214 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



May. And best of melody to boot, Doctor ; thou 

 art tun'd to the point of admiration. But these are 

 voices familiar to us outside ? Hark you ? 



Leister. So methinks, Bill, albeit when or where 

 heard, I recollect not. 



Otter. Marry do I ; an it be not Mark Wandle- 

 weir and Master Herl-broke, Tom Otter is other 

 than Tom Otter. 



Leister. Thou sayest it. Welcome, gentlemen, 

 most welcome. [Enter WANDLE-WEIR and HERL- 

 BROKE.] Hilloa ! mistress, loads of comfort ; bring 

 fire, water, meats and marrows with cordials cun- 

 ning and strengthy hose and hot slippers; there 

 be two here who have dropt out of a cloud, blast- 

 worn and wetted throat high. 



Wandle. A pitiable account of us, Mr Leister ; 

 but in truth thou hast hit the mark. How fares it 

 with our loving fraternity? 



Swivel. Right bountifully, gentle brother. This, 

 you may note, is our feast of farewells, whereat we 

 encase our wands, close our panniers, and determine 

 our retreat from the stream-side. But play thy part 

 at the trencher, good sir; thou must unfold a tale 

 of thy wanderings ere we separate. 



Wandle. Willingly, Doctor. You shall have 

 the arcana of my exploits at a beck, although, to 

 speak the truth, I have proved an adventureless 

 adventurer. 



Swivel. And hast achieved nothing worthy of 

 thy craft? 



