230 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



ourselves in this sweet shady arbour, which nature herself has 

 woven with her own fine finger ; 'tis such a contexture of 

 woodbines, sweetbriar, jessamine, and myrtle ; and so inter- 

 woven, as will secure us both from the sun's violent heat and 

 from the approaching shower. And being sat down, I will 

 requite a part of your courtesies with a bottle of sack, milk, 

 oranges, and sugar ; which, all put together, make a drink 

 -like nectar ; indeed, too good for any but us anglers. And 

 so, master, here is a full glass to you of that liquor : and 

 when you have pledged me I will repeat the verses which I 

 promised you : it is a copy printed among some of Sir Henry 

 Wotton's, and doubtless made either by him or by a lover of 

 angling. Come, master, now drink a glass to me, and then 

 I will pledge you, and fall to my repetition ; it is a description 

 I of such country recreations as I have enjoyed since I had the 

 ; happiness to fall into your company. 



I 



Quivering fears, heart- tearing cares, 



Anxious sighs, untimely tears, 



Fly, fly to courts, 



Fly to fond worldlings 1 sports, 

 Where strain'd Sardonic smiles are glosing still, 

 And grief is forced to laugh against her will : 



Where mirth's but mummery, 



And sorrows only real be. 



Fly from our country's pastimes, fly, 

 Sad troops of human misery. 



Come, serene looks, 



Clear as the crystal brooks, 

 Or the pure azured heaven that smiles to see 

 The rich attendance on our poverty ; 



Peace and a secure mind, 



Which all men seek, we only find. 



he says, " And for most of them (the beauties of external nature), because 

 they are so common, most men forget to pay their praises; but let not us; 

 because it is a sacrifice so pleasing to him that made that sun and us, and still 

 protects us, and gives us flowers, and showers, and stomachs, and meat, and 

 content, and leisure to go a-fishing." After exhibiting a moral and pious 

 philosophy, he descends to the practical ; writing, " Health is the second 

 blessing that we mortals are capable of; a blessing that money cannot buy ; 

 and therefore value it, and be thankful for it. As for money, which may be 

 said to be the third blessing, neglect it not : but note, that there is no necessity 

 for being rich : for I told you, there be as many miseries beyond riches as on 

 this side of them : and if you have a competence, enjoy it with a meek, 

 cheerful, thankful heart." Good and wise old man ! It was you whom a 

 great and reckless poet designated " a quaint old cruel coxcomb !" Never did 

 a more flagrant misnomer proceed from the nomenclature of a vexed and dis- 

 contented spirit. Here it is no longer *' crede Byron" ! ED. 



