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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Compleat Angler, by Izaak Walton
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Compleat Angler
+
+Author: Izaak Walton
+
+Posting Date: June 25, 2011 [EBook #683]
+Release Date: October, 1996
+Last Updated: July 11, 2016
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COMPLEAT ANGLER ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Tokuya Matsumoto <toqyam@os.rim.or.jp>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+IZAAK WALTON
+
+
+
+THE COMPLEAT ANGLER
+
+
+
+
+To the Right worshipful
+
+John Offley
+
+of Madeley Manor, in the County of Stafford
+
+Esquire, My most honoured Friend
+
+Sir,--I have made so ill use of your former favours, as by them to be
+encouraged to entreat, that they may be enlarged to the patronage and
+protection of this Book: and I have put on a modest confidence, that I
+shall not be denied, because it is a discourse of Fish and Fishing,
+which you know so well, and both love and practice so much.
+
+You are assured, though there be ignorant men of another belief, that
+Angling is an Art: and you know that Art better than others; and that
+this is truth is demonstrated by the fruits of that pleasant labour
+which you enjoy, when you purpose to give rest to your mind, and divest
+yourself of your more serious business, and, which is often, dedicate a
+day or two to this recreation.
+
+At which time, if common Anglers should attend you, and be eyewitnesses
+of the success, not of your fortune, but your skill, it would doubtless
+beget in them an emulation to be like you, and that emulation might
+beget an industrious diligence to be so; but I know it is not attainable
+by common capacities: and there be now many men of great wisdom,
+learning, and experience, which love and practice this Art, that know I
+speak the truth.
+
+Sir, this pleasant curiosity of Fish and Fishing, of which you are so
+great a master, has been thought worthy the pens and practices of divers
+in other nations, that have been reputed men of great learning and
+wisdom. And amongst those of this nation, I remember Sir Henry Wotton, a
+dear lover of this Art, has told me, that his intentions were to write a
+Discourse of the Art, and in praise of Angling; and doubtless he had
+done so, if death had not prevented him; the remembrance of which had
+often made me sorry, for if he had lived to do it, then the unlearned
+Angler had seen some better treatise of this Art, a treatise that might
+have proved worthy his perusal, which, though some have undertaken, I
+could never yet see in English.
+
+But mine may be thought as weak, and as unworthy of common view; and I
+do here freely confess, that I should rather excuse myself, than censure
+others, my own discourse being liable to so many exceptions; against
+which you, Sir, might make this one, that it can contribute nothing to
+YOUR knowledge. And lest a longer epistle may diminish your pleasure, I
+shall make this no longer than to add this following truth, that I am
+really,
+
+Sir,
+
+your most affectionate Friend,
+
+and most humble Servant,
+
+Iz. Wa.
+
+
+
+
+The epistle to the reader
+
+To all Readers of this discourse, but especially to the honest Angler
+
+I think fit to tell thee these following truths; that I did neither
+undertake, nor write, nor publish, and much less own, this Discourse to
+please myself: and, having been too easily drawn to do all to please
+others, as I propose not the gaining of credit by this undertaking, so I
+would not willingly lose any part of that to which I had a just title
+before I began it; and do therefore desire and hope, if I deserve not
+commendations, yet I may obtain pardon.
+
+And though this Discourse may be liable to some exceptions, yet I cannot
+doubt but that most Readers may receive so much pleasure or profit by
+it, as may make it worthy the time of their perusal, if they be not too
+grave or too busy men. And this is all the confidence that I can put on,
+concerning the merit of what is here offered to their consideration and
+censure; and if the last prove too severe, as I have a liberty, so I am
+resolved to use it, and neglect all sour censures.
+
+And I wish the Reader also to take notice, that in writing of it I have
+made myself a recreation of a recreation; and that it might prove so to
+him, and not read dull and tediously, I have in several places mixed,
+not any scurrility, but some innocent, harmless mirth, of which, if thou
+be a severe, sour-complexioned man, then I here disallow thee to be a
+competent judge; for divines say, there are offences given, and offences
+not given but taken.
+
+And I am the willinger to justify the pleasant part of it, because
+though it is known I can be serious at seasonable times, yet the whole
+Discourse is, or rather was, a picture of my own disposition, especially
+in such days and times as I have laid aside business, and gone a-fishing
+with honest Nat. and R. Roe; but they are gone, and with them most of my
+pleasant hours, even as a shadow that passeth away and returns not.
+
+And next let me add this, that he that likes not the book, should like
+the excellent picture of the Trout, and some of the other fish, which I
+may take a liberty to commend, because they concern not myself.
+
+Next, let me tell the Reader, that in that which is the more useful part
+of this Discourse, that is to say, the observations of the nature and
+breeding, and seasons, and catching of fish, I am not so simple as not
+to know, that a captious reader may find exceptions against something
+said of some of these; and therefore I must entreat him to consider,
+that experience teaches us to know that several countries alter the
+time, and I think, almost the manner, of fishes' breeding, but doubtless
+of their being in season; as may appear by three rivers in
+Monmouthshire, namely, Severn, Wye, and Usk, where Camden observes, that
+in the river Wye, Salmon are in season from September to April; and we
+are certain, that in Thames and Trent, and in most other rivers, they be
+in season the six hotter months.
+
+Now for the Art of catching fish, that is to say, How to make a man that
+was none to be an Angler by a book, he that undertakes it shall
+undertake a harder task than Mr. Hales, a most valiant and excellent
+fencer, who in a printed book called A Private School of Defence
+undertook to teach that art or science, and was laughed at for his
+labour. Not but that many useful things might be learned by that book,
+but he was laughed at because that art was not to be taught by words,
+but practice: and so must Angling. And note also, that in this Discourse
+I do not undertake to say all that is known, or may be said of it, but I
+undertake to acquaint the Reader with many things that are not usually
+known to every Angler; and I shall leave gleanings and observations
+enough to be made out of the experience of all that love and practice
+this recreation, to which I shall encourage them. For Angling may be
+said to be so like the Mathematicks, that it can never be fully learnt;
+at least not so fully, but that there will still be more new experiments
+left for the trial of other men that succeed us.
+
+But I think all that love this game may here learn something that may be
+worth their money, if they be not poor and needy men: and in case they
+be, I then wish them to forbear to buy it; for I write not to get money,
+but for pleasure, and this Discourse boasts of no more, for I hate to
+promise much, and deceive the Reader.
+
+And however it proves to him, yet I am sure I have found a high content
+in the search and conference of what is here offered to the Reader's
+view and censure. I wish him as much in the perusal of it, and so I
+might here take my leave; but will stay a little and tell him, that
+whereas it is said by many, that in fly-fishing for a Trout, the Angler
+must observe his twelve several flies for the twelve months of the year,
+I say, he that follows that rule, shall be as sure to catch fish, and be
+as wise, as he that makes hay by the fair days in an Almanack, and no
+surer; for those very flies that used to appear about, and on, the water
+in one month of the year, may the following year come almost a month
+sooner or later, as the same year proves colder or hotter: and yet, in
+the following Discourse, I have set down the twelve flies that are in
+reputation with many anglers; and they may serve to give him some
+observations concerning them. And he may note, that there are in Wales,
+and other countries, peculiar flies, proper to the particular place or
+country; and doubtless, unless a man makes a fly to counterfeit that
+very fly in that place, he is like to lose his labour, or much of it;
+but for the generality, three or four flies neat and rightly made, and
+not too big, serve for a Trout in most rivers, all the summer: and for
+winter fly-fishing it is as useful as an Almanack out of date. And of
+these, because as no man is born an artist, so no man is born an Angler,
+I thought fit to give thee this notice.
+
+When I have told the reader, that in this fifth impression there are
+many enlargements, gathered both by my own observation, and the
+communication with friends, I shall stay him no longer than to wish him
+a rainy evening to read this following Discourse; and that if he be an
+honest Angler, the east wind may never blow when he goes a-fishing.
+
+I. W.
+
+
+
+
+The first day
+
+A Conference betwixt an Angler, a Falconer, and a Hunter, each
+commending his Recreation
+
+Chapter I
+
+Piscator, Venator, Auceps
+
+Piscator. You are well overtaken, Gentlemen! A good morning to you both!
+I have stretched my legs up Tottenham Hill to overtake you, hoping your
+business may occasion you towards Ware, whither I am going this fine
+fresh May morning.
+
+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 so, 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 confidence 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? for
+this other gentleman hath declared he is going to see a hawk, that a
+friend mews for him.
+
+Venator. Sir, mine is a mixture of both, a little business and more
+pleasure; for I intend this day to do all my business, and then bestow
+another day or two in hunting the Otter, which a friend, that I go to
+meet, tells me is much pleasanter than any other chase whatsoever:
+howsoever, I mean to try it; for to-morrow morning we shall meet a pack
+of Otter-dogs of noble Mr. Sadler's, upon Amwell Hill, who will be there
+so early, that they intend to prevent the sunrising.
+
+Piscator. Sir, my fortune has answered my desires, and my purpose is to
+bestow a day or two in helping to destroy some of those villanous
+vermin: for I hate them perfectly, because they love fish so well, or
+rather, because they destroy so much; indeed so much, that, in my
+judgment all men that keep Otter-dogs ought to have pensions from the
+King, to encourage them to destroy the very breed of those base Otters,
+they do so much mischief.
+
+Venator. But what say you to the Foxes of the Nation, would not you as
+willingly have them destroyed? for doubtless they do as much mischief as
+Otters do.
+
+Piscator. Oh, Sir, if they do, it is not so much to me and my
+fraternity, as those base vermin the Otters do.
+
+Auceps. Why, Sir, I pray, of what fraternity are you, that you are so
+angry with the poor Otters?
+
+Piscator. I am, Sir, a Brother of the Angle, and therefore an enemy to
+the Otter: for you are to note, that we Anglers all love one another,
+and therefore do I hate the Otter both for my own, and their sakes who
+are of my brotherhood.
+
+Venator. And I am a lover of Hounds; I have followed many a pack of dogs
+many a mile, and heard many merry Huntsmen make sport and scoff at
+Anglers.
+
+Auceps. And I profess myself a Falconer, and have heard many grave,
+serious men pity them, it is such a heavy, contemptible, dull
+recreation.
+
+Piscator. You know, Gentlemen, it is an easy thing to scoff at any art
+or recreation; a little wit mixed with ill nature, confidence, and
+malice, will do it; but though they often venture boldly, yet they are
+often caught, even in their own trap, according to that of Lucian, the
+father of the family of Scoffers:
+
+     "_Lucian, well skilled in scoffing, this hath writ;
+     Friend, that's your folly, which you think your wit:
+     This, you vent oft, void both of wit and fear,
+     Meaning another, when yourself you jeer._"
+
+If to this you add what Solomon says of Scoffers, that "they are an
+abomination to mankind," let him that thinks fit scoff on, and be a
+Scoffer still; but I account them enemies to me and all that love Virtue
+and Angling.
+
+And for you that have heard many grave, serious men pity Anglers; let me
+tell you, Sir, there be many men that are by others taken to be serious
+and grave men, whom we contemn and pity. Men that are taken to be grave,
+because nature hath made them of a sour complexion; money-getting men,
+men that spend all their time, first in getting, and next, in anxious
+care to keep it; men that are condemned to be rich, and then always busy
+or discontented: for these poor rich-men, we Anglers pity them
+perfectly, and stand in no need to borrow their thoughts to think
+ourselves so happy. No, no, Sir, we enjoy a contentedness above the
+reach of such dispositions, and as the learned and ingenuous Montaigne
+says, like himself, freely, "When my Cat and I entertain each other with
+mutual apish tricks, as playing with a garter, who knows but that I make
+my Cat more sport than she makes me? Shall I conclude her to be simple,
+that has her time to begin or refuse, to play as freely as I myself
+have? Nay, who knows but that it is a defect of my not understanding her
+language, for doubtless Cats talk and reason with one another, that we
+agree no better: and who knows but that she pities me for being no wiser
+than to play with her, and laughs and censures my folly, for making
+sport for her, when we two play together?"
+
+Thus freely speaks Montaigne concerning Cats; and I hope I may take as
+great a liberty to blame any man, and laugh at him too, let him be never
+so grave, that hath not heard what Anglers can say in the justification
+of their Art and Recreation; which I may again tell you, is so full of
+pleasure, that we need not borrow their thoughts, to think ourselves
+happy.
+
+Venator. Sir, you have almost amazed me; for though I am no Scoffer, yet
+I have, I pray let me speak it without offence, always looked upon
+Anglers, as more patient, and more simple men, than I fear I shall find
+you to be.
+
+Piscator. Sir, I hope you will not judge my earnestness to be
+impatience: and for my simplicity, if by that you mean a harmlessness,
+or that simplicity which was usually found in the primitive Christians,
+who were, as most Anglers are, quiet men, and followers of peace; men
+that were so simply wise, as not to sell their consciences to buy
+riches, and with them vexation and a fear to die; if you mean such
+simple men as lived in those times when there were fewer lawyers; when
+men might have had a lordship safely conveyed to them in a piece of
+parchment no bigger than your hand, though several sheets will not do it
+safely in this wiser age; I say, Sir, if you take us Anglers to be such
+simple men as I have spoke of, then myself and those of my profession
+will be glad to be so understood: But if by simplicity you meant to
+express a general defect in those that profess and practice the
+excellent Art of Angling, I hope in time to disabuse you, and make the
+contrary appear so evidently, that if you will but have patience to hear
+me, I shall remove all the anticipations that discourse, or time, or
+prejudice, have possessed you with against that laudable and ancient
+Art; for I know it is worthy the knowledge and practice of a wise man.
+
+But, Gentlemen, though I be able to do this, I am not so unmannerly as
+to engross all the discourse to myself; and, therefore, you two having
+declared yourselves, the one to be a lover of Hawks, the other of
+Hounds, I shall be most glad to hear what you can say in the
+commendation of that recreation which each of you love and practice; and
+having heard what you can say, I shall be glad to exercise your
+attention with what I can say concerning my own recreation and Art of
+Angling, and by this means we shall make the way to seem the shorter:
+and if you like my motion, I would have Mr. Falconer to begin.
+
+Auceps. Your motion is consented to with all my heart; and to testify
+it, I will begin as you have desired me.
+
+And first, for the Element that I use to trade in, which is the Air, an
+element of more worth than weight, an element that doubtless exceeds
+both the Earth and Water; for though I sometimes deal in both, yet the
+air is most properly mine, I and my Hawks use that most, and it yields
+us most recreation. It stops not the high soaring of my noble, generous
+Falcon; in it she ascends to such a height as the dull eyes of beasts
+and fish are not able to reach to; their bodies are too gross for such
+high elevations; in the Air my troops of Hawks soar up on high, and when
+they are lost in the sight of men, then they attend upon and converse
+with the Gods; therefore I think my Eagle is so justly styled Jove's
+servant in ordinary: and that very Falcon, that I am now going to see,
+deserves no meaner a title, for she usually in her flight endangers
+herself, like the son of Daedalus, to have her wings scorched by the
+sun's heat, she flies so near it, but her mettle makes her careless of
+danger; for she then heeds nothing, but makes her nimble pinions cut the
+fluid air, and so makes her highway over the steepest mountains and
+deepest rivers, and in her glorious career looks with contempt upon
+those high steeples and magnificent palaces which we adore and wonder
+at; from which height, I can make her to descend by a word from my
+mouth, which she both knows and obeys, to accept of meat from my hand,
+to own me for her Master, to go home with me, and be willing the next
+day to afford me the like recreation.
+
+And more; this element of air which I profess to trade in, the worth of
+it is such, and it is of such necessity, that no creature whatsoever--not
+only those numerous creatures that feed on the face of the earth, but
+those various creatures that have their dwelling within the waters,
+every creature that hath life in its nostrils, stands in need of my
+element. The waters cannot preserve the Fish without air, witness the
+not breaking of ice in an extreme frost; the reason is, for that if the
+inspiring and expiring organ of any animal be stopped, it suddenly
+yields to nature, and dies. Thus necessary is air, to the existence both
+of Fish and Beasts, nay, even to Man himself; that air, or breath of
+life, with which God at first inspired mankind, he, if he wants it, dies
+presently, becomes a sad object to all that loved and beheld him, and in
+an instant turns to putrefaction.
+
+Nay more; the very birds of the air, those that be not Hawks, are both
+so many and so useful and pleasant to mankind, that I must not let them
+pass without some observations. They both feed and refresh him; feed him
+with their choice bodies, and refresh him with their heavenly voices. I
+will not undertake to mention the several kinds of Fowl by which this is
+done: and his curious palate pleased by day, and which with their very
+excrements afford him a soft lodging at night. These I will pass by, but
+not those little nimble musicians of the air, that warble forth their
+curious ditties, with which nature hath furnished them to the shame of
+art.
+
+As first the Lark, when she means to rejoice, to cheer herself and those
+that hear her; she then quits the earth, and sings as she ascends higher
+into the air and having ended her heavenly employment, grows then mute,
+and sad, to think she must descend to the dull earth, which she would
+not touch, but for necessity.
+
+How do the Blackbird and Thrassel with their melodious voices bid
+welcome to the cheerful Spring, and in their fixed months warble forth
+such ditties as no art or instrument can reach to!
+
+Nay, the smaller birds also do the like in their particular seasons, as
+namely the Laverock, the Tit-lark, the little Linnet, and the honest
+Robin that loves mankind both alive and dead.
+
+But the Nightingale, another of my airy creatures, breathes such sweet
+loud musick out of her little instrumental throat, that it might make
+mankind to think miracles are not ceased. He that at midnight, when the
+very labourer sleeps securely, should hear, as I have very often, the
+clear airs, the sweet descants, the natural rising and falling, the
+doubling and redoubling of her voice, might well be lifted above earth,
+and say, "Lord, what musick hast thou provided for the Saints in Heaven,
+when thou affordest bad men such musick on Earth!"
+
+And this makes me the less to wonder at the many Aviaries in Italy, or
+at the great charge of Varro's Aviary, the ruins of which are yet to be
+seen in Rome, and is still so famous there, that it is reckoned for one
+of those notables which men of foreign nations either record, or lay up
+in their memories when they return from travel.
+
+This for the birds of pleasure, of which very much more might be said.
+My next shall be of birds of political use. I think it is not to be
+doubted that Swallows have been taught to carry letters between two
+armies; but 'tis certain that when the Turks besieged Malta or Rhodes, I
+now remember not which it was, Pigeons are then related to carry and
+recarry letters: and Mr. G. Sandys, in his Travels, relates it to be
+done betwixt Aleppo and Babylon, But if that be disbelieved, it is not
+to be doubted that the Dove was sent out of the ark by Noah, to give him
+notice of land, when to him all appeared to be sea; and the Dove proved
+a faithful and comfortable messenger. And for the sacrifices of the law,
+a pair of Turtle-doves, or young Pigeons, were as well accepted as
+costly Bulls and Rams; and when God would feed the Prophet Elijah, after
+a kind of miraculous manner, he did it by Ravens, who brought him meat
+morning and evening. Lastly, the Holy Ghost, when he descended visibly
+upon our Saviour, did it by assuming the shape of a Dove. And, to
+conclude this part of my discourse, pray remember these wonders were
+done by birds of air, the element in which they, and I, take so much
+pleasure.
+
+There is also a little contemptible winged creature, an inhabitant of my
+aerial element, namely the laborious Bee, of whose prudence, policy, and
+regular government of their own commonwealth, I might say much, as also
+of their several kinds, and how useful their honey and wax are both for
+meat and medicines to mankind; but I will leave them to their sweet
+labour, without the least disturbance, believing them to be all very
+busy at this very time amongst the herbs and flowers that we see nature
+puts forth this May morning.
+
+And now to return to my Hawks, from whom I have made too long a
+digression. You are to note, that they are usually distinguished into
+two kinds; namely, the long-winged, and the short-winged Hawk: of the
+first kind, there be chiefly in use amongst us in this nation,
+
+    The Gerfalcon and Jerkin,
+    The Falcon and Tassel-gentle,
+    The Laner and Laneret,
+    The Bockerel and Bockeret,
+    The Saker and Sacaret,
+    The Merlin and Jack Merlin,
+    The Hobby and Jack:
+    There is the Stelletto of Spain,
+    The Blood-red Rook from Turkey,
+    The Waskite from Virginia:
+    And there is of short-winged Hawks,
+    The Eagle and Iron
+    The Goshawk and Tarcel,
+    The Sparhawk and Musket,
+    The French Pye of two sorts:
+
+These are reckoned Hawks of note and worth; but we have also of an
+inferior rank,
+
+    The Stanyel, the Ringtail,
+    The Raven, the Buzzard,
+    The Forked Kite, the Bald Buzzard,
+    The Hen-driver, and others that I forbear to name.
+
+Gentlemen, if I should enlarge my discourse to the observation of the
+Eires, the Brancher, the Ramish Hawk, the Haggard, and the two sorts of
+Lentners, and then treat of their several Ayries, their Mewings, rare
+order of casting, and the renovation of their feathers: their
+reclaiming, dieting, and then come to their rare stories of practice; I
+say, if I should enter into these, and many other observations that I
+could make, it would be much, very much pleasure to me: but lest I
+should break the rules of civility with you, by taking up more than the
+proportion of time allotted to me, I will here break off, and entreat
+you, Mr. Venator, to say what you are able in the commendation of
+Hunting, to which you are so much affected; and if time will serve, I
+will beg your favour for a further enlargement of some of those several
+heads of which I have spoken. But no more at present.
+
+Venator. Well, Sir, and I will now take my turn, and will first begin
+with a commendation of the Earth, as you have done most excellently of
+the Air; the Earth being that element upon which I drive my pleasant,
+wholesome, hungry trade. The Earth is a solid, settled element; an
+element most universally beneficial both to man and beast; to men who
+have their several recreations upon it, as horse-races, hunting, sweet
+smells, pleasant walks: the earth feeds man, and all those several
+beasts that both feed him, and afford him recreation. What pleasure doth
+man take in hunting the stately Stag, the generous Buck, the wild Boar,
+the cunning Otter, the crafty Fox, and the fearful Hare! And if I may
+descend to a lower game, what pleasure is it sometimes with gins to
+betray the very vermin of the earth; as namely, the Fichat, the
+Fulimart, the Ferret, the Pole-cat, the Mouldwarp, and the like
+creatures that live upon the face, and within the bowels of, the Earth.
+How doth the Earth bring forth herbs, flowers, and fruits, both for
+physick and the pleasure of mankind! and above all, to me at least, the
+fruitful vine, of which when I drink moderately, it clears my brain,
+cheers my heart, and sharpens my wit. How could Cleopatra have feasted
+Mark Antony with eight wild Boars roasted whole at one supper, and other
+meat suitable, if the earth had not been a bountiful mother? But to pass
+by the mighty Elephant, which the Earth breeds and nourisheth, and
+descend to the least of creatures, how doth the earth afford us a
+doctrinal example in the little Pismire, who in the summer provides and
+lays up her winter provision, and teaches man to do the like! The earth
+feeds and carries those horses that carry us. If I would be prodigal of
+my time and your patience, what might not I say in commendations of the
+earth? That puts limits to the proud and raging sea, and by that means
+preserves both man and beast, that it destroys them not, as we see it
+daily doth those that venture upon the sea, and are there shipwrecked,
+drowned, and left to feed Haddocks; when we that are so wise as to keep
+ourselves on earth, walk, and talk, and live, and eat, and drink, and go
+a hunting: of which recreation I will say a little, and then leave Mr.
+Piscator to the commendation of Angling.
+
+Hunting is a game for princes and noble persons; it hath been highly
+prized in all ages; it was one of the qualifications that Xenophon
+bestowed on his Cyrus, that he was a hunter of wild beasts. Hunting
+trains up the younger nobility to the use of manly exercises in their
+riper age. What more manly exercise than hunting the Wild Boar, the
+Stag, the Buck, the Fox, or the Hare? How doth it preserve health, and
+increase strength and activity!
+
+And for the dogs that we use, who can commend their excellency to that
+height which they deserve? How perfect is the hound at smelling, who
+never leaves or forsakes his first scent, but follows it through so many
+changes and varieties of other scents, even over, and in, the water, and
+into the earth! What music doth a pack of dogs then make to any man,
+whose heart and ears are so happy as to be set to the tune of such
+instruments! How will a right Greyhound fix his eye on the best Buck in
+a herd, single him out, and follow him, and him only, through a whole
+herd of rascal game, and still know and then kill him! For my hounds, I
+know the language of them, and they know the language and meaning of one
+another, as perfectly as we know the voices of those with whom we
+discourse daily.
+
+I might enlarge myself in the commendation of Hunting, and of the noble
+Hound especially, as also of the docibleness of dogs in general; and I
+might make many observations of land-creatures, that for composition,
+order, figure, and constitution, approach nearest to the completeness
+and understanding of man; especially of those creatures, which Moses in
+the Law permitted to the Jews, which have cloven hoofs, and chew the
+cud; which I shall forbear to name, because I will not be so uncivil to
+Mr. Piscator, as not to allow him a time for the commendation of
+Angling, which he calls an art; but doubtless it is an easy one: and,
+Mr. Auceps, I doubt we shall hear a watery discourse of it, but I hope
+it will not be a long one.
+
+Auceps. And I hope so too, though I fear it will.
+
+Piscator. Gentlemen, let not prejudice prepossess you. I confess my
+discourse is like to prove suitable to my recreation, calm and quiet; we
+seldom take the name of God into our mouths, but it is either to praise
+him, or pray to him: if others use it vainly in the midst of their
+recreations, so vainly as if they meant to conjure, I must tell you, it
+is neither our fault nor our custom; we protest against it. But, pray
+remember, I accuse nobody; for as I would not make a "watery discourse,"
+so I would not put too much vinegar into it; nor would I raise the
+reputation of my own art, by the diminution or ruin of another's. And so
+much for the prologue to what I mean to say.
+
+And now for the Water, the element that I trade in. The water is the
+eldest daughter of the creation, the element upon which the Spirit of
+God did first move, the element which God commanded to bring forth
+living creatures abundantly; and without which, those that inhabit the
+land, even all creatures that have breath in their nostrils, must
+suddenly return to putrefaction. Moses, the great lawgiver and chief
+philosopher, skilled in all the learning of the Egyptians, who was
+called the friend of God, and knew the mind of the Almighty, names this
+element the first in the creation: this is the element upon which the
+Spirit of God did first move, and is the chief ingredient in the
+creation: many philosophers have made it to comprehend all the other
+elements, and most allow it the chiefest in the mixtion of all living
+creatures.
+
+There be that profess to believe that all bodies are made of water, and
+may be reduced back again to water only; they endeavour to demonstrate
+it thus:
+
+Take a willow, or any like speedy growing plant newly rooted in a box or
+barrel full of earth, weigh them all together exactly when the tree
+begins to grow, and then weigh all together after the tree is increased
+from its first rooting, to weigh a hundred pound weight more than when
+it was first rooted and weighed; and you shall find this augment of the
+tree to be without the diminution of one drachm weight of the earth.
+Hence they infer this increase of wood to be from water of rain, or from
+dew, and not to be from any other element; and they affirm, they can
+reduce this wood back again to water; and they affirm also, the same may
+be done in any animal or vegetable. And this I take to be a fair
+testimony of the excellency of my element of water.
+
+The water is more productive than the earth. Nay, the earth hath no
+fruitfulness without showers or dews; for all the herbs, and flowers,
+and fruit, are produced and thrive by the water; and the very minerals
+are fed by streams that run under ground, whose natural course carries
+them to the tops of many high mountains, as we see by several springs
+breaking forth on the tops of the highest hills; and this is also
+witnessed by the daily trial and testimony of several miners.
