THOMAS KEN AND IZAAK WALTON 167 

 The reference in the Will runs as follows — 



"To my son Izaak I give all my books 

 (not yet given) at Farnham Castell and a 

 deske of prints and pickters ; also a cabinet 

 nere my beds head, in w"" are some littell 

 things that he will valew, tho' of no great 

 worth." 



The consequence of this unexpected apparition 

 was a series of sonnets which poured in upon 

 the happy possessor. I quote one of them by 

 Dr. Grosart — 



" Sacred as legendary relic, this — 



And with a touch of tenderer sanctity 



For all who look aneath what meets the eye 

 The Cabinet of Izaak Walton ! 'Tis 

 A thing of beauty in itself, I wis ; 



Quaint flowers and fruit and fish that lie 



In artful order, yet most naturally. 

 But his name ! There's the spell and envied bliss 



O' the owner. In this chest, by Walton's bed 

 Suspended, choicest books, methinks have lain ; 



Before me as I ponder, fancy-led. 

 Rise Hooker, Herbert, Donne — ne'er to be ta'en 



From their high shrine, the ' Lives.' O sweet old man 



Fresh is thy fame as when that fame began." 



(Alexand. B. Grosart, LL.D., F.S.A.) 



