4 SALMONIA. 



fined taste. A noble lady, long distinguished 

 at court for pre-eminent beauty and grace, 

 and whose mind possesses undying charms, 

 has written some lines in my copy of Wal- 

 ton, which, if you will allow me, I will repeat 

 to you. 



Albeit, gentle Angler, I 



Delight not in thy trade, 

 Yet in thy pages there doth lie 

 So much of quaint simplicity, 

 So much of mind, 

 Of such good kind, 

 That none need be afraid, 

 Caught by thy cunning bait, this book, 

 To be ensnared on thy hook, 



Gladly from thee, I'm lured to bear 



With things that seemed most vile before, 

 For thou didst on poor subjects rear 

 Matter the wisest sage might hear. 

 And with a grace, 

 That doth efface 



More laboured works, thy simple lore 

 Can teach us that thy skilful lines, 

 More than the scaly brood confines. 