+
+Nay, the increase of those creatures that are bred and fed in the water
+are not only more and more miraculous, but more advantageous to man, not
+only for the lengthening of his life, but for the preventing of
+sickness; for it is observed by the most learned physicians, that the
+casting off of Lent, and other fish days, which hath not only given the
+lie to so many learned, pious, wise founders of colleges, for which we
+should be ashamed, hath doubtless been the chief cause of those many
+putrid, shaking intermitting agues, unto which this nation of ours is
+now more subject, than those wiser countries that feed on herbs, salads,
+and plenty of fish; of which it is observed in story, that the greatest
+part of the world now do. And it may be fit to remember that Moses
+appointed fish to be the chief diet for the best commonwealth that ever
+yet was.
+
+And it is observable, not only that there are fish, as namely the Whale,
+three times as big as the mighty Elephant, that is so fierce in battle,
+but that the mightiest feasts have been of fish. The Romans, in the
+height of their glory, have made fish the mistress of all their
+entertainments; they have had musick to usher in their Sturgeons,
+Lampreys, and Mullets, which they would purchase at rates rather to be
+wondered at than believed. He that shall view the writings of Macrobius,
+or Varro, may be confirmed and informed of this, and of the incredible
+value of their fish and fish-ponds.
+
+But, Gentlemen, I have almost lost myself, which I confess I may easily
+do in this philosophical discourse; I met with most of it very lately,
+and, I hope, happily, in a conference with a most learned physician, Dr.
+Wharton, a dear friend, that loves both me and my art of Angling. But,
+however, I will wade no deeper into these mysterious arguments, but pass
+to such observations as I can manage with more pleasure, and less fear
+of running into error. But I must not yet forsake the waters, by whose
+help we have so many known advantages.
+
+And first, to pass by the miraculous cures of our known baths, how
+advantageous is the sea for our daily traffick, without which we could
+not now subsist. How does it not only furnish us with food and physick
+for the bodies, but with such observations for the mind as ingenious
+persons would not want!
+
+How ignorant had we been of the beauty of Florence, of the monuments,
+urns, and rarities that yet remain in and near unto old and new Rome, so
+many as it is said will take up a year's time to view, and afford to
+each of them but a convenient consideration! And therefore it is not to
+be wondered at, that so learned and devout a father as St. Jerome, after
+his wish to have seen Christ in the flesh, and to have heard St. Paul
+preach, makes his third wish, to have seen Rome in her glory; and that
+glory is not yet all lost, for what pleasure is it to see the monuments
+of Livy, the choicest of the historians; of Tully, the best of orators;
+and to see the bay trees that now grow out of the very tomb of Virgil!
+These, to any that love learning, must be pleasing. But what pleasure is
+it to a devout Christian, to see there the humble house in which St.
+Paul was content to dwell, and to view the many rich statues that are
+made in honour of his memory! nay, to see the very place in which St.
+Peter and he lie buried together! These are in and near to Rome. And how
+much more doth it please the pious curiosity of a Christian, to see that
+place, on which the blessed Saviour of the world was pleased to humble
+himself, and to take our nature upon him, and to converse with men: to
+see Mount Sion, Jerusalem, and the very sepulchre of our Lord Jesus! How
+may it beget and heighten the zeal of a Christian, to see the devotions
+that are daily paid to him at that place! Gentlemen, lest I forget
+myself, I will stop here, and remember you, that but for my element of
+water, the inhabitants of this poor island must remain ignorant that
+such things ever were, or that any of them have yet a being.
+
+Gentlemen, I might both enlarge and lose myself in such like arguments.
+I might tell you that Almighty God is said to have spoken to a fish, but
+never to a beast; that he hath made a whale a ship, to carry and set his
+prophet, Jonah, safe on the appointed shore. Of these I might speak, but
+I must in manners break off, for I see Theobald's House. I cry you mercy
+for being so long, and thank you for your patience.
+
+Auceps. Sir, my pardon is easily granted you: I except against nothing
+that you have said: nevertheless, I must part with you at this
+park-wall, for which I am very sorry; but I assure you, Mr. Piscator, I
+now part with you full of good thoughts, not only of yourself, but your
+recreation. And so, Gentlemen, God keep you both.
+
+Piscator. Well, now, Mr. Venator, you shall neither want time, nor my
+attention to hear you enlarge your discourse concerning hunting.
+
+Venator. Not I, Sir: I remember you said that Angling itself was of
+great antiquity, and a perfect art, and an art not easily attained to;
+and you have so won upon me in your former discourse, that I am very
+desirous to hear what you can say further concerning those particulars.
+
+Piscator. Sir, I did say so: and I doubt not but if you and I did
+converse together but a few hours, to leave you possessed with the same
+high and happy thoughts that now possess me of it; not only of the
+antiquity of Angling, but that it deserves commendations; and that it is
+an art, and an art worthy the knowledge and practice of a wise man.
+
+Venator. Pray, Sir, speak of them what you think fit, for we have yet
+five miles to the Thatched House; during which walk, I dare promise you,
+my patience and diligent attention shall not be wanting. And if you
+shall make that to appear which you have undertaken, first, that it is
+an art, and an art worth the learning, I shall beg that I may attend you
+a day or two a-fishing, and that I may become your scholar, and be
+instructed in the art itself which you so much magnify.
+
+Piscator. O, Sir, doubt not but that Angling is an art; is it not an art
+to deceive a Trout with an artificial Fly? a Trout! that is more
+sharp-sighted than any Hawk you have named, and more watchful and
+timorous than your high-mettled Merlin is bold? and yet, I doubt not to
+catch a brace or two to-morrow, for a friend's breakfast: doubt not
+therefore, Sir, but that angling is an art, and an art worth your learning.
+The question is rather, whether you be capable of learning it? angling
+is somewhat like poetry, men are to be born so: I mean, with
+inclinations to it, though both may be heightened by discourse and
+practice: but he that hopes to be a good angler, must not only bring an
+inquiring, searching, observing wit, but he must bring a large measure
+of hope and patience, and a love and propensity to the art itself; but
+having once got and practiced it, then doubt not but angling will prove
+to be so pleasant, that it will prove to be, like virtue, a reward to
+itself.
+
+Venator. Sir, I am now become so full of expectation, that I long much
+to have you proceed, and in the order that you propose.
+
+Piscator. Then first, for the antiquity of Angling, of which I shall not
+say much, but only this; some say it is as ancient as Deucalion's flood:
+others, that Belus, who was the first inventor of godly and virtuous
+recreations, was the first inventor of Angling: and some others say, for
+former times have had their disquisitions about the antiquity of it,
+that Seth, one of the sons of Adam, taught it to his sons, and that by
+them it was derived to posterity: others say that he left it engraven on
+those pillars which he erected, and trusted to preserve the knowledge of
+the mathematicks, musick, and the rest of that precious knowledge, and
+those useful arts, which by God's appointment or allowance, and his
+noble industry, were thereby preserved from perishing in Noah's flood.
+
+These, Sir, have been the opinions of several men, that have possibly
+endeavoured to make angling more ancient than is needful, or may well be
+warranted; but for my part, I shall content myself in telling you, that
+angling is much more ancient than the incarnation of our Saviour; for in
+the Prophet Amos mention is made of fish-hooks; and in the book of Job,
+which was long before the days of Amos, for that book is said to have
+been written by Moses, mention is made also of fish-hooks, which must
+imply anglers in those times.
+
+But, my worthy friend, as I would rather prove myself a gentleman, by
+being learned and humble, valiant and inoffensive, virtuous and
+communicable, than by any fond ostentation of riches, or, wanting those
+virtues myself, boast that these were in my ancestors; and yet I grant,
+that where a noble and ancient descent and such merit meet in any man,
+it is a double dignification of that person; so if this antiquity of
+angling, which for my part I have not forced, shall, like an ancient
+family, be either an honour, or an ornament to this virtuous art which I
+profess to love and practice, I shall be the gladder that I made an
+accidental mention of the antiquity of it, of which I shall say no more,
+but proceed to that just commendation which I think it deserves.
+
+And for that, I shall tell you, that in ancient times a debate hath
+risen, and it remains yet unresolved, whether the happiness of man in
+this world doth consist more in contemplation or action? Concerning
+which, some have endeavoured to maintain their opinion of the first; by
+saying, that the nearer we mortals come to God by way of imitation, the
+more happy we are. And they say, that God enjoys himself only, by a
+contemplation of his own infiniteness, eternity, power, and goodness,
+and the like. And upon this ground, many cloisteral men of great
+learning and devotion, prefer contemplation before action. And many of
+the fathers seem to approve this opinion, as may appear in their
+commentaries upon the words of our Saviour to Martha.
+
+And on the contrary, there want not men of equal authority and credit,
+that prefer action to be the more excellent; as namely, experiments in
+physick, and the application of it, both for the ease and prolongation
+of man's life; by which each man is enabled to act and do good to
+others, either to serve his country, or do good to particular persons:
+and they say also, that action is doctrinal, and teaches both art and
+virtue, and is a maintainer of human society; and for these, and other
+like reasons, to be preferred before contemplation.
+
+Concerning which two opinions I shall forbear to add a third, by
+declaring my own; and rest myself contented in telling you, my very
+worthy friend, that both these meet together, and do most properly
+belong to the most honest, ingenuous, quiet, and harmless art of
+angling.
+
+And first, I shall tell you what some have observed, and I have found it
+to be a real truth, that the very sitting by the river's side is not
+only the quietest and fittest place for contemplation, but will invite
+an angler to it: and this seems to be maintained by the learned Peter du
+Moulin, who, in his discourse of the fulfilling of Prophecies, observes,
+that when God intended to reveal any future events or high notions to
+his prophets, he then carried them either to the deserts, or the
+sea-shore, that having so separated them from amidst the press of people
+and business, and the cares of the world, he might settle their mind in
+a quiet repose, and there make them fit for revelation.
+
+And this seems also to be imitated by the children of Israel, who having
+in a sad condition banished all mirth and musick from their pensive
+hearts, and having hung up their then mute harps upon the willow-trees
+growing by the rivers of Babylon, sat down upon those banks, bemoaning
+the ruins of Sion, and contemplating their own sad condition.
+
+And an ingenious Spaniard says, that "rivers and the inhabitants of the
+watery element were made for wise men to contemplate, and fools to pass
+by without consideration ". And though I will not rank myself in the
+number of the first, yet give me leave to free myself from the last, by
+offering to you a short contemplation, first of rivers, and then of
+fish; concerning which I doubt not but to give you many observations
+that will appear very considerable: I am sure they have appeared so to
+me, and made many an hour pass away more pleasantly, as I have sat
+quietly on a flowery bank by a calm river, and contemplated what I shall
+now relate to you.
+
+And first concerning rivers; there be so many wonders reported and
+written of them, and of the several creatures that be bred and live in
+them, and those by authors of so good credit, that we need not to deny
+them an historical faith.
+
+As namely of a river in Epirus that puts out any lighted torch, and
+kindles any torch that was not lighted. Some waters being drunk, cause
+madness, some drunkenness, and some laughter to death. The river Selarus
+in a few hours turns a rod or wand to stone: and our Camden mentions the
+like in England, and the like in Lochmere in Ireland. There is also a
+river in Arabia, of which all the sheep that drink thereof have their
+wool turned into a vermilion colour. And one of no less credit than
+Aristotle, tells us of a merry river, the river Elusina, that dances at
+the noise of musick, for with musick it bubbles, dances, and grows
+sandy, and so continues till the musick ceases, but then it presently
+returns to its wonted calmness and clearness. And Camden tells us of a
+well near to Kirby, in Westmoreland, that ebbs and flows several times
+every day: and he tells us of a river in Surrey, it is called Mole, that
+after it has run several miles, being opposed by hills, finds or makes
+itself a way under ground, and breaks out again so far off, that the
+inhabitants thereabout boast, as the Spaniards do of their river Anus,
+that they feed divers flocks of sheep upon a bridge. And lastly, for I
+would not tire your patience, one of no less authority than Josephus,
+that learned Jew, tells us of a river in Judea that runs swiftly all the
+six days of the week, and stands still and rests all their sabbath.
+
+But I will lay aside my discourse of rivers, and tell you some things of
+the monsters, or fish, call them what you will, that they breed and feed
+in them. Pliny the philosopher says, in the third chapter of his ninth
+book, that in the Indian Sea, the fish called Balaena or Whirlpool, is
+so long and broad, as to take up more in length and breadth than two
+acres of ground; and, of other fish, of two hundred cubits long; and
+that in the river Ganges, there be Eels of thirty feet long. He says
+there, that these monsters appear in that sea, only when the tempestuous
+winds oppose the torrents of water falling from the rocks into it, and
+so turning what lay at the bottom to be seen on the water's top. And he
+says, that the people of Cadara, an island near this place, make the
+timber for their houses of those fish bones. He there tells us, that
+there are sometimes a thousand of these great Eels found wrapt or
+interwoven together He tells us there, that it appears that dolphins
+love musick, and will come when called for, by some men or boys that
+know, and use to feed them; and that they can swim as swift as an arrow
+can be shot out of a bow; and much of this is spoken concerning the
+dolphin, and other fish, as may be found also in the learned Dr.
+Casaubon's Discourse of Credulity and Incredulity, printed by him about
+the year 1670.
+
+I know, we Islanders are averse to the belief of these wonders; but
+there be so many strange creatures to be now seen, many collected by
+John Tradescant, and others added by my friend Elias Ashmole, Esq., who
+now keeps them carefully and methodically at his house near to Lambeth,
+near London, as may get some belief of some of the other wonders I
+mentioned. I will tell you some of the wonders that you may now see, and
+not till then believe, unless you think fit.
+
+You may there see the Hog-fish, the Dog-fish, the Dolphin, the
+Cony-fish, the Parrot-fish, the Shark, the Poison-fish, Sword-fish, and
+not only other incredible fish, but you may there see the Salamander,
+several sorts of Barnacles, of Solan-Geese, the Bird of Paradise, such
+sorts of Snakes, and such Birds'-nests, and of so various forms, and so
+wonderfully made, as may beget wonder and amusement in any beholder; and
+so many hundred of other rarities in that collection, as will make the
+other wonders I spake of, the less incredible; for, you may note, that
+the waters are Nature's store-house, in which she locks up her wonders.
+
+But, Sir, lest this discourse may seem tedious, I shall give it a sweet
+conclusion out of that holy poet, Mr. George Herbert his divine
+"Contemplation on God's Providence".
+
+    Lord! who hath praise enough, nay, who hath any?
+    None can express thy works, but he that knows them;
+    And none can know thy works, they are so many,
+    And so complete, but only he that owes them.
+
+    We all acknowledge both thy power and love
+    To be exact, transcendant, and divine;
+    Who cost so strangely and so sweetly move,
+    Whilst all things have their end, yet none but thine.
+
+    Wherefore, most sacred Spirit! I here present,
+    For me, and all my fellows, praise to thee;
+    And just it is, that I should pay the rent,
+    Because the benefit accrues to me.
+
+And as concerning fish, in that psalm, wherein, for height of poetry and
+wonders, the prophet David seems even to exceed himself, how doth he
+there express himself in choice metaphors, even to the amazement of a
+contemplative reader, concerning the sea, the rivers, and the fish
+therein contained! And the great naturalist Pliny says, "That nature's
+great and wonderful power is more demonstrated in the sea than on the
+land ". And this may appear, by the numerous and various creatures
+inhabiting both in and about that element; as to the readers of Gesner,
+Rondeletius, Pliny, Ausonius, Aristotle, and others, may be
+demonstrated. But I will sweeten this discourse also out of a
+contemplation in divine Du Bartas, who says:
+
+    God quickened in the sea, and in the rivers,
+    So many fishes of so many features,
+    That in the waters we may see all creatures,
+    Even all that on the earth are to be found,
+    As if the world were in deep waters drown'd.
+    For seas--as well as skies--have Sun, Moon, Stars
+    As well as air--Swallows, Rooks, and Stares;
+    As well as earth--Vines, Roses, Nettles, Melons,
+    Mushrooms, Pinks, Gilliflowers, and many millions
+    Of other plants, more rare, more strange than these,
+    As very fishes, living in the seas;
+    As also Rams, Calves, Horses, Hares, and Hogs,
+    Wolves, Urchins, Lions, Elephants, and Dogs;
+    Yea, Men and Maids, and, which I most admire,
+    The mitred Bishop and the cowled Friar:
+    Of which, examples, but a few years since,
+    Were strewn the Norway and Polonian prince.
+
+These seem to be wonders; but have had so many confirmations from men of
+learning and credit, that you need not doubt them. Nor are the number,
+nor the various shapes, of fishes more strange, or more fit for
+contemplation, than their different natures, inclinations, and actions;
+concerning which, I shall beg your patient ear a little longer.
+
+The Cuttle-fish will cast a long gut out of her throat, which, like as
+an Angler doth his line, she sendeth forth, and pulleth in again at her
+pleasure, according as she sees some little fish come near to her; and
+the Cuttle-fish, being then hid in the gravel, lets the smaller fish
+nibble and bite the end of it; at which time she, by little and little,
+draws the smaller fish so near to her, that she may leap upon her, and
+then catches and devours her: and for this reason some have called this
+fish the Sea-angler.
+
+And there is a fish called a Hermit, that at a certain age gets into a
+dead fish's shell, and, like a hermit, dwells there alone, studying the
+wind and weather and so turns her shell, that she makes it defend her
+from the injuries that they would bring upon her.
+
+There is also a fish called by Ælian the Adonis, or Darling of the Sea;
+so called, because it is a loving and innocent fish, a fish that hurts
+nothing that hath life, and is at peace with all the numerous
+inhabitants of that vast watery element; and truly, I think most Anglers
+are so disposed to most of mankind.
+
+And there are, also, lustful and chaste fishes; of which I shall give
+you examples.
+
+And first, what Du Bartas says of a fish called the Sargus; which,
+because none can express it better than he does, I shall give you in his
+own words, supposing it shall not have the less credit for being verse;
+for he hath gathered this and other observations out of authors that
+have been great and industrious searchers into the secrets of nature.
+
+    The adult'rous Sargus doth not only change
+    Wives every day, in the deep streams, but, strange!
+    As if the honey of sea-love delight
+    Could not suffice his ranging appetite,
+    Goes courting she-goats on the grassy shore,
+    Horning their husbands that had horns before.
+
+And the same author writes concerning the Cantharus, that which you
+shall also hear in his own words:
+
+    But, contrary, the constant Cantharus
+    Is ever constant to his faithful spouse
+    In nuptial duties, spending his chaste life.
+    Never loves any but his own dear wife.
+
+Sir, but a little longer, and I have done.
+
+Venator. Sir, take what liberty you think fit, for your discourse seems
+to be musick, and charms me to an attention.
+
+Piscator. Why then, Sir, I will take a little liberty to tell, or rather
+to remember you what is said of Turtle-doves; first, that they silently
+plight their troth, and marry; and that then the survivor scorns, as the
+Thracian women are said to do, to outlive his or her mate, and this is
+taken for a truth; and if the survivor shall ever couple with another,
+then, not only the living, but the dead, be it either the he or the she,
+is denied the name and honour of a true Turtle-dove.
+
+And to parallel this land-rarity, and teach mankind moral faithfulness,
+and to condemn those that talk of religion, and yet come short of the
+moral faith of fish and fowl, men that violate the law affirmed by St.
+Paul to be writ in their hearts, and which, he says, shall at the Last
+Day condemn and leave them without excuse--I pray hearken to what Du
+Bartas sings, for the hearing of such conjugal faithfulness will be
+musick to all chaste ears, and therefore I pray hearken to what Du
+Bartas sings of the Mullet.
+
+    But for chaste love the Mullet hath no peer;
+    For, if the fisher hath surpris'd her pheer
+    As mad with wo, to shore she followeth
+    Prest to consort him, both in life and death.
+
+On the contrary, what shall I say of the House-Cock, which treads any
+hen; and, then, contrary to the Swan, the Partridge, and Pigeon, takes
+no care to hatch, to feed, or cherish his own brood, but is senseless,
+though they perish. And it is considerable, that the Hen, which, because
+she also takes any Cock, expects it not, who is sure the chickens be her
+own, hath by a moral impression her care and affection to her own brood
+more than doubled, even to such a height, that our Saviour, in
+expressing his love to Jerusalem, quotes her, for an example of tender
+affection, as his Father had done Job, for a pattern of patience.
+
+And to parallel this Cock, there be divers fishes that cast their spawn
+on flags or stones, and then leave it uncovered, and exposed to become a
+prey and be devoured by vermin or other fishes. But other fishes, as
+namely the Barbel, take such care for the preservation of their seed,
+that, unlike to the Cock, or the Cuckoo, they mutually labour, both the
+spawner and the melter, to cover their spawn with sand, or watch it, or
+hide it in some secret place unfrequented by vermin or by any fish but
+themselves.
+
+Sir, these examples may, to you and others, seem strange; but they are
+testified, some by Aristotle, some by Pliny, some by Gesner, and by many
+others of credit; and are believed and known by divers, both of wisdom
+and experience, to be a truth; and indeed are, as I said at the
+beginning, fit for the contemplation of a most serious and a most pious
+man. And, doubtless, this made the prophet David say, "They that occupy
+themselves in deep waters, see the wonderful works of God": indeed such
+wonders and pleasures too, as the land affords not.
+
+And that they be fit for the contemplation of the most prudent, and
+pious, and peaceable men, seems to be testified by the practice of so
+many devout and contemplative men, as the Patriarchs and Prophets of
+old; and of the Apostles of our Saviour in our latter times, of which
+twelve, we are sure, he chose four that were simple fishermen, whom he
+inspired, and sent to publish his blessed will to the Gentiles; and
+inspired them also with a power to speak all languages, and by their
+powerful eloquence to beget faith in the unbelieving Jews; and
+themselves to suffer for that Saviour, whom their forefathers and they
+had crucified; and, in their sufferings, to preach freedom from the
+incumbrances of the law, and a new way to everlasting life: this was the
+employment of these happy fishermen. Concerning which choice, some have
+made these observations:
+
+First, that he never reproved these, for their employment or calling, as
+he did the Scribes and the Money-changers. And secondly, he found that
+the hearts of such men, by nature, were fitted for contemplation and
+quietness; men of mild, and sweet, and peaceable spirits, as indeed most
+Anglers are: these men our blessed Saviour, who is observed to love to
+plant grace in good natures, though indeed nothing be too hard for him,
+yet these men he chose to call from their irreprovable employment of
+fishing, and gave them grace to be his disciples, and to follow him, and
+do wonders; I say four of twelve.
+
+And it is observable, that it was our Saviour's will that these, our
+four fishermen, should have a priority of nomination in the catalogue of
+his twelve Apostles, as namely, first St. Peter, St. Andrew, St. James,
+and St. John; and, then, the rest in their order.
+
+And it is yet more observable, that when our blessed Saviour went up
+into the mount, when he left the rest of his disciples, and chose only
+three to bear him company at his Transfiguration, that those three were
+all fishermen. And it is to be believed, that all the other Apostles,
+after they betook themselves to follow Christ, betook themselves to be
+fishermen too; for it is certain, that the greater number of them were
+found together, fishing, by Jesus after his resurrection, as it is
+recorded in the twenty-first chapter of St. John's gospel.
+
+And since I have your promise to hear me with patience, I will take a
+liberty to look back upon an observation that hath been made by an
+ingenious and learned man; who observes, that God hath been pleased to
+allow those whom he himself hath appointed to write his holy will in
+holy writ, yet to express his will in such metaphors as their former
+affections or practice had inclined them to. And he brings Solomon for
+an example, who, before his conversion, was remarkably carnally amorous;
+and after, by God's appointment, wrote that spiritual dialogue, or holy
+amorous love-song the Canticles, betwixt God and his church: in which he
+says, "his beloved had eyes like the fish-pools of Heshbon".
+
+And if this hold in reason, as I see none to the contrary, then it may
+be probably concluded, that Moses, who I told you before writ the book
+of Job, and the Prophet Amos, who was a shepherd, were both Anglers; for
+you shall, in all the Old Testament, find fish-hooks, I think but twice
+mentioned, namely, by meek Moses the friend of God, and by the humble
+prophet Amos.
+
+Concerning which last, namely the prophet Amos, I shall make but this
+observation, that he that shall read the humble, lowly, plain style of
+that prophet, and compare it with the high, glorious, eloquent style of
+the prophet Isaiah, though they be both equally true, may easily believe
+Amos to be, not only a shepherd, but a good-natured plain fisherman.
+Which I do the rather believe, by comparing the affectionate, loving,
+lowly, humble Epistles of St. Peter, St. James, and St. John, whom we
+know were all fishers, with the glorious language and high metaphors of
+St. Paul, who we may believe was not.
+
+And for the lawfulness of fishing: it may very well be maintained by our
+Saviour's bidding St. Peter cast his hook into the water and catch a
+fish, for money to pay tribute to Caesar. And let me tell you, that
+Angling is of high esteem, and of much use in other nations. He that
+reads the Voyages of Ferdinand Mendez Pinto, shall find that there he
+declares to have found a king and several priests a-fishing. And he that
+reads Plutarch, shall find, that Angling was not contemptible in the
+days of Mark Antony and Cleopatra, and that they, in the midst of their
+wonderful glory, used Angling as a principal recreation. And let me tell
+you, that in the Scripture, Angling is always taken in the best sense;
+and that though hunting may be sometimes so taken, yet it is but seldom
+to be so understood. And let me add this more: he that views the ancient
+Ecclesiastical Canons, shall find hunting to be forbidden to Churchmen,
+as being a turbulent, toilsome, perplexing recreation; and shall find
+Angling allowed to clergymen, as being a harmless recreation, a
+recreation that invites them to contemplation and quietness.
+
+I might here enlarge myself, by telling you what commendations our
+learned Perkins bestows on Angling: and how dear a lover, and great a
+practiser of it, our learned Dr. Whitaker was; as indeed many others of
+great learning have been. But I will content myself with two memorable
+men, that lived near to our own time, whom I also take to have been
+ornaments to the art of Angling.
+
+The first is Dr. Nowel, sometime dean of the cathedral church of St.
+Paul, in London, where his monument stands yet undefaced; a man that, in
+the reformation of Queen Elizabeth, not that of Henry VIII., was so
+noted for his meek spirit, deep learning, prudence, and piety, that the
+then Parliament and Convocation, both, chose, enjoined, and trusted him
+to be the man to make a Catechism for public use, such a one as should
+stand as a rule for faith and manners to their posterity. And the good
+old man, though he was very learned, yet knowing that God leads us not
+to heaven by many, nor by hard questions, like an honest Angler, made
+that good, plain, unperplexed Catechism which is printed with our good
+old Service-book. I say, this good man was a dear lover and constant
+practiser of Angling, as any age can produce: and his custom was to
+spend besides his fixed hours of prayer, those hours which, by command
+of the church, were enjoined the clergy, and voluntarily dedicated to
+devotion by many primitive Christians, I say, besides those hours, this
+good man was observed to spend a tenth part of his time in Angling; and,
+also, for I have conversed with those which have conversed with him, to
+bestow a tenth part of his revenue, and usually all his fish, amongst
+the poor that inhabited near to those rivers in which it was caught;
+saying often, "that charity gave life to religion ": and, at his return
+to his house, would praise God he had spent that day free from worldly
+trouble; both harmlessly, and in a recreation that became a churchman.
