62 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART i. 



seemed to live in a hollow tree, near to the brow of that primrose 

 hill. There I sat viewing the silver streums glide silently towards 

 their centre, the tempestuous sea; yet sometimes opposed by 

 rugged roots and pebble-stones, which broke their waves and 

 turned them into foam. And sometimes I beguiled time by 

 viewing the harmless lambs; some leaping securely in the cool 

 shade, whilst others sported themselves in the cheerful sun; 

 and saw others craving comfort from the swollen jLidders. of their 

 bleating dams. As I thus sat, these and other sights had so 

 fully possessed my soul with content, that I thought, as the poet 

 hath happily expressed it, 



" I was for that time lifted above earth, 

 And possess'd joys not promised in my birth." 



As I left this place, and entered into the next field, a second 

 pleasure entertained me : 'twas a handsome milkmaid, that had 

 not yet attained so much age and wisdom as to load her mind 

 with any fears of many things that will never be, as too many 

 men too often do : but she cast away all care, and sung like a 

 nightingale: her voice was good, and the ditty fitted for it: it 

 was that smooth song which was made by Kit Marlow, now 

 at least fifty years ago; and the milkmaid's mother sung an 

 /J answer to it, which was made by Sir Walter Raleigh in his 

 // younger days. 



They were old-fashioned poetry, but choicely good, I think 

 much better than the strong lines that are now in fashion in this 

 , _ critical age. Look yonder ! on my word, yonder they both be 

 a-milking again. I will give her the chub, and persuade them 

 to sing those two songs to us. 



God speed you, good woman ! I have been a-fishing, and 

 am going to Bleak Hall to my bed, and having caught more 

 fish than will sup myself and my friend, I will bestow this upon 

 you and your daughter, for I use to sell none. 



MiLK-W. Marry, God requite you, sir, and we'll eat it cheer- 

 fully; and if you come this way a-fishing two months hence, a 

 grace of God, I'll give you a syllabub of new verjuice in a new- 

 made haycock for it, and my Maudlin shall sing you one of her 

 *~ ^ ^ 



