ENGLISH POETS ON FISHING. 649 



" own invention," it is evident that a considerable portion of 

 the words is Walton's. They bear additional testimony to 

 his poetical talents. 



It may not be out of place here to quote two or three 

 stanzas of the "Angler's Song" (by some anonymous 

 author), which occurs in the " Third Day " : 



" As inward love breeds outward talk ; 

 The hound some praise, and some the hawk, 

 Some, better pleas'd with private sport, 

 Use tennis ; some a mistress court : 



But these delights I neither wish 



Nor envy, while I freely fish. 



" Who hunts doth oft in danger ride ; 

 Who hawks lures oft both far and wide ; 

 Who uses games shall often prove 

 A loser ; but who falls in love 



Is fetter'd in fond Cupid's snare : 



My angle breeds me no such care. 



" Of recreation there is none 

 So free as fishing is alone 

 All other pastimes do no less 

 Than mind and body both possess : 



My hand alone my work can do, 



So I can fish and study too. 



" I care not, I, to fish in seas 

 Fresh rivers best my mind do please, 

 Whose sweet calm course I contemplate, 

 And seek in life to imitate ; 



In civil bounds I fain would keep, 



And for my past offences weep. 



" But yet, though while I fish, I fast, 

 I make good fortune my repast ; 

 And thereunto my friend invite, 

 In whom I more than that delight : 

 Who is more welcome to my dish 

 Than to my angle was my fish." 