+And this good man was well content, if not desirous, that posterity
+should know he was an Angler; as may appear by his picture, now to be
+seen, and carefully kept, in Brazen-nose College, to which he was a
+liberal benefactor. In which picture he is drawn leaning on a desk, with
+his Bible before him; and on one hand of him, his lines, hooks, and
+other tackling, lying in a round; and, on his other hand, are his
+Angle-rods of several sorts; and by them this is written, "that he died
+13 Feb. 1601, being aged ninety-five years, forty-four of which he had
+been Dean of St. Paul's church, and that his age neither impaired his
+hearing, nor dimmed his eyes, nor weakened his memory, nor made any of
+the faculties of his mind weak or useless". It is said that Angling and
+temperance were great causes of these blessings; and I wish the like to
+all that imitate him, and love the memory of so good a man.
+
+My next and last example shall be that under-valuer of money, the late
+provost of Eton College, Sir Henry Wotton, a man with whom I have often
+fished and conversed, a man whose foreign employments in the service of
+this nation, and whose experience, learning, wit, and cheerfulness, made
+his company to be esteemed one of the delights of mankind. This man,
+whose very approbation of Angling were sufficient to convince any modest
+censurer of it, this man was also a most dear lover, and a frequent
+practiser of the art of Angling; of which he would say, "it was an
+employment for his idle time, which was then not idly spent"; for
+Angling was, after tedious study, "a rest to his mind, a cheerer of his
+spirits, a diverter of sadness, a calmer of unquiet thoughts, a
+moderator of passions, a procurer of contentedness; and that it begat
+habits of peace and patience in those that professed and practiced it ".
+Indeed, my friend, you will find Angling to be like the virtue of
+humility, which has a calmness of spirit, and a world of other blessings
+attending upon it. Sir, this was the saying of that learned man.
+
+And I do easily believe, that peace, and patience, and a calm content,
+did cohabit in the cheerful heart of Sir Henry Wotton, because I know
+that when he was beyond seventy years of age, he made this description
+of a part of the present pleasure that possessed him, as he sat quietly,
+in a summer's evening, on a bank a-fishing. It is a description of the
+spring; which, because it glided as soft and sweetly from his pen, as
+that river does at this time, by which it was then made, I shall repeat
+it unto you:--
+
+    This day dame Nature seem'd in love
+    The lusty sap began to move;
+    Fresh juice did stir th' embracing vines.
+    And birds had drawn their valentines.
+
+    The jealous trout, that low did lie
+    Rose at a well-dissembled fly
+    There stood my Friend, with patient skill,
+    Attending of his trembling quill.
+
+    Already were the eaves possess'd
+    With the swift pilgrim's daubed nest;
+    The groves already did rejoice
+    In Philomel's triumphing voice:
+
+    The showers were short, the weather mild,
+    The morning fresh, the evening smil'd.
+    Joan takes her neat-rubb'd pail, and now,
+    She trips to milk the sand-red cow;
+
+    Where, for some sturdy foot-ball swain,
+    Joan strokes a syllabub or twain.
+    The fields and gardens were beset
+    With tulips, crocus, violet;
+
+    And now, though late, the modest rose
+    Did more than half a blush disclose.
+    Thus all looks gay, and full of cheer,
+    To welcome the new-livery'd year.
+
+These were the thoughts that then possessed the undisturbed mind of Sir
+Henry Wotton. Will you hear the wish of another Angler, and the
+commendation of his happy life, which he also sings in verse: viz. Jo.
+Davors, Esq.
+
+    Let me live harmlessly, and near the brink
+    Of Trent or Avon have a dwelling-place
+    Where I may see my quill, or cork, down sink
+    With eager bite of Perch, or Bleak, or Dace;
+    And on the world and my Creator think:
+    Whilst some men strive ill-gotten goods t' embrace;
+    And others spend their time in base excess
+    Of wine, or worse, in war and wantonness.
+
+    Let them that list, these pastimes still pursue,
+    And on such pleasing fancies feed their fill;
+    So I the fields and meadows green may view,
+    And daily by fresh rivers walk at will
+    Among the daisies and the violets blue,
+    Red hyacinth, and yellow daffodil,
+    Purple Narcissus like the morning rays,
+    Pale gander-grass, and azure culver-keys.
+
+    I count it higher pleasure to behold
+    The stately compass of the lofty sky;
+    And in the midst thereof, like burning gold,
+    The flaming chariot of the world's great eye:
+
+    The watery clouds that in the air up-roll'd
+    With sundry kinds of painted colours fly;
+    And fair Aurora, lifting up her head,
+    Still blushing, rise from old Tithonus' bed.
+
+    The hills and mountains raised from the plains,
+    The plains extended level with the ground
+    The grounds divided into sundry veins,
+    The veins inclos'd with rivers running round;
+    These rivers making way through nature's chains,
+    With headlong course, into the sea profound;
+    The raging sea, beneath the vallies low,
+    Where lakes, and rills, and rivulets do flow:
+
+    The lofty woods, the forests wide and long,
+    Adorned with leaves and branches fresh and green,
+    In whose cool bowers the birds with many a song,
+    Do welcome with their quire the summer's Queen;
+    The meadows fair, where Flora's gifts, among
+    Are intermix'd with verdant grass between;
+    The silver-scaled fish that softly swim
+    Within the sweet brook's crystal, watery stream.
+
+    All these, and many more of his creation
+    That made the heavens, the Angler oft doth see;
+    Taking therein no little delectation,
+    To think how strange, how wonderful they be:
+    Framing thereof an inward contemplation
+    To set his heart from other fancies free;
+    And whilst he looks on these with joyful eye,
+    His mind is rapt above the starry sky.
+
+Sir, I am glad my memory has not lost these last verses, because they
+are somewhat more pleasant and more suitable to May-day than my harsh
+discourse. And I am glad your patience hath held out so long as to hear
+them and me, for both together have brought us within the sight of the
+Thatched House. And I must be your debtor, if you think it worth your
+attention, for the rest of my promised discourse, till some other
+opportunity, and a like time of leisure.
+
+Venator. Sir, you have angled me on with much pleasure to the Thatched
+House; and I now find your words true, "that good company makes the way
+seem short"; for trust me, Sir, I thought we had wanted three miles of
+this house, till you showed it to me. But now we are at it, we'll turn
+into it, and refresh ourselves with a cup of drink, and a little rest.
+
+Piscator. Most gladly, Sir, and we'll drink a civil cup to all the
+Otter-hunters that are to meet you to-morrow.
+
+Venator. That we will, Sir, and to all the lovers of Angling too, of
+which number I am now willing to be one myself; for, by the help of your
+good discourse and company, I have put on new thoughts both of the art
+of Angling and of all that profess it; and if you will but meet me
+to-morrow at the time and place appointed, and bestow one day with me
+and my friends, in hunting the Otter, I will dedicate the next two days
+to wait upon you; and we too will, for that time, do nothing but angle,
+and talk of fish and fishing.
+
+Piscator. It is a match, Sir, I will not fail you, God willing, to be at
+Amwell Hill to-morrow morning before sun-rising.
+
+
+
+
+
+The second day
+
+On the Otter and the Chub
+
+Chapter II
+
+Piscator, Venator, Huntsman, and Hostess
+
+Venator. My friend Piscator, you have kept time with my thoughts; for
+the sun is just rising, and I myself just now come to this place, and
+the dogs have just now put down an Otter. Look! down at the bottom of
+the hill there, in that meadow, chequered with water-lilies and
+lady-smocks; there you may see what work they make; look! look! you may
+see all busy; men and dogs; dogs and men; all busy.
+
+Piscator. Sir, I am right glad to meet you, and glad to have so fair an
+entrance into this day's sport, and glad to see so many dogs, and more
+men, all in pursuit of the Otter. Let us compliment no longer, but join
+unto them. Come, honest Venator, let us be gone, let us make haste; I
+long to be doing; no reasonable hedge or ditch shall hold me.
+
+Venator. Gentleman Huntsman, where found you this Otter?
+
+Huntsman. Marry, Sir, we found her a mile from this place, a-fishing. She
+has this morning eaten the greatest part of this Trout; she has only
+left thus much of it as you see, and was fishing for more; when we came
+we found her just at it: but we were here very early, we were here an
+hour before sunrise, and have given her no rest since we came; sure she
+will hardly escape all these dogs and men. I am to have the skin if we
+kill her.
+
+Venator. Why, Sir, what is the skin worth?
+
+Huntsman. It is worth ten shillings to make gloves; the gloves of an
+Otter are the best fortification for your hands that can be thought on
+against wet weather.
+
+Piscator. I pray, honest Huntsman, let me ask you a pleasant question:
+do you hunt a beast or a fish?
+
+Huntsman. Sir, it is not in my power to resolve you; I leave it to be
+resolved by the college of Carthusians, who have made vows never to eat
+flesh. But, I have heard, the question hath been debated among many
+great clerks, and they seem to differ about it; yet most agree that her
+tail is fish: and if her body be fish too, then I may say that a fish
+will walk upon land: for an Otter does so sometimes, five or six or ten
+miles in a night, to catch for her young ones, or to glut herself with
+fish. And I can tell you that Pigeons will fly forty miles for a
+breakfast: but, Sir, I am sure the Otter devours much fish, and kills
+and spoils much more than he eats. And I can tell you, that this
+dog-fisher, for so the Latins call him, can smell a fish in the water a
+hundred yards from him: Gesner says much farther: and that his stones
+are good against the falling sickness; and that there is an herb,
+Benione, which, being hung in a linen cloth near a fish-pond, or any
+haunt that he uses, makes him to avoid the place; which proves he smells
+both by water and land. And, I can tell you, there is brave hunting this
+water-dog in Cornwall; where there have been so many, that our learned
+Camden says there is a river called Ottersey, which was so named by
+reason of the abundance of Otters that bred and fed in it.
+
+And thus much for my knowledge of the Otter; which you may now see above
+water at vent, and the dogs close with him; I now see he will not last
+long. Follow, therefore, my masters, follow; for Sweetlips was like to
+have him at this last vent.
+
+Venator. Oh me! all the horse are got over the river, what shall we do
+now? shall we follow them over the water?
+
+Huntsman. No, Sir, no; be not so eager; stay a little, and follow me;
+for both they and the dogs will be suddenly on this side again, I
+warrant you, and the Otter too, it may be. Now have at him with Kilbuck,
+for he vents again.
+
+Venator. Marry! so he does; for, look! he vents in that corner. Now,
+now, Ringwood has him: now, he is gone again, and has bit the poor dog.
+Now Sweetlips has her; hold her, Sweetlips! now all the dogs have her;
+some above and some under water: but, now, now she is tired, and past
+losing. Come bring her to me, Sweetlips. Look! it is a Bitch-otter, and
+she has lately whelp'd. Let's go to the place where she was put down;
+and, not far from it, you will find all her young ones, I dare warrant
+you, and kill them all too.
+
+Huntsman. Come, Gentlemen! come, all! let's go to the place where we put
+down the Otter. Look you! hereabout it was that she kennelled; look you!
+here it was indeed; for here's her young ones, no less than five: come,
+let us kill them all.
+
+Piscator. No: I pray, Sir, save me one, and I'll try if I can make her
+tame, as I know an ingenious gentleman in Leicestershire, Mr. Nich.
+Segrave, has done; who hath not only made her tame, but to catch fish,
+and do many other things of much pleasure.
+
+Huntsman. Take one with all my heart; but let us kill the rest. And now
+let's go to an honest ale-house, where we may have a cup of good barley
+wine, and sing "Old Rose," and all of us rejoice together.
+
+Venator. Come, my friend Piscator, let me invite you along with us. I'll
+bear your charges this night, and you shall bear mine to-morrow; for my
+intention is to accompany you a day or two in fishing.
+
+Piscator. Sir, your request is granted; and I shall be right glad both
+to exchange such a courtesy, and also to enjoy your company.
+
+
+
+
+
+The third day
+
+
+
+Venator. Well, now let's go to your sport of Angling.
+
+Piscator. Let's be going, with all my heart. God keep you all,
+Gentlemen; and send you meet, this day, with another Bitch-otter, and
+kill her merrily, and all her young ones too.
+
+Venator. NOW, Piscator, where will you begin to fish?
+
+Piscator. We are not yet come to a likely place; I must walk a mile
+further yet before I beam.
+
+Venator. Well then, I pray, as we walk, tell me freely, how do you like
+your lodging, and mine host and the company? Is not mine host a witty
+man?
+
+Piscator. Sir, I will tell you, presently, what I think of your host:
+but, first, I will tell you, I am glad these Otters were killed; and I
+am sorry there are no more Otter-killers; for I know that the want of
+Otter-killers, and the not keeping the fence-months for the preservation
+of fish, will, in time, prove the destruction of all rivers. And those
+very few that are left, that make conscience of the laws of the nation,
+and of keeping days of abstinence, will be forced to eat flesh, or
+suffer more inconveniences than are yet foreseen.
+
+Venator. Why, Sir, what be those that you call the fence-months?
+
+Piscator. Sir, they be principally three, namely, March, April, and May:
+for these be the usual months that Salmon come out of the sea to spawn
+in most fresh rivers. And their fry would, about a certain time, return
+back to the salt water, if they were not hindered by weirs and unlawful
+gins, which the greedy fishermen set, and so destroy them by thousands;
+as they would, being so taught by nature, change the fresh for salt
+water. He that shall view the wise Statutes made in the 13th of Edward
+the First, and the like in Richard the Second, may see several
+provisions made against the destruction of fish: and though I profess no
+knowledge of the law, yet I am sure the regulation of these defects
+might be easily mended. But I remember that a wise friend of mine did
+usually say, "that which is everybody's business is nobody's business":
+if it were otherwise, there could not be so many nets and fish, that are
+under the statute size, sold daily amongst us; and of which the
+conservators of the waters should be ashamed.
+
+But, above all, the taking fish in spawning-time may be said to be
+against nature: it is like taking the dam on the nest when she hatches
+her young, a sin so against nature, that Almighty God hath in the
+Levitical law made a law against it.
+
+But the poor fish have enemies enough besides such unnatural fishermen;
+as namely, the Otters that I spake of, the Cormorant, the Bittern, the
+Osprey, the Sea-gull, the Hern, the King-fisher, the Gorara, the Puet,
+the Swan, Goose, Duck, and the Craber, which some call the Water-rat:
+against all which any honest man may make a just quarrel, but I will
+not; I will leave them to be quarrelled with and killed by others, for I
+am not of a cruel nature, I love to kill nothing but fish.
+
+And, now, to your question concerning your host. To speak truly, he is
+not to me a good companion, for most of his conceits were either
+scripture jests, or lascivious jests, for which I count no man witty:
+for the devil will help a man, that way inclined, to the first; and his
+own corrupt nature, which he always carries with him, to the latter. But
+a companion that feasts the company with wit and mirth, and leaves out
+the sin which is usually mixed with them, he is the man, and indeed such
+a companion should have his charges borne; and to such company I hope to
+bring you this night; for at Trout-hall, not far from this place, where
+I purpose to lodge to-night, there is usually an Angler that proves good
+company. And let me tell you, good company and good discourse are the
+very sinews of virtue. But for such discourse as we heard last night, it
+infects others: the very boys will learn to talk and swear, as they
+heard mine host, and another of the company that shall be nameless. I am
+sorry the other is a gentleman, for less religion will not save their
+souls than a beggar's: I think more will be required at the last great
+day. Well! you know what example is able to do; and I know what the 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 well; rest ourselves there; and dress it for our dinner.
+
+Venator. Oh, Sir! a Chub is the worst fish that swims; I hoped for a
+Trout to my dinner.
+
+Piscator. Trust me, Sir, there is not a likely place for a Trout
+hereabout: and we staid so long to take our leave of your huntsmen this
+morning, that the sun is got so high, and shines so clear, that I will
+not undertake the catching of a Trout till evening. And though a Chub
+be, by you and many others, reckoned the worst of fish, yet you shall
+see I'll make it a good fish by dressing it.
+
+Venator. Why, how will you dress him?
+
+Piscator. I'll tell you by-and-by, when I have caught him. Look you
+here, Sir, do you see? but you must stand very close, there lie upon the
+top of the water, in this very hole, twenty Chubs. I'll catch only one
+and that shall be the biggest of them all: and that I will do so, I'll
+hold you twenty to one, and you shall see it done.
+
+Venator. Ay, marry! Sir, now you talk like an artist, and I'll say you
+are one, when I shall see you perform what you say you can do: but I yet
+doubt it.
+
+Piscator. You shall not doubt it long; for you shall see me do it
+presently. Look! the biggest of these Chubs has had some bruise upon his
+tail, by a Pike or some other accident; and that looks like a white
+spot. That very Chub I mean to put into your hands presently; sit you
+but down in the shade, and stay but a little while; and I'll warrant
+you, I'll bring him to you.
+
+Venator. I'll sit down; and hope well, because you seem to be so
+confident.
+
+Piscator. Look you, Sir, there is a trial of my skill; there he is: that
+very Chub, that I showed you, with the white spot on his tail. And I'll
+be as certain to make him a good dish of meat as I was to catch him:
+I'll now lead you to an honest ale-house, where we shall find a cleanly
+room, lavender in the windows, and twenty ballads stuck about the wall.
+There my hostess, which I may tell you is both cleanly, and handsome,
+and civil, hath dressed many a one for me; and shall now dress it after
+my fashion, and I warrant it good meat.
+
+Venator. Come, Sir, with all my heart, for I begin to be hungry, and
+long to be at it, and indeed to rest myself too; for though I have
+walked but four miles this morning, yet I begin to be weary; yesterday's
+hunting hangs still upon me.
+
+Piscator. Well, Sir, and you shall quickly be at rest, for yonder is the
+house I mean to bring you to.
+
+Come, hostess, how do you? Will you first give us a cup of your best
+drink, and then dress this Chub, as you dressed my last, when I and my
+friend were here about eight or ten days ago? But you must do me one
+courtesy, it must be done instantly.
+
+Hostess. I will do it, Mr. Piscator, and with all the speed I can.
+
+Piscator. NOW, Sir, has not my hostess made haste? and does not the fish
+look lovely?
+
+Venator. Both, upon my word, Sir; and therefore let's say grace and fall
+to eating of it.
+
+Piscator. Well, Sir, how do you like it?
+
+Venator. Trust me, 'tis as good meat as I ever tasted. Now let me thank
+you for it, drink to you and beg a courtesy of you; but it must not be
+denied me.
+
+Piscator. What is it, I pray, Sir? You are so modest, that methinks I may
+promise to grant it before it is asked.
+
+Venator. Why, Sir, it is, that from henceforth you would allow me to
+call you Master, and that really I may be your scholar; for 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. Give me your hand; from this time forward I will 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.
+
+
+
+
+
+The third day-continued
+
+
+How to fish for, and to dress, the Chavender of Chub
+
+
+Chapter III
+
+
+Piscator and Venator
+
+
+Piscator. The Chub, though he eat well, thus dressed, yet as he is
+usually dressed, he does not. He is objected against, not only for being
+full of small forked bones, dispersed through all his body, but that he
+eats waterish, and that the flesh of him is not firm, but short and
+tasteless. The French esteem him so mean, as to call him Un Villain;
+nevertheless he may be so dressed as to make him very good meat; as,
+namely, if he be a large Chub, then dress him thus:
+
+First, scale him, and then wash him clean, and then take out his guts;
+and to that end make the hole as little, and near to his gills, as you
+may conveniently, and especially make clean his throat from the grass
+and weeds that are usually in it; for if that be not very clean, it will
+make him to taste very sour. Having so done, put some sweet herbs into
+his belly; and then tie him with two or three splinters to a spit, and
+roast him, basted often with vinegar, or rather verjuice and butter,
+with good store of salt mixed with it.
+
+Being thus dressed, you will find him a much better dish of meat than
+you, or most folk, even than anglers themselves, do imagine: for this
+dries up the fluid watery humour with which all Chubs do abound. But
+take this rule with you, That a Chub newly taken and newly dressed, is
+so much better than a Chub of a day's keeping after he is dead, that I
+can compare him to nothing so fitly as to cherries newly gathered from a
+tree, and others that have been bruised and lain a day or two in water.
+But the Chub being thus used, and dressed presently; and not washed
+after he is gutted, for note, that lying long in water, and washing the
+blood out of any fish after they be gutted, abates much of their
+sweetness; you will find the Chub, being dressed in the blood, and
+quickly, to be such meat as will recompense your labour, and disabuse
+your opinion.
+
+Or you may dress the Chavender or Chub thus:
+
+When you have scaled him, and cut off his tail and fins, and washed him
+very clean, then chine or slit him through the middle, as a salt-fish is
+usually cut; then give him three or four cuts or scotches on the back
+with your knife, and broil him on charcoal, or wood coal, that are free
+from smoke; and all the time he is a-broiling, baste him with the best
+sweet butter, and good store of salt mixed with it. And, to this, add a
+little thyme cut exceedingly small, or bruised into the butter. The
+Cheven thus dressed hath the watery taste taken away, for which so many
+except against him. Thus was the Cheven dressed that you now liked so
+well, and commended so much. But note again, that if this Chub that you
+eat of had been kept till to-morrow, he had not been worth a rush. And
+remember, that his throat be washed very clean, I say very clean, and
+his body not washed after he is gutted, as indeed no fish should be.
+
+Well, scholar, you see what pains I have taken to recover the lost
+credit of the poor despised Chub. And now I will give you some rules how
+to catch him: and I am glad to enter you into the art of fishing by
+catching a Chub, for there is no fish better to enter a young Angler, he
+is so easily caught, but then it must be this particular way:
+
+Go to the same hole in which I caught my Chub, where, in most hot days,
+you will find a dozen or twenty Chevens floating near the top of the
+water. Get two or three grasshoppers, as you go over the meadow: and get
+secretly behind the tree, and stand as free from motion as is possible.
+Then put a grasshopper on your hook, and let your hook hang a quarter of
+a yard short of the water, to which end you must rest your rod on some
+bough of the tree. But it is likely the Chubs will sink down towards the
+bottom of the water, at the first shadow of your rod (for Chub is the
+fearfullest of fishes), and will do so if but a bird flies over him and
+makes the least shadow on the water; but they will presently rise up to
+the top again, and there lie soaring till some shadow affrights them
+again. I say, when they lie upon the top of the water, look out the best
+Chub, which you, setting yourself in a fit place, may very easily see,
+and move your rod, as softly as a snail moves, to that Chub you intend
+to catch; let your bait fall gently upon the water three or four inches
+before him, and he will infallibly take the bait. And you will be as
+sure to catch him; for he is one of the leather-mouthed fishes, of which
+a hook does scarce ever lose its hold; and therefore give him play
+enough before you offer to take him out of the water. Go your way
+presently; take my rod, and do as I bid you; and I will sit down and
+mend my tackling till you return back.
+
+Venator. Truly, my loving master, you have offered me as fair as I could
+wish. I'll go and observe your directions.
+
+Look you, master, what I have done, that which joys my heart, caught
+just such another Chub as yours was.
+
+Piscator. Marry, and I am glad of it: I am like to have a towardly
+scholar of you. I now see, that with advice and practice, you will make
+an Angler in a short time. Have but a love to it; and I'll warrant you.
+
+Venator. But, master! what if I could not have found a grasshopper?
+
+Piscator. Then I may tell you, That a black snail, with his belly slit,
+to show his white, or a piece of soft cheese, will usually do as well.
+Nay, sometimes a worm, or any kind of fly, as the ant-fly, the
+flesh-fly, or wall-fly; or the dor or beetle which you may find under
+cow-dung; or a bob which you will find in the same place, and in time
+will be a beetle; it is a short white worm, like to and bigger than a
+gentle; or a cod-worm; or a case-worm; any of these will do very well to
+fish in such a manner.
+
+And after this manner you may catch a Trout in a hot evening: when, as
+you walk by a brook, and shall see or hear him leap at flies, then, if
+you get a grasshopper, put it on your hook, with your line about two
+yards long; standing behind a bush or tree where his hole is: and make
+your bait stir up and down on the top of the water. You may, if you
+stand close, be sure of a bite, but not sure to catch him, for he is not
+a leather-mouthed fish. And after this manner you may fish for him with
+almost any kind of live fly, but especially with a grasshopper.
+
+Venator. But before you go further, I pray, good master, what mean you
+by a leather-mouthed fish?
+
+Piscator. By a leather-mouthed fish, I mean such as have their teeth in
+their throat, as the Chub or Cheven: and so the Barbel, the Gudgeon, and
+Carp, and divers others have. And the hook being stuck into the leather,
+or skin, of the mouth of such fish, does very seldom or never lose its
+hold: but on the contrary, a Pike, a Perch, or Trout, and so some other
+fish, which have not their teeth in their throats, but in their mouths,
+which you shall observe to be very full of bones, and the skin very
+thin, and little of it. I say, of these fish the hook never takes so
+sure hold but you often lose your fish, unless he have gorged it.
+
+Venator. I thank you, good master, for this observation. But now what
+shall be done with my Chub or Cheven that I have caught?
+
+Piscator. Marry, Sir, it shall be given away to some poor body; for I'll
+warrant you I'll give you a Trout for your supper: and it is a good
+beginning of your art to offer your first-fruits to the poor, who will
+both thank you and God for it, which I see by your silence you seem to
+consent to. And for your willingness to part with it so charitably, I
+will also teach more concerning Chub-fishing. You are to note, that in
+March and April he is usually taken with worms; in May, June, and July,
+he will bite at any fly, or at cherries, or at beetles with their legs
+and wings cut off, or at any kind of snail, or at the black bee that
+breeds in clay walls. And he never refuses a grasshopper, on the top of
+a swift stream, nor, at the bottom, the young humble bee that breeds in
+long grass, and is ordinarily found by the mower of it. In August, and
+in the cooler months, a yellow paste, made of the strongest cheese, and
+pounded in a mortar, with a little butter and saffron, so much of it as,
+being beaten small, will turn it to a lemon colour. And some make a
+paste for the winter months, at which time the Chub is accounted best,
+for then it is observed, that the forked bones are lost, or turned into
+a kind of gristle, especially if he be baked, of cheese and turpentine.
+He will bite also at a minnow, or peek, as a Trout will: of which I
+shall tell you more hereafter, and of divers other baits. But take this
+for a rule, that, in hot weather, he is to be fished for towards the
+mid-water, or near the top; and in colder weather, nearer the bottom;
+and if you fish for him on the top, with a beetle, or any fly, then be
+sure to let your line be very long, and to keep out of sight. And having
+told you, that his spawn is excellent meat, and that the head of a large
+Cheven, the throat being well washed, is the best part of him, I will
+say no more of this fish at the present, but wish you may catch the next
+you fish for.
+
+But, lest you may judge me too nice in urging to have the Chub dressed
+so presently after he is taken, I will commend to your consideration how
+curious former times have been in the like kind.
+
+You shall read in Seneca, his Natural Questions, that the ancients were
+so curious in the newness of their fish, that that seemed not new enough
+that was not put alive into the guest's hand; and he says, that to that
+end they did usually keep them living in glass bottles in their
+dining-rooms, and they did glory much in their entertaining of friends,
+to have that fish taken from under their table alive that was instantly
+to be fed upon; and he says, they took great pleasure to see their
+Mullets change to several colours when they were dying. But enough of
+this; for I doubt I have staid too long from giving you some
+Observations of the Trout, and how to fish for him, which shall take up
+the next of my spare time.
+
+
+
+The third day-continued
+
+
+On the Nature and Breeding of the Trout, and how to fish for him
+
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IV
+
+
+
+Piscator, Venator, Milk-woman, Maudlin, Hostess
+
+
+Piscator. The Trout is a fish highly valued, both in this and foreign
+nations. He may be justly said, as the old poet said of wine, and we
+English say of venison, to be a generous fish: a fish that is so like
+the buck, that he also has his seasons; for it is observed, that he
+comes in and goes out of season with the stag and buck. Gesner says, his
+name is of a German offspring; and says he is a fish that feeds clean
+and purely, in the swiftest streams, and on the hardest gravel; and that
+he may justly contend with all fresh water fish, as the Mullet may with
+all sea fish, for precedency and daintiness of taste; and that being in
+right season, the most dainty palates have allowed precedency to him.
