The Compleat <Angler 



Drink a cup to wash our eyes; 

 Leave the sluggard sleeping. 

 Then we go 

 To and fro 

 With our knacks 

 At our bach 

 To such streams 

 As the Thames, 

 If we have the leisure. 



When we please to walk abroad 



For our recreation, 

 In the fields is our abode, 

 Full of delectation : 



Where in a brook, 



With a hook, 



Or a lake, 



Fish we take; 



There we sit 



For a bit, 

 Till we fish entangle. 



We have gentles in a horn, 



We have paste and worms too; 

 We can watch both night and morn, 

 Suffer rain and storms too. 

 None do here 

 Use to swear; 

 Oaths do fray 

 Fish away : 

 We sit still 

 And watch our quill; 

 Fishers must not wrangle. 



If the surfs excessive heat 



Make our bodies swelter, 

 To an osier-hedge we get 



For a friendly shelter ; 

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