CHAP. XVI. THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 183 



the catch that your scholar promised us ; or else, Coridon 

 will be dogged. 



Pise. Nay, I will not be worse than my word ; you shall 

 not want my song, and I hope I shall be perfect in it. 



Yen. And I hope the like for my catch, which I have 

 ready too : and therefore let's go merrily to supper, and 

 then have a gentle touch at singing and drinking ; but 

 the last with moderation. 



Cor. Come, now for your song ; for we have fed heart- 

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

 now, sing when you will. 



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

 my song. 



O the gallant fisher's life, 



It is the best of any ; 

 Tis full of pleasure, void of strife, 

 And 'tis belov'd 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 oar backs, 

 To such streams 

 As the Thames, 

 ; % If we have the leisure. 



When we please to walk abroad 



For our recreation, 



la 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. 



