COMMENDATORY VERSES. 



TO MY DEAR BROTHER IZAAK WALTON, 



UPON HIS 



"COMPLETE ANGLER." 



ERASMUS, in his learned Colloquies, 

 Has mixt some toys, that by varieties 

 He might entice all readers ; for in him 

 Each child may wade, or tallest giant swim. 

 And such is this Discourse : there 's none so low 

 Or highly learned, to whom hence may not flow 

 Pleasure and information ; both which are 

 Taught us with so much art, that I might swear 

 Safely, the choicest critic cannot tell 

 Whether your matchless judgment most excell 

 In angling or its praise ; where commendation 

 First charms, then makes an art a recreation. 



'T was so to me : who saw the cheerful Spring 

 Pictur'd in every meadow ; heard birds sing 

 Sonnets in every grove ; saw fishes play 

 In the cool crystal springs, like lambs in May ; 

 And they may play, till anglers read this book ; 

 But after, 't is a wise fish 'scapes a hook. 



lo. FLOUD, M.A. 



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