AN ANGLER, A HUNTER, AND A FALCONER 



walks: the Earth feeds man, and all those several beasts that 

 both feed him, and afford him recreation : What pleasure doth 

 man take in hunting the stately Stag, the generous Buck, the 

 wild Boar, the cunning Otter, the crafty Fox, and the fearful 

 Hare ? And if I may descend to a lower game, what pleasure 

 is it sometimes with gins to betray the very vermin of the earth ? 

 as namely, the Fitchet, the Fulimart, the Ferret, the Pole-cat, 

 the Mould-warp, and the like creatures that live upon the face, 

 and within the bowels of the earth ? How doth the earth bring 

 forth herbs, flowers, and fruits, both for physic and the pleasure 

 of mankind ? and above all, to me at least, the fruitful Vine, of 

 which, when I drink moderately, it clears my brain, cheers my 

 heart, and sharpens my wit. How could Cleopatra have feasted 

 Mark Antony with eight Wild Boars roasted whole at one 

 supper, and other meat suitable, if the earth had not been a 

 bountiful mother ? But to pass by the mighty Elephant, which 

 the earth breeds and nourisheth, and descend to the least of 

 creatures, how doth the earth afford us a doctrinal example in 

 the little Pismire, who in the Summer provides and lays up 

 her Winter provision, and teaches man to do the like? The 

 earth feeds and carries those horses that carry us. If I would 

 be prodigal of my time and your patience, what might not I say 

 in commendations of the earth ? that puts limits to the proud 

 and raging sea, and by that means preserves both man and 

 beast that it destroys them not, as we see it daily doth those 

 that venture upon the sea, and are there shipwrecked, drowned, 

 and left to feed Haddocks ; when we that are so wise as to keep 

 ourselves on earth, walk, and talk, and live, and eat, and drink, 

 and go a hunting: of which recreation I will say a little, and 

 then leave Mr. Piscator to the commendation of Angling. 



Hunting is a game for Princes and noble persons; it hath 

 been highly prized in all ages ; it was one of the qualifications 

 that Xenophon bestowed on his Cyrus, that he was a hunter of 

 wild beasts. Hunting trains up the younger nobility to the use 

 of manly exercises in their riper age. What more manly 

 exercise than hunting the Wild Boar, the Stag, the Buck, the 

 Fox, or the Hare? how doth it preserve health, and increase 

 strength and activity? 



And for the dogs that we use, who can commend their 



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