COMMENDATORY VERSES.* 



TO MY DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW,t MR IZAAK WALTON, 

 UPON HIS " COMPLETE ANGLER." 



Erasmus in his learned Colloquies 

 Has mixt some toys,* that by varieties 

 He might entice all readers : for in him 

 Each child may wade, or tallest giant swim. 

 And such is this discourse : there's none so low. 

 Or highly learn'd, to whom hence may not flow 

 Pleasure and information : both which are 

 Taught us with so much art, that I might swear 

 Safely, the choicest critic cannot tell, 

 "Whether your matchless judgment most excel 

 In Angling or its praise : where commendation 

 First charms, then makes an art a recreation. 



'Twas so to me ; who so the cheerful spring 

 Pictur'd in every meadow, heard birds sing 

 Sonnets in every grove, saw fishes play 

 In the cool crystal streams, like lambs in May : 

 And they may play, till Anglers read this Book ; 

 But after, 'tis a wise fish 'scapes a hook. 



Jo. Floud, Mr. of Arts* 



TO THE READER OF "THE COMPLETE ANGLER." 



First mark the Title well : my Friend that gave it 

 Has made it good ; this book deserves to have it. 



Variation.] ^ mirth. — id edit, as in text in- yi edit. 



* None of the verses occur in the .^rst, but they are all to be found in tlie secojid 

 edition excepting the two last by Dr Duport, which were inserted for the first time in 

 the fiftk edition. , , . ' , , 



tin the Jlltli edition, the words in-law are omitted ; but as they correctly explain 

 the writer's relationship, they are here adopted. ,^ ,, , . , -r j ,. 



1 Some account of thin person, who was the brother of Wallon s first wife, and of his 

 family will be found in the Life of "Walton, at the commencement of the volume. 



