68 C THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



The lofty woods, the forests wide and long, 



Adorn 'd with leaves and branches fresh and green, 



In whose cool bowers the birds, with many a song, 

 Do welcome with their choir the Summer's queen ; 



The meadows fair, where Flora's gifts among 

 Are intermix'd, with verdant grass between ; 



The silver scaled fish that softly swim 



Within the sweet brook's crystal, watery stream. 



All these, and many more of His creation 

 That made the heavens, the angler oft doth see; 



Taking therein no little delectation, 

 To think how strange, how wonderful they be ; 



Framing thereof an inward contemplation 

 To set his heart from other fancies free ; 



And whilst he looks on these with joyful eye, 



His mind is rapt above the starry sky. 



Sir, I am glad my memory has not lost these last verses, 

 because they are somewhat more pleasant and more suitable 

 to May-day than my harsh discourse. And I am glad your 

 patience hath held out so long, as to hear them and me ; for 

 both of them have brought us within the sight of the Thatched 

 House. And I must be your debtor, if you think it worth your 

 attention, for the rest of my promised discourse, till some 

 other opportunity, and a like time of leisure. 



Venator. Sir, you have angled me on with much pleasure 

 to the Thatched House ; and I now find your words true, 

 " that good company makes the way seem short;" for, trust 

 me, sir, I thought we had wanted three miles of this house, till 

 you shewed it to me. But now we are at it, we'll turn into 

 it, and refresh ourselves with a cup of drink and a little rest. 



JPiscator. Most gladly, sir, and we '11 drink a civil cup to all 

 the otter hunters that are to meet you to-morrow. . 



Venator. That we will, sir, and to all the lovers of angling 

 too, of which number I am now willing to be one myself; for, 

 by the help of your good discourse and company, I have put on 

 new thoughts, both of the art of angling, and of all that profess 

 it : and if you will but meet me to-morrow at the time and place 

 appointed, and bestow one day with me and my friends in hunt- 

 ing the Otter, I will dedicate the next two days to wait upon 

 you ; and we two will, for that time, do nothing but angle, and 

 talk of fish and fishing. 



Piscator. 'Tis a match, sir; I will not fail you, God willing, 

 to be at Amwell Hill to-morrow morning before sun-rising. 



