48 ANCIENT ANGLING AUTHORS 



Made smooth and plaine, your Lines thereon to winde, 



With Battlements at every other end : 



Like to the Bulwarke of some ancient Towne 

 As well-wald Sylchester now razed downe. 



Of Lead likewise, yet must you have a Ring, 



Whose whole Diameter in length containes 



Three Inches full, and fastned to a string 



That must be long and sure, if need constraines ! 



Through whose round hole you shall your Angle bring, 



And let it fall into the watry playne : 



Untill he come the weedes and stickes unto, 

 From whence your hooke it serveth to undo. 



In order that the angler may be prepared for all 

 emergencies, he must 



Have twist likewise, so that it be not white, 

 Your Rod to mend, or broken top to tye ; 

 For all white colours doe the Fishes fright 

 And make them from the bayte away to flye ; 

 A File to mend your hookes, both small and light, 

 A good sharpe knife, your Girdle hanging by : 

 A Pouch with many parts and purses thin, 

 To carry all your Tools and Trynkets in. 



Yet must you have a little Rip beside 

 Of Willow twigs, the finest you can wish ; 

 Which shall be made so handsome and so wide 

 As may containe good store of sundry Fish : 

 And yet with ease be hanged by your side, 

 To bring them home the better to your dish. 

 A little Net that on a Pole shall stand, 

 The mighty Pike or heavy Carpe to Land. 



Then he is instructed as to " His severall Tooles, 

 and what garment is fitted " : 



And let your garments Russet be or gray, 

 Of colour darke, and hardest to discry : 



