The Compleat ^Angler 



These are but vain ; thafs only good 

 Which God hath blessed, and sent for food. 



But could youth last and love still breed. 

 Had joys no date, or age no need. 

 Then those delights my mind might move 

 To live with thee, and be thy love. 



MOTHER. Well ! I have done my song. But stay, honest 

 anglers ; for I will make Maudlin to sing you one short song more. 

 Maudlin ! sing that song that you sung last night, when young 

 Coridon the shepherd played so purely on his oaten pipe to you and 

 your cousin Betty. 



MAUD. I will, mother. 



/ married a wife of late, 

 The mare's my unhappy fate ; 



/ married her for love, 



As my fancy did me move, 

 And not for a worldly estate ; 



But, oh ! the green sickness 

 Soon changed her likeness 



And all her beauty did fail. 



But 'tis not so 



With those that go 



Through frost and snow, 



As all men know, 

 And carry the milking-pail. 



Pise. Well sung, good woman ; I thank you. I'll give you 

 another dish of fish one of these days, and then beg another song of 

 you. Come, scholar, let Maudlin alone ; do not you offer to spoil her 

 voice. Look, yonder comes mine hostess, to call us to supper. How 

 now ? Is my brother Peter come ? 



HOST. Yes, and a friend with him ; they are both glad to hear that 

 you are in these parts, and long to see you, and long to be at supper, 

 for they be very hungry. 



93 



