50 ANCIENT ANGLING AUTHORS 



and it will be noticed that, whereas Walton selects 

 the chub as the most suitable fish with which to 

 initiate the young angler, Dennys chooses the 

 gudgeon. 



FOR THE GOODGION. 



Loe, in a little Boate where one doth stand, 

 That to a Willow Bough the while is tide, 

 And with a pole doth stirre and raise the sande ; 

 Where as the gentle streame doth softly slide, 

 And then with slender Line and Rod in hand, 

 The eager bit not long he doth abide. . . . 



His baite the least red worme that may be found, 

 And at the bottome it doth alwayes bye. . . . 



This Fish the fittest for a learner is 

 That in this Art delights to take some paine ; 

 For as high flying Haukes that often misse 

 The swifter foules, are eased with a traine, 

 So to a young beginner yeeldeth this, 

 Such readie sport as makes him prove againe, 

 And leades him on with hope and glad desire, 

 To greater skill and cunning to aspire. 



FOR THE ROCHE. 



Then see on yonder side, where one doth sit 

 With Line well twisted, and his Hooke but small ; 

 His Corke not big, his Plummets round and fit, 

 His bayt of finest paste, a little ball 

 Wherewith he doth intice unto the bit, 

 The careless Roche, that soone is caught withall : 



Within a foote the same doth reach the ground. 



And with least touch the float straight sinketh downe. 



So for the Roach more baites he hath beside, 

 As of a sheepe the thicke congealed blood, 