+
+And before I go farther in my discourse, let me tell you, that you are
+to observe, that as there be some barren does that are good in summer,
+so there be some barren Trouts that are good in winter; but there are
+not many that are so; for usually they be in their perfection in the
+month of May, and decline with the buck. Now you are to take notice,
+that in several countries, as in Germany, and in other parts, compared
+to ours, fish do differ much in their bigness, and shape, and other
+ways; and so do Trouts. It is well known that in the Lake Leman, the
+Lake of Geneva, there are Trouts taken of three cubits long; as is
+affirmed by Gesner, a writer of good credit: and Mercator says, the
+Trouts that are taken in the Lake of Geneva are a great part of the
+merchandize of that famous city. And you are further to know, that there
+be certain waters that breed Trouts remarkable, both for their number
+and smallness. I know a little brook in Kent, that breeds them to a
+number incredible, and you may take them twenty or forty in an hour, but
+none greater than about the size of a Gudgeon. There are also, in divers
+rivers, especially that relate to, or be near to the sea, as Winchester,
+or the Thames about Windsor, a little Trout called a Samlet, or Skegger
+Trout, in both which places I have caught twenty or forty at a standing,
+that will bite as fast and as freely as Minnows: these be by some taken
+to be young Salmons; but in those waters they never grow to be bigger
+than a Herring.
+
+There is also in Kent, near to Canterbury, a Trout called there a
+Fordidge Trout, a Trout that bears the name of the town where it is
+usually caught, that is accounted the rarest of fish; many of them near
+the bigness of a Salmon, but known by their different colour; and in
+their best season they cut very white: and none of these have been known
+to be caught with an angle, unless it were one that was caught by Sir
+George Hastings, an excellent angler, and now with God: and he hath told
+me, he thought that Trout bit not for hunger but wantonness; and it is
+the rather to be believed, because both he, then, and many others before
+him, have been curious to search into their bellies, what the food was
+by which they lived; and have found out nothing by which they might
+satisfy their curiosity.
+
+Concerning which you are to take notice, that it is reported by good
+authors, that grasshoppers and some fish have no mouths, but are
+nourished and take breath by the porousness of their gills, man knows
+not how: and this may be believed, if we consider that when the raven
+hath hatched her eggs, she takes no further care, but leaves her young
+ones to the care of the God of nature, who is said, in the Psalms, "to
+feed the young ravens that call upon him ". And they be kept alive and
+fed by a dew; or worms that breed in their nests; or some other ways
+that we mortals know not. And this may be believed of the Fordidge
+Trout, which, as it is said of the stork, that he knows his season, so
+he knows his times, I think almost his day of coming into that river out
+of the sea; where he lives, and, it is like, feeds, nine months of the
+year, and fasts three in the river of Fordidge. And you are to note,
+that those townsmen are very punctual in observing the time of beginning
+to fish for them; and boast much, that their river affords a Trout that
+exceeds all others. And just so does Sussex boast of several fish; as,
+namely, a Shelsey Cockle, a Chichester Lobster, an Arundel Mullet, and
+an Amerly Trout.
+
+And, now, for some confirmation of the Fordidge Trout: you are to know
+that this Trout is thought to eat nothing in the fresh water; and it may
+be the better believed, because it is well known, that swallows, and
+bats, and wagtails, which are called half-year birds, and not seen to
+fly in England for six months in the year, but about Michaelmas leave us
+for a hotter climate, yet some of them that have been left behind their
+fellows, have been found, many thousands at a time, in hollow trees, or
+clay caves, where they have been observed to live, and sleep out the
+whole winter, without meat. And so Albertus observes, that there is one
+kind of frog that hath her mouth naturally shut up about the end of
+August, and that she lives so all the winter: and though it be strange
+to some, yet it is known to too many among us to be doubted.
+
+And so much for these Fordidge Trouts, which never afford an angler
+sport, but either live their time of being in the fresh water, by their
+meat formerly gotten in the sea, not unlike the swallow or frog, or, by
+the virtue of the fresh water only; or, as the birds of Paradise and the
+cameleon are said to live, by the sun and the air.
+
+There is also in Northumberland a Trout called a Bull-trout, of a much
+greater length and bigness than any in these southern parts; and there
+are, in many rivers that relate to the sea, Salmon-trouts, as much
+different from others, both in shape and in their spots, as we see sheep
+in some countries differ one from another in their shape and bigness,
+and in the fineness of the wool: and, certainly, as some pastures breed
+larger sheep; so do some rivers, by reason of the ground over which they
+run, breed larger Trouts.
+
+Now the next thing that I will commend to your consideration is, that
+the Trout is of a more sudden growth than other fish. Concerning which,
+you are also to take notice, that he lives not so long as the Pearch,
+and divers other fishes do, as Sir Francis Bacon hath observed in his
+History of Life and Death.
+
+And next you are to take notice, that he is not like the Crocodile,
+which if he lives never so long, yet always thrives till his death: but
+'tis not so with the Trout; for after he is come to his full growth, he
+declines in his body, and keeps his bigness, or thrives only in his head
+till his death. And you are to know, that he will, about, especially
+before, the time of his spawning, get, almost miraculously, through
+weirs and flood-gates, against the stream; even through such high and
+swift places as is almost incredible. Next, that the Trout usually
+spawns about October or November, but in some rivers a little sooner or
+later; which is the more observable, because most other fish spawn in
+the spring or summer, when the sun hath warmed both the earth and water,
+and made it fit for generation. And you are to note, that he continues
+many months out of season; for it may be observed of the Trout, that he
+is like the Buck or the Ox, that will not be fat in many months, though
+he go in the very same pastures that horses do, which will be fat in one
+month: and so you may observe, That most other fishes recover strength,
+and grow sooner fat and in season than the Trout doth.
+
+And next you are to note, That till the sun gets to such a height as to
+warm the earth and the water, the Trout is sick, and lean, and lousy,
+and unwholesome; for you shall, in winter, find him to have a big head,
+and, then, to be lank and thin and lean; at which time many of them have
+sticking on them Sugs, or Trout-lice; which is a kind of a worm, in
+shape like a clove, or pin with a big head, and sticks close to him, and
+sucks his moisture, those, I think, the Trout breeds himself: and never
+thrives till he free himself from them, which is when warm weather
+comes; and, then, as he grows stronger, he gets from the dead still
+water into the sharp streams and the gravel, and, there, rubs off these
+worms or lice; and then, as he grows stronger, so he gets him into
+swifter and swifter streams, and there lies at the watch for any fly or
+minnow that comes near to him; and he especially loves the May-fly,
+which is bred of the cod-worm, or cadis; and these make the Trout bold
+and lusty, and he is usually fatter and better meat at the end of that
+month than at any time of the year.
+
+Now you are to know that it is observed, that usually the best Trouts
+are either red or yellow; though some, as the Fordidge Trout, be white
+and yet good; but that is not usual: and it is a note observable, that
+the female Trout hath usually a less head, and a deeper body than the
+male Trout, and is usually the better meat. And note, that a hog back
+and a little head, to either Trout, Salmon or any other fish, is a sign
+that that fish is in season.
+
+But yet you are to note, that as you see some willows or palm-trees bud
+and blossom sooner than others do, so some Trouts be, in rivers, sooner
+in season: and as some hollies, or oaks, are longer before they cast
+their leaves, so are some Trouts, in rivers, longer before they go out
+of season.
+
+And you are to note, that there are several kinds of Trouts: but these
+several kinds are not considered but by very few men; for they go under
+the general name of Trouts; just as pigeons do, in most places; though
+it is certain, there are tame and wild pigeons; and of the tame, there
+be hermits and runts, and carriers and cropers, and indeed too many to
+name. Nay, the Royal Society have found and published lately, that there
+be thirty and three kinds of spiders; and yet all, for aught I know, go
+under that one general name of spider. And it is so with many kinds of
+fish, and of Trouts especially; which differ in their bigness, and
+shape, and spots, and colour. The great Kentish hens may be an instance,
+compared to other hens: and, doubtless, there is a kind of small Trout,
+which will never thrive to be big; that breeds very many more than
+others do, that be of a larger size: which you may rasher believe, if
+you consider that the little wren and titmouse will have twenty young
+ones at a time, when, usually, the noble hawk, or the musical thrassel
+or blackbird, exceed not four or five.
+
+And now you shall see me try my skill to catch a Trout; and at my next
+walking, either this evening or to-morrow morning, I will give you
+direction how you yourself shall fish for him.
+
+Venator. Trust me, master, I see now it is a harder matter to catch a
+Trout than a Chub; for I have put on patience, and followed you these
+two hours, and not seen a fish stir, neither at your minnow nor your
+worm.
+
+Piscator. Well, scholar, you must endure worse luck sometime, or you
+will never make a good angler. But what say you now? there is a Trout
+now, and a good one too, if I can but hold him; and two or three turns
+more will tire him. Now you see he lies still, and the sleight is to
+land him: reach me that landing-net. So, Sir, now he is mine own: what
+say you now, is not this worth all my labour and your patience?
+
+Venator. On my word, master, this is a gallant Trout; what shall we do
+with him?
+
+Piscator. Marry, e'en eat him to supper: we'll go to my hostess from
+whence we came; she told me, as I was going out of door, that my brother
+Peter, a good angler and a cheerful companion, had sent word he would
+lodge there to-night, and bring a friend with him. My hostess has two
+beds, and I know you and I may have the best: we'll rejoice with my
+brother Peter and his friend, tell tales, or sing ballads, or make a
+catch, or find some harmless sport to content us, and pass away a little
+time without offence to God or man.
+
+Venator. A match, good master, let's go to that house, for the linen
+looks white, and smells of lavender, and I long to lie in a pair of
+sheets that smell so. Let's be going, good master, for I am hungry again
+with fishing.
+
+Piscator. Nay, stay a little, good scholar. I caught my last Trout with
+a worm; now I will put on a minnow, and try a quarter of an hour about
+yonder trees for another; and, so, walk towards our lodging. Look you,
+scholar, thereabout we shall have a bite presently, or not at all. Have
+with you, Sir: o' my word I have hold of him. Oh! it is a great
+logger-headed Chub; come, hang him upon that willow twig, and let's be
+going. But turn out of the way a little, good scholar! toward yonder
+high honeysuckle hedge; there we'll sit and sing whilst this shower
+falls so gently upon the teeming earth, and gives yet a sweeter smell to
+the lovely flowers that adorn these verdant meadows.
+
+Look! under that broad beech-tree I sat down, when I was last this way
+a-fishing; and the birds in the adjoining grove seemed to have a
+friendly contention with an echo, whose dead voice seemed to live in a
+hollow tree near to the brow of that primrose-hill. There I sat viewing
+the silver streams glide silently towards their centre, the tempestuous
+sea; yet sometimes opposed by rugged roots and pebble-stones, which
+broke their waves, and turned them into foam; and sometimes I beguiled
+time by viewing the harmless lambs; some leaping securely in the cool
+shade, whilst others sported themselves in the cheerful sun; and saw
+others craving comfort from the swollen udders of their bleating dams.
+As I thus sat, these and other sights had so fully possess my soul with
+content, that I thought, as the poet has happily express it,
+
+    I was for that time lifted above earth,
+    And possest joys not promis'd in my birth.
+
+As I left this place, and entered into the next field, a second pleasure
+entertained me; 'twas a handsome milk-maid, that had not yet attained so
+much age and wisdom as to load her mind with any fears of many things
+that will never be, as too many men too often do; but she cast away all
+care, and sung like a nightingale. Her voice was good, and the ditty
+fitted for it; it was that smooth song which was made by Kit Marlow, now
+at least fifty years ago; and the milk-maid's mother sung an answer to
+it, which was made by Sir Walter Raleigh, in his younger days. They were
+old-fashioned poetry, but choicely good; I think much better than the
+strong lines that are now in fashion in this critical age. Look yonder!
+on my word, yonder, they both be a-milking again. I will give her the
+Chub, and persuade them to sing those two songs to us.
+
+God speed you, good woman! I have been a-fishing; and am going to Bleak
+Hall to my bed; and having caught more fish than will sup myself and my
+friend, I will bestow this upon you and your daughter, for I use to sell
+none.
+
+Milk-woman. Marry! God requite you, Sir, and we'll eat it cheerfully.
+And if you come this way a-fishing two months hence, a grace of God!
+I'll give you a syllabub of new verjuice, in a new-made hay-cock, for
+it. And my Maudlin shall sing you one of her best ballads; for she and I
+both love all anglers, they be such honest, civil, quiet men. In the
+meantime will you drink a draught of red cow's milk? you shall have it
+freely.
+
+Piscator. No, I thank you; but, I pray, do us a courtesy that shall
+stand you and your daughter in nothing, and yet we will think ourselves
+still something in your debt: it is but to sing us a song that was sung
+by your daughter when I last passed over this meadow, about eight or
+nine days since.
+
+Milk-woman. What song was it, I pray? Was it, "Come, Shepherds, deck
+your herds "? or, "As at noon Dulcina rested"? or, "Phillida flouts
+me"? or, "Chevy Chace"? or, "Johnny Armstrong"? or, "Troy Town"?
+
+Piscator. No, it is none of those; it is a Song that your daughter sung
+the first part, and you sung the answer to it.
+
+Milk-woman. O, I know it now. I learned the first part in my golden age,
+when I was about the age of my poor daughter; and the latter part, which
+indeed fits me best now, but two or three years ago, when the cares of
+the world began to take hold of me: but you shall, God willing, hear
+them both; and sung as well as we can, for we both love anglers. Come,
+Maudlin, sing the first part to the gentlemen, with a merry heart; and
+I'll sing the second when you have done.
+
+        The Milk-maid's song.
+
+    Come live with me, and be my love,
+    And we will all the pleasures prove,
+    That valleys, groves, or hills, or fields,
+    Or woods, and steepy mountains yields;
+
+    Where we will sit upon the rocks,
+    And see the shepherds feed our flocks,
+    By shallow rivers, to whose falls
+    Melodious birds sing madrigals.
+
+    And I will make thee beds of roses;
+    And, then, a thousand fragrant posies;
+    A cap of flowers, and a kirtle,
+    Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;
+
+    A gown made of the finest wool
+    Which from our pretty lambs we pull
+    Slippers, lin'd choicely for the cold,
+    With buckles of the purest gold;
+
+    A belt of straw and ivy-buds,
+    With coral clasps, and amber studs.
+    And if these pleasures may thee move,
+    Come, live with me, and be my love,
+
+    Thy silver dishes, for thy meat
+    As precious as the Gods do eat
+    Shall, on an ivory table, be
+    Prepared each day for thee and me.
+
+    The shepherd swains shall dance and sing
+    For thy delight, each May morning.
+    If these delights thy mind may move,
+    Then live with me, and be my love.
+
+Venator. Trust me, master, it is a choice song, and sweetly sung by
+honest Maudlin. I now see it was not without cause that our good queen
+Elizabeth did so often wish herself a milk-maid all the month of May,
+because they are not troubled with fears and cares, but sing sweetly all
+the day, and sleep securely all the night: and without doubt, honest,
+innocent, pretty Maudlin does so. I'll bestow Sir Thomas Overbury's
+milk-maid's wish upon her, "that she may die in the Spring; and, being
+dead, may have good store of flowers stuck round about her
+winding-sheet".
+
+        The Milk-maid's mother's answer
+
+    If all the world and love were young
+    And truth in every shepherd's tongue,
+    These pretty pleasures might me move
+    To live with thee, and be thy love.
+
+    But Time drives flocks from field to fold.
+    When rivers rage, and rocks grow cold
+    Then Philomel becometh dumb
+    And age complains of cares to come.
+
+    The flowers do fade, and wanton fields
+    To wayward winter reckoning yields.
+    A honey tongue, a heart of gall,
+    Is fancy's spring but sorrow's fall.
+
+    Thy gowns, thy shoes, thy beds of roses,
+    Thy cap, thy kirtle, and thy posies,
+    Soon break, soon wither, soon forgotten;
+    In folly rise, in reason rotten.
+
+    Thy belt of straw, and ivy buds,
+    Thy coral clasps, and amber studs,
+    All these in me no means can move
+    To come to thee, and be thy love.
+
+    What should we talk of dainties, then,
+    Of better meat than's fit for men?
+    These are but vain: that's only good
+    Which God hath blessed and sent for food.
+
+    But could youth last, and love still breed;
+    Had joys no date, nor age no need;
+    Then those delights my mind might move
+    To live with thee, and be thy love.
+
+Mother. Well! I have done my song. But stay, honest anglers; for I will
+make Maudlin sing you one short song more. Maudlin! sing that song that
+you sung last night, when young Coridon the shepherd played so purely on
+his oaten pipe to you and your cousin Betty.
+
+Maudlin. I will, mother.
+
+    I married a wife of late,
+    The more's my unhappy fate:
+      I married her for love,
+      As my fancy did me move,
+    And not for a worldly estate:
+
+    But oh! the green sickness
+    Soon changed her likeness;
+      And all her beauty did fail.
+        But 'tis not so
+        With those that go
+        Thro'frost and snow
+        As all men know,
+    And carry the milking-pail.
+
+Piscator. Well sung, good woman; I thank you. I'll give you another dish
+of fish one of these days; and then beg another song of you. Come,
+scholar! let Maudlin alone: do not you offer to spoil her voice. Look!
+yonder comes mine hostess, to call us to supper. How now! is my brother
+Peter come?
+
+Hostess. Yes, and a friend with him. They are both glad to hear that you
+are in these parts; and long to see you; and long to be at supper, for
+they be very hungry.
+
+
+
+
+
+The third day-continued
+
+On the Trout
+
+Chapter V
+
+Piscator, Peter, Venator, Coridon
+
+
+Piscator. Well met, brother Peter! I heard you and a friend would lodge
+here to-night; and that hath made me to bring my friend to lodge here
+too. My friend is one that would fain be a brother of the angle: he hath
+been an angler but this day; and I have taught him how to catch a Chub,
+by dapping with a grasshopper; and the Chub he caught was a lusty one of
+nineteen inches long. But pray, brother Peter, who is your companion?
+
+Peter. Brother Piscator, my friend is an honest countryman, and his name
+is Coridon; and he is a downright witty companion, that met me here
+purposely to be pleasant and eat a Trout; and I have not yet wetted my
+line since we met together: but I hope to fit him with a Trout for his
+breakfast; for I'll be early up.
+
+Piscator. Nay, brother, you shall not stay so long; for, look you! here
+is a Trout will fill six reasonable bellies.
+
+Come, hostess, dress it presently; and get us what other meat the house
+will afford; and give us some of your best barley-wine, the good liquor
+that our honest forefathers did use to think of; the drink which
+preserved their health, and made them live so long, and to do so many
+good deeds.
+
+Peter. On my word, this Trout is perfect in season. Come, I thank you,
+and here is a hearty draught to you, and to all the brothers of the
+angle wheresoever they be, and to my young brother's good fortune
+to-morrow. I will furnish him with a rod, if you will furnish him with
+the rest of the tackling: we will set him up, and make him a fisher. And
+I will tell him one thing for his encouragement, that his fortune hath
+made him happy to be scholar to such a master; a master that knows as
+much, both of the nature and breeding of fish, as any man; and can also
+tell him as well how to catch and cook them, from the Minnow to the
+Salmon, as any that I ever met withal.
+
+Piscator. Trust me, brother Peter, I find my scholar to be so suitable
+to my own humour, which is to be free and pleasant and civilly merry,
+that my resolution is to hide nothing that I know from him. Believe me,
+scholar, this is my resolution; and so here's to you a hearty draught,
+and to all that love us and the honest art of Angling.
+
+Venator. Trust me, good master, you shall not sow your seed in barren
+ground; for I hope to return you an increase answerable to your hopes:
+but, however, you shall find me obedient, and thankful, and serviceable
+to my best ability.
+
+Piscator. 'Tis enough, honest scholar! come, let's to supper. Come, my
+friend Coridon, this Trout looks lovely; it was twenty-two inches when
+it was taken; and the belly of it looked, some part of it, as yellow as
+a marigold, and part of it as white as a lily; and yet, methinks, it
+looks better in this good sauce.
+
+Coridon. Indeed, honest friend, it looks well, and tastes well: I thank
+you for it, and so doth my friend Peter, or else he is to blame.
+
+Peter. Yes, and so I do; we all thank you: and, when we have supped, I
+will get my friend Coridon to sing you a song for requital.
+
+Coridon. I will sing a song, if anybody will sing another, else, to be
+plain with you, I will sing none. I am none of those that sing for meat,
+but for company: I say,
+
+'"Tis merry in hall, When men sing all."
+
+Piscator. I'll promise you I'll sing a song that was lately made, at my
+request, by Mr. William Basse; one that hath made the choice songs of
+the "Hunter in his Career," and of "Tom of Bedlam," and many others of
+note; and this, that I will sing, is in praise of Angling.
+
+Coridon. And then mine shall be the praise of a Countryman's life. What
+will the rest sing of?
+
+Peter. I will promise you, I will sing another song in praise of Angling
+to-morrow night; for we will not part till then; but fish to-morrow, and
+sup together: and the next day every man leave fishing, and fall to his
+business.
+
+Venator. Tis a match; and I will provide you a song or a catch against
+then, too, which shall give some addition of mirth to the company; for
+we will be civil and as merry as beggars.
+
+Piscator. Tis a match, my masters. Let's e'en say grace, and turn to the
+fire, drink the other cup to whet our whistles, and so sing away all sad
+thoughts. Come on, my masters, who begins? I think it is best to draw
+cuts, and avoid contention.
+
+Peter. It is a match. Look, the shortest cut falls to Coridon.
+
+Coridon. Well, then, I will begin, for I hate contention
+
+       Coridon's song.
+
+    Oh the sweet contentment
+    The countryman doth find!
+        Heigh trolollie lollie foe,
+        Heigh trolollie lee.
+    That quiet contemplation
+    Possesseth all my mind:
+        Then care away
+        And wend along with me.
+
+    For Courts are full of flattery,
+    As hath too oft been tried
+        Heigh trolollie lollie foe, etc.,
+    The city full of wantonness,
+    And both are full of pride:
+        Then care away, etc.
+
+    But oh, the honest countryman
+    Speaks truly from his heart
+        Heigh trolollie lollie foe, etc.
+    His pride is in his tillage,
+    His horses, and his cart:
+        Then care away, etc.
+
+    Our cloathing is good sheep-skins
+    Grey russet for our wives
+    Heigh trolollie lollie loe, etc.
+    'Tis warmth and not gay cloathing
+    That doth prolong our lives:
+    Then care away, etc.
+
+    The ploughman, tho' he labour hard,
+    Yet on the holy-day
+        Heigh trolollie lollie foe, etc.
+    No emperor so merrily
+    Does pass his time away:
+        Then care away, etc.
+
+    To recompense our tillage,
+    The heavens afford us showers
+        Heigh trolollie lollie foe, etc.
+    And for our sweet refreshment.
+    The earth affords us bowers:
+        Then care away, etc.
+
+    The cuckow and the nightingale
+    Full merrily do sing,
+        Heigh trolollie lollie foe, etc.
+    And with their pleasant roundelays
+    Bid welcome to the spring:
+        Then care away, etc.
+
+    This is not half the happiness
+    The countryman enjoys
+        Heigh trolollie lollie foe, etc.,
+    Though others think they have as much,
+    Yet he that says so lies:
+        Then come away,
+        Turn countrymen with me.
+
+        Jo. Chalkhill.
+
+Piscator. Well sung, Coridon, this song was sung with mettle; and it was
+choicely fitted to the occasion: I shall love you for it as long as I
+know you. I would you were a brother of the angle; for a companion that
+is cheerful, and free from swearing and scurrilous discourse, is worth
+gold. I love such mirth as does not make friends ashamed to look upon
+one another next morning; nor men, that cannot well bear it, to repent
+the money they spend when they be warmed with drink. And take this for a
+rule: you may pick out such times and such companies, that you make
+yourselves merrier for a little than a great deal of money; for "'Tis
+the company and not the charge that makes the feast"; and such a
+companion you prove: I thank you for it.
+
+But I will not compliment you out of the debt that I owe you, and
+therefore I will begin my song, and wish it may be so well liked.
+
+       The Angler's song.
+
+    As inward love breeds outward talk
+    The hound some praise, and some the hawk
+    Some, better pleas'd with private sport
+    Use tennis, some a mistress court:
+      But these delights I neither wish
+      Nor envy, while I freely fish.
+
+    Who hunts, doth oft in danger ride;
+    Who hawks, lures oft both far and wide
+    Who uses games shall often prove
+    A loser, but who falls in love,
+      Is fetter'd in fond Cupid's snare:
+      My angle breeds me no such care.
+
+    Of recreation there is none
+    So free as fishing is alone;
+    All other pastimes do no less
+    Than mind and body both possess:
+      My hand alone my work can do,
+      So I can fish and study too.
+
+    I care not, I, to fish in seas,
+    Fresh rivers best my mind do please,
+    Whose sweet calm course I contemplate,
+    And seek in life to imitate:
+      In civil bounds I fain would keep,
+      And for my past offences weep.
+
+    And when the timorous Trout I wait
+    To take, and he devours my bait,
+    How poor a thing, sometimes I find,
+    Will captivate a greedy mind:
+      And when none bite, I praise the wise
+      Whom vain allurements ne'er surprise.
+
+    But yet, though while I fish, I fast,
+    I make good fortune my repast;
+    And thereunto my friend invite,
+    In whom I more than that delight:
+      Who is more welcome to my dish
+      Than to my angle was my fish.
+
+    As well content no prize to take,
+    As use of taken prize to make:
+    For so our Lord was pleased, when
+    He fishers made fishers of men;
+      Where, which is in no other game,
+      A man may fish and praise his name.
+
+    The first men that our Saviour dear
+    Did choose to wait upon him here,
+    Blest fishers were, and fish the last
+    Food was that he on earth did taste:
+      I therefore strive to follow those
+      Whom he to follow him hath chose.
+
+    W. B.
+
+Coridon. Well sung, brother, you have paid your debt in good coin. We
+anglers are all beholden to the good man that made this song: come,
+hostess, give us more ale, and let's drink to him. And now let's every
+one go to bed, that we may rise early: but first let's pay our
+reckoning, for I will have nothing to hinder me in the morning; for my
+purpose is to prevent the sun-rising.
+
+Peter. A match. Come, Coridon, you are to be my bed-fellow. I know,
+brother, you and your scholar will lie together. But where shall we meet
+to-morrow night? for my friend Coridon and I will go up the water
+towards Ware.
+
+Piscator. And my scholar and I will go down towards Waltham.
+
+Coridon. Then let's meet here, for here are fresh sheets that smell of
+lavender; and I am sure we cannot expect better meat, or better usage in
+any place.
+
+Peter. 'Tis a match. Good-night to everybody.
+
+Piscator. And so say I.
+
+Venator. And so say I.
+
+
+
+
+The fourth day
+
+
+Piscator. Good-morrow, good hostess, I see my brother Peter is still in
+bed. Come, give my scholar and me a morning drink, and a bit of meat to
+breakfast: and be sure to get a dish of meat or two against supper, for
+we shall come home as hungry as hawks. Come, scholar, let's be going.
+
+Venator. Well now, good master, as we walk towards the river, give me
+direction, according to your promise, how I shall fish for a Trout.
+
+Piscator. My honest scholar, I will take this very convenient
+opportunity to do it.
