4i THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



YEN. Sir, you have angled me on. with much pleasure to 

 the Thatched House ; and I now find your words true, "that 

 good company makes the way seem short ;" for trust me, sir, 

 I thought we had wanted three miles of this house, till you 

 shewed it me. But now we are at it, we'll turn into it, and 

 refresh ourselves with a cup of drink, and a little rest. 



Pise. Most gladly, sir, and we'll drink a civil cup to all the 

 otter-hunters that are to meet you to-morrow. 



YEN. That we will, sir, and to all the lovers of angling, of 

 which number I am now willing to be one myself : for, by the 

 help of your good discourse and company, I have put on new 

 thoughts both of the art of angling, and of all that profess it : 

 and if you will but meet me to-rnorrow, at the time and place 

 appointed, and bestow one day with me and my friends in 

 hunting the otter, I will dedicate the next two days to wait 

 upon you, and we two will for that time do nothing but angle, 

 and talk of fish and fishing. 



Pise. 'Tis a match, sir ; I'll not fail you, God willing, to be 

 at Am well-hill to-morrow morning before sun-rising. 



[NOTE. With the first chapter, the first day, passed in peripatetic 

 conversation, ends. It contains nothing practical, but is chiefly occupied 

 in the praise of hawking by Auceps, of hunting by Venator, and of angling 

 by Piscator " Old Izaak " himself. Of course he has the best of the 

 dissertations, and makes of Venator a steady pupil. Auceps the falconer, 

 seems too wild a fellow to settle down to the quiet amusement of 

 imgling. ED.] 



CHAPTER II. 



OBSERVATIONS OF THE OTTER AND CHUB. 



YEN. My friend Piscator, you have kept time with my 

 thoughts, for the sun is just rising, and I myself just now 

 come to this place, and the dogs have just now put down an 

 otter. Look down at the bottom of the hill there in that 

 meadow, checquered with water-lilies and lady-smocks; there 

 you may see what work they make : look ! look ! you may 

 see all busy, men and dogs, dogs and men all busy. 



