146 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART i. 



dry house over our heads, for hark how it rains and blows. 

 Come, hostess, give us more ale, and our supper with what 

 haste you may : and when we have supped, let us have your 

 song, Piscator, and the catch that your scholar promised us ; or 

 else Coridon will be dogged. 



PlSC. Nay, I will not be worse than my word; you shall not 

 want my song, and I hope I shall be perfect in.it. 



YEN. AjKTl hope thelike for my catch, which I have_ready 

 too : and therefore let's go merrily to supper, and then have a 

 gentle touch at singing and drinking; but the last with moder- 

 ation. 



COR. Come, now for your song ; for we have fed heartily. 

 Come, hostess, lay a few more sticks on the fire. And now sing 

 when you will. 



PlSC. Well then, here's to you, Coridon ; and now for my song. 



" O the gallant fisher's life, 



It is the best of any ! 

 'Tis full of pleasure, void of strife. 

 .And 'tis beloved by many: 



Other joys 



Are but toys ; 



Only this 



Lawful is ; 



For our skill 



Breeds no ill, 

 But content and pleasure. 



In a morning up we rise 

 Ere Aurora's peeping ; 

 Drink a cup to wash our eyes; 

 Leave the sluggard sleeping. 

 Then we go 

 To and fro 

 With our knacks 

 At our backs 

 To such streams 

 As the Thames, 

 If we have the leisure. 