+
+The Trout is usually caught with a worm, or a minnow, which some call a
+peek, or with a fly, viz. either a natural or an artificial fly:
+concerning which three, I will give you some observations and
+directions.
+
+And, first, for worms. Of these there be very many sorts: some breed
+only in the earth, as the earth-worm; others of, or amongst plants, as
+the dug-worm; and others breed either out of excrements, or in the
+bodies of living creatures, as in the horns of sheep or deer; or some of
+dead flesh, as the maggot or gentle, and others.
+
+Now these be most of them particularly good for particular fishes. But
+for the Trout, the dew-worm, which some also call the lob-worm, and the
+brandling, are the chief; and especially the first for a great Trout,
+and the latter for a less. There be also of lob-worms, some called
+squirrel-tails, a worm that has a red head, a streak down the back, and
+a broad tail, which are noted to be the best, because they are the
+toughest and most lively, and live longest in the water; for you are to
+know that a dead worm is but a dead bait, and like to catch nothing,
+compared to a lively, quick, stirring worm. And for a brandling, he is
+usually found in an old dunghill, or some very rotten place near to it,
+but most usually in cow-dung, or hog's-dung, rather than horse-dung,
+which is somewhat too hot and dry for that worm. But the best of them
+are to be found in the bark of the tanners, which they cast up in heaps
+after they have used it about their leather.
+
+There are also divers other kinds of worms, which, for colour and shape,
+alter even as the ground out of which they are got; as the marsh-worm,
+the tag-tail, the flag-worm, the dock-worm, the oak-worm, the gilt-tail,
+the twachel or lob-worm, which of all others is the most excellent bait
+for a salmon, and too many to name, even as many sorts as some think
+there be of several herbs or shrubs, or of several kinds of birds in the
+air: of which I shall say no more, but tell you, that what worms soever
+you fish with, are the better for being well scoured, that is, long kept
+before they be used: and in case you have not been so provident, then
+the way to cleanse and scour them quickly, is, to put them all night in
+water, if they be lob-worms, and then put them into your bag with
+fennel. But you must not put your brandlings above an hour in water, and
+then put them into fennel, for sudden use: but if you have time, and
+purpose to keep them long, then they be best preserved in an earthen
+pot, with good store of moss, which is to be fresh every three or four
+days in summer, and every week or eight days in winter; or, at least,
+the moss taken from them, and clean washed, and wrung betwixt your hands
+till it be dry, and then put it to them again. And when your worms,
+especially the brandling, begins to be sick and lose of his bigness,
+then you may recover him, by putting a little milk or cream, about a
+spoonful in a day, into them, by drops on the moss; and if there be
+added to the cream an egg beaten and boiled in it, then it will both
+fatten and preserve them long. And note, that when the knot, which is
+near to the middle of the brandling, begins to swell, then he is sick;
+and, if he be not well looked to, is near dying. And for moss, you are
+to note, that there be divers kinds of it, which I could name to you,
+but I will only tell you that that which is likest a buck's-horn is the
+best, except it be soft white moss, which grows on some heaths, and is
+hard to be found. And note, that in a very dry time, when you are put to
+an extremity for worms, walnut-tree leaves squeezed into water, or salt
+in water, to make it bitter or salt, and then that water poured on the
+ground where you shall see worms are used to rise in the night, will
+make them to appear above ground presently. And you may take notice,
+some say that camphire put into your bag with your moss and worms gives
+them a strong and so tempting a smell, that the fish fare the worse and
+you the better for it.
+
+And now, I shall shew you how to bait your hook with a worm so as shall
+prevent you from much trouble, and the loss of many a hook, too, when
+you fish for a Trout with a running line; that is to say, when you fish
+for him by hand at the ground. I will direct you in this as plainly as I
+can, that you may not mistake.
+
+Suppose it be a big lob-worm: put your hook into him somewhat above the
+middle, and out again a little below the middle: having so done, draw
+your worm above the arming of your hook; but note, that, at the entering
+of your hook, it must not be at the head-end of the worm, but at the
+tail-end of him, that the point of your hook may come out toward the
+head-end; and, having drawn him above the arming of your hook, then put
+the point of your hook again into the very head of the worm, till it
+come near to the place where the point of the hook first came out, and
+then draw back that part of the worm that was above the shank or arming
+of your hook, and so fish with it. And if you mean to fish with two
+worms, then put the second on before you turn back the hook's-head of
+the first worm. You cannot lose above two or three worms before you
+attain to what I direct you; and having attained it, you will find it
+very useful, and thank me for it: for you will run on the ground without
+tangling.
+
+Now for the Minnow or Penk: he is not easily found and caught till
+March, or in April, for then he appears first in the river; nature
+having taught him to shelter and hide himself, in the winter, in ditches
+that be near to the river; and there both to hide, and keep himself
+warm, in the mud, or in the weeds, which rot not so soon as in a running
+river, in which place if he were in winter, the distempered floods that
+are usually in that season would suffer him to take no rest, but carry
+him headlong to mills and weirs, to his confusion. And of these Minnows:
+first, you are to know, that the biggest size is not the best; and next,
+that the middle size and the whitest are the best; and then you are to
+know, that your minnow must be so put on your hook, that it must turn
+round when 'tis drawn against the stream; and, that it may turn nimbly,
+you must put it on a big-sized hook, as I shall now direct you, which is
+thus: Put your hook in at his mouth, and out at his gill; then, having
+drawn your hook two or three inches beyond or through his gill, put it
+again into his mouth, and the point and beard out at his tail; and then
+tie the hook and his tail about, very neatly, with a white thread, which
+will make it the apter to turn quick in the water; that done, pull back
+that part of your line which was slack when you did put your hook into
+the minnow the second time; I say, pull that part of your line back, so
+that it shall fasten the head, so that the body of the minnow shall be
+almost straight on your hook: this done, try how it will turn, by
+drawing it across the water or against a stream; and if it do not turn
+nimbly, then turn the tail a little to the right or left hand, and try
+again, till it turn quick; for if not, you are in danger to catch
+nothing: for know, that it is impossible that it should turn too quick.
+And you are yet to know, that in case you want a minnow, then a small
+loach, or a stickle-bag, or any other small fish that will turn quick,
+will serve as well. And you are yet to know that you may salt them, and
+by that means keep them ready and fit for use three or four days, or
+longer; and that, of salt, bay-salt is the best.
+
+And here let me tell you, what many old anglers know right well, that at
+some times, and in some waters, a minnow is not to be got; and
+therefore, let me tell you, I have, which I will shew to you, an
+artificial minnow, that will catch a Trout as well as an artificial fly:
+and it was made by a handsome woman that had a fine hand, and a live
+minnow lying by her: the mould or body of the minnow was cloth, and
+wrought upon, or over it, thus, with a needle; the back of it with very
+sad French green silk, and paler green silk towards the belly, shadowed
+as perfectly as you can imagine, just as you see a minnow: the belly was
+wrought also with a needle, and it was, a part of it, white silk; and
+another part of it with silver thread: the tail and fins were of a
+quill, which was shaven thin: the eyes were of two little black beads:
+and the head was so shadowed, and all of it so curiously wrought, and so
+exactly dissembled, that it would beguile any sharp-sighted Trout in a
+swift stream. And this minnow I will now shew you; look, here it is,
+and, if you like it, lend it you, to have two or three made by it; for
+they be easily carried about an angler, and be of excellent use: for
+note, that a large Trout will come as fiercely at a minnow as the
+highest-mettled hawk doth seize on a partridge, or a greyhound on a
+hare. I have been told that one hundred and sixty minnows have been
+found in a Trout's belly: either the Trout had devoured so many, or the
+miller that gave it a friend of mine had forced them down his throat
+after he had taken him.
+
+Now for Flies; which is the third bait wherewith Trouts are usually
+taken. You are to know, that there are so many sorts of flies as there
+be of fruits: I will name you but some of them; as the dun-fly, the
+stone-fly, the red-fly, the moor-fly, the tawny-fly, the shell-fly, the
+cloudy or blackish-fly, the flag-fly, the vine-fly; there be of flies,
+caterpillars, and canker-flies, and bear-flies; and indeed too many
+either for me to name, or for you to remember. And their breeding is so
+various and wonderful, that I might easily amaze myself, and tire you in
+a relation of them.
+
+And, yet, I will exercise your promised patience by saying a little of
+the caterpillar, or the palmer-fly or worm; that by them you may guess
+what a work it were, in a discourse, but to run over those very many
+flies, worms, and little living creatures, with which the sun and summer
+adorn and beautify the river-banks and meadows, both for the recreation
+and contemplation of us anglers; pleasures which, I think, myself enjoy
+more than any other man that is not of my profession.
+
+Pliny holds an opinion, that many have their birth, or being, from a dew
+that in the spring falls upon the leaves of trees; and that some kinds
+of them are from a dew left upon herbs or flowers; and others from a dew
+left upon coleworts or cabbages: all which kinds of dews being thickened
+and condensed, are by the sun's generative heat, most of them, hatched,
+and in three days made living creatures, and these of several shapes and
+colours; some being hard and tough, some smooth and soft; some are
+horned in their head, some in their tail, some have none; some have
+hair, some none: some have sixteen feet, some less, and some have none:
+but, as our Topsel hath with great diligence observed, those which have
+none, move upon the earth, or upon broad leaves, their motion being not
+unlike to the waves of the sea. Some of them he also observes to be bred
+of the eggs of other caterpillars, and that those in their time turn to
+be butterflies; and again, that their eggs turn the following year to be
+caterpillars. And some affirm, that every plant has its particular fly or
+caterpillar, which it breeds and feeds. I have seen, and may therefore
+affirm it, a green caterpillar, or worm, as big as a small peascod,
+which had fourteen legs; eight on the belly, four under the neck, and
+two near the tail. It was found on a hedge of privet; and was taken
+thence, and put into a large box, and a little branch or two of privet
+put to it, on which I saw it feed as sharply as a dog gnaws a bone: it
+lived thus, five or six days, and thrived, and changed the colour two or
+three times but by some neglect in the keeper of it, it then died and
+did not turn to a fly: but if it had lived, it had doubtless turned to
+one of those flies that some call Flies of prey, which those that walk
+by the rivers may, in summer, see fasten on smaller flies, and, I think,
+make them their food. And 'tis observable, that as there be these flies
+of prey, which be very large; so there be others, very little, created,
+I think, only to feed them, and breed out of I know not what; whose
+life, they say, nature intended not to exceed an hour; and yet that life
+is thus made shorter by other flies, or accident.
+
+'Tis endless to tell you what the curious searchers into nature's
+productions have observed of these worms and flies: but yet I shall tell
+you what Aldrovandus, our Topsel, and others, say of the Palmer-worm, or
+Caterpillar: that whereas others content themselves to feed on
+particular herbs or leaves; for most think, those very leaves that gave
+them life and shape, give them a particular feeding and nourishment, and
+that upon them they usually abide; yet he observes, that this is called
+a pilgrim, or palmer-worm, for his very wandering life, and various
+food; not contenting himself, as others do, with any one certain place
+for his abode, nor any certain kind of herb or flower for his feeding,
+but will boldly and disorderly wander up and down, and not endure to be
+kept to a diet, or fixt to a particular place.
+
+Nay, the very colours of caterpillars are, as one has observed, very
+elegant and beautiful I shall, for a taste of the rest, describe one of
+them; which I will, some time the next month, shew you feeding on a
+willow-tree; and you shall find him punctually to answer this very
+description: his lips and mouth somewhat yellow; his eyes black as jet;
+his forehead purple; his feet and hinder parts green; his tail
+two-forked and black; the whole body stained with a kind of red spots,
+which run along the neck and shoulder-blade, not unlike the form of St.
+Andrew's cross, or the letter X, made thus crosswise, and a white line
+drawn down his back to his tail; all which add much beauty to his whole
+body. And it is to me observable, that at a fixed age this caterpillar
+gives over to eat, and towards winter comes to be covered over with a
+strange shell or crust, called an aurelia; and so lives a kind of dead
+life, without eating all the winter. And as others of several kinds turn
+to be several kinds of flies and vermin, the Spring following; so this
+caterpillar then turns to be a painted butterfly.
+
+Come, come, my scholar, you see the river stops our morning walk: and I
+will also here stop my discourse: only as we sit down under this
+honeysuckle hedge, whilst I look a line to fit the rod that our brother
+Peter hath lent you, I shall, for a little confirmation of what I have
+said, repeat the observation of Du Bartas:
+
+    God, not contented to each kind to give
+    And to infuse the virtue generative,
+    Made, by his wisdom, many creatures breed
+    Of lifeless bodies, without Venus' deed.
+
+    So, the cold humour breeds the Salamander,
+    Who, in effect, like to her birth's commander,
+    With child with hundred winters, with her touch
+    Quencheth the fire, tho'glowing ne'er so much.
+
+    So of the fire, in burning furnace, springs
+    The fly Pyrausta with the flaming wings:
+    Without the fire, it dies: within it joys,
+    Living in that which each shine else destroys.
+
+    So, slow Boôtes underneath him sees
+    In th' icy isles those goslings hatch'd of trees;
+    Whose fruitful leaves, falling into the water,
+    Are turn'd, they say, to living fowls soon after.
+
+    So, rotten sides of broken ships do change
+    To barnacles. O transformation strange!
+    '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 meantime, 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 practice 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 lost.
+
+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, having caught
+three brace of Trouts, I will tell you a short tale as we walk towards
+our breakfast. A scholar, a preacher I should say, that was to preach to
+procure the approbation of a parish that he might be their lecturer, had
+got from his fellow-pupil the copy of a sermon that was first preached
+with great commendation by him that composed it: and though the borrower
+of it preached it, word for word, as it was at first, yet it was utterly
+disliked as it was preached by the second to his congregation, which the
+sermon-borrower complained of to the lender of it: and was thus
+answered: "I lent you, indeed, my fiddle, but not my fiddle-stick; for
+you are to know, that every one cannot make musick with my words, which
+are fitted for my own mouth". And so, my scholar, you are to know, that
+as the ill pronunciation or ill accenting of words in a sermon spoils
+it, so the ill carriage of your line, or not fishing even to a foot in a
+right place, makes you lose your labour: and you are to know, that
+though you have my fiddle, that is, my very rod and tacklings with which
+you see I catch fish, yet you have not my fiddle-stick, that is, you yet
+have not skill to know how to carry your hand and line, nor how to guide
+it to a right place: and this must be taught you; for you are to
+remember, I told you Angling is an art, either by practice or a long
+observation, or both. But take this for a rule, When you fish for a
+Trout with a worm, let your line have so much, and not more lead than
+will fit the stream in which you fish; that is to say, more in a great
+troublesome stream than in a smaller that is quieter; as near as may be,
+so much as will sink the bait to the bottom, and keep it still in
+motion, and not more.
+
+But now, let's say grace, and fall to breakfast. What say you, scholar,
+to the providence of an old angler? Does not this meat taste well? and
+was not this place well chosen to eat it? for this sycamore-tree will
+shade us from the sun's heat.
+
+Venator. All excellent good; and my stomach excellent good, too. And now
+I remember, and find that true which devout Lessius says, "that poor
+men, and those that fast often, have much more pleasure in eating than
+rich men, and gluttons, that always feed before their stomachs are empty
+of their last meat and call for more; for by that means they rob
+themselves of that pleasure that hunger brings to poor men". And I do
+seriously approve of that saying of yours, "that you had rather be a
+civil, well-governed, well-grounded, temperate, poor angler, than a
+drunken lord ": but I hope there is none such. However, I am certain of
+this, that I have been at many very costly dinners that have not
+afforded me half the content that this has done; for which I thank God
+and you.
+
+And now, good master, proceed to your promised direction for making and
+ordering my artificial fly.
+
+Piscator. My honest scholar, I will do it; for it is a debt due unto you
+by my promise. And because you shall not think yourself more engaged to
+me than indeed you really are, I will freely give you such directions as
+were lately given to me by an ingenious brother of the angle, an honest
+man, and a most excellent fly-fisher.
+
+You are to note, that there are twelve kinds of artificial made Flies,
+to angle with upon the top of the water. Note, by the way, that the
+fittest season of using these is in a blustering windy day, when the
+waters are so troubled that the natural fly cannot be seen, or rest upon
+them. The first is the dun-fly, in March: the body is made of dun wool;
+the wings, of the partridge's feathers. The second is another dun-fly:
+the body, of black wool; and the wings made of the black drake's
+feathers, and of the feathers under his tail. The third is the
+stone-fly, in April: the body is made of black wool; made yellow under
+the wings and under the tail, and so made with wings of the drake. The
+fourth is the ruddy-fly, in the beginning of May: the body made of red
+wool, wrapt about with black silk; and the feathers are the wings of the
+drake; with the feathers of a red capon also, which hang dangling on his
+sides next to the tail. The fifth is the yellow or greenish fly, in May
+likewise: the body made of yellow wool; and the wings made of the red
+cock's hackle or tail. The sixth is the black-fly, in May also: the body
+made of black wool, and lapt about with the herle of a peacock's tail:
+the wings are made of the wings of a brown capon, with his blue feathers
+in his head. The seventh is the sad yellow-fly in June: the body is made
+of black wool, with a yellow list on either side; and the wings taken
+off the wings of a buzzard, bound with black braked hemp. The eighth is
+the moorish-fly; made, with the body, of duskish wool; and the wings
+made of the blackish mail of the drake. The ninth is the tawny-fly, good
+until the middle of June: the body made of tawny wool; the wings made
+contrary one against the other, made of the whitish mail of the wild
+drake. The tenth is the wasp-fly in July; the body made of black wool,
+lapt about with yellow silk; the wings made of the feathers of the
+drake, or of the buzzard. The eleventh is the shell-fly, good in
+mid-July: the body made of greenish wool, lapt about with the herle of a
+peacock's tail: and the wings made of the wings of the buzzard. The
+twelfth is the dark drake-fly, good in August: the body made with black
+wool, lapt about with black silk; his wings are made with the mail of
+the black drake, with a black head. Thus have you a jury of flies,
+likely to betray and condemn all the Trouts in the river.
+
+I shall next give you some other directions for fly-fishing, such as are
+given by Mr. Thomas Barker, a gentleman that hath spent much time in
+fishing: but I shall do it with a little variation.
+
+First, let your rod be light, and very gentle: I take the best to be of
+two pieces. And let not your line exceed, especially for three or four
+links next to the hook, I say, not exceed three or four hairs at the
+most; though you may fish a little stronger above, in the upper part of
+your line: but if you can attain to angle with one hair, you shall have
+more rises, and catch more fish. Now you must be sure not to cumber
+yourself with too long a line, as most do. And before you begin to
+angle, cast to have the wind on your back; and the sun, if it shines, to
+be before you; and to fish down the stream; and carry the point or top
+of your rod downward, by which means the shadow of yourself and rod too,
+will be the least offensive to the fish, for the sight of any shade
+amazes the fish, and spoils your sport, of which you must take great
+care.
+
+In the middle of March, till which time a man should not in honesty
+catch a Trout; or in April, it the weather be dark, or a little windy or
+cloudy; the best fishing is with the palmer-worm, of which I last spoke
+to you; but of these there be divers kinds, or at least of divers
+colours: these and the May-fly are the ground of all fly-angling: which
+are to be thus made:
+
+First, you must arm your hook with the line, in the inside of it: then
+take your scissors, and cut so much of a brown mallard's feather as, in
+your own reason, will make the wings of it, you having, withal, regard
+to the bigness or littleness of your hook; then lay the outmost part of
+your feather next to your hook; then the point of your feather next the
+shank of your hook, and, having so done, whip it three or four times
+about the hook with the same silk with which your hook was armed; and
+having made the silk fast, take the hackle of a cock or capon's neck, or
+a plover's top, which is usually better: take off the one side of the
+feather, and then take the hackle, silk or crewel, gold or silver
+thread; make these fast at the bent of the hook, that is to say, below
+your arming; then you must take the hackle, the silver or gold thread,
+and work it up to the wings, shifting or still removing your finger as
+you turn the silk about the hook, and still looking, at every stop or
+turn, that your gold, or what materials soever you make your fly of, do
+lie right and neatly; and if you find they do so, then when you have
+made the head, make all fast: and then work your hackle up to the head,
+and make that fast: and then, with a needle, or pin, divide the wing
+into two; and then, with the arming silk, whip it about cross-ways
+betwixt the wings: and then with your thumb you must turn the point of
+the feather towards the bent of the hook; and then work three or four
+times about the shank of the hook; and then view the proportion; and if
+all be neat, and to your liking, fasten.
+
+I confess, no direction can be given to make a man of a dull capacity
+able to make a fly well: and yet I know this, with a little practice,
+will help an ingenious angler in a good degree. But to see a fly made by
+an artist in that kind, is the best teaching to make it. And, then, an
+ingenious angler may walk by the river, and mark what flies fall on the
+water that day; and catch one of them, if he sees the Trouts leap at a
+fly of that kind: and then having always hooks ready-hung with him, and
+having a bag always with him, with bear's hair, or the hair of a brown
+or sad-coloured heifer, hackles of a cock or capon, several coloured
+silk and crewel to make the body of the fly, the feathers of a drake's
+head, black or brown sheep's wool, or hog's wool, or hair, thread of
+gold and of silver; silk of several colours, especially sad-coloured, to
+make the fly's head: and there be also other coloured feathers, both of
+little birds and of speckled fowl: I say, having those with him in a
+bag, and trying to make a fly, though he miss at first, yet shall he at
+last hit it better, even to such a perfection as none can well teach him.
+And if he hit to make his fly right, and have the luck to hit, also,
+where there is store of Trouts, a dark day, and a right wind, he will
+catch such store of them, as will encourage him to grow more and more in
+love with the art of fly-making.
+
+Venator. But, my loving master, if any wind will not serve, then I wish
+I were in Lapland, to buy a good wind of one of the honest witches, that
+sell so many winds there, and so cheap.
+
+Piscator. Marry, scholar, but I would not be there, nor indeed from
+under this tree; for look how it begins to rain, and by the clouds, if I
+mistake not, we shall presently have a smoking shower, and therefore sit
+close; this sycamore-tree will shelter us: and I will tell you, as they
+shall come into my mind, more observations of fly-fishing for a Trout.
+
+But first for the wind: you are to take notice that of the winds the
+south wind is said to be best. One observes, that
+
+         ...when the wind is south,
+    It blows your bait into a fish's mouth.
+
+Next to that, the west wind is believed to be the best: and having told
+you that the east wind is the worst, I need not tell you which wind is
+the best in the third degree: and yet, as Solomon observes, that "he
+that considers the wind shall never sow"; so he that busies his head too
+much about them, if the weather be not made extreme cold by an east
+wind, shall be a little superstitious: for as it is observed by some,
+that "there is no good horse of a bad colour"; so I have observed, that
+if it be a cloudy day, and not extreme cold, let the wind sit in what
+corner it will and do its worst, I heed it not. And yet take this for a
+rule, that I would willingly fish, standing on the lee-shore: and you
+are to take notice, that the fish lies or swims nearer the bottom, and
+in deeper water, in winter than in summer; and also nearer the bottom in
+any cold day, and then gets nearest the lee-side of the water.
+
+But I promised to tell you more of the Fly-fishing for a Trout; which I
+may have time enough to do, for you see it rains May-butter. First for a
+Mayfly: you may make his body with greenish-coloured crewel, or
+willowish colour; darkening it in most places with waxed silk; or ribbed
+with black hair; or, some of them, ribbed with silver thread; and such
+wings, for the colour, as you see the fly to have at that season, nay,
+at that very day on the water. Or you may make the Oak-fly: with an
+orange, tawny, and black ground; and the brown of a mallard's feather
+for the wings. And you are to know, that these two are most excellent
+flies, that is, the May-fly and the Oak-fly.
+
+And let me again tell you, that you keep as far from the water as you
+can possibly, whether you fish with a fly or worm; and fish down the
+stream. And when you fish with a fly, if it be possible, let no part of
+your line touch the water, but your fly only; and be still moving your
+fly upon the water, or casting it into the water, you yourself being
+also always moving down the stream.
+
+Mr. Barker commends several sorts of the palmer-flies; not only those
+ribbed with silver and gold, but others that have their bodies all made
+of black; or some with red, and a red hackle. You may also make the
+Hawthorn-fly: which is all black, and not big, but very small, the
+smaller the better. Or the oak-fly, the body of which is orange colour
+and black crewel, with a brown wing. Or a fly made with a peacock's
+feather is excellent in a bright day: you must be sure you want not in
+your magazine-bag the peacock's feather; and grounds of such wool and
+crewel as will make the grasshopper. And note, that usually the smallest
+flies are the best; and note also, that the light fly does usually make
+most sport in a dark day, and the darkest and least fly in a bright or
+clear day: and lastly note, that you are to repair upon any occasion to
+your magazine-bag: and upon any occasion, vary and make them lighter or
+sadder, according to your fancy, or the day.
+
+And now I shall tell you, that the fishing with a natural-fly is
+excellent, and affords much pleasure. They may be found thus: the
+May-fly, usually in and about that month, near to the river-side,
+especially against rain: the Oak-fly, on the butt or body of an oak or
+ash, from the beginning of May to the end of August; it is a brownish
+fly and easy to be so found, and stands usually with his head downward,
+that is to say, towards the root of the tree: the small black-fly, or
+Hawthorn-fly, is to be had on any hawthorn bush after the leaves be come
+forth. With these and a short line, as I shewed to angle for a Chub, you
+may cape or cop, and also with a grasshopper, behind a tree, or in any
+deep hole; still making it to move on the top of the water as if it were
+alive, and still keeping yourself out of sight, you shall certainly have
+sport if there be Trouts; yea, in a hot day, but especially in the
+evening of a hot day, you will have sport.
+
+And now, scholar, my direction for fly-fishing is ended with this
+shower, for it has done raining. And now look about you, and see how
+pleasantly that meadow looks; nay, and the earth smells so sweetly too.
+Come let me tell you what holy Mr. Herbert says of such days and flowers
+as these, and then we will thank God that we enjoy them, and walk to the
+river and sit down quietly, and try to catch the other place of Trouts.
+
+    Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright,
+    The bridal of the earth and sky,
+    Sweet dews shall weep thy fall to-night,
+          For thou must die.
+
+    Sweet rose, whose hue, angry and brave,
+    Bids the rash gazer wipe his eye,
+    Thy root is ever in its grave,
+          And thou must die.
+
+    Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses,
+    A box where sweets compacted lie;
+    My music shews you have your closes,
+          And all must die.
+
+    Only a sweet and virtuous soul,
+    Like season'd timber, never gives,
+    But when the whole world turns to coal,
+          Then chiefly lives.
+
+Venator. I thank you, good master, for your good direction for
+fly-fishing, and for the sweet enjoyment of the pleasant day, which is
+so far spent without offence to God or man: and I thank you for the
+sweet close of your discourse with Mr. Herbert's verses; who, I have
+heard, loved angling; and I do the rather believe it, because he had a
+spirit suitable to anglers, and to those primitive Christians that you
+love, and have so much commended.
+
+Piscator. Well, my loving scholar, and I am pleased to know that you are
+so well pleased with my direction and discourse.
+
+And since you like these verses of Mr. Herbert's so well, let me tell
+you what a reverend and learned divine that professes to imitate him,
+and has indeed done so most excellently, hath writ of our book of Common
+Prayer; which I know you will like the better, because he is a friend of
+mine, and I am sure no enemy to angling.
+
+What! Pray'r by th' book? and Common? Yes; Why not?
+
+          The spirit of grace
+    And supplication
+    Is not left free alone
+          For time and place,
+    But manner too: to read, or speak, by rote,
+      Is all alike to him that prays,
+      In's heart, what with his mouth he says.
