98 THE COMPLETE ANGLER, [part I. 



So, rotten sides of broken ships do change 

 To barnacles. O transformation strange I 

 'Twas first a green tree : then, a gallant hull ; 

 Lately a mushroom ; now, a flying gull.* 



Venator. O my good master, this morning walk has been 

 spent to my great pleasure and wonder : but, I pray, when shall 

 I have your direction how to make artificial flies, like to those 

 that the Trout loves best ; and, also, how to use them ? 



PiSCATOR. My honest scholar, it is now past five of the clock : 

 we will fish till nine, and then go to breakfast. Go you to 

 yonder sycamore-tree, and hide your bottle of drink under the 

 hollow root of it ; for about that time, and in that place, we will 

 make a brave breakfast with a piece of powdered beef, and a 

 radish or two that I have in my fish-bag : we shall, I warrant you, 

 make a good, honest, wholesome hungry breakfast. And I will 

 then give you direction for the making and using of your flies : 

 and in the mean time, there is your rod and line ; and my advice 

 is that you fish as you see me do, and let's try which can catch 

 the first fish. 



Venator. I thank you, master. I will observe and practise 

 your direction as far as I am able. 



PiSCATOR. Look you, scholar ; you see I have hold of a good 

 fish : I now see it is a Trout. I pray, put that net under him ; 

 and touch not my line, for if you do, then we break all. Well 

 done, scholar : I thank you. 



Now for another. Trust me, I have another bite. Come, 

 scholar, come lay down your rod, and help me to land this as you 

 did the other. So now we shall be sure to have a good dish of 

 fish for supper. 



Venator. I am glad of that : but I have no fortune : sure, 

 master, yours is a better rod and better tackling. 



PiSCATOR. Nay, then, take mine \ and I will fish with yours. 

 Look you, scholar, I have another. Come, do as you did before. 

 And now I have a bite at another. Oh me ! he has broke all : 

 there's half a line and a good hook Icfit. 



Venator. Ay, and a good Trout too. 



PiSCATOR. Nay, the Trout is not lost ; for pray take notice, 

 no man can lose what he never had. 



Venator. Master, I can neither catch with the first nor 

 second angle : I have no fortune. 



PiSCATOR. Look you, scholar, I have yet another. And now, 



* These verses occur in the sLith day of the first week of Du Bartas, by Sylvester, 

 ed. i6oS, 4to, p. 182. 



