68 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART i. 



COR. I will sing a song, if anybody will sing another; else, 

 to be plain with you, I will sing none: I am none of those that 

 sing for meat, but for company : I say, " 'Tis merry in hall, 

 when men sing all." 



PiSC. I'll promise you I'll sing a song that was lately made 

 at my request by Mr. William Basse, one that hath made the 

 choice songs of The Hunter in his Career^ and of Tom of Bedlam, 

 and many others of note; and this that I will sing is in praise 

 of angling. 



COR. And then mine shall be, the praise of a countryman's 

 life: what will the rest sing of? 



PETER. I will promise you, I will sing another song in praise 

 of angling to-morrow night ; for we will not part till then, but 

 fish to-morrow, and sup together, and the next day every man 

 leave fishing, and fall to his business. 



VEN. 'Tis a match ; and I will provide you a song or a 

 catch against then too, which shall give some addition of 

 mirth to the company ; for we will be_civil, and as merry as 

 beggars. 



PiSC. 'Tis a match, my masters; let's e'en say grace, and 

 turn to the fire, drink the other cup to wet our whistles, and so 

 sing away all sad thoughts. 



Come on, my masters, who begins? I think it is best to 

 draw cuts, and avoid contention. 



PETER. It is a match. Look, the shortest cut falls to 

 Coridon. 



COR. Well, then, I will begin, for I hate contention. 



CORIDON'S SONG. 



Oh, the sweet contentment 

 The countryman doth find ! 



Heighjrolpjjie lollie loe, 



Heigh trolollie lollie lee. 

 Thnf qnipf contemplation 

 Possesseth all my mind ; 



Then care away, 



And wend along with me. 



