190 



CHAPTER XYI. 



IS OP NOTHING, OR THAT WHICH IS NOTHING WORTH. 



Pise. My purpose was to give you some directions concern- 

 ing roach, and dace, and some other inferior fish, which make 

 the angler excellent sport, for you know there is more 

 pleasure in hunting the hare than in eating her ; but I will 

 "forbear at this time to say any more, because you see yonder 

 come our brother Peter and honest Coridon : but I will promise 

 you, that as you and I fish, and walk to-morrow towards 

 London, if I have now forgotten anything that I can then 

 remember, I will not keep it from you. 



Well met, gentlemen : this is lucky that we meet so just 

 together at this very door. Come, hostess, where are you ? 

 Is supper ready ? Come, first give us drink, and be as quick 

 as you can, for I believe we are all very hungry. Well, 

 brother Peter, and Coridon, to you both ; come drink, and 

 then tell me what luck of fish : we two have caught but ten 

 trouts, ofwhich my scholar caught three ; look, here's eight, 

 and a brace we gave away : we have had a most pleasant day 

 for fishing and talking, and are returned home both weary 

 and hungry, and now meat and rest will be pleasant. 



PET. And Coridon and I have had not an unpleasant day, 

 and yet I have caught but five trouts : for indeed we went to 

 a good honest ale-house, and there we played at shovel-board 

 half the day ; all the time that it rained we were there, and 

 as merry as they that fished; and I am glad we are now with 

 a dry house over our heads, for hark how it rains and blows. 

 Come, hostess, give us more ale, and our supper with what 

 haste you may : and when we have supped, let us have your 

 song, Piscator, and the catch that your scholar promised us ; 

 or else Coridon will be dogged. 



Pise. Nay, I will not be worse than my word ; you shall 

 not want my song, and I hope I shall be perfect in it. 



YEN. And I hope the like for my catch, which I have 

 ready too : and therefore let's go merrily to supper, and then 

 have a gentle touch at singing and drinking ; but the last 

 with moderation. 



