176 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



have a gentle touch at singing and drinking ; but the last with 

 moderation. 



Coridon. Come, now for your song ; for we have fed heartily. 

 Come, hostess, lay a few more sticks on the fire. And now, 

 sing when you will. 



Piscator. Well then, here's to you, Coridon ; and now for 

 my song : 



Oh, the gallant fisher's life, 



It is the best of any ; 

 'Tis full of pleasure, void of strife, 

 And 'tis beloved by many : 

 Other joys 

 Are but toys ; 

 Only this 

 Lawful is ; 

 For our skill 

 Breeds no ill, 

 But content and pleasure. 



In a morning up we rise, 

 Ere Aurora 's peeping, 

 Drink a cup to wash our eyes, 

 Leave the sluggard sleeping : 

 Then we go 

 To and fro 

 With our knacks 

 At our backs, 

 To such streams 

 As the Thames, 

 If we have the leisure. 



When we please to walk abroad 



For our recreation, 



In the fields is our abode, 



Full of delectation : 



Where, in a brook, 

 With a hook, 

 Or a lake, 

 Fish we take : 

 There we sit, 

 For a bit, 

 Till we fish entangle. 



We have gentles in a horn, 



We have paste and worms too ; 

 We can watch both night and morn, 

 Suffer rain and storms too : 

 ISone do here 

 Use to swear : 



