IO4 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [tAt t 



*' Of recreation there is none 

 So free as Fishing is alone ; 

 All other pastimes do no less 

 Than mind and body both possess : 

 My hand alone my work can do^ 

 So I can fish and study too. 



" I care not, I, to fish in seas ; 

 Fresh rivers best my mind do please, 

 Whose sweet calm course I contemplate, 

 And seek in life to imitate : 



In civil bounds I fain would keep, 



And for my past offeiices weep. 



" And when the timorous Trout I wait 



To take, and he devours my bait, 



How poor a thing sometimes I find 



Will captivate a greedy mind 1 



And when none bite, I praise the wise, 

 Whom vain allurements ne'er surprise. 



** But yet, though while I fish I fast, 

 I make good fortune my repast ; 

 And thereunto my friend invite, 

 In whom I more than that delight : 



Who is more welcome to my dish, 



Than to my angle was my fish. 



" As well content no prize to take, 



As use of taken prize to make : 



For so our Lord was pleased when 



He fishers made fishers of men : 



Where, which is in no other game, 

 A man may fish and praise his name. 



" The first men that our Saviour dear 



Did choose to wait upon him here 



Blest fishers were, and fish the last 



Food was that he on earth did taste .- 

 I therefore strive to follow those 

 Whom he to follow him hath chose." 



COR. Well sung, Brother ! you have paid your debt in good 

 coin. We Anglers are all beholden to the good man that made 