+
+    They that in private, by themselves alone,
+        Do pray, may take
+      What liberty they please,
+      In chusing of the ways
+        Wherein to make
+    Their soul's most intimate affections known
+      To him that sees in secret, when
+      Th' are most conceal'd from other men.
+
+    But he, that unto others leads the way
+        In public prayer,
+      Should do it so,
+      As all, that hear, may know
+        They need not fear
+    To tune their hearts unto his tongue, and say
+      Amen; not doubt they were betray'd
+      To blaspheme, when they meant to have pray'd.
+
+    Devotion will add life unto the letter:
+        And why should not
+      That, which authority
+      Prescribes, esteemed be
+        Advantage got?
+    If th' prayer be good, the commoner the better,
+      Prayer in the Church's words, as well
+      As sense, of all prayers bears the bell.
+
+And now, scholar, I think it will be time to repair to our angle-rods,
+which we left in the water to fish for themselves; and you shall choose
+which shall be yours; and it is an even lay, one of them catches.
+
+And, let me tell you, this kind of fishing with a dead rod, and laying
+night-hooks, are like putting money to use; for they both work for the
+owners when they do nothing but sleep, or eat, or rejoice, as you know
+we have done this last hour, and sat as quietly and as free from cares
+under this sycamore, as Virgil's Tityrus and his Meliboeus did under
+their broad beech-tree. No life, my honest scholar, no life so happy and
+so pleasant as the life of a well-governed angler; for when the lawyer
+is swallowed up with business, and the statesman is preventing or
+contriving plots, then we sit on cowslip-banks, hear the birds sing, and
+possess ourselves in as much quietness as these silent silver streams,
+which we now see glide so quietly by us. Indeed, my good scholar, we may
+say of angling, as Dr. Boteler said of strawberries, "Doubtless God
+could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did"; and so,
+if I might be judge, God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent
+recreation than angling.
+
+I'll tell you, scholar; when I sat last on this primrose-bank, and
+looked down these meadows, I thought of them as Charles the emperor did
+of the city of Florence: "That they were too pleasant to be looked on,
+but only on holy-days". As I then sat on this very grass, I turned my
+present thoughts into verse: 'twas a Wish, which I'll repeat to you:--
+
+       The Angler's wish.
+
+    I in these flowery meads would be:
+    These crystal streams should solace me;
+    To whose harmonious bubbling noise
+    I with my Angle would rejoice:
+      Sit here, and see the turtle-dove
+      Court his chaste mate to acts of love:
+
+    Or, on that bank, feel the west wind
+    Breathe health and plenty: please my mind,
+    To see sweet dew-drops kiss these flowers,
+    And then washed off by April showers:
+      Here, hear my Kenna sing a song;
+      There, see a blackbird feed her young.
+
+    Or a leverock build her nest:
+    Here, give my weary spirits rest,
+    And raise my low-pitch'd thoughts above
+    Earth, or what poor mortals love:
+      Thus, free from law-suits and the noise
+      Of princes' courts, I would rejoice:
+
+    Or, with my Bryan, and a book,
+    Loiter long days near Shawford-brook;
+    There sit by him, and eat my meat,
+    There see the sun both rise and set:
+    There bid good morning to next day;
+      There meditate my time away,
+      And Angle on; and beg to have
+      A quiet passage to a welcome grave.
+
+When I had ended this composure, I left this place, and saw a brother of
+the angle sit under that honeysuckle hedge, one that will prove worth
+your acquaintance. I sat down by him, and presently we met with an
+accidental piece of merriment, which I will relate to you, for it rains
+still.
+
+On the other side of this very hedge sat a gang of gypsies; and near to
+them sat a gang of beggars. The gypsies were then to divide all the
+money that had been got that week, either by stealing linen or poultry,
+or by fortune-telling or legerdemain, or, indeed, by any other sleights
+and secrets belonging to their mysterious government. And the sum that
+was got that week proved to be but twenty and some odd shillings. The
+odd money was agreed to be distributed amongst the poor of their own
+corporation: and for the remaining twenty shillings, that was to be
+divided unto four gentlemen gypsies, according to their several degrees
+in their commonwealth. And the first or chiefest gypsy was, by consent,
+to have a third part of the twenty shillings, which all men know is 6s.
+8d. The second was to have a fourth part of the 20s., which all men know
+to be 5s. The third was to have a fifth part of the 20s., which all men
+know to be 4s. The fourth and last gypsy was to have a sixth part of the
+20s., which all men know to be 3s. 4d.
+
+    As for example,
+              3 times 6s. 8d. are 20s.
+    And so is 4 times 5s.     are 20s.
+    And so is 5 times 4s.     are 20s.
+    And so is 6 times 3s. 4d. are 20s.
+
+And yet he that divided the money was so very a gypsy, that though he
+gave to every one these said sums, yet he kept one shilling of it for
+himself
+
+       As, for example,    s.  d.
+                           6   8
+                           5   0
+                           4   0
+                           3   4
+                          ------
+    make but . . . . . .  19   0
+
+But now you shall know, that when the four gypsies saw that he had got
+one shilling by dividing the money, though not one of them knew any
+reason to demand more, yet, like lords and courtiers, every gypsy envied
+him that was the gainer; and wrangled with him; and every one said the
+remaining shilling belonged to him; and so they fell to so high a
+contest about it, as none that knows the faithfulness of one gypsy to
+another will easily believe; only we that have lived these last twenty
+years are certain that money has been able to do much mischief. However,
+the gypsies were too wise to go to law, and did therefore choose their
+choice friends Rook and Shark, and our late English Gusman, to be their
+arbitrators and umpires. And so they left this honeysuckle hedge; and
+went to tell fortunes and cheat, and get more money and lodging in the
+next village.
+
+When these were gone, we heard as high a contention amongst the beggars,
+whether it was easiest to rip a cloak, or to unrip a cloak? One beggar
+affirmed it was all one: but that was denied, by asking her, If doing
+and undoing were all one? Then another said, 'twas easiest to unrip a
+cloak; for that was to let it alone: but she was answered, by asking
+her, how she unript it if she let it alone? and she confess herself
+mistaken. These and twenty such like questions were proposed and
+answered, with as much beggarly logick and earnestness as was ever heard
+to proceed from the mouth of the pertinacious schismatick; and sometimes
+all the beggars, whose number was neither more nor less than the poets'
+nine muses, talked all together about this ripping and unripping; and so
+loud, that not one heard what the other said: but, at last, one beggar
+craved audience; and told them that old father Clause, whom Ben Jonson,
+in his Beggar's Bush, created King of their corporation, was to lodge at
+an ale-house, called "Catch-her-by-the-way," not far from Waltham
+Cross, and in the high road towards London; and he therefore desired
+them to spend no more time about that and such like questions, but refer
+all to father Clause at night, for he was an upright judge, and in the
+meantime draw cuts, what song should be next sung, and who should sing
+it. They all agreed to the motion; and the lot fell to her that was the
+youngest, and veriest virgin of the company. And she sung Frank
+Davison's song, which he made forty years ago; and all the others of the
+company joined to sing the burthen with her. The ditty was this; but
+first the burthen:
+
+      Bright shines the sun; play, Beggars, play;
+      Here's scraps enough to serve to-day.
+
+    What noise of viols is so sweet,
+      As when our merry clappers ring?
+    What mirth doth want where Beggars meet?
+      A Beggar's life is for a King.
+    Eat, drink, and play, sleep when we list
+    Go where we will, so stocks be mist.
+      Bright shines the sun; play, Beggars, play,
+      Here's scraps enough to serve to-day.
+
+    The world is ours, and ours alone;
+      For we alone have world at will
+    We purchase not, all is our own;
+      Both fields and streets we Beggars fill.
+      Nor care to get, nor fear to keep,
+      Did ever break a Beggar's sleep,
+      Play, Beggars, play; play, Beggars, play;
+      Here's scraps enough to serve to-day.
+
+    A hundred head of black and white
+      Upon our gowns securely feed If any dare his master bite
+      He dies therefore, as sure as creed.
+    Thus Beggars lord it as they please;
+    And only Beggars live at ease.
+      Bright shines the sun; play, Beggars, play;
+      Here's scraps enough to serve to-day.
+
+Venator. I thank you, good master, for this piece of merriment, and this
+song, which was well humoured by the maker, and well remembered by you.
+
+Piscator. But, I pray, forget not the catch which you promised to make
+against night; for our countryman, honest Coridon, will expect your
+catch, and my song, which I must be forced to patch up, for it is so
+long since I learnt it, that I have forgot a part of it. But, come, now
+it hath done raining, let's stretch our legs a little in a gentle walk
+to the river, and try what interest our angles will pay us for lending
+them so long to be used by the Trouts; lent them indeed, like usurers,
+for our profit and their destruction.
+
+Venator. Oh me! look you, master, a fish! a fish! Oh, alas, master, I
+have lost her.
+
+Piscator. Ay marry, Sir, that was a good fish indeed: if I had had the
+luck to have taken up that rod, then 'tis twenty to one he should not
+have broken my line by running to the rod's end, as you suffered him. I
+would have held him within the bent of my rod, unless he had been fellow
+to the great Trout that is near an ell long, which was of such a length
+and depth, that he had his picture drawn, and now is to be seen at mine
+host Rickabie's, at the George in Ware, and it may be, by giving that
+very great Trout the rod, that is, by casting it to him into the water,
+I might have caught him at the long run, for so I use always to do when
+I meet with an over-grown fish; and you will learn to do so too,
+hereafter, for I tell you, scholar, fishing is an art, or, at least, it
+is an art to catch fish.
+
+Venator. But, master, I have heard that the great Trout you speak of is
+a Salmon.
+
+Piscator. Trust me, scholar, I know not what to say to it. There are
+many country people that believe hares change sexes every year: and
+there be very many learned men think so too, for in their dissecting
+them they find many reasons to incline them to that belief. And to make
+the wonder seem yet less, that hares change sexes, note that Dr. Mer.
+Casaubon affirms, in his book "Of credible and incredible things," that
+Gasper Peucerus, a learned physician, tells us of a people that once a
+year turn wolves, partly in shape, and partly in conditions. And so,
+whether this were a Salmon when he came into fresh water, and his not
+returning into the sea hath altered him to another colour or kind, I am
+not able to say; but I am certain he hath all the signs of being a
+Trout, both for his shape, colour, and spots; and yet many think he is
+not.
+
+Venator. But, master, will this Trout which I had hold of die? for it is
+like he hath the hook in his belly.
+
+Piscator. I will tell you, scholar, that unless the hook be fast in his
+very gorge, 'tis more than probable he will live, and a little time,
+with the help of the water, will rust the hook, and it will in time wear
+away, as the gravel doth in the horse-hoof, which only leaves a false
+quarter.
+
+And now, scholar, let's go to my rod. Look you, scholar, I have a fish
+too, but it proves a logger-headed Chub: and this is not much amiss, for
+this will pleasure some poor body, as we go to our lodging to meet our
+brother Peter and honest Coridon. Come, now bait your hook again, and
+lay it into the water, for it rains again; and we will even retire to
+the Sycamore-tree, and there I will give you more directions concerning
+fishing, for I would fain make you an artist.
+
+Venator. Yes, good master, I pray let it be so.
+
+Piscator. Well, scholar, now that we are sate down and are at ease, I
+shall tell you a little more of Trout-fishing, before I speak of the
+Salmon, which I purpose shall be next, and then of the Pike or Luce.
+
+You are to know, there is night as well as day fishing for a Trout; and
+that, in the night, the best Trouts come out of their holes. And the
+manner of taking them is on the top of the water with a great lob or
+garden-worm, or rather two, which you are to fish with in a stream where
+the waters run somewhat quietly, for in a stream the bait will not be so
+well discerned. I say, in a quiet or dead place, near to some swift,
+there draw your bait over the top of the water, to and fro, and if there
+be a good Trout in the hole, he will take it, especially if the night be
+dark, for then he is bold, and lies near the top of the water, watching
+the motion of any frog or water-rat, or mouse, that swims betwixt him
+and the sky; these he hunts after, if he sees the water but wrinkle or
+move in one of these dead holes, where these great old Trouts usually
+lie, near to their holds; for you are to note, that the great old Trout
+is both subtle and fearful, and lies close all day, and does not usually
+stir out of his hold, but lies in it as close in the day as the timorous
+hare does in her form; for the chief feeding of either is seldom in the
+day, but usually in the night, and then the great Trout feeds very
+boldly.
+
+And you must fish for him with a strong line, and not a little hook; and
+let him have time to gorge your hook, for he does not usually forsake
+it, as he oft will in the day-fishing. And if the night be not dark,
+then fish so with an artificial fly of a light colour, and at the snap:
+nay, he will sometimes rise at a dead mouse, or a piece of cloth, or
+anything that seems to swim across the water, or to be in motion. This
+is a choice way, but I have not oft used it, because it is void of the
+pleasures that such days as these, that we two now enjoy, afford an
+angler.
+
+And you are to know, that in Hampshire, which I think exceeds all
+England for swift, shallow, clear, pleasant brooks, and store of Trouts,
+they used to catch Trouts in the night, by the light of a torch or
+straw, which, when they have discovered, they strike with a Trout-spear,
+or other ways. This kind of way they catch very many: but I would not
+believe it till I was an eye-witness of it, nor do I like it now I have
+seen it.
+
+Venator. But, master, do not Trouts see us in the night?
+
+Piscator Yes, and hear, and smell too, both then and in the day-time:
+for Gesner observes, the Otter smells a fish forty furlongs off him in
+the water: and that it may be true, seems to be affirmed by Sir Francis
+Bacon, in the eighth century of his Natural History, who there proves
+that waters may be the medium of sounds, by demonstrating it thus: "That
+if you knock two stones together very deep under the water, those that
+stand on a bank near to that place may hear the noise without any
+diminution of it by the water ". He also offers the like experiment
+concerning the letting an anchor fall, by a very long cable or rope, on
+a rock, or the sand, within the sea. And this being so well observed and
+demonstrated as it is by that learned man, has made me to believe that
+Eels unbed themselves and stir at the noise of thunder, and not only, as
+some think, by the motion or stirring of the earth which is occasioned
+by that thunder.
+
+And this reason of Sir Francis Bacon has made me crave pardon of one
+that I laughed at for affirming that he knew Carps come to a certain
+place, in a pond, to be fed at the ringing of a bell or the beating of a
+drum. And, however, it shall be a rule for me to make as little noise as
+I can when I am fishing, until Sir Francis Bacon be confuted, which I
+shall give any man leave to do.
+
+And lest you may think him singular in this opinion, I will tell you,
+this seems to be believed by our learned Doctor Hakewill, who in his
+Apology of God's power and providence, quotes Pliny to report that one
+of the emperors had particular fish-ponds, and, in them, several fish
+that appeared and came when they were called by their particular names.
+And St. James tells us, that all things in the sea have been tamed by
+mankind. And Pliny tells us, that Antonia, the wife of Drusus, had a
+Lamprey at whose gills she hung jewels or ear-rings; and that others
+have been so tender-hearted as to shed tears at the death of fishes
+which they have kept and loved. And these observations, which will to
+most hearers seem wonderful, seem to have a further confirmation from
+Martial, who writes thus:--
+
+        Piscator, fuge; ne nocens, etc.
+
+    Angler! would'st thou be guiltless ? then forbear;
+    For these are sacred fishes that swim here,
+    Who know their sovereign, and will lick his hand,
+    Than which none's greater in the world's command;
+    Nay more they've names, and, when they called are,
+    Do to their several owner's call repair.
+
+All the further use that I shall make of this shall be, to advise
+anglers to be patient, and forbear swearing, lest they be heard, and
+catch no fish.
+
+And so I shall proceed next to tell you, it is certain that certain
+fields near Leominster, a town in Herefordshire, are observed to make
+the sheep that graze upon them more fat than the next, and also to bear
+finer wool; that is to say, that that year in which they feed in such a
+particular pasture, they shall yield finer wool than they did that year
+before they came to feed in it; and coarser, again, if they shall return
+to their former pasture; and, again, return to a finer wool, being fed
+in the fine wool ground: which I tell you, that you may the better
+believe that I am certain, if I catch a Trout in one meadow, he shall be
+white and faint, and very like to be lousy; and, as certainly, it I
+catch a Trout in the next meadow, he shall be strong, and red, and
+lusty, and much better meat. Trust me, scholar, I have caught many a
+Trout in a particular meadow, that the very shape and the enamelled
+colour of him hath been such as hath joyed me to look on him: and I have
+then, with much pleasure, concluded with Solomon, "Everything is
+beautiful in his season".
+
+I should, by promise, speak next of the Salmon; but I will, by your
+favour, say a little of the Umber or Grayling; which is so like a Trout
+for his shape and feeding, that I desire I may exercise your patience
+with a short discourse of him; and then, the next shall be of the
+Salmon.
+
+
+
+
+The fourth day-continued
+
+The Umber or Grayling
+
+Chapter VI
+
+Piscator
+
+The Umber and Grayling are thought by some to differ as the Herring and
+Pilchard do. But though they may do so in other nations, I think those
+in England differ nothing but in their names. Aldrovandus says, they be
+of a Trout kind; and Gesner says, that in his country, which is
+Switzerland, he is accounted the choicest of all fish. And in Italy, he
+is, in the month of May, so highly valued, that he is sold there at a
+much higher rate than any other fish. The French, which call the Chub Un
+Villain, call the Umber of the lake Leman Un Umble Chevalier; and they
+value the Umber or Grayling so highly, that they say he feeds on gold;
+and say, that many have been caught out of their famous river of Loire,
+out of whose bellies grains of gold have been often taken. And some
+think that he feeds on water thyme, and smells of it at his first taking
+out of the water; and they may think so with as good reason as we do
+that our Smelts smell like violets at their being first caught, which I
+think is a truth. Aldrovandus says, the Salmon, the Grayling, and Trout,
+and all fish that live in clear and sharp streams, are made by their
+mother Nature of such exact shape and pleasant colours purposely to
+invite us to a joy and contentedness in feasting with her. Whether this
+is a truth or not, is not my purpose to dispute: but 'tis certain, all
+that write of the Umber declare him to be very medicinable. And Gesner
+says, that the fat of an Umber or Grayling, being set, with a little
+honey, a day or two in the sun, in a little glass, is very excellent
+against redness or swarthiness, or anything that breeds in the eyes.
+Salvian takes him to be called Umber from his swift swimming, or gliding
+out of sight more like a shadow or a ghost than a fish. Much more might
+be said both of his smell and taste: but I shall only tell you that St.
+Ambrose, the glorious bishop of Milan, who lived when the church kept
+fasting-days, calls him the flower-fish, or flower of fishes; and that
+he was so far in love with him, that he would not let him pass without
+the honour of a long discourse; but I must; and pass on to tell you how
+to take this dainty fish.
+
+First note, that he grows not to the bigness of a Trout; for the biggest
+of them do not usually exceed eighteen inches. He lives in such rivers
+as the Trout does; and is usually taken with the same baits as the Trout
+is, and after the same manner; for he will bite both at the minnow, or
+worm, or fly, though he bites not often at the minnow, and is very
+gamesome at the fly; and much simpler, and therefore bolder than a
+Trout; for he will rise twenty times at a fly, if you miss him, and yet
+rise again. He has been taken with a fly made of the red feathers of a
+paroquet, a strange outlandish bird; and he will rise at a fly not
+unlike a gnat, or a small moth, or, indeed, at most flies that are not
+too big. He is a fish that lurks close all Winter, but is very pleasant
+and jolly after mid-April, and in May, and in the hot months. He is of a
+very fine shape, his flesh is white, his teeth, those little ones that
+he has, are in his throat, yet he has so tender a mouth, that he is
+oftener lost after an angler has hooked him than any other fish. Though
+there be many of these fishes in the delicate river Dove, and in Trent,
+and some other smaller rivers, as that which runs by Salisbury, yet he
+is not so general a fish as the Trout, nor to me so good to eat or to
+angle for. And so I shall take my leave of him: and now come to some
+observations of the Salmon, and how to catch him.
+
+
+
+
+The fourth day-continued
+
+The Salmon
+
+Chapter VII
+
+Piscator
+
+The Salmon is accounted the King of freshwater fish; and is ever bred in
+rivers relating to the sea, yet so high, or far from it, as admits of no
+tincture of salt, or brackishness. He is said to breed or cast his
+spawn, in most rivers, in the month of August: some say, that then they
+dig a hole or grave in a safe place in the gravel, and there place their
+eggs or spawn, after the melter has done his natural office, and then
+hide it most cunningly, and cover it over with gravel and stones; and
+then leave it to their Creator's protection, who, by a gentle heat which
+he infuses into that cold element, makes it brood, and beget life in the
+spawn, and to become Samlets early in the spring next following.
+
+The Salmons having spent their appointed time, and done this natural
+duty in the fresh waters, they then haste to the sea before winter, both
+the melter and spawner; but if they be stopped by flood-gates or weirs, or
+lost in the fresh waters, then those so left behind by degrees grow sick
+and lean, and unseasonable, and kipper, that is to say, have bony
+gristles grow out of their lower chaps, not unlike a hawk's beak, which
+hinders their feeding; and, in time, such fish so left behind pine away
+and die. 'Tis observed, that he may live thus one year from the sea; but
+he then grows insipid and tasteless, and loses both his blood and
+strength, and pines and dies the second year. And 'tis noted, that those
+little Salmons called Skeggers, which abound in many rivers relating to
+the sea, are bred by such sick Salmons that might not go to the sea, and
+that though they abound, yet they never thrive to any considerable
+bigness.
+
+But if the old Salmon gets to the sea, then that gristle which shews him
+to be kipper, wears away, or is cast off, as the eagle is said to cast
+his bill, and he recovers his strength, and comes next summer to the
+same river, if it be possible, to enjoy the former pleasures that there
+possess him; for, as one has wittily observed, he has, like some persons
+of honour and riches which have both their winter and summer houses, the
+fresh rivers for summer, and the salt water for winter, to spend his
+life in; which is not, as Sir Francis Bacon hath observed in his History
+of Life and Death, above ten years. And it is to be observed, that
+though the Salmon does grow big in the sea, yet he grows not fat but in
+fresh rivers; and it is observed, that the farther they get from the
+sea, they be both the fatter and better.
+
+Next, I shall tell you, that though they make very hard shift to get out
+of the fresh rivers into the sea yet they will make harder shift to get
+out of the salt into the fresh rivers, to spawn, or possess the
+pleasures that they have formerly found in them: to which end, they will
+force themselves through floodgates, or over weirs, or hedges, or stops
+in the water, even to a height beyond common belief. Gesner speaks of
+such places as are known to be above eight feet high above water. And
+our Camden mentions, in his Britannia, the like wonder to be in
+Pembrokeshire, where the river Tivy falls into the sea; and that the
+fall is so downright, and so high, that the people stand and wonder at
+the strength and sleight by which they see the Salmon use to get out of
+the sea into the said river; and the manner and height of the place is
+so notable, that it is known, far, by the name of the Salmon-leap.
+Concerning which, take this also out of Michael Drayton, my honest old
+friend; as he tells it you, in his Polyolbion:
+
+    And when the Salmon seeks a fresher stream to find;
+    (Which hither from the sea comes, yearly, by his kind,)
+    As he towards season grows; and stems the watry tract
+    Where Tivy, falling down, makes an high cataract,
+    Forc'd by the rising rocks that there her course oppose,
+    As tho' within her bounds they meant her to inclose;
+    Here when the labouring fish does at the foot arrive,
+    And finds that by his strength he does but vainly strive;
+    His tail takes in his mouth, and, bending like a bow
+    That's to full compass drawn, aloft himself doth throw,
+    Then springing at his height, as doth a little wand
+    That bended end to end, and started from man's hand,
+    Far off itself doth cast, so does that Salmon vault;
+    And if, at first, he fail, his second summersault
+    He instantly essays, and, from his nimble ring
+    Still yerking, never leaves until himself he fling
+    Above the opposing stream----.
+
+This Michael Drayton tells you, of this leap or summersault of the
+Salmon.
+
+And, next, I shall tell you, that it is observed by Gesner and others,
+that there is no better Salmon than in England; and that though some of
+our northern counties have as fat, and as large, as the river Thames,
+yet none are of so excellent a taste.
+
+And as I have told you that Sir Francis Bacon observes, the age of a
+Salmon exceeds not ten years; so let me next tell you, that his growth
+is very sudden: it is said that after he is got into the sea, he
+becomes, from a Samlet not so big as a Gudgeon, to be a Salmon, in as
+short a time as a gosling becomes to be a goose. Much of this has been
+observed, by tying a riband, or some known tape or thread, in the tail
+of some young Salmons which have been taken in weirs as they have
+swimmed towards the salt water; and then by taking a part of them again,
+with the known mark, at the same place, at their return from the sea,
+which is usually about six months after; and the like experiment hath
+been tried upon young swallows, who have, after six months' absence,
+been observed to return to the same chimney, there to make their nests
+and habitations for the summer following; which has inclined many to
+think, that every Salmon usually returns to the same river in which it
+was bred, as young pigeons taken out of the same dovecote have also been
+observed to do.
+
+And you are yet to observe further, that the He-salmon is usually bigger
+than the Spawner; and that he is more kipper, and less able to endure a
+winter in the fresh water than the She is: yet she is, at that time of
+looking less kipper and better, as watry, and as bad meat.
+
+And yet you are to observe, that as there is no general rule without an
+exception, so there are some few rivers in this nation that have Trouts
+and Salmon in season in winter, as 'tis certain there be in the river
+Wye in Monmouthshire, where they be in season, as Camden observes, from
+September till April. But, my scholar, the observation of this and many
+other things I must in manners omit, because they will prove too large
+for our narrow compass of time, and, therefore, I shall next fall upon
+my directions how to fish for this Salmon.
+
+And, for that: First you shall observe, that usually he stays not long
+in a place, as Trouts will, but, as I said, covets still to go nearer
+the spring-head: and that he does not, as the Trout and many other fish,
+lie near the water-side or bank, or roots of trees, but swims in the
+deep and broad parts of the water, and usually in the middle, and near
+the ground, and that there you are to fish for him, and that he is to be
+caught, as the Trout is, with a worm, a minnow which some call a peek,
+or with a fly.
+
+And you are to observe, that he is very seldom observed to bite at a
+minnow, yet sometimes he will, and not usually at a fly, but more
+usually at a worm, and then most usually at a lob or garden-worm, which
+should be well scoured, that is to say, kept seven or eight days in moss
+before you fish with them: and if you double your time of eight into
+sixteen, twenty, or more days, it is still the better; for the worms
+will still be clearer, tougher, and more lively, and continue so longer
+upon your hook. And they may be kept longer by keeping them cool, and in
+fresh moss; and some advise to put camphire into it.
+
+Note also, that many used to fish for a Salmon with a ring of wire on
+the top of their rod, through which the line may run to as great a
+length as is needful, when he is hooked. And to that end, some use a
+wheel about the middle of their rod, or near their hand, which is to be
+observed better by seeing one of them than by a large demonstration of
+words.
+
+And now I shall tell you that which may be called a secret. I have been
+a-fishing with old Oliver Henly, now with God, a noted fisher both for
+Trout and Salmon; and have observed, that he would usually take three or
+four worms out of his bag, and put them into a little box in his pocket,
+where he would usually let them continue half an hour or more, before he
+would bait his hook with them. I have asked him his reason, and he has
+replied, "He did but pick the best out to be in readiness against he
+baited his hook the next time": but he has been observed, both by
+others and myself, to catch more fish than I, or any other body that has
+ever gone a-fishing with him, could do, and especially Salmons. And I
+have been told lately, by one of his most intimate and secret friends,
+that the box in which he put those worms was anointed with a drop, or
+two or three, of the oil of ivy-berries, made by expression or infusion;
+and told, that by the worms remaining in that box an hour, or a like
+time, they had incorporated a kind of smell that was irresistibly
+attractive, enough to force any fish within the smell of them to bite.
