<ET. 62.] LIFE OF IZAAK WALTON. H 



themselves with a " civil cup to all the otter-hunters " whom 

 Venator was to meet on the next day, and "to all lovers of 

 Angling." Venator then proposes that Piscator should meet him 

 on the morrow, and spend that day in otter-hunting ; upon which 

 condition he would pass the two ensuing days with Piscator, and 

 " do nothing but angle and talk of fish and fishing." Piscator 

 readily agrees, and his promise to be at Amwell Hill before sun- 

 rise the next morning terminates the proceedings of the First 

 day. 



Piscator and Venator meet at the appointed hour, on the 2d of 

 May, on Amwell HiU. They join the other huntsmen : the otter 

 is caught ; and a conversation ensues respecting those animals. 

 Piscator begs for a young otter for the purpose of taming it ; and 

 one of the huntsmen suggests that they shall " go to an honest 

 alehouse, where they may have a cup of good barley wine, sing" 

 a well-known song called " ' Old Rose,' and all of them rejoice 

 together." Venator invites Piscator to accompany them ; and 

 proposes that he shall pay his expenses for that night, and that 

 Piscator shall pay his to-morrow, to which he consents ; and the 

 Second day closes. 



On the next morning, the 3d of May, the dialogue commences 

 abruptly by Venator saying, " Well now, let's go to your sport of 

 Angling : " Piscator conducts him to a proper place ; and in reply 

 to Venator's questions of " How he liked their host and the com- 

 pany ? Was not their host a witty man ? " says, " And now to 

 your question concerning your host, to speak truly he is not to me 

 a good companion : for most of his conceits were either Scripture 

 jests, or lascivious jests, for which I count no man witty ; for the 

 Devil will help a man that way inclined to the first, and his own 

 corrupt nature (which he always carries with him) to the latter. 

 But a companion that feasts the company with wit and mirth and 

 leaves out the sin (which is usually mixt with them) he is the 

 man ; and indeed such a companion should have his charges 

 borne, and to such a company I hope to bring you this night ; 

 for at Trout Hall, not far from this place, where I purpose to 

 lodge to-night, there is usually an angler that proves good com- 

 pany. But for such discourse as we heard last night, it infects 

 others, the very boys will learn to talk and swear as they heard 

 mine host, and another of the company that shall be nameless ; 

 well, you know what example is able to do, and 1 know what the 



