2 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART I. 



Fen. Sir, we are all so happy as to have a fine, fresh, 

 coo), morning; and I hope we shall each be the happier 

 in the others company. And, Gentlemen, that I may not 

 lose yours, I shall either abate or amend my pace to enjoy 

 it, knowing that, as the Italians say, Good company in a 

 journey makes the way to seem the shorter. 



Auc. It may do so, Sir, with the help of good dis- 

 course, which, methinks, we may promise from you, that 

 both look and speak so cheerfully : and for my part, I 

 promise you, as an invitation to it, that I will be as free 

 and open-hearted as discretion will allow me to be with 

 strangers. 



Yen. And, Sir, I promise the like. 



Pise. I am right glad to hear your answers ; and, in 

 confidence you speak the truth, I shall put on a boldness 

 to ask you, Sir, whether business or pleasure caused you 

 to be so early up, and walk so fast? for this other 

 gentleman hath declared he is going to see a hawk, that 

 a friend mews for him. 



Yen. Sir, mine is a mixture of both, a little business 

 and more pleasure ; for I intend this day to do all my 

 business, and then bestow another day or two in hunting 

 the Otter, which a friend, that I go to meet, tells me is 

 much pleasanter than any other chace whatsoever : how- 

 soever, I mean to try it; for to-morrow morning we shall 

 meet a pack of Otter-dogs of noble Mr. Sadler's, 1 upon 

 Amwell-hill, who will be there so early, that they intend 

 to prevent the sun-rising. 



Pise. Sir, my fortune has answered my desires, and 

 my purpose is to bestow a day or two in helping to 



(1) Sir Henry Ctmunry, in --peaking of this gentleman, says, that " he delimited 

 much in Hawking and Hunting, and the pleasures of a couutry life ; was famous 

 for bis noble table, his pieat hospitality to his neighbours, and his abundant cha- 

 rity to the poor: and. after h* had lived to a great age, died on the twelfth day 

 of February, 1660, without issue; whereupon this manor descended to Walter 

 Lord Aston, the son and heir of Gertrude his sister." Hittor. Antiq. of 

 Hcrtf. p. 219 *. 



