN. Ay, marry, sir, now you talk like an artist, and I'll say you 

 are one, when I shall see you perform what you say you can do ; but 

 I yet doubt it. 



Pise. You shall not doubt it long, for you shall see me do it 



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