238 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [PART a 



VIAT. Well, Sir, I will be content to think as well of your 

 country as you would desire. And I shall have a good deal of 

 reason both to think and to speak very well of you, if I may 

 obtain the happiness of your company to the fore-mentioned 

 place ; provided your affairs lead you that way, and that they 

 will permit you to slack your pace, out of complacency to a 

 traveller utterly a stranger in these parts, and who am still to 

 wander further out of my own knowledge. 



Pise. Sir, you invite me to my own advantage, and I am 

 ready to attend you ; my way lying through that town ; but 

 my business, that is, my home, some miles beyond it ; however, 

 I shall have time enough to lodge you in your quarters, and 

 afterwards to perform my ow*i journey. In the mean time, 

 may I be so bold as to inquire the end of your journey ? 



VIAT. 'T is into Lancashire, Sir, and about some business 

 of concern to a near relation of mine : for I assure you, I do 

 not use to take long journeys, as from Essex, upon the single 

 account of pleasure. 



Pise. From thence, Sir ! I do not then wonder you should 

 appear dissatisfied with the length of the miles, and the foul- 

 ness of the way ; though I arn sorry you should begin to 

 quarrel with them so soon: for, believe me, Sir, you will find 

 the miles much longer and the way much worse, before you 

 come to your journey's end. 



VIAT. Why truly, Sir, for that, I am prepared to expect the 

 worst ; but methinks the way is mended since I had the good 

 fortune to fall into your good company. 



Pise. You are not obliged to my company for that : but be- 

 cause you are already past the worst, and the greatest part of 

 your way to your lodging. 



VIAT. I am very glad to hear it, both for the ease of myself 

 and my horse : but especially because I may then expect a 

 freer enjoyment of your conversation : though the shortness of 

 the way will, I fear, make me lose it the sooner. 



Pise. That, Sir, is not worth your care ; and I am sure you 



