CHAPTER XVI. IS OF NOTHING; OR, THAT WHICH 



IS NOTHING WORTH 



PISCATOR, PETER, VENATOR, CORIDON 



PISCATOR. My purpose was to give you some directions 

 concerning Roach and Dace, and some other inferior fish, 

 which make the Angler excellent sport, for you know 

 there is more pleasure in hunting the Hare than in eating her : 

 but I will forbear at this time to say any more, because you see 

 yonder come our brother Peter and honest Coridon : but I will 

 promise you, that as you and I fish and walk to-morrow towards 

 London, if I have now forgotten any thing that I can then 

 remember, I will not keep it from you. 



Well met, Gentlemen, this is lucky that we meet so just 

 together at this very door. Come Hostess, where are you ? Is 

 supper ready? Come, first give us drink, and be as quick as 

 you can, for I believe we are all very hungry. Well brother 

 Peter and Coridon, to you both ; come drink, and then tell me 

 what luck of fish : we two have caught but ten Trouts, of which 

 my Scholar caught three ; look, here 's eight, and a brace we 

 gave away, we have had a most pleasant day for fishing and 

 talking, and are returned home both weary and hungry, and 

 now meat and rest will be pleasant. 



PETER. And Coridon and I have had not an unpleasant 

 day, and yet I have caught but five Trouts : for indeed we went 

 to a good honest ale-house, and there we played at Shovel- 

 board half the day ; all the time that it rained we were there, 

 and as merry as they that fished, and I am glad we are now 

 with a dry house over our heads, for hark how it rains and 

 blows. Come Hostess, give us more ale, and our supper with 

 what haste you may : and when we have supped let us have 

 your song, Piscator, and the catch that your Scholar promised 

 us, or else Coridon will be dogged. 



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