TOE LITEEATUKE OP FISHING. 35 



hawking is laborious and noisome also as me seemeth ; for often the 

 falconer loseth his hawks, as the hunter his hounds, then is his game 

 and his disport gone ; full often crieth he and whistleth till that he 

 be right evil athirst. His hawk taketh a bow and list not once 

 on him reward; when he would have her for to flee, then will she 

 bathe ; with misfeeding she shall have the fronce, the eye, the Cray, 

 and many other sicknesses that bring them to the souse. Thus by 

 proof this is not the best game and disport of the said four. The 

 disport and game of fowling me seemeth most simple, for in the 

 winter season the fowler speedeth not, but in the most hardest and 

 coldest weather; which is grievous; for when he would go to his 

 gins he may not for cold. Many a gin and many a snare he maketh ; 

 yet sorrily doth he fare ; at morn.tide in the dew he is wet shod unto 

 his tail. Many other such I could tell, but dread of meagre maketh 

 me for to leave. Thus me seemeth that hunting and hawking and 

 also fowling be so laborious and grievous, that none of them may 

 perform nor be very mean that induce a man to a merry spirit ; which 

 is cause of his long life according unto the said parable of Solomon." 



I do not think my readers will be wearied if I continue 

 this quaint passage, which thus proceeds : — 



" Doubtless then followeth it that it must needs be the disport of 

 fishing with an angle; for all other manner of fishing is also laborious 

 and grievous : often making folks full wet and cold, which many times 

 hath been seen cause of great infirmities. But the angler may have 

 no cold nor no disease, but if he be causer himself. For he may not 

 lose at the most but a line or a hook : of which he may have store 

 plenty of his own making as this simple treatise shall teach him. So then 

 his loss is not grievous, and other griefs may he not have, saving but if 

 any fish break away after that he is taken on the hook, or else that he 

 catch nought ; which be not grievous. For if he fail of one he may 

 not fail of another, if he doth as this treatise teacheth ; but if there be 

 nought in the water. And yet at the least he hath his wholesome 

 walk and merry at his ease, a sweet air of the sweet savour of the 

 mead flowers ; that maketh him hungry. He heareth the melodious 

 harmony of fowls. He seeth the young swans, herons, ducks, coots, 

 and many other fowls with their broods ; which me seemeth better 

 than all the noise of hounds, the blast of horns, and the cry of fowls 

 that hunters, falconers, and fowlers can make. And if the angler take 



D 2 