+This I heard not long since from a friend, but have not tried it; yet I
+grant it probable, and refer my reader to Sir Francis Bacon's Natural
+history, where he proves fishes may hear, and, doubtless, can more
+probably smell: and I am certain Gesner says, the Otter can smell in the
+water; and I know not but that fish may do so too. 'Tis left for a lover
+of angling, or any that desires to improve that art, to try this
+conclusion.
+
+I shall also impart two other experiments, but not tried by myself,
+which I will deliver in the same words that they were given me by an
+excellent angler and a very friend, in writing: he told me the latter
+was too good to be told, but in a learned language, lest it should be
+made common.
+
+"Take the stinking oil drawn out of polypody of the oak by a retort,
+mixed with turpentine and hive-honey, and anoint your bait therewith,
+and it will doubtless draw the fish to it."
+
+The other is this: "Vulnera hederae grandissimae inflicta sudant
+balsamum oleo gelato, albicantique persimile, odoris vero longe
+suavissimi".
+
+"'Tis supremely sweet to any fish, and yet assa foetida may do the
+like."
+
+But in these I have no great faith; yet grant it probable; and have had
+from some chymical men, namely, from Sir George Hastings and others, an
+affirmation of them to be very advantageous. But no more of these;
+especially not in this place.
+
+I might here, before I take my leave of the Salmon, tell you, that there
+is more than one sort of them, as namely, a Tecon, and another called in
+some places a Samlet, or by some a Skegger; but these, and others which
+I forbear to name, may be fish of another kind, and differ as we know a
+Herring and a Pilchard do, which, I think, are as different as the
+rivers in which they breed, and must, by me, be left to the
+disquisitions of men of more leisure, and of greater abilities than I
+profess myself to have.
+
+And lastly, I am to borrow so much of your promised patience, as to tell
+you, that the trout, or Salmon, being in season, have, at their first
+taking out of the water, which continues during life, their bodies
+adorned, the one with such red spots, and the other with such black or
+blackish spots, as give them such an addition of natural beauty as, I
+think, was never given to any woman by the artificial paint or patches
+in which they so much pride themselves in this age. And so I shall leave
+them both; and proceed to some observations of the Pike.
+
+
+
+
+
+The fourth day-continued
+
+On the Luce or Pike
+
+Chapter VIII
+
+Piscator and Venator
+
+Piscator. The mighty Luce or Pike is taken to be the tyrant, as the
+Salmon is the king, of the fresh water. 'Tis not to be doubted, but that
+they are bred, some by generation, and some not; as namely, of a weed
+called pickerel-weed, unless learned Gesner be much mistaken, for he
+says, this weed and other glutinous matter, with the help of the sun's
+heat, in some particular months, and some ponds, apted for it by nature,
+do become Pikes. But, doubtless, divers Pikes are bred after this
+manner, or are brought into some ponds some such other ways as is past
+man's finding out, of which we have daily testimonies.
+
+Sir Francis Bacon, in his History of Life and Death, observes the Pike
+to be the longest lived of any fresh-water fish; and yet he computes it
+to be not usually above forty years; and others think it to be not above
+ten years: and yet Gesner mentions a Pike taken in Swedeland, in the
+year 1449, with a ring about his neck, declaring he was put into that
+pond by Frederick the Second, more than two hundred years before he was
+last taken, as by the inscription in that ring, being Greek, was
+interpreted by the then Bishop of Worms. But of this no more; but that
+it is observed, that the old or very great Pikes have in them more of
+state than goodness; the smaller or middle-sized Pikes being, by the
+most and choicest palates, observed to be the best meat: and, contrary,
+the Eel is observed to be the better for age and bigness.
+
+All Pikes that live long prove chargeable to their keepers, because
+their life is maintained by the death of so many other fish, even those
+of their own kind, which has made him by some writers to be called the
+tyrant of the rivers, or the fresh-water wolf, by reason of his bold,
+greedy, devouring, disposition; which is so keen, as Gesner relates, A
+man going to a pond, where it seems a Pike had devoured all the fish, to
+water his mule, had a Pike bit his mule by the lips; to which the Pike
+hung so fast, that the mule drew him out of the water; and by that
+accident, the owner of the mule angled out the Pike. And the same Gesner
+observes, that a maid in Poland had a Pike bit her by the foot, as she
+was washing clothes in a pond. And I have heard the like of a woman in
+Killingworth pond, not far from Coventry. But I have been assured by my
+friend Mr. Segrave, of whom I spake to you formerly, that keeps tame
+Otters, that he hath known a Pike, in extreme hunger, fight with one of
+his Otters for a Carp that the Otter had caught, and was then bringing
+out of the water. I have told you who relate these things; and tell you
+they are persons of credit; and shall conclude this observation, by
+telling you, what a wise man has observed, "It is a hard thing to
+persuade the belly, because it has no ears".
+
+But if these relations be disbelieved, it is too evident to be doubted,
+that a Pike will devour a fish of his own kind that shall be bigger than
+his belly or throat will receive, and swallow a part of him, and let the
+other part remain in his mouth till the swallowed part be digested, and
+then swallow that other part that was in his mouth, and so put it over
+by degrees; which is not unlike the Ox, and some other beasts taking
+their meat, not out of their mouth immediately into their belly, but
+first into some place betwixt, and then chew it, or digest it by degrees
+after, which is called chewing the cud. And, doubtless, Pikes will bite
+when they are not hungry; but, as some think, even for very anger, when
+a tempting bait comes near to them.
+
+And it is observed, that the Pike will eat venomous things, as some kind
+of frogs are, and yet live without being harmed by them; for, as some
+say, he has in him a natural balsam, or antidote against all poison. And
+he has a strange heat, that though it appear to us to be cold, can yet
+digest or put over any fish-flesh, by degrees, without being sick. And
+others observe, that he never eats the venomous frog till he have first
+killed her, and then as ducks are observed to do to frogs in
+spawning-time, at which time some frogs are observed to be venomous, so
+thoroughly washed her, by tumbling her up and down in the water, that he
+may devour her without danger. And Gesner affirms, that a Polonian
+gentleman did faithfully assure him, he had seen two young geese at one
+time in the belly of a Pike. And doubtless a Pike in his height of
+hunger will bite at and devour a dog that swims in a pond; and there
+have been examples of it, or the like; for as I told you, "The belly
+has no ears when hunger comes upon it".
+
+The Pike is also observed to be a solitary, melancholy, and a bold fish;
+melancholy, because he always swims or rests himself alone, and never
+swims in shoals or with company, as Roach and Dace, and most other fish
+do: and bold, because he fears not a shadow, or to see or be seen of
+anybody, as the Trout and Chub, and all other fish do.
+
+And it is observed by Gesner, that the jaw-bones, and hearts, and galls
+of Pikes, are very medicinable for several diseases, or to stop blood,
+to abate fevers, to cure agues, to oppose or expel the infection of the
+plague, and to be many ways medicinable and useful for the good of
+mankind: but he observes, that the biting of a Pike is venomous, and
+hard to be cured.
+
+And it is observed, that the Pike is a fish that breeds but once a year;
+and that other fish, as namely Loaches, do breed oftener: as we are
+certain tame Pigeons do almost every month; and yet the Hawk, a bird of
+prey, as the Pike is a fish, breeds but once in twelve months. And you
+are to note, that his time of breeding, or spawning, is usually about
+the end of February, or, somewhat later, in March, as the weather proves
+colder or warmer: and to note, that his manner of breeding is thus: a he
+and a she Pike will usually go together out of a river into some ditch
+or creek; and that there the spawner casts her eggs, and the melter
+hovers over her all that time that she is casting her spawn, but touches
+her not.
+
+I might say more of this, but it might be thought curiosity or worse,
+and shall therefore forbear it; and take up so much of your attention as
+to tell you that the best of Pikes are noted to be in rivers; next,
+those in great ponds or meres; and the worst, in small ponds.
+
+But before I proceed further, I am to tell you, that there is a great
+antipathy betwixt the Pike and some frogs: and this may appear to the
+reader of Dubravius, a bishop in Bohemia, who, in his book Of Fish and
+Fish-ponds, relates what he says he saw with his own eyes, and could not
+forbear to tell the reader. Which was:
+
+"As he and the bishop Thurzo were walking by a large pond in Bohemia,
+they saw a frog, when the Pike lay very sleepily and quiet by the shore
+side, leap upon his head; and the frog having expressed malice or anger
+by his sworn cheeks and staring eyes, did stretch out his legs and
+embrace the Pike's head, and presently reached them to his eyes, tearing
+with them, and his teeth, those tender parts: the Pike, moved with
+anguish, moves up and down the water, and rubs himself against weeds,
+and whatever he thought might quit him of his enemy; but all in vain,
+for the frog did continue to ride triumphantly, and to bite and torment
+the Pike till his strength failed; and then the frog sunk with the Pike
+to the bottom of the water: then presently the frog appeared again at
+the top, and croaked, and seemed to rejoice like a conqueror, after
+which he presently retired to his secret hole. The bishop, that had
+beheld the battle, called his fisherman to fetch his nets, and by all
+means to get the Pike that they might declare what had happened: and the
+Pike was drawn forth, and both his eyes eaten out; at which when they
+began to wonder, the fisherman wished them to forbear, and assured them
+he was certain that Pikes were often so served."
+
+I told this, which is to be read in the sixth chapter of the book of
+Dubravius, unto a friend, who replied, "It was as improbable as to have
+the mouse scratch out the cat's eyes". But he did not consider, that
+there be Fishing frogs, which the Dalmatians call the Water-devil, of
+which I might tell you as wonderful a story: but I shall tell you that
+'tis not to be doubted but that there be some frogs so fearful of the
+water-snake, that when they swim in a place in which they fear to meet
+with him they then get a reed across into their mouths; which if they
+two meet by accident, secures the frog from the strength and malice of
+the snake; and note, that the frog usually swims the fastest of the two.
+
+And let me tell you, that as there be water and land frogs, so there be
+land and water snakes. Concerning which take this observation, that the
+land-snake breeds and hatches her eggs, which become young snakes, in
+some old dunghill, or a like hot place: but the water-snake, which is
+not venomous, and as I have been assured by a great observer of such
+secrets, does not hatch, but breed her young alive, which she does not
+then forsake, but bides with them, and in case of danger will take them
+all into her mouth and swim away from any apprehended danger, and then
+let them out again when she thinks all danger to be past: these be
+accidents that we Anglers sometimes see, and often talk of.
+
+But whither am I going? I had almost lost myself, by remembering the
+discourse of Dubravius. I will therefore stop here; and tell you,
+according to my promise, how to catch this Pike.
+
+His feeding is usually of fish or frogs; and sometimes a weed of his
+own, called pickerel-weed, of which I told you some think Pikes are
+bred; for they have observed, that where none have been put into ponds,
+yet they have there found many; and that there has been plenty of that
+weed in those ponds, and that that weed both breeds and feeds them: but
+whether those Pikes, so bred, will ever breed by generation as the
+others do, I shall leave to the disquisitions of men of more curiosity
+and leisure than I profess myself to have: and shall proceed to tell
+you, that you may fish for a Pike, either with a ledger or a
+walking-bait; and you are to note, that I call that a Ledger-bait, which
+is fixed or made to rest in one certain place when you shall be absent
+from it; and I call that a Walking-bait, which you take with you, and
+have ever in motion. Concerning which two, I shall give you this
+direction; that your ledger-bait is best to be a living bait (though a
+dead one may catch), whether it be a fish or a frog: and that you may
+make them live the longer, you may, or indeed you must, take this
+course:
+
+First, for your LIVE-BAIT. Of fish, a roach or dace is, I think, best
+and most tempting; and a perch is the longest lived on a hook, and
+having cut off his fin on his back, which may be done without hurting
+him, you must take your knife, which cannot be too sharp, and betwixt
+the head and the fin on the back, cut or make an incision, or such a
+scar, as you may put the arming-wire of your hook into it, with as
+little bruising or hurting the fish as art and diligence will enable you
+to do; and so carrying your arming-wire along his back, unto or near the
+tail of your fish, betwixt the skin and the body of it, draw out that
+wire or arming of your hook at another scar near to his tail then tie
+him about it with thread, but no harder than of necessity, to prevent
+hurting the fish; and the better to avoid hurting the fish, some have a
+kind of probe to open the way for the more easy entrance and passage of
+your wire or arming: but as for these, time and a little experience will
+teach you better than I can by words. Therefore I will for the present
+say no more of this; but come next to give you some directions how to
+bait your hook with a frog.
+
+Venator. But, good master, did you not say even now, that some frogs
+were venomous; and is it not dangerous to touch them?
+
+Piscator. Yes, but I will give you some rules or cautions concerning
+them. And first you are to note, that there are two kinds of frogs, that
+is to say, if I may so express myself, a flesh and fish frog. By
+flesh-frogs, I mean frogs that breed and live on the land; and of these
+there be several sorts also, and of several colours, some being
+speckled, some greenish, some blackish, or brown: the green frog, which
+is a small one, is, by Topsel, taken to be venomous; and so is the
+paddock, or frog-paddock, which usually keeps or breeds on the land, and
+is very large and bony, and big, especially the she-frog of that kind:
+yet these will sometimes come into the water, but it is not often: and
+the land-frogs are some of them observed by him, to breed by laying
+eggs; and others to breed of the slime and dust of the earth, and that
+in winter they turn to slime again, and that the next summer that very
+slime returns to be a living creature, this is the opinion of Pliny. And
+Cardanus undertakes to give a reason for the raining of frogs: but if it
+were in my power, it should rain none but water-frogs; for those I think
+are not venomous, especially the right water-frog, which, about February
+or March, breeds in ditches, by slime, and blackish eggs in that slime:
+about which time of breeding, the he and she frogs are observed to use
+divers summersaults, and to croak and make a noise, which the land-frog,
+or paddock-frog, never does.
+
+Now of these water-frogs, if you intend to fish with a frog for a Pike,
+you are to choose the yellowest that you can get, for that the Pike ever
+likes best. And thus use your frog, that he may continue long alive:
+
+Put your hook into his mouth, which you may easily do from the middle of
+April till August; and then the frog's mouth grows up, and he continues
+so for at least six months without eating, but is sustained, none but He
+whose name is Wonderful knows how: I say, put your hook, I mean the
+arming-wire, through his mouth, and out at his gills; and then with a
+fine needle and silk sew the upper part of his leg, with only one
+stitch, to the arming-wire of your hook; or tie the frog's leg, above
+the upper joint, to the armed-wire; and, in so doing, use him as though
+you loved him, that is, harm him as little as you may possibly, that he
+may live the longer.
+
+And now, having given you this direction for the baiting your
+ledger-hook with a live fish or frog, my next must be to tell you, how
+your hook thus baited must or may be used; and it is thus: having
+fastened your hook to a line, which if it be not fourteen yards long
+should not be less than twelve, you are to fasten that line to any bough
+near to a hole where a Pike is, or is likely to lie, or to have a haunt;
+and then wind your line on any forked stick, all your line, except half
+a yard of it or rather more; and split that forked stick, with such a
+nick or notch at one end of it as may keep the line from any more of it
+ravelling from about the stick than so much of it as you intend. And
+choose your forked stick to be of that bigness as may keep the fish or
+frog from pulling the forked stick under the water till the Pike bites;
+and then the Pike having pulled the line forth of the cleft or nick of
+that stick in which it was gently fastened, he will have line enough to
+go to his hold and pouch the bait. And if you would have this ledger-bait
+to keep at a fixt place undisturbed by wind or other accidents which may
+drive it to the shore-side, for you are to note, that it is likeliest to
+catch a Pike in the midst of the water, then hang a small plummet of
+lead, a stone, or piece of tile, or a turf, in a string, and cast it
+into the water with the forked stick to hang upon the ground, to be a
+kind of anchor to keep the forked stick from moving out of your intended
+place till the Pike come: this I take to be a very good way to use so
+many ledger-baits as you intend to make trial of.
+
+Or if you bait your hooks thus with live fish or frogs, and in a windy
+day, fasten them thus to a bough or bundle of straw, and by the help of
+that wind can get them to move across a pond or mere, you are like to
+stand still on the shore and see sport presently, if there be any store
+of Pikes. Or these live baits may make sport, being tied about the body
+or wings of a goose or duck, and she chased over a pond. And the like
+may be done with turning three or four live baits, thus fastened to
+bladders, or boughs, or bottles of hay or flags, to swim down a river,
+whilst you walk quietly alone on the shore, and are still in expectaion
+of sport. The rest must be taught you by practice; for time will not
+allow me to say more of this kind of fishing with live baits.
+
+And for your DEAD-BAIT for a Pike: for that you may be taught by one
+day's going a-fishing with me, or any other body that fishes for him;
+for the baiting your hook with a dead gudgeon or a roach, and moving it
+up and down the water, is too easy a thing to take up any time to direct
+you to do it. And yet, because I cut you short in that, I will commute
+for it by telling you that that was told me for a secret: it is this:
+Dissolve gum of ivy in oil of spike, and therewith anoint your dead bait
+for a Pike; and then cast it into a likely place; and when it has lain a
+short time at the bottom, draw it towards the top of the water, and so
+up the stream; and it is more than likely that you have a Pike follow
+with more than common eagerness. And some affirm, that any bait anointed
+with the marrow of the thigh-bone of a heron is a great temptation to
+any fish.
+
+These have not been tried by me, but told me by a friend of note, that
+pretended to do me a courtesy. But if this direction to catch a Pike
+thus do you no good, yet I am certain this direction how to roast him
+when he is caught is choicely good; for I have tried it, and it is
+somewhat the better for not being common. But with my direction you must
+take this caution, that your Pike must not be a small one, that is, it
+must be more than half a yard, and should be bigger.
+
+"First, open your Pike at the gills, and if need be, cut also a little
+slit towards the belly. Out of these, take his guts; and keep his liver,
+which you are to shred very small, with thyme, sweet marjoram, and a
+little winter-savoury; to these put some pickled oysters, and some
+anchovies, two or three; both these last whole, for the anchovies will
+melt, and the oysters should not; to these, you must add also a pound of
+sweet butter, which you are to mix with the herbs that are shred, and
+let them all be well salted. If the Pike be more than a yard long, then
+you may put into these herbs more than a pound, or if he be less, then
+less butter will suffice: These, being thus mixt, with a blade or two of
+mace, must be put into the Pike's belly; and then his belly so sewed up
+as to keep all the butter in his belly if it be possible; if not, then
+as much of it as you possibly can. But take not off the scales. Then you
+are to thrust the spit through his mouth, out at his tail. And then take
+four or five or six split sticks, or very thin laths, and a convenient
+quantity of tape or filleting; these laths are to be tied round about
+the Pike's body, from his head to his tail, and the tape tied somewhat
+thick, to prevent his breaking or falling off from the spit. Let him be
+roasted very leisurely; and often basted with claret wine, and
+anchovies, and butter, mixt together; and also with what moisture falls
+from him into the pan. When you have roasted him sufficiently, you are
+to hold under him, when you unwind or cut the tape that ties him, such a
+dish as you purpose to eat him out of; and let him fall into it with the
+sauce that is roasted in his belly; and by this means the Pike will be
+kept unbroken and complete. Then, to the sauce which was within, and
+also that sauce in the pan, you are to add a fit quantity of the best
+butter, and to squeeze the juice of three or four oranges. Lastly, you
+may either put it into the Pike, with the oysters, two cloves of
+garlick, and take it whole out, when the Pike is cut off the spit; or,
+to give the sauce a haut goût, let the dish into which you let the Pike
+fall be rubbed with it: The using or not using of this garlick is left
+to your discretion. M. B."
+
+This dish of meat is too good for any but anglers, or very honest men;
+and I trust you will prove both, and therefore I have trusted you with
+this secret.
+
+Let me next tell you, that Gesner tells us, there are no Pikes in Spain,
+and that the largest are in the lake Thrasymene in Italy; and the next,
+if not equal to them, are the Pikes of England; and that in England,
+Lincolnshire boasteth to have the biggest. Just so doth Sussex boast of
+four sorts of fish, namely, an Arundel Mullet, a Chichester Lobster, a
+Shelsey Cockle, and an Amerly Trout.
+
+But I will take up no more of your time with this relation, but proceed
+to give you some Observations of the Carp, and how to angle for him; and
+to dress him but not till he is caught.
+
+
+
+
+The fourth day-continued
+
+On the Carp
+
+Chapter IX
+
+Piscator
+
+The Carp is the queen of rivers; a stately, a good, and a very subtil
+fish; that was not at first bred, nor hath been long in England, but is
+now naturalised. It is said, they were brought hither by one Mr. Mascal,
+a gentleman that then lived at Plumsted in Sussex, a county that abounds
+more with this fish than any in this nation.
+
+You may remember that I told you Gesner says there are no Pikes in
+Spain; and doubtless there was a time, about a hundred or a few more
+years ago, when there were no Carps in England, as may seem to be
+affirmed by Sir Richard Baker, in whose Chronicle you may find these
+verses:
+
+    Hops and turkies, carps and beer,
+    Came into England all in a year.
+
+And doubtless, as of sea-fish the Herring dies soonest out of the water,
+and of fresh-water fish the Trout, so, except the Eel, the Carp endures
+most hardness, and lives longest out of its own proper element; and,
+therefore, the report of the Carp's being brought out of a foreign
+country into this nation is the more probable.
+
+Carps and Loaches are observed to breed several months in one year,
+which Pikes and most other fish do not; and this is partly proved by
+tame and wild rabbits; as also by some ducks, which will lay eggs nine
+of the twelve months; and yet there be other ducks that lay not longer
+than about one month. And it is the rather to be believed, because you
+shall scarce or never take a male Carp without a melt, or a female
+without a roe or spawn, and for the most part very much, and especially
+all the summer season; and it is observed, that they breed more
+naturally in ponds than in running waters, if they breed there at all;
+and that those that live in rivers are taken by men of the best palates
+to be much the better meat.
+
+And it is observed that in some ponds Carps will not breed, especially
+in cold ponds; but where they will breed, they breed innumerably:
+Aristotle and Pliny say six times in a year, if there be no Pikes nor
+Perch to devour their spawn, when it is cast upon grass or flags, or
+weeds, where it lies ten or twelve days before it be enlivened.
+
+The Carp, if he have water-room and good feed, will grow to a very great
+bigness and length; I have heard, to be much above a yard long. It is
+said by Jovius, who hath writ of fishes, that in the lake Lurian in
+Italy, Carps have thriven to be more than fifty pounds weight: which is
+the more probable, for as the bear is conceived and born suddenly, and
+being born is but short lived; so, on the contrary, the elephant is said
+to be two years in his dam's belly, some think he is ten years in it,
+and being born, grows in bigness twenty years; and it is observed too,
+that he lives to the age of a hundred years. And 'tis also observed,
+that the crocodile is very long-lived; and more than that, that all that
+long life he thrives in bigness; and so I think some Carps do,
+especially in some places, though I never saw one above twenty-three
+inches, which was a great and goodly fish; but have been assured there
+are of a far greater size, and in England too.
+
+Now, as the increase of Carps is wonderful for their number, so there is
+not a reason found out, I think, by any, why they should breed in some
+ponds, and not in others, of the same nature for soil and all other
+circumstances. And as their breeding, so are their decays also very
+mysterious: I have both read it, and been told by a gentleman of tried
+honesty, that he has known sixty or more large Carps put into several
+ponds near to a house, where by reason of the stakes in the ponds, and
+the owner's constant being near to them, it was impossible they should
+be stole away from him; and that when he has, after three or four years,
+emptied the pond, and expected an increase from them by breeding young
+ones, for that they might do so he had, as the rule is, put in three
+melters for one spawner, he has, I say, after three or four years, found
+neither a young nor old Carp remaining. And the like I have known of one
+that had almost watched the pond, and, at a like distance of time, at
+the fishing of a pond, found, of seventy or eighty large Carps, not
+above five or six: and that he had forborne longer to fish the said
+pond, but that he saw, in a hot day in summer, a large Carp swim near
+the top of the water with a frog upon his head; and that he, upon that
+occasion, caused his pond to be let dry: and I say, of seventy or eighty
+Carps, only found five or six in the said pond, and those very sick and
+lean, and with every one a frog sticking so fast on the head of the said
+Carps, that the frog would not be got off without extreme force or
+killing. And the gentleman that did affirm this to me, told me he saw
+it; and did declare his belief to be, and I also believe the same, that
+he thought the other Carps, that were so strangely lost, were so killed
+by the frogs, and then devoured.
+
+And a person of honour, now living in Worcestershire, assured me he had
+seen a necklace, or collar of tadpoles, hang like a chain or necklace of
+beads about a Pike's neck, and to kill him: Whether it were for meat or
+malice, must be, to me, a question.
+
+But I am fallen into this discourse by accident; of which I might say
+more, but it has proved longer than I intended, and possibly may not to
+you be considerable: I shall therefore give you three or four more short
+observations of the Carp, and then fall upon some directions how you
+shall fish for him.
+
+The age of Carps is by Sir Francis Bacon, in his History of Life and
+Death, observed to be but ten years; yet others think they live longer.
+Gesner says, a Carp has been known to live in the Palatine above a
+hundred years. But most conclude, that, contrary to the Pike or Luce, all
+Carps are the better for age and bigness. The tongues of Carps are noted
+to be choice and costly meat, especially to them that buy them: but
+Gesner says, Carps have no tongue like other fish, but a piece of
+fleshlike fish in their mouth like to a tongue, and should be called a
+palate: but it is certain it is choicely good, and that the Carp is to
+be reckoned amongst those leather-mouthed fish which, I told you, have
+their teeth in their throat; and for that reason he is very seldom lost
+by breaking his hold, if your hook be once stuck into his chaps.
+
+I told you that Sir Francis Bacon thinks that the Carp lives but ten
+years: but Janus Dubravius has written a book Of fish and fish-ponds in
+which he says, that Carps begin to spawn at the age of three years, and
+continue to do so till thirty: he says also, that in the time of their
+breeding, which is in summer, when the sun hath warmed both the earth
+and water, and so apted them also for generation, that then three or
+four male Carps will follow a female; and that then, she putting on a
+seeming coyness, they force her through weeds and flags, where she lets
+fall her eggs or spawn, which sticks fast to the weeds; and then they
+let fall their melt upon it, and so it becomes in a short time to be a
+living fish: and, as I told you, it is thought that the Carp does this
+several months in the year; and most believe, that most fish breed after
+this manner, except the Eel. And it has been observed, that when the
+spawner has weakened herself by doing that natural office, that two or
+three melters have helped her from off the weeds, by bearing her up on
+both sides, and guarding her into the deep. And you may note, that
+though this may seem a curiosity not worth observing, yet others have
+judged it worth their time and costs to make glass hives, and order them
+in such a manner as to see how bees have bred and made their honeycombs,
+and how they have obeyed their king, and governed their commonwealth.
+But it is thought that all Carps are not bred by generation; but that
+some breed other ways, as some Pikes do.
+
+The physicians make the galls and stones in the heads of Carps to be
+very medicinable. But it is not to be doubted but that in Italy they
+make great profit of the spawn of Carps, by selling it to the Jews, who
+make it into red caviare; the Jews not being by their law admitted to
+eat of caviare made of the Sturgeon, that being a fish that wants
+scales, and, as may appear in Leviticus xi., by them reputed to be
+unclean.
