THE OTTER AND CHUB. 93 



nature that Almighty God hath in the Levitical law made 

 a law against it (Deut. xii. 6, 7). 



But the poor fish have enemies enough besides such un- 

 natural fishermen, as namely, the otters that I spake of, the 

 cormorant, the bittern, the osprey, the sea-gull, the heron, 

 the kingfisher, the gorara, the puet, the swan, goose, ducks, 

 and the craber, which some call the water-rat: 7 against all 

 which any honest man might make a just quarrel, but I will 

 not ; I will leave them to be quarrelled with and killed by 

 others ; for I am not of a cruel nature, I love to kill no- 

 thing but fish. 



And now to your question concerning your host : to speak 

 truly, he is not to me a good companion ; for most of his 

 conceits were either Scripture jests or lascivious jests, for 

 which I count no man witty, for the Devil will help a man 

 that way inclined, to the first ; and his own corrupt nature, 

 which he always carries with him, to the latter : but a com- 

 panion that feasts the company with wit and mirth, and 

 leaves out the sin which is usually mixed with them, he is 

 the man ; and indeed such a man should have his charges 

 borne, and to such company I hope to bring you this night ; 

 for at Trout Hall, not far from this place, where I purpose 

 to lodge to-night, there is usually an angler that proves 

 good company. And let me tell you, good company and 

 good discourse are the very sinews of virtue : but for such 

 discourse as we heard last night, it infects others ; the very 

 boys will learn to talk and swear, as they heard mine host, 

 and another of the company that shall be nameless ; I am 

 sorry the other is a gentleman ; for less religion will not 

 save their souls than a beggar's : I think more will be re- 

 quired at the last great day. Well ! you know what example 



