318 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [PART I. 



you for your many instructions, which, God willing, I will 

 not forget. And as St. Austin in his Confessions, 1 book iv. 

 chap. 3, commemorates the kindness of his friend Vere- 

 cundus, for lending him and his companion a country-house, 

 because there they rested and enjoyed themselves free from 

 the troubles of the world ; so, having had the like advantage, 

 both by your conversation and the art you have taught me, 

 I ought ever to do the like: for indeed, your company 

 and discourse have been so useful and pleasant, that I 

 may truly say I have only lived since I enjoyed them, 

 and turned angler, and not before. Nevertheless, here 

 I must part with you, here in this now sad place, where 

 I was so happy as first to meet you: but I shall long 

 for the ninth of May, for then I hope again to enjoy your 

 beloved company at the appointed time and place. And 

 now I wish for some somniferous potion, that might force 

 me to sleep away the intermitted time, which will pass away 

 with me as tediously, as it does with men in sorrow; neverthe- 

 less I will make it as short as I can, by my hopes and wishes. 

 And my good master, I will not forget the doctrine which 

 you told me Socrates taught his scholars, that they should 

 not think to be honoured so much for being philosophers, 

 as to honour philosophy by their virtuous lives. You advised 

 me to the like concerning angling, and I will endeavour to 

 do so, and to live like those many worthy men of which you 



translated from Martial, lib. ii. epig. 53, which, far surpassing the original, 

 exhibit a lovely picture of a contented mind ; and for the manly spirit of 

 independence that breathes in them, I have never yet seen equalled by any 

 in our own language. 



Would you be free ? 'Tis your chief wish, you say. 



Come on, I'll show thee, friend ! the certain way. 



If to no feasts abroad thou lov'st to go, 



Whilst bounteous God does bread at home bestow ; 



If thou the goodness of thy clothes dost prize, 



By thine own use, and not by other's eyes ; 



If (only safe from weathers) thou canst dwell, 



In a small house but a convenient shell ; 

 . If thou, without a sigh, or golden wish, 



Canst look upon thy beechen bowl and dish : 



If in thy mind such power and greatness be, 



The Persian king's a slave, compar'd with thee. 



1 The passage to which Walton alludes will be found in a translation of 

 the "Life of St. Augustine," folio, Lond. 1660. N, 



