"The Compleat ^Angler 



EMN 



God, I'll give you a syllabub of new verjuice in a new-made haycock 

 for it, and my Maudlin shall sing you one of her best ballads ; for 

 she and I both love all anglers, they be such honest, civil, quiet men ; 

 in the meantime will you drink a draught of red cow's milk ? you 

 shall have it freely. 



Pise. No, I thank you ; but, I pray, do us a courtesy that shall 

 stand you and your daughter in nothing, and yet we will think our- 

 selves still something in your debt ; it is but to sing us a song that 

 was sung by your daughter when I last passed over this meadow 

 about eight or nine days since. 



MiLK-W. What song was it, I pray ? Was it Come shepherds, 

 deck your herds ? or, As at noon Dulcina rested f or, Philida flouts 

 me ? or, Chevy Chace .? or, Johnny Armstrong ? or, Troy Town .? 



Pise. No, it is none of those ; it is a song that your daughter 

 sung the first part, and you sung the answer to it. 



MiLK-W. O, I know it now. I learned the first part in my 

 golden age, when I was about the age of my poor daughter ; and 

 the latter part, which indeed fits me best now, but two or three years 



88 



