The Compleat ^Angler 



VEN. I thank you, good master, for your good direction for fly- 

 fishing, and for the sweet enjoyment of the pleasant day, which is so 

 far spent without offence to God or man : and I thank you for the 

 sweet close of your discourse with Mr. Herbert's verses, who, I have 

 heard, loved angling ; and I do the rather believe it, because he had 

 a spirit suitable to anglers, and to those primitive Christians that you 

 love, and have so much commended. 



Pise. Well, my loving scholar, and I am pleased to know that 

 you are so well pleased with my direction and discourse. 



And since you like these verses of Mr. Herbert's so well, let me 

 tell you what a reverend and learned divine that professes to imitate 

 him (and has indeed done so most excellently) hath writ of our Book 

 of Common Prayer; which I know you will like the better, because 

 he is a friend of mine, and I am sure no enemy to angling. 



What ! Prayer by the Book ? and Common ? Yes ! why not ? 



The spirit of grace 

 And supplication 

 Is not left free alone 



For time and place^ 



But manner too : to read^ or speak^ by rote^ 

 Is all alike to him that prays 

 In's heart^ what with his mouth he says. 



They that in private^ by themselves alone^ 



Do pray^ may take 

 What liberty they please^ 

 In choosing of the ways 



Wherein to make 



Their souPs most intimate affections known 

 To him that sees in secret^ when 

 They're most conceaTd from other men. 



But he that unto others leads the way 



In public prayer ', 

 Should do it so 

 As all that hear may know 

 They need not fear 

 I2 4 



