206 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. \PART I 



But you must have all these tackling,* and twice so many 

 more, with which, if you mean to be a fisher, you must store 

 yourself; and to that purpose I will go with you either to Mr. 

 Margrave, who dwells amongst the booksellers in St. Paul's 

 Churchyard, or to Mr. John Stubbs, near to the Swan in Gold- 

 ing Lane ; they be both honest men, and will fit an Angler with 

 what tackling he lacks. 



VEN. Then, good Master, let it be at , for he is nearest 



to my dwelling, and I pray let 's meet there the gih of May 

 next about two of the clock ; and I '11 want nothing that a fisher 

 should be furnished with. 



Pise. Well, and I '11 not fail you, God willing, at the time 

 and place appointed. 



VEN. I thank you, good Master, and I will not fail you. 

 And, good Master, tell me what baits more you remember, for 

 it will not now be long ere we shall be at Tottenham High 

 Cross ; and when we come thither I will make you some requital 

 of your pains, by repeating as choice a copy of verses as any we 

 have heard since we met together ; and that is a proud word, 

 for we have heard very good ones. 



Pise. Well, Scholar, and I shall be then right glad to hear 

 them. And I will, as we walk, tell you whatsoever comes in 

 my mind, that I think may be worth your hearing. You may 

 make another choice bait thus : Take a handful or two of the 

 best and biggest wheat you can get ; boil it in a little milk, like 

 as frumity is boiled ; boil it so till it be soft, and then fry it very 

 leisurely with honey and a little beaten saffron dissolved in 

 milk ; and you will find this a choice bait, and good I think for 

 any fish, especially for Roach, Dace, Chub, or Grayling : I know 

 not but that it may be as good for a River-Carp, and especially 

 if the ground be a little baited with it. 



And you may also note, that the spawn of most fish is a very 

 tempting bait, being a little hardened on a warm tile, and cut 



* I have heard that the tackling hath been priced at fifty pounds, in the In 

 ventory of an Angler. 



