122 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. t?ART I. 



" Only a sweet and virtuous soul, 

 Like seasoned timber, never gives, 

 But when the whole world turns to coal, 



Then chiefly lives ! " 



VEN. I thank you, good Master, for your good direction for 

 fly-fishing, and for the sweet enjoyment of the pleasant day, 

 which is so far spent without offence to God or man : and I 

 thank you for the sweet close of your discourse with Mr. Her- 

 bert's verses; who, I have heard, loved Angling: and I do 

 the rather believe it, because he had a spirit suitable to An- 

 glers, and to those primitive Christians that you love, and have 

 so much commended. 



Pise. Well, my loving Scholar, and I am pleased to know 

 that you are so well pleased with my direction and discourse. 



And since you like these verses of Mr. Herbert's so well, let 

 me tell you what a reverend and learned divine that professes 

 to imitate him, and has indeed done so most excellently, hath 

 writ of our Book of Common Prayer : which I know you will 

 like the better because he is a friend of mine, and I am sure no 

 enemy to Angling. 



* What ? Prayer by the Book ? and Common ? Yes ; why not ? 



The spirit of grace 

 And supplication 

 Is not left free alone 



For time and place, 



But manner too : to read or speak by rote, 

 Is all alike to him, that prays 

 In 's heart what with his mouth he says. 



*' They that in private by themselves alone 



Do pray, may take 

 What liberty they please, 

 In choosing of the ways 



Wherein to make 



Their soul's most intimate affections known 

 To Him that sees in secret, when 

 Th' are most concealed from other men. 



