THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 99 



one lie should not have broke my line by running to the rod's 

 end, as you suffered him. I would have held him within the 

 bent of my rod (unless he had been fellow to the great trout 

 that is near an ell long, which was of such a length and depth 

 that he had his picture drawn, and now is to be seen at mine 

 host Rickabie's, at the George, in Ware), and it may be by 

 giving that very great trout the rod, that is, by casting it to 

 him into the water, I might have caught him at the long run ; 

 for so I use always to do when I meet with an overgrown 

 fish ; and you will learn to do so too hereafter : for I tell you, 

 scholar, fishing is an art ; or, at least, it is an art to catch fish. 



YEN. But, master, I have heard that the great trout you 

 speak of is a salmon. 



Pise. Trust me, scholar, I know not what to say to it. 

 There are many country people that believe hares change 

 sexes every year : and there be very many learned men think 

 so too, for in their dissecting them they find many reasons to 

 incline them to that belief. And to make the wonder seem \ 

 yet less, that hares change sexes, note, that Doctor Mer. 

 Casaubon afiirins in his book of credible and incredible things, 

 that Caspar Peucerus, a learned physician, tells us of a people I 

 that once a year turn wolves, partly in shape and partly in 

 conditions. And so, whether this were a salmon when he / 

 came into the fresh water, and his not returning into the sea 

 hath altered him to another colour or kind, I am not able to 

 say : but I am certain he hath all the signs of being a trout 

 both for his shape, colour, and spots ; and yet many think he 

 is not. 



YEN. But, master, will this trout which I had hold of 

 die ? for it is like he hath the hook in his belly. 



Pise. I will tell you, scholar, that unless the hook be fast 

 in his very gorge, 'tis more than probable he will live; and a 

 little time, with the help of the water, will rust the hook, and 

 it will in time wear away ; as the gravel doth in the horse- 

 hoof, which only leaves a false quarter. 



And now, scholar, let's go to my rod. Look you, scholar, 

 I have a fish too, but it proves a logger-headed chub j and 

 this is not much amiss, for this will pleasure some poor body, 

 as we go to our lodging to meet our brother Peter, and honest 

 Coridon. Come, now bait your hook again, and lay it into 

 the water, for it rains again : and we will even retire to the 

 sycamore tree, and there I will give you more directions con- 

 cerning fishing ; for I would fain make you an artist. 



G2 



