1 80 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



incredible things, that Caspar Peucerus, a learned physician, 

 tells us of a people that once a year turn wolves, partly in 

 shape and partly in conditions. And so, whether this were 

 a salmon when he came into the fresh water, and his not 

 returning into the sea hath altered him to another colour or 

 kind, I am not able to say ; but I am certain he hath all 

 the signs of being a trout, both for his shape, colour, and 

 spots ; and yet many think he is not. 



VEN. But, master, will this trout which I had hold of 

 die ? for it is like he hath the hook in his belly. 



PlSC. I will tell you, scholar, that unless the hook be fast 

 in his very gorge, 't is more than probable he will live ; and 

 a little time, with the help of the water, will rust the hook, 

 and it will in time wear away as the gravel doth in the 

 horse hoof, which only leaves a false quarter. 



And now, scholar, let 's go to my rod. Look you, scholar, 

 I have a fish too, but it proves a logger-headed chub ; and 

 this is not amiss, for this will pleasure some poor body, as 

 we go to our lodging to meet our brother Peter and honest 

 Coridon. Come, now bait your hook again, and lay it into 

 the water, for it rains again ; and we will even retire to the 

 sycamore-tree, and there I will give you more directions 

 concerning fishing, for I would fain make you an artist. 



VEN. Yes, good master, I pray let it be so. 



PlSC. Well, scholar, now we are sat down and are at ease, 

 I shall tell you a little more of trout fishing, before I speak 

 of salmon, which I purpose shall be next, and then of the 

 pike or luce. 



You are to know there is night as well as day fishing for a 

 trout, and that in the night the best trouts come out of their 

 holes ; and the manner of taking them is on the top of t 





