196 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART u. 



VlAT. Because lh is bridge certainly was made_for nothing 

 elsej why, a mc^ujse can.. hardly go. over it: 'tis not twojingers 



PlSC. You are pleasant, and I am glad to see you so r but__I 

 have rid over the bridge many a dark night. 



VlAT. Why, according to the French proverb, and 'tis a good 

 one among a great many of worse sense and sound that language 

 abounds in, Ce que Dieu garde^ est bien garde. "They whom 

 God takes care of are in safe protection : " but, let meJgll_you T 

 Twould not ride over it for a thousand pounds, nor fall off it for 

 two; and yet I think I dare venture on foot, though if you were 

 not by to laugh at me, I should do it on all fours. 



PlSC. Well, sir, your mirth becomes you, and I am glad 

 to see you safe over ; and now you are welcome into Stafford- 

 shire. 



VlAT. How, Staffordshire ! Wjia^do_l4hee,trow ? tUereis 

 qt a word of Staffordshire in all my direction. 



PlSC. You see yo_u_are betrayed into it, but it shall be in order 

 to something that will make amends ; and 'tis but an ill mile or 

 two out of your way. 



VlAT. I believe all things, sir, and doubt nothing. Is this 

 your beloved river, Dove ? 'Tis clear and swift, indeed, but a 

 very little one. 



PlSC. You see it here at the worst : we shall come to it anon 

 again, after two miles riding, and so near as to lie upon the very 

 banks. 



VlAT. Would we were there once : but I hope we have no 

 more of these Alps to pass over. 



PlSC. No, no, sir; only this ascent before you, which you see 

 is not very uneasy, and then you will no more quarrel with your 

 way. 



VlAT. Well, if ever I come to London, of which many a man 

 there, if he"were in my place,""woiild make_-a^qustionT^I will 

 sit down and write my travels; and, like Tom Coriate,, print 

 them at my own charge. Pray, what dp you call this hill we 



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PlSC. We call it Hanson Toot. 



