HO THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART I. 



many reasons to incline them to that belief. And to 

 make the wonder seem yet less, that hares change sexes, 

 note that Dr. Mer. Casaubon affirms, in his book Of cre- 

 dible and incredible things, that Gasper Peucerus, a 

 learned physician, 1 tells us of a people that once a year 

 turn wolves, partly in shape, and partly in conditions. 

 And so, whether this were a Salmon when he came into 

 fresh water, and his not returning into the sea hath 

 altered him to another colour or kind, 1 am not able to 

 gay ; but I am certain he hath all the signs of being a 

 Trout, both for his shape, colour, and spots: and yet 

 many think he is not. 



Yen. But, master, will this Trout which I had hold of 

 die ? for it is like he hath the hook in his belly. 



Pise. I will tell you, scholar, that unless the hook be 

 fast in his very gorge, 'tis more than probable he will 

 live, and a little time, with the help of the water, will 

 rust the hook, and it will in time wear away, as the gravel 

 doth in the horse-hoof, which only leaves a false quarter. 



And now, scholar, let's go to my rod. Look you 

 scholar, I have a fish too, but it proves a logger-headed 

 Chub ; and this is not much amiss, for this will pleasure 

 some poor body, as we go to our lodging to meet our 

 brother Peter and honest Condon. Come, now bait your 

 hook again, and lay it into the water, for it rains again; 

 and we will even retire to the sycamore-tree, and there 

 I will give you more directions concerning fishing, for I 

 would fain make you an artist. 



Yen. Yes, good master, I pray let it be so. 



Pise. Well, scholar, now we are sate down and are 

 at ease, I shall tell you a little more of Trout-fishing, 

 before I speak of the Salmon (which I purpose shall be 

 next), and then of the Pike or Luce. 



(1) And mathematician, born at Lusatia, in 1525; he married the daughter 

 of Melaocthon, wrote many books on various subject*, and died lC02, aged 78. 



