1 72 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



Only a sweet and virtuous soul, 

 Like season'd timber, never gives ; 

 But when the whole world turns to coal, 

 Then chiefly lives. 



VEN. I thank you, good master, for your good direction 

 for fly-fishing, and for the sweet enjoyment of the pleasant 

 day, which is so far spent without offence to God or man ; 

 and I thank you for the sweet close of your discourse with 

 Mr. Herbert's verses, who, I have heard, loved angling ; and 

 I do the rather believe it, because he had a spirit suitable 

 to anglers, and to those primitive Christians that you love 

 and have so much commended. 



PlSC. Well, my loving scholar, and I am pleased to know 

 that you are so well pleased with my direction and discourse. 



And since you like these verses of Mr. Herbert's so well, 

 let me tell you what a reverend and learned divine that pro- 

 fesses to imitate him (and has indeed done so most ex- 

 cellently), hath writ of our Book of Common Prayer ; which 

 I know you will like the better, because he is a friend of 

 mine, and I am sure no enemy to angling. 



What, Prayer by the Book ? and Common f Yes ! why not ? 



The spirit of grace 

 And supplication 

 Is not left free alone 

 For time and place, 



But manner too : to read, or speak, by rote, 

 Is all alike to him that prays 

 In 's heart, what with his mouth he says. 



They that in private, by themselves alone, 



Do pray, may take 

 What liberty they please, 

 In choosing of the ways 



