HOW TO FISH FOR THE TROUT 



deal of money ; for * Tis the company and not the charge that 

 makes the feast ' : and such a companion you prove, I thank 

 you for it. 



But I will not compliment you out of the debt that I owe 

 you, and therefore I will begin my Song, and wish it may be 

 so well liked. 



THE ANGLER'S SONG 



As inward love breeds outward talk, 



The Hound some praise, and some the Hawk : 



Some better pleas'd with private sport 



Use Tennis, some a Mistress court : 



But these delights I neither wish, 



Nor envy, while I freely fish. 



Who Hunts, doth oft in danger ride ; 

 Who Hawks, lures oft both far and wide; 

 Who uses Games shall often prove 

 A loser; but who falls in love, 



Is fettered in fond Cupid's snare : 



My Angle breeds me no such care. 



Of recreation there is none 

 So free 1 as Fishing is alone ; 

 All other pastimes do no less 

 Than mind and body both possess : 



My hand alone my work can do, 



So I can fish and study too. 



I care not, I, to fish in seas, 

 Fresh rivers best my mind do please, 

 Whose sweet calm course I contemplate, 

 And seek in life to imitate : 



In civil bounds I fain would keep, 



And for my past offences weep. 



And when the timorous Trout I wait 



To take, and he devours my bait, 



How poor a thing sometimes I find 



Will captivate a greedy mind : 

 And when none bite, I praise the wise, 

 Whom vain allurements ne'er surprise. 



But yet, though while I fish I fast; 

 I make good fortune my repast, 

 And thereunto my friend^invite, 

 In whom I more than that delight: 



Who is more welcome to my dish, 



Than to my angle was my fish. 



i 57 



