284 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART II. 



Pise. I think so too, for you who are mounted upon 

 a beast not acquainted with these slippery stones : and 

 though 1 frequently ride down, 1 will alight too to bear 

 you company and to lead you the way. And, if you 

 please, my man shall lead your horse. 



Viat. Marry, Sir ! and thank you too : for I am afraid 

 I shall have enough to do to look to myself: and with my 

 horse in my hand should be in a double fear, both of 

 breaking my neck, and my horse's falling on me, for it is 

 as steep as a penthouse. 



Pise. To look down from hence it appears so, I con- 

 fess : but the path winds and turns, and will not be found 

 so troublesome. 



Viat. Would I were well down though ! Hoist thee ! 

 there's one fair 'scape ! these stones are so slippery I can- 

 not stand ! yet again ! I think I were best lay my heels in 

 my neck and tumble down. 



Pise. If you think your heels will defend your neck, 

 that is the way to be soon at the bottom. But give me 

 your hand at this broad stone, and then the worst is past. 



Viat. I thank you, Sir, I am now past it, I can go my- 

 self. What's here ? the sign of a bridge ? Do you use to 

 travel with wheelbarrows in this country ? 



Pise. Not that I ever saw, Sir ! why do you ask that 

 question ? 



Viat. Because, this bridge certainly was made for no- 

 thing else : why ! a mouse can hardly go over it : 'tis not 

 two fingers broad. 



Pise. You are pleasant, and I am glad to see you so ; 

 but I have rid over the bridge many a dark night. 



Viat. Why, according to the French proverb, and 'tis 

 a good one, among a great many of worse sense and 

 sound that language abounds in, Ce que Dieu garde, est 

 bien garde, ' They whom God takes care of, are in safe 

 protection:" but, let me tell you, I would not ride over it 



