PERCH. 43 



say, will order some of our fish to be dressed 

 for the table. 



HOST. I hope, gentlemen, you have been 

 amused ? 



HAL. Most highly, sir. As a proof of it, 

 there are in the fish-well eighteen good trout, 

 and one not much short of 6 Ibs. ; three 

 above 4 Ibs., and four above 3 Ibs. in weight. 

 I hope you will order that great fish for your 

 dinner. 



HOST. We will see. He is a fine fish, 

 and fit for a present, even for a prince and 

 you shall take him to a prince. Here is a 

 fish, and there another, of the two next sizes, 

 which I am sure will cut red. Prepare them, 

 fisherman. And, Halieus, you shall catch two 

 or three perch for another dish ; I know there 

 are some good ones below the piles of the 

 wear; I saw them hunting small fish there 

 yesterday morning. Some minnows, ho ! 

 and the perch rods ! 



HAL. I am tired, sir, and would willingly 

 avoid minnow fishing after such a morning's 

 sport. 



HOST. Come, then, I will be a fisher, for 



