OF PURFLING AGAIN 271 



VEN : But, sir, may we not take some trouts, 

 though there be no fly ? 



Pise : Scholar, you are young to the angle, and 

 so you stand excused. This is the talk of your 

 pot-hunting fishers who do not scruple to throw 

 an alder to a trout that is breakfasting on green 

 drakes. Let me tell you, scholar, that no honest 

 angler will wet a line until the fly be up. Hostess, 

 a pot of ale. 



VEN : Good master, I crave your pardon. 

 Shall we not be going ? 



Pise : Why, my honest scholar, 1 think we 

 shall, for it is now eleven of the clock, and it is 

 no more than seven minutes' walk to Willows 

 Bridge, where I do purpose to begin. 



VEN : Sir, there is a gentleman on the bridge. 



PJSC : An angler, by his rod ; and, by his reach- 

 ing the river at this hour, one who hath skill in the 

 craft. Good-day, sir. 



RAPT : Good-morrow, sir. What sport? 



Pise : Why, sir, none. 



RAPT : None, sir ? You have been fishing to ill 

 purpose then. 



Pise : Nay, sir, I have been fishing to no ill 

 purpose, for I have not been fishing at all. 



