COMMENDATORY VEESES. 39 



Reader, this he, this fisherman, comes forth, 



And in these fisher's weeds would shroud his worth. 



Now his mute harp is on a willow hung, 



With which when finely touch' d, and fitly strung, 



He could friends' passions for these times allay, 



Or chain his fellow anglers from their prey. 



But now the music of his pen is still, 



And he sits by a brook watching a quill : 



Where with a fixt eye, and a ready hand, 



He studies first to hook, and then to land 



Some trout, or pearch, or pike ; and having done, 



Sits on a bank, and tells how this was won, 



And that escap'd his hook, which with a wile 



Did eat the bait, and fisherman beguile. 



Thus whilst some vex they from their lands are thrown, 



He joys to think the waters are his own ; 



And like the Dutch, he gladly can agree 

 To live at peace now, and have fishing free. 



April 3, 1650. EDW. POWEL, M.A. 



TO MY DEAE BEOTHEE ME. IZAAK WALTON 



ON HIS 



"COMPLETE ANGLER." 



THIS book is so like you, and you like it, 

 For harmless mirth, expression, art and wit, 

 That I protest, ingenuously 'tis true, 

 I love this mirth, art, wit, the book and you. 



KOB. FLOUD, C. 



CLARISSIMO AMICISSIMOQUE 



FEATEI, DOMINO ISAACO WALTON 



ARTIS PISCATORLE PERITISSIMO. 



UNICUS est medicus reliquorum piscis, et istis, 

 Fas quibus est medicum tangere, .certa salus 





