OBSERVATIONS OF THE PEARCH 



If thou, to be so seen, be'st loath, 

 By sun or moon, thou dark'nest both; 

 And if mine eyes have leave to see, 

 I need not their light, having thee. 



Let others freeze with Angling-reeds, 



And cut their legs with shells and weeds; 



Or treach'rously poor fish beset, 



With strangling snares, or windowy net : 



Let coarse bold hands, from slimy nest, 

 The bedded fish in banks outwrest; 

 Let curious traitors sleave silk flies, 

 To 'witch poor wand'ring fishes eyes : 



For thee, thou need'st no such deceit, 

 For thou thyself art thine own bait : 

 That fish that is not catch'd thereby, 

 Is wiser far, Alasl than I. 



Pise. Well remembered, honest Scholar, I thank you for 

 these choice verses, which I have heard formerly, but had quite 

 forgot, till they were recovered by your happy memory. Well, 

 being I have now rested myself a little, I will make you some 

 requital, by telling you some observations of the Eel, for it 

 rains still, and because, as you say, our Angles are as money 

 put to use, that thrives when we play, therefore we'll sit still 

 and enjoy ourselves a little longer under this honey-suckle- 

 hedge. 



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