LIFE OF WALTON. XXXix 



Dove, and on the ninetieth anniversary of his birth-day, he, by his 

 Will, declares himself to be of perfect memory. * 



As to his worldly circumstances notwithstanding the adverse acci- 

 dent of his being obliged, by the troubles of the times, to quit London 

 and his occupation they appear to have been commensurate, as well 

 to the wishes as the wants of any but a covetous and intemperate man ; 

 and, in his relations and connections, such a concurrence of circum- 

 stances is visible, as it would be almost presumption to pray for. 



For not to mention the patronage of those many prelates and 

 dignitaries of the church, men of piety and learning, with whom he 

 lived in a close intimacy and friendship ; or, the many ingenious and 

 worthy persons with whom he corresponded and conversed ; or, the 



Whilst from the most tempestuous nooks 



The dullest blasts our peace invade, 

 And by great rains our smallest brooks 



Are almost navigable made ; 

 Whilst all the ills are so improv'd, 



Of this dead quarter of the year, 

 That even you, so much belov'd, 



We would not now wish with us here : 



In this estate, I say, it is 



Some comfort to us to suppose, 

 That, in a better clime than this, 



You, our dear friend, have more repose ; 



And some delight to me the while, 



Though nature now does weep in rain, 

 To think that I have seen her smile, 



And haply may I do again. 



If the all-ruling Power please 



We live to see another Mm/, 

 We'll recompense an age of these 



Foul days in one fine fishing day. 



We then shall have a day or two, 



Perhaps a week wherein to try 

 What the best roaster's hand can do 



With the most deadly killing flie : 



A day, with not too bright a beam, 



A warm, but not a scorching sun, 

 A southern gale to curl the stream, 



And, master, half our work is done. 



There, whilst behind some bush we wart 



The scaly people to betray, 

 We'll prove U just, with treacherous bait 



To make the preying Trout our prey. 



And think ourselves, in such an hour, 

 Happier than those, though not so high, 



Who, like Leviathans, devour 

 Of meaner men the smaller fry. 



This, my best friend, at my poor home 



Shall be our pastime and our theme; 

 But then should you not deign to come, 



You make all this a flatt'i ing dream. 



(1) These, it must be owned, are words of course in a Will : but had the 

 fact been otherwise, he would have been unable to make such a judicious 

 disposition of his worldly estate as he had done, or with his own hand to 

 write so long an instrument as his Will. 



