CHAPTER II. OBSERVATIONS OF THE OTTER 



AND CHUB 



PISCATOR, VENATOR, HUNTSMAN, HOSTESS 



VENATOR. My friend Piscator, you have kept time with 

 my thoughts, for the Sun is just rising, and I myself just 

 now come to this place, and the dogs have just now put 

 down an Otter. Look down at the bottom of the hill there in 

 that meadow, chequered with Water-lilies and Lady-smocks ; 

 there you may see what work they make: look, look, you may 

 see all busy, men and dogs, dogs and men all busy. 



Pise. Sir, I am right glad to meet you, and glad to have 

 so fair an entrance into this day's sport, and glad to see so 

 many dogs, and more men all in pursuit of the Otter ; let 's 

 compliment no longer, but join unto them ; come honest Venator, 

 let 's be gone, let us make haste ; I long to be doing : no 

 reasonable hedge or ditch shall hold me. 



VEN. Gentleman Huntsman, where found you this Otter? 



HUNT. Marry, Sir, we found her a mile from this place, 

 a fishing : she has this morning eaten the greatest part of this 

 Trout ; she has only left thus much of it as you see, and was 

 fishing for more ; when we came we found her just at it : but 

 we were here very early, we were here an hour before Sun- 

 rise, and have given her no rest since we came; sure she will 

 hardly escape all these dogs and men. I am to have the skin 

 if we kill her. 



VEN. Why, Sir, what's the skin worth? 



HUNT. 'Tis worth ten shillings to make gloves ; the gloves 

 of an Otter are the best fortification for your hands that can 

 be thought on against wet weather. 



Pise. I pray, honest Huntsman, let me ask you a pleasant 

 question; do you hunt a beast or a fish? 

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