COMMENDATORY VERSES. 



TO MY DEAE BHOTHEK IZAAK WALTON, 



UPON HIS 



"COMPLETE ANGLER." 



ERASMUS in his learned Colloquies 

 Has mixt some toys, that by varieties 

 He might entice all readers : for in him 

 Each child may wade, or tallest giant swim. 

 And such is this Discourse : there's none so low 

 Or highly learn' d, to whom hence may not flow 

 Pleasure and information ; both which are 

 Taught us with so much art, that I might swear, 

 Safely, the choicest critic cannot tell 

 Whether your matchless judgment most excell 

 In angling or its praise : where commendation 

 First charms, then makes an art a recreation. 



'Twas so to me : who saw the cheerful spring 

 Pictur'd in every meadow, heard birds sing 

 Sonnets in every grove, saw fishes play 

 In the cool crystal springs, like lambs in May ; 

 And they may play, till anglers read this book ; 

 But after, 'tis a wise fish 'scapes a hook. 



Jo. FLOUD, M.A. 



