m LIFE OF IZAAK WALTON. [1655, 



« 



poet ' says in the like case, which is worthy to be noted by all 

 parents and people of civility : — 



' Many a one 

 Owes to his country his religion : 

 And in another would as strongly grow, 

 Had but his nurse or mother taught him so.' 



" This is reason put into verse, and worthy the consideration of 

 a wise man. But of this no more, for though I love civility, yet 

 I hate severe censures. I'll to my own art, and I doubt not but 

 at yonder tree I shall catch a chub, and then we'll turn to an 

 honest cleanly hostess that I know right weU, rest ourselves there, 

 and dress it for our dinner." 



Piscator catches a chub, and conducts Venator " to an honest 

 alehouse, where they would find a cleanly room, lavender in the 

 windows, and twenty ballads stuck about the waU," the hostess 

 of which, who was " cleanly, and ha'ndsome, and civil," altered 

 from the first edition, where she is called "both cleanly and 

 conveniently handsome," had dressed many for him "after his 

 fashion," and he would '' warrant it good meat." They dine, 

 and inspired by their good cheer, Venator solicits permission, 

 henceforth, to call Piscator " Master," and " that reaUy he may 

 be his Scholar ; " for he adds, " you are such a companion, and 

 have so quickly caught, and so excellently cooked this fish, as 

 makes me ambitious to be your scholar." Piscator replies, 

 " Give me your hand, from this time forward I wiU be your 

 Master, and teach you as much of this art as I am able ; and 

 will, as you desire me, tell you somewhat of the nature of most 

 of the fish that we are to angle for, and I am sure I both can and 

 will tell you more than any common Angler yet knows." 



They return to their amusement, when Piscator describes the 

 manner of fishing for and dressing chubs ; and desires Venator 

 to take his rod whilst he sits down to mend his tackling. Venator 

 succeeds in catching a chub, and is rewarded by his master's 

 praises. The discourse then turns upon trout ; and one being 

 caught, they set out on their return to the house where they had 

 dined, where they intend to sup and meet Piscator's "brother 

 Peter, a good angler and a cheerful companion," as well as a 

 friend whom he brought with him. It is evident that the word 



** The poet alluded to, from whom these lines are quoted, has not been discovered, 

 but the following imitation of them by Dryden has been pointed out by an intelligent 

 correspondent to the Gentleman's Magazine, vol. xcix. part II. p. iia : 



" By education most have been misled, 

 So they believe, because they were so bred ; 

 Tlie priest coDtimies wliat the nurse began. 

 And thus the cliild imposes on the man.^ 



