220 MORALS, MANNERS, ETC. 



" NICOLAS PISCATOK. 

 A crochet crossed the Devil's head, 



To idle a day by the brook : 

 He called on Saint Peter and civilly said 



" Friend fisherman, lend me thy crook : 

 Of the handle a famous rod can be made, 



And I'll twist the top for a hook." 



The Devil he fingered Walton through ; 



And an hundred baits he tried : 

 He bobbed, and he bobbed, but 'twould not do 



The fish did not choose to be fried ; 

 And the little boys laughed, and the Devil looked blue, 



And "orridly" cocknified." 



The Devil he scratched his horn, and thought, 



And he scratched his horn again : 

 * I have it' says he * my fish shall be caught 



By the bait that doth catch me men : 

 Oh better than all old Isaac hath taught, 



For his one shall catch me ten'.' 



And what was the bait which the Devil chose ? 



The heart of a maiden fair 

 A maiden with lip and cheek of rose, 



And brightly flowing hair. 

 Says the Devil * Not one of the river beaux 



Will a nibble at this forbear.' 



Then he tucked up his tail again by the stream ; 



And 'twas worth a shilling to see 

 How barbel and perch, and roach and bream 



Swam by : ('twas not in the Lea ) 

 Says the Devil * My lads, you little dream 



What a treat I have got for ye. 



