272 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART II. 



Viat. ' It may be so ; and good land, I confess, affords 

 a pleasant prospect : but by your good leave, Sir, large 

 measure of foul way is not altogether so acceptable. 



Pise. True, Sir; but the foul way serves to justify the 

 fertility of the soil, according to the proverb, " There is 

 good land where there is foul way :" and is of good use 

 to inform you of the riches of the country you are come 

 into, and of its continual travel and traffic to the country- 

 town you came from : which is also very observable by 

 the fulness of its road, and the loaden horses you meet 

 every-where upon the way. 



Viat. Well, Sir! I will be content to think as well of 

 your country as you would desire. And I shall have a 

 great deal of reason both to think and to speak very well 

 of you, if I may obtain the happiness of your company to 

 the fore-mentioned place, provided your affairs lead you 

 that way, and that they will permit you to slack your 

 pace, out of complacency to a traveller utterly a stranger 

 in these parts, and who am still to wander further out of 

 my own knowledge. 



Pise. Sir, you invite me to my own advantage. And 

 I am ready to attend you, my way lying through that 

 town ; but my business, that is my home, some miles be- 

 yond it : however, I shall have time enough to lodge you 

 in your quarters, and afterwards to perform my own jour- 

 ney. In the mean time, may I be so bold as to inquire 

 the end of your journey ? 



Viat. Tis into Lancashire, Sir; and about some busi- 

 ness of concern to a near relation of mine : for I assure 

 you, I do not use to take so long journeys as from Essex 

 upon the single account of pleasure. 



Pise. From thence, Sir! I do not then wonder you 

 should appear dissatisfied with the length of the miles, 

 and the foulness of the way : though I am sorry you 

 should begin to quarrel with them so soon ; for believe 



