ANGLING IMPROVED. 



55 



4. Destroy all beasts or birds that devour the fish 

 or their spawn,* as the 



* THE OTTER'S ORATION. 



Why stand we beasts abasht, or spare to speake ? 



Why make wee not a vertue of our need? 



We know by proofe, in wit wee are to weake, 



And weaker much, because all Adams seed, 



(Which beare away the waight of wit indeed) 



Do dayly seeke our names for to distaine, 



With slanderous blotte, for which we Beasts be slaine. 



First of my selfe, before the rest to treate, 

 Most men cry out, that fishe I do deuoure, 

 Yea some will say, that Latnbes (with mee) be meate: 

 I graunt to both, and he that hath the powre, 

 To feede on fish that sweeter were than sowre, 

 And hath yong flesh to banquet at his fill, 

 Were fonde to fraunche on garbage, graynes or swill. 



But master Man, which findeth all this fault, 

 And streynes deuise for many a daynty dishe, 

 Which suffreth not that hunger him assault, 

 But feedes his fill on euery flesh and fishe, 

 Which must haue all, as much as witte can wish, 

 Us seely Beasts, deuouring Beasts do call, 

 And he himsefe, most bloody beaste of all. 



Well yet me thinks, I heare him preach this Text, 

 How all that is, was made for vse of man: 

 So was it sure, but therewith followes next, 

 This heauy place, expound it who so can : 

 The very scourge and plague of God his Ban, 



