'The Compleat ^Angler 



supped, I will get my friend Coridon to sing you a song for 

 requital. 



COR. I will sing a song, if anybody will sing another ; else, to be 

 plain with you, I will sing none : I am none of those that sing for meat, 

 but for company : I say, " 'Tis merry in hall, when men sing all." 



Pise. I'll promise you I'll sing a song that was lately made at 

 my request by Mr. William Basse, one that hath made the choice 

 songs of The Hunter in his Career, and of Tom of Bedlam, and many 

 others of note ; and this that I will sing is in praise of angling. 



COR. And then mine shall be, the praise of a countryman's life: 

 what will the rest sing of? 



PETER. I will promise you, I will sing another song in praise of 

 angling to-morrow night ; for we will not part till then, but fish to- 

 morrow, and sup together, and the next day every man leave fishing, 

 and fall to his business. 



VEN. 'Tis a match ; and I will provide you a song or a catch 

 against then too, which shall give some addition of mirth to the 

 company ; for we will be civil, and as merry as beggars. 



Pise. 'Tis a match, my masters ; let's e'en say grace, and turn to 

 the fire, drink the other cup to wet our whistles, and so sing away 

 all sad thoughts. 



Come on, my masters, who begins ? I think it is best to draw 

 cuts, and avoid contention. 



PETER. It is a match. Look, the shortest cut falls to Coridon. 



COR. Well, then, I will begin, for I hate contention. 



CORIDON'S SONG 



Ohj the sweet contentment 

 'The countryman doth find ! 



Heigh trolollie lollie loe^ 



Heigh trolollie lollie lee. 

 that quiet contemplation 

 Possesseth all my mind; 



Then care away y 



And wtnd along with me. 



