360 BIBLIOTHECA PISCATORIA. 



In the great lake that lies behind the palace, 



From the for shore, thick set with reeds and sedges, 



As patiently I was attending sport, 



I heard a voice, a shrill one, and attentive 



I gave my ear ; when I might well perceive 



'Twas one that sung, and, by the smallness of it 



A boy or woman. I then left my angle 



To his own skill, came near, but yet perceiv'd not 



Who made the sound, the rushes and the reeds 



Had so encompass'd it." 



The Night Walker. (1640.) 

 ACT IV, sc. v. 



"Lurcher, Sit down, Sir ; 



A short nap is not much amiss So, so ! he's fast, 

 Fast as a fish in the net." 



Jonson, Ben. 



The Alchemist, (i 6 1 1 .) 

 ACT II, sc. i. 



" Subtle. Has he bit ? Has he bit ? 



Face. And swallowed too, my Subtle. I have given him line and now 



he plays iTaith. 



Sub. And shall we twitch him ? 

 Face. Through both the gills." 

 * * * 



" Face. If I can strike a fine hook into him now. 



The Temple-church, there have I cast mine angle. 



Well, pray for me. I'll about it. 

 Sub. What more gudgeons ?" 



Catiline. (1611.) 

 ACT I, sc. i. 



" Catiline. Yet they cannot tame, 



Or overcome their riches ! not by making 

 Baths, orchards, fish-pools." 



Bartholomew Fair. (1614.) 

 ACT III, sc. i. 



"Busy. They are hooks and baits, very baits, that are hung out on 

 every side, to catch you and to hold you, as it were by the gills and by 

 the nostrils, as the fisher doth." 



The Sad Shepherd, (circa 1636.) 

 ACT I, sc. ii. 



"Much. All choice that plenty can send in ; 



Bread, wine, acates, fowl, feather, fish or fin, 



For which my father's nets have swept the Trent ." 



The Forest. 



" And if the high-swoln Medway fail thy dish, 

 Thou hast thy ponds, that pay thee tribute fish ; 



