CHAP. xvi. THE FOURTH DAY. 145 



spoken of. And let me tell you, scholar, that both martins and 

 bleaks be most excellent meat. 



And let me tell you that I have known a hern, that did 

 constantly frequent one place, caught with a hook baited with 

 a big minnow or small gudgeon. The line and hook must be 

 strong, and tied to some loose staff, so big as she cannot fly 

 away with it, a line not exceeding two yards. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



IS OF NOTHING, OR THAT WHICH IS NOTHING WORTH. 



PiSC. My purpose was to give you some directions concerning 

 roach and dace, and some other inferior fish, which make the 

 angler excellent sport, for you know there is more pleasure in 

 hunting the hare than in eating her; but I will forbear at this 

 time to say anymore, because you see yonder come .our brother 

 Peter and honest Coridon : but I will _promisc you^that as you 

 and I fish,andwalk to-morrow towards London, if I have now 

 forgotten anything that I can then remember, I^will notjceep 

 it^pairL^ou^ 



Well met, gentlemen: this is lucky that we meet so just 

 to^ejthr__aL_this_very door. Come, hostess, where are you? Is 

 supper ready? Come, first give us drink, and be as quick as 

 you can, for I believe we are all very hungry. Well, brother 

 Peter, and Coridon, to you both ; come drink, and then tell me 

 what luck of fish : we two have caught but ten trouts, of which 

 rn^jcriolar _caugjif th ree ; Jook, h ere's^ jeight, and a brace we 

 gave away : we have had a most pleasant day for fishing and 

 talking, and are returned home both weary and hungry, and 

 now meat and rest will be pleasant. 



PET. Anj rnriHnrt gnj^f JHavp hadjmrt jan unpleasant day, /I 

 andjyet I have caught but five trouts : for indeed we went to a Lsffl 

 good honest ale-house, and there we played at shovel-board 

 half the day; all the time that it rained we were there, and as 

 merry as they that fished; and I am glad we are now with a L^ 



10 



