The Compleat ^Angler 



from you, that seem to have both a good memory and a cheerful 

 spirit ? 



VEN. Yes, master, I will speak you a copy of verses that were 

 made by Doctor Donne, and made to show the world that he could 

 make soft and smooth verses when he thought smoothness worth 

 his labour ; and I love them the better because they allude to rivers, 

 and fish and fishing. They be these : 



Come live with me, and be my love, 

 And we will some new pleasures prove. 

 Of golden sands and crystal brooks, 

 With silken lines and silver books. 



There will the river whispering run, 

 Warnid by thy eyes more than the sun ; 

 And there th* enameWd fish will stay, 

 Begging themselves they may betray. 



When thou wilt swim in that live bath, 

 Each fish, which every channel hath, 

 Most amorously to thee will swim, 

 Gladder to catch thee, than thou him. 



If thou to be so seen be'st loath, 

 By sun or moon, thou darkenest both; 

 And if mine eyes have leave to see, 

 I need not their light, having thee. 



Let others freeze with angling-reeds, 

 And cut their legs with shells and weeds, 

 Or treacherously poor fish beset, 

 With strangling snares, or windowy net: 



Let coarse bold hands, from slimy nest, 

 The bedded fish in banks outwrest ; 

 Let curious traitors sleave silk files, 

 To witch poor wandering fishes' eyes : 



' 



