284 AN ANGLER AT LARGE 



VEN : Up, dear master, the trouts are rising 

 madly. 



Pise : My shaving- water, Thomas. 



VEN: Nay, sweet master, awake. It is six 

 of the clock, and there is great sport toward. 



Pise: As I live, I do believe that I have 

 nodded. Ay, scholar, the trouts are rising 

 gallantly. Let me tell you that this is the evening 

 rise, called amongst us old anglers Tom Fool's 

 Light, because it would seem that the veriest 

 bungler must enjoy sport when the fish are so 

 ready to feed. But you must know, sir, that 

 this name is ill-chosen. For all their boldness 

 it taketh a master hand to deceive them at this 

 time. 



VEN : Yet have I landed a leash in this very 

 pool. 



Pise : Then I will go higher yet, and try con- 

 clusions with them in the next meadow. 



VEN : Well, master, the sun hath set upon a 

 fair day and a happy one for me. I have taken 

 another brace since we parted company. How 

 hath fortune smiled upon you, good master, beside 

 this tumbling bay ? 



Pise : Why, sir, sourly, for I have wasted all 

 this fine rise fishing for one trout, which, when 



