54 ANCIENT ANGLING AUTHORS 



deal with a pike, whose presence in the swim may 

 deter the smaller fish from biting ; most anglers for 

 roach can probably call to mind many occasions, on 

 which after most careful and elaborate ground-baiting 

 their sport has been spoiled by an accident of this 

 kind : 



Thus serving them as often as you may, 

 But once a weeke at least it must be done, 

 If that to bite they make to long delay, 

 As by your sport may be perceived soone : 

 Then some great Fish doth feare the rest away, 

 Whose fellowship and companie they shunne : 

 Who neither in the bait doth take delight, 

 Nor yet will suffer them that would to byte. 



For this you must a remedie provide, 

 Some Roche or Bleike, as I have shew'd before, 

 Beneath whose upper fin you close shall hide 

 Of all your Hooke the better halfe and more, 

 And though the point appeare or may be spide, 

 It makes no matter any whit therefore : 

 But let him fall into the watry brimme, 

 And downe unto the bottome softly swimme. 



And when you see your Corke begin to move, 

 And round about to scare and fetch a ring, 

 Sometime to sinke, and sometime swimme above, 

 As doth the Ducke within the watry spring, 

 Yet make no haste your present hap to prove, 

 Till with your float at last away hee fling, 



Then may you safely strike and hold him short, 

 And at your will prolong or end your sport. 



But every Fish loves not each bayte alike, 

 Although sometime they feede upon the same ; 

 But some doe one, and some another seeke, 

 As best unto their appetite doth frame, 



