MORE DIRECTIONS 



and his not returning into the sea hath altered him to another 

 colour or kind, I am not able to say ; but I am certain he hath 

 all the signs of being a Trout both for his shape, colour, and 

 spots, and yet many think he is not. 



VEN. But Master, will this Trout which I had hold of die ? 

 for it is like he hath the hook in his belly. 



Pise. I will tell you, Scholar, that unless the hook be fast in 

 his very gorge, 'tis more than probable he will live, and a little 

 time with the help of the water, will rust the hook, and it will in 

 time wear away ; as the gravel doth in the horse-hoof, which 

 only leaves a false quarter. 



And now, Scholar, let's go to my rod. Look you, Scholar, 

 I have a fish too, but it proves a logger-headed Chub, and this is 

 not much amiss, for this will pleasure some poor body, as we go 

 to our lodging to meet our brother Peter and honest Coridon. 

 Come, now bait your hook again, and lay it into the water, for 

 it rains again ; and we will ev'n retire to the sycamore-tree, and 

 there I will give you more directions concerning fishing: for I 

 would fain make you an artist. 



VEN. Yes, good Master, I pray let it be so. 



Pise. Well, Scholar, now we are sat down and are at ease, 

 I shall tell you a little more of Trout-fishing, before I speak of 

 the Salmon, which I purpose shall be next, and then of the Pike 

 or Luce. You are to know, there is night as well as day-fishing 

 for a Trout, and that in the night the best Trouts come out of 

 their holes : and the manner of taking them is, on the top of the 

 water with a great lob or garden-worm, or rather two, which 

 you are to fish with in a place where the waters run somewhat 

 quietly, for in a stream the bait will not be so well discerned. I 

 say in a quiet or dead place near to some swift, there draw your 

 bait over the top of the water, to and fro, and if there be a good 

 Trout in the hole, he will take it, especially if the night be dark : 

 for then he is bold and lies near the top of the water, watching 

 the motion of any frog or water-rat or mouse that swims betwixt 

 him and the sky ; these he hunts after, if he sees the water but 

 wrinkle, or move in one of these dead holes, where these great old 

 Trouts usually lie near to their holds ; for you are to note, that 

 the great old Trout is both subtle and fearful, and lies close all 

 day, and does not usually stir out of his hold, but lies in it as 

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