20 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [part i, 



you towards Ware, whither I am going this fine fresh May morn- 

 ing. 



^Venator. Sir, I, for my part, shall almost answer your 

 hopes ; for my purpose is to drink my morning's draught at the 

 Thatched House in Hoddesden ; and I think not to rest till 

 I come thither, where I have appointed a friend or two to meet me: 

 but for this gentleman that you see with me, I know not how far 

 he intends his journey ; he came so lately into my company, that 

 I have scarce had time to ask him the question. 



AucEPS. Sir, I shall by your favour bear you company as far 

 as Theobalds, and there leave you ; for then I turn up to a 

 friend's house, who mews a Hawk for me,* which I now long to 

 see. 



Venator. Sir, we are all so happy as to have a fine, fresh, 

 cool morning ; and I hope we shall each be the happier in the 

 others' company. And, Gentlemen, that I may not lose yours, I 

 shall either abate or amend my pace to enjoy it, knowing that, as 

 the Italians say, " Good company in a journey makes the way to 

 seem the shorter. " + 



AuCEPS. It may do. Sir, with the help of good discourse, which, 

 methinks, we may promise from you, that both look and speak so 

 cheerfully : and for my part, I promise you, as an invitation to it, 

 that I will be as free and open hearted as discretion will allow me 

 to be with strangers, 



Venator. And, Sir, I promise the like. 



PiSCATOR. I am right glad to hear your answers ; and, in con- 

 fidence you speak the truth, I shall put on a boldness to ask you. 

 Sir, whether business or pleasure caused you to be so early up, 

 and walk so fast 'i for this other gentleman hath declared he is 

 going to see a hawk, that a friend mews for him. 



VAKIATION. 



* Viator. Sir, I shall almost answer your hopes : for my purpose is to be at 

 Hoddesden^ three miles short of that town, I will not say, before I drink, but before I 

 break my fast : for I have appointed a friend or two to meet me there at the Thatched 

 House, about nine of the clock this morning ; and that made me so early up, and in- 

 deed, to walk so fast. 



Piscaior, Sir, I know the Thatched House very well : I often make it my resting- 

 place, and taste a cup of ale there, for which liquor that place is very remarkable : and 

 to that house I shall, by your favour, accompany you, and either abate of my pace or 

 mend it, to enjoy such a companion as you seem to be, knowing that, as the Italians say, 

 Good company makes the way seem the shorter. 



* *' Mew is that place, whether it be abroad or in the house, where you set down your 

 Hawk, during the time that she raiseth her feathers." — Latham, 



t Compagno allegro per camino ti serve per roncino. 