+
+Much more might be said out of him, and out of Aristotle, which
+Dubravius often quotes in his Discourse of Fishes: but it might rather
+perplex than satisfy you; and therefore I shall rather choose to direct
+you how to catch, than spend more time in discoursing either of the
+nature or the breeding of this Carp, or of any more circumstances
+concerning him. But yet I shall remember you of what I told you before,
+that he is a very subtil fish, and hard to be caught.
+
+And my first direction is, that if you will fish for a Carp, you must
+put on a very large measure of patience, especially to fish for a river
+Carp: I have known a very good fisher angle diligently four or six hours
+in a day, for three or four days together, for a river Carp, and not
+have a bite. And you are to note, that, in some ponds, it is as hard to
+catch a Carp as in a river; that is to say, where they have store of
+feed, and the water is of a clayish colour. But you are to remember that
+I have told you there is no rule without an exception; and therefore
+being possess with that hope and patience which I wish to all fishers,
+especially to the Carp-angler, I shall tell you with what bait to fish
+for him. But first you are to know, that it must be either early, or
+late; and let me tell you, that in hot weather, for he will seldom bite
+in cold, you cannot be too early, or too late at it. And some have been
+so curious as to say, the tenth of April is a fatal day for Carps.
+
+The Carp bites either at worms, or at paste: and of worms I think the
+bluish marsh or meadow worm is best; but possibly another worm, not too
+big, may do as well, and so may a green gentle: and as for pastes, there
+are almost as many sorts as there are medicines for the toothache; but
+doubtless sweet pastes are best; I mean, pastes made with honey or with
+sugar: which, that you may the better beguile this crafty fish, should
+be thrown into the pond or place in which you fish for him, some hours,
+or longer, before you undertake your trial of skill with the angle-rod;
+and doubtless, if it be thrown into the water a day or two before, at
+several times, and in small pellets, you are the likelier, when you fish
+for the Carp, to obtain your desired sport. Or, in a large pond, to draw
+them to any certain place, that they may the better and with more hope
+be fished for, you are to throw into it, in some certain place, either
+grains, or blood mixt with cow-dung or with bran; or any garbage, as
+chicken's guts or the like; and then, some of your small sweet pellets
+with which you propose to angle: and these small pellets being a few of
+them also thrown in as you are angling, will be the better.
+
+And your paste must be thus made: take the flesh of a rabbit, or cat,
+cut small; and bean-flour; and if that may not be easily got, get other
+flour; and then, mix these together, and put to them either sugar, or
+honey, which I think better: and then beat these together in a mortar,
+or sometimes work them in your hands, your hands being very clean; and
+then make it into a ball, or two, or three, as you like best, for your
+use: but you must work or pound it so long in the mortar, as to make it
+so tough as to hang upon your hook without washing from it, yet not too
+hard: or, that you may the better keep it on your hook, you may knead
+with your paste a little, and not too much, white or yellowish wool.
+
+And if you would have this paste keep all the year, for any other fish,
+then mix with it virgin-wax and clarified honey, and work them together
+with your hands, before the fire; then make these into balls, and they
+will keep all the year.
+
+And if you fish for a Carp with gentles, then put upon your hook a small
+piece of scarlet about this bigness, it being soaked in or anointed with
+oil of petre, called by some, oil of the rock: and if your gentles be
+put, two or three days before, into a box or horn anointed with honey,
+and so put upon your hook as to preserve them to be living, you are as
+like to kill this crafty fish this way as any other: but still, as you
+are fishing, chew a little white or brown bread in your mouth, and cast
+it into the pond about the place where your float swims. Other baits
+there be; but these, with diligence and patient watchfulness, will do
+better than any that I have ever practiced or heard of. And yet I shall
+tell you, that the crumbs of white bread and honey made into a paste is
+a good bait for a Carp; and you know, it is more easily made. And having
+said thus much of the Carp, my next discourse shall be of the Bream,
+which shall not prove so tedious; and therefore I desire the continuance
+of your attention.
+
+But, first, I will tell you how to make this Carp, that is so curious to
+be caught, so curious a dish of meat as shall make him worth all your
+labour and patience. And though it is not without some trouble and
+charges, yet it will recompense both.
+
+Take a Carp, alive if possible; scour him, and rub him clean with water
+and salt, but scale him not: then open him; and put him, with his blood
+and his liver, which you must save when you open him, into a small pot
+or kettle: then take sweet marjoram, thyme, and parsley, of each half a
+handful; a sprig of rosemary, and another of savoury; bind them into two
+or three small bundles, and put them in your Carp, with four or five
+whole onions, twenty pickled oysters, and three anchovies. Then pour
+upon your Carp as much claret wine as will only cover him; and season
+your claret well with salt, cloves, and mace, and the rinds of oranges
+and lemons. That done, cover your pot and set it on a quick fire till it
+be sufficiently boiled. Then take out the Carp; and lay it, with the
+broth, into the dish; and pour upon it a quarter of a pound of the best
+fresh butter, melted, and beaten with half a dozen spoonfuls of the
+broth, the yolks of two or three eggs, and some of the herbs shred:
+garnish your dish with lemons, and so serve it up. And much good do you!
+Dr. T.
+
+
+
+
+
+The fourth day-continued
+
+On the Bream
+
+Chapter X
+
+Piscator
+
+The Bream, being at a full growth, is a large and stately fish. He will
+breed both in rivers and ponds: but loves best to live in ponds, and
+where, if he likes the water and air, he will grow not only to be very
+large, but as fat as a hog. He is by Gesner taken to be more pleasant,
+or sweet, than wholesome. This fish is long in growing; but breeds
+exceedingly in a water that pleases him; yea, in many ponds so fast, as
+to overstore them, and starve the other fish.
+
+He is very broad, with a forked tail, and his scales set in excellent
+order; he hath large eyes, and a narrow sucking mouth; he hath two sets
+of teeth, and a lozenge-like bone, a bone to help his grinding. The
+melter is observed to have two large melts; and the female, two large
+bags of eggs or spawn.
+
+Gesner reports, that in Poland a certain and a great number of large
+breams were put into a pond, which in the next following winter were
+frozen up into one entire ice, and not one drop of water remaining, nor
+one of these fish to be found, though they were diligently searched for;
+and yet the next spring, when the ice was thawed, and the weather warm,
+and fresh water got into the pond, he affirms they all appeared again.
+This Gesner affirms; and I quote my author, because it seems almost as
+incredible as the resurrection to an atheist: but it may win something,
+in point of believing it, to him that considers the breeding or
+renovation of the silk-worm, and of many insects. And that is
+considerable, which Sir Francis Bacon observes in his History of Life
+and Death, fol. 20, that there be some herbs that die and spring every
+year, and some endure longer.
+
+But though some do not, yet the French esteem this fish highly; and to
+that end have this proverb "He that hath Breams in his pond, is able to
+bid his friend welcome"; and it is noted, that the best part of a Bream
+is his belly and head.
+
+Some say, that Breams and Roaches will mix their eggs and melt together;
+and so there is in many places a bastard breed of Breams, that never
+come to be either large or good, but very numerous.
+
+The baits good to catch this Bream are many. First, paste made of brown
+bread and honey; gentles; or the brood of wasps that be young, and then
+not unlike gentles, and should be hardened in an oven, or dried on a
+tile before the fire to make them tough. Or, there is, at the root of
+docks or flags or rushes, in watery places, a worm not unlike a maggot,
+at which Tench will bite freely. Or he will bite at a grasshopper with
+his legs nipt off, in June and July; or at several flies, under water,
+which may be found on flags that grow near to the water-side. I doubt
+not but that there be many other baits that are good; but I will turn
+them all into this most excellent one, either for a Carp or Bream, in
+any river or mere: it was given to me by a most honest and excellent
+angler; and hoping you will prove both, I will impart it to you.
+
+1. Let your bait be as big a red worm as you can find, without a knot:
+get a pint or quart of them in an evening, in garden-walks, or chalky
+commons, after a shower of rain; and put them with clean moss well
+washed and picked, and the water squeezed out of the moss as dry as you
+can, into an earthen pot or pipkin set dry; and change the moss fresh
+every three or four days, for three weeks or a month together; then your
+bait will be at the best, for it will be clear and lively.
+
+2. Having thus prepared your baits, get your tackling ready and fitted
+for this sport. Take three long angling-rods; and as many and more silk,
+or silk and hair, lines; and as many large swan or goose-quill floats.
+Then take a piece of lead, and fasten them to the low ends of your
+lines: then fasten your link-hook also to the lead; and let there be
+about a foot or ten inches between the lead and the hook: but be sure
+the lead be heavy enough to sink the float or quill, a little under the
+water; and not the quill to bear up the lead, for the lead must lie on
+the ground. Note, that your link next the hook may be smaller than the
+rest of your line, if you dare adventure, for fear of taking the Pike or
+Perch, who will assuredly visit your hooks, till they be taken out, as I
+will show you afterwards, before either Carp or Bream will come near to
+bite. Note also, that when the worm is well baited, it will crawl up and
+down as far as the lead will give leave, which much enticeth the fish to
+bite without suspicion.
+
+3. Having thus prepared your baits, and fitted your tackling, repair to
+the river, where you have seen them swim in skulls or shoals, in the
+summer-time, in a hot afternoon, about three or four of the clock; and
+watch their going forth of their deep holes, and returning, which you
+may well discern, for they return about four of the clock, most of them
+seeking food at the bottom, yet one or two will lie on the top of the
+water, rolling and tumbling themselves, whilst the rest are under him at
+the bottom; and so you shall perceive him to keep sentinel: then mark
+where he plays most and stays longest, which commonly is in the broadest
+and deepest place of the river; and there, or near thereabouts, at a
+clear bottom and a convenient landing-place, take one of your angles
+ready fitted as aforesaid, and sound the bottom, which should be about
+eight or ten feet deep; two yards from the bank is best. Then consider
+with yourself, whether that water will rise or fall by the next morning,
+by reason of any water-mills near; and, according to your discretion,
+take the depth of the place, where you mean after to cast your
+ground-bait, and to fish, to half an inch; that the lead lying on or
+near the ground-bait, the top of the float may only appear upright half
+an inch above the water.
+
+Thus you having found and fitted for the place and depth thereof, then
+go home and prepare your ground-bait, which is, next to the fruit of
+your labours, to be regarded.
+
+
+The GROUND-BAIT.
+
+You shall take a peck, or a peck and a half, according to the greatness
+of the stream and deepness of the water, where you mean to angle, of
+sweet gross-ground barley-malt; and boil it in a kettle, one or two
+warms is enough: then strain it through a bag into a tub, the liquor
+whereof hath often done my horse much good; and when the bag and malt is
+near cold, take it down to the water-side, about eight or nine of the
+clock in the evening, and not before: cast in two parts of your
+ground-bait, squeezed hard between both your hands; it will sink
+presently to the bottom; and be sure it may rest in the very place where
+you mean to angle: if the stream run hard, or move a little, cast your
+malt in handfuls a little the higher, upwards the stream. You may,
+between your hands, close the malt so fast in handfuls, that the water
+will hardly part it with the fall.
+
+Your ground thus baited, and tackling fitted, leave your bag, with the
+rest of your tackling and ground-bait, near the sporting-place all
+night; and in the morning, about three or four of the clock, visit the
+water-side, but not too near, for they have a cunning watchman, and are
+watchful themselves too.
+
+Then, gently take one of your three rods, and bait your hook; casting it
+over your ground-bait, and gently and secretly draw it to you till the
+lead rests about the middle of the ground-bait.
+
+Then take a second rod, and cast in about a yard above, and your third a
+yard below the first rod; and stay the rods in the ground: but go
+yourself so far from the water-side, that you perceive nothing but the
+top of the floats, which you must watch most diligently. Then when you
+have a bite, you shall perceive the top of your float to sink suddenly
+into the water: yet, nevertheless, be not too hasty to run to your rods,
+until you see that the line goes clear away; then creep to the
+water-side, and give as much line as possibly you can: if it be a good
+Carp or Bream, they will go to the farther side of the river: then
+strike gently, and hold your rod at a bent, a little while; but if you
+both pull together, you are sure to lose your game, for either your
+line, or hook, or hold, will break: and after you have overcome them,
+they will make noble sport, and are very shy to be landed. The Carp is
+far stronger and more mettlesome than the Bream.
+
+Much more is to be observed in this kind of fish and fishing, but it is
+far fitter for experience and discourse than paper. Only, thus much is
+necessary for you to know, and to be mindful and careful of, that if the
+Pike or Perch do breed in that river, they will be sure to bite first,
+and must first be taken. And for the most part they are very large; and
+will repair to your ground-bait, not that they will eat of it, but will
+feed and sport themselves among the young fry that gather about and
+hover over the bait.
+
+The way to discern the Pike and to take him, it you mistrust your Bream
+hook, for I have taken a Pike a yard long several times at my Bream
+hooks, and sometimes he hath had the luck to share my line, may be thus:
+
+Take a small Bleak, or Roach, or Gudgeon, and bait it; and set it,
+alive, among your rods, two feet deep from the cork, with a little red
+worm on the point of the hook: then take a few crumbs of white bread, or
+some of the ground-bait, and sprinkle it gently amongst your rods. If
+Mr. Pike be there, then the little fish will skip out of the water at
+his appearance, but the live-set bait is sure to be taken.
+
+Thus continue your sport from four in the morning till eight, and if it
+be a gloomy windy day, they will bite all day long: but this is too long
+to stand to your rods, at one place; and it will spoil your evening
+sport that day, which is this.
+
+About four of the clock in the afternoon repair to your baited place;
+and as soon as you come to the water-side, cast in one-half of the rest
+of your ground-bait, and stand off; then whilst the fish are gathering
+together, for there they will most certainly come for their supper, you
+may take a pipe of tobacco: and then, in with your three rods, as in the
+morning. You will find excellent sport that evening, till eight of the
+clock: then cast in the residue of your ground-bait, and next morning,
+by four of the clock, visit them again for four hours, which is the best
+sport of all; and after that, let them rest till you and your friends
+have a mind to more sport.
+
+From St. James's-tide until Bartholomew-tide is the best; when they have
+had all the summer's food, they are the fattest.
+
+Observe, lastly, that after three or four days' fishing together, your
+game will be very shy and wary, and you shall hardly get above a bite or
+two at a baiting: then your only way is to desist from your sport, about
+two or three days: and in the meantime, on the place you late baited,
+and again intend to bait, you shall take a turf of green but short
+grass, as big or bigger than a round trencher; to the top of this turf,
+on the green side, you shall, with a needle and green thread, fasten one
+by one, as many little red worms as will near cover all the turf: then
+take a round board or trencher, make a hole in the middle thereof, and
+through the turf placed on the board or trencher, with a string or cord
+as long as is fitting, tied to a pole, let it down to the bottom of the
+water, for the fish to feed upon without disturbance about two or three
+days; and after that you have drawn it away, you may fall to, and enjoy
+your former recreation.
+
+B. A.
+
+
+
+
+
+The fourth day-continued
+
+On the Tench
+
+Chapter XI
+
+Piscator
+
+The Tench, the physician of fishes, is observed to love ponds better
+than rivers, and to love pits better than either: yet Camden observes,
+there is a river in Dorsetshire that abounds with Tenches, but doubtless
+they retire to the most deep and quiet places in it.
+
+This fish hath very large fins, very small and smooth scales, a red
+circle about his eyes, which are big and of a gold colour, and from
+either angle of his mouth there hangs down a little barb. In every
+Tench's head there are two little stones which foreign physicians make
+great use of, but he is not commended for wholesome meat, though there
+be very much use made of them for outward applications. Rondeletius
+says, that at his being at Rome, he saw a great cure done by applying a
+Tench to the feet of a very sick man. This, he says, was done after an
+unusual manner, by certain Jews. And it is observed that many of those
+people have many secrets yet unknown to Christians; secrets that have
+never yet been written, but have been since the days of their Solomon,
+who knew the nature of all things, even from the cedar to the shrub,
+delivered by tradition, from the father to the son, and so from
+generation to generation, without writing; or, unless it were casually,
+without the least communicating them to any other nation or tribe; for
+to do that they account a profanation. And, yet, it is thought that
+they, or some spirit worse than they, first told us, that lice,
+swallowed alive, were a certain cure for the yellow-jaundice. This, and
+many other medicines, were discovered by them, or by revelation; for,
+doubtless, we attained them not by study.
+
+Well, this fish, besides his eating, is very useful, both dead and
+alive, for the good of mankind. But I will meddle no more with that, my
+honest, humble art teaches no such boldness: there are too many foolish
+meddlers in physick and divinity that think themselves fit to meddle
+with hidden secrets, and so bring destruction to their followers. But
+I'll not meddle with them, any farther than to wish them wiser; and
+shall tell you next, for I hope I may be so bold, that the Tench is the
+physician of fishes, for the Pike especially, and that the Pike, being
+either sick or hurt, is cured by the touch of the Tench. And it is
+observed that the tyrant Pike will not be a wolf to his physician, but
+forbears to devour him though he be never so hungry.
+
+This fish, that carries a natural balsam in him to cure both himself and
+others, loves yet to feed in very foul water, and amongst weeds. And
+yet, I am sure, he eats pleasantly, and, doubtless, you will think so
+too, if you taste him. And I shall therefore proceed to give you some
+few, and but a few, directions how to catch this Tench, of which I have
+given you these observations.
+
+He will bite at a paste made of brown bread and honey, or at a
+marsh-worm, or a lob-worm; he inclines very much to any paste with which
+tar is mixt, and he will bite also at a smaller worm with his head
+nipped off, and a cod-worm put on the hook before that worm. And I doubt
+not but that he will also, in the three hot months, for in the nine
+colder he stirs not much, bite at a flag-worm or at a green gentle; but
+can positively say no more of the Tench, he being a fish I have not
+often angled for; but I wish my honest scholar may, and be ever
+fortunate when he fishes.
+
+
+
+
+
+The fourth day-continued
+
+On the Perch
+
+Chapter XII
+
+Piscator and Venator
+
+Piscator. The Perch is a very good and very bold biting fish. He is one
+of the fishes of prey that, like the Pike and Trout, carries his teeth
+in his mouth, which is very large: and he dare venture to kill and
+devour several other kinds of fish. He has a hooked or hog back, which
+is armed with sharp and stiff bristles, and all his skin armed, or
+covered over with thick dry hard scales, and hath, which few other fish
+have, two fins on his back. He is so bold that he will invade one of his
+own kind, which the Pike will not do so willingly; and you may,
+therefore, easily believe him to be a bold biter.
+
+The Perch is of great esteem in Italy, saith Aldrovandus: and especially
+the least are there esteemed a dainty dish. And Gesner prefers the Perch
+and Pike above the Trout, or any fresh-water fish: he says the Germans
+have this proverb, "More wholesome than a Perch of Rhine": and he says
+the River-Perch is so wholesome, that physicians allow him to be eaten
+by wounded men, or by men in fevers, or by women in child-bed.
+
+He spawns but once a year; and is, by physicians, held very nutritive;
+yet, by many, to be hard of digestion. They abound more in the river Po,
+and in England, says Rondeletius, than other parts: and have in their
+brain a stone, which is, in foreign parts, sold by apothecaries, being
+there noted to be very medicinable against the stone in the reins. These
+be a part of the commendations which some philosophical brains have
+bestowed upon the freshwater Perch: yet they commend the Sea-Perch which
+is known by having but one fin on his back, of which they say we English
+see but a few, to be a much better fish.
+
+The Perch grows slowly, yet will grow, as I have been credibly informed,
+to be almost two feet long; for an honest informer told me, such a one
+was not long since taken by Sir Abraham Williams, a gentleman of worth,
+and a brother of the angle, that yet lives, and I wish he may: this was
+a deep-bodied fish, and doubtless durst have devoured a Pike of half his
+own length. For I have told you, he is a bold fish; such a one as but
+for extreme hunger the Pike will not devour. For to affright the Pike,
+and save himself, the Perch will set up his fins, much like as a
+turkey-cock will sometimes set up his tail.
+
+But, my scholar, the Perch is not only valiant to defend himself, but he
+is, as I said, a bold-biting fish: yet he will not bite at all seasons
+of the year; he is very abstemious in winter, yet will bite then in the
+midst of the day, if it be warm: and note, that all fish bite best about
+the midst of warm day in winter. And he hath been observed, by some, not
+usually to bite till the mulberry-tree buds; that is to say, till
+extreme frosts be past the spring; for, when the mulberry-tree blossoms,
+many gardeners observe their forward fruit to be past the danger of
+frosts; and some have made the like observation of the Perch's biting.
+
+But bite the Perch will, and that very boldly. And, as one has wittily
+observed, if there be twenty or forty in a hole, they may be, at one
+standing, all catched one after another; they being, as he says, like
+the wicked of the world, not afraid, though their fellows and companions
+perish in their sight. And you may observe, that they are not like the
+solitary Pike, but love to accompany one another, and march together in
+troops.
+
+And the baits for this bold fish are not many: I mean, he will bite as
+well at some, or at any of these three, as at any or all others
+whatsoever: a worm, a minnow, or a little frog, of which you may find
+many in hay-time. And of worms; the dunghill worm called a brandling I
+take to be best, being well scoured in moss or fennel; or he will bite
+at a worm that lies under cow-dung, with a bluish head. And if you rove
+for a Perch with a minnow, then it is best to be alive; you sticking
+your hook through his back fin; or a minnow with the hook in his upper
+lip, and letting him swim up and down, about mid-water, or a little
+lower, and you still keeping him to about that depth by a cork, which
+ought not to be a very little one: and the like way you are to fish for
+the Perch with a small frog, your hook being fastened through the skin
+of his leg, towards the upper part of it: and, lastly, I will give you
+but this advice, that you give the Perch time enough when he bites; for
+there was scarce ever any angler that has given him too much. And now I
+think best to rest myself; for I have almost spent my spirits with
+talking so long.
+
+Venator. Nay, good master, one fish more, for you see it rains still:
+and you know our angles are like money put to usury; they may thrive,
+though we sit still, and do nothing but talk and enjoy one another.
+Come, come, the other fish, good master.
+
+Piscator. But, scholar, have you nothing to mix with this discourse,
+which now grows both tedious and tiresome? Shall I have nothing from
+you, that seem to have both a good memory and a cheerful spirit?
+
+Venator. Yes, master, I will speak you a copy of verses that were made
+by Doctor Donne, and made to shew the world that he could make soft and
+smooth verses, when he thought smoothness worth his labour: and I love
+them the better, because they allude to Rivers, and Fish and Fishing.
+They be these:
+
+    Come, live with me, and be my love,
+    And we will some new pleasures prove,
+    Of golden sands, and crystal brooks,
+    With silken lines, and silver hooks.
+
+    There will the river whisp'ring run,
+    Warm'd by thy eyes more than the sun
+    And there the enamel'd fish will stay
+    Begging themselves they may betray.
+
+    When thou wilt swim in that live bath,
+    Each fish, which every channel hash,
+    Most amorously to thee will swim,
+    Gladder to catch thee, than thou him.
+
+    If thou, to be so seen, beest loath
+    By sun or moon, thou dark'nest both;
+    And if mine eyes have leave to see,
+    I need not their light, having thee,
+
+    Let others freeze with angling reeds,
+    And cut their legs with shells and weeds,
+    Or treacherously poor fish beset
+    With strangling snares or windowy net;
+
+    Let coarse bold hands, from slimy nest,
+    The bedded fish in banks outwrest;
+    Let curious traitors sleeve silk flies,
+    To 'witch poor wand'ring fishes' eyes.
+
+    For thee, thou need'st no such deceit,
+    For thou thyself art shine own bait;
+    That fish that is not catcht thereby,
+    Is wiser afar, alas, than I.
+
+Piscator. Well remembered, honest scholar. I thank you for these choice
+verses; which I have heard formerly, but had quite forgot, till they
+were recovered by your happy memory. Well, being I have now rested
+myself a little, I will make you some requital, by telling you some
+observations of the Eel; for it rains still: and because, as you say,
+our angles are as money put to use, that thrives when we play, therefore
+we'll sit still, and enjoy ourselves a little longer under this
+honeysuckle hedge.
+
+
+
+
+
+The fourth day-continued
+
+Of the Eel, and other Fish that want Scales
+
+Chapter XIII
+
+Piscator
+
+It is agreed by most men, that the Eel is a most dainty fish: the Romans
+have esteemed her the Helena of their feasts; and some the queen of
+palate-pleasure. But most men differ about their breeding: some say they
+breed by generation, as other fish do; and others, that they breed, as
+some worms do, of mud; as rats and mice, and many other living
+creatures, are bred in Egypt, by the sun's heat when it shines upon the
+overflowing of the river Nilus; or out of the putrefaction of the earth,
+and divers other ways. Those that deny them to breed by generation, as
+other fish do, ask, If any man ever saw an Eel to have a spawn or melt?
+And they are answered, That they may be as certain of their breeding as
+if they had seen spawn; for they say, that they are certain that Eels
+have all parts fit for generation, like other fish, but so small as not
+to be easily discerned, by reason of their fatness; but that discerned
+they may be; and that the He and the She Eel may be distinguished by
+their fins. And Rondeletius says, he has seen Eels cling together like
+dew-worms.
+
+And others say, that Eels, growing old, breed other Eels out of the
+corruption of their own age; which, Sir Francis Bacon says, exceeds not
+ten years. And others say, that as pearls are made of glutinous
+dewdrops, which are condensed by the sun's heat in those countries, so
+Eels are bred of a particular dew, falling in the months of May or June
+on the banks of some particular ponds or rivers, apted by nature for
+that end; which in a few days are, by the sun's heat, turned into Eels:
+and some of the Ancients have called the Eels that are thus bred, the
+offspring of Jove. I have seen, in the beginning of July, in a river not
+far from Canterbury, some parts of it covered over with young Eels,
+about the thickness of a straw; and these Eels did lie on the top of
+that water, as thick as motes are said to be in the sun: and I have
+heard the like of other rivers, as namely, in Severn, where they are
+called Yelvers; and in a pond, or mere near unto Staffordshire, where,
+about a set time in summer, such small Eels abound so much, that many of
+the poorer sort of people that inhabit near to it, take such Eels out of
+this mere with sieves or sheets; and make a kind of Eel-cake of them,
+and eat it like as bread. And Gesner quotes Venerable Bede, to say, that
+in England there is an island called Ely, by reason of the innumerable
+number of Eels that breed in it. But that Eels may be bred as some
+worms, and some kind of bees and wasps are, either of dew, or out of the
+corruption of the earth, seems to be made probable by the barnacles and
+young goslings bred by the sun's heat and the rotten planks of an old
+ship, and hatched of trees; both which are related for truths by Du
+Bartas and Lobel, and also by our learned Camden, and laborious Gerhard
+in his Herbal.
+
+It is said by Rondeletius, that those Eels that are bred in rivers that
+relate to or be nearer to the sea, never return to the fresh waters, as
+the Salmon does always desire to do, when they have once tasted the salt
+water; and I do the more easily believe this, because I am certain that
+powdered beef is a most excellent bait to catch an Eel. And though Sir
+Francis Bacon will allow the Eel's life to be but ten years, yet he, in
+his History of Life and Death, mentions a Lamprey, belonging to the
+Roman emperor, to be made tame, and so kept for almost threescore years;
+and that such useful and pleasant observations were made of this
+Lamprey, that Crassus the orator, who kept her, lamented her death; and
+we read in Doctor Hakewill, that Hortensius was seen to weep at the
+death of a Lamprey that he had kept long, and loved exceedingly.
+
+It is granted by all, or most men, that Eels, for about six months, that
+is to say, the six cold months of the year, stir not up or down, neither
+in the rivers, nor in the pools in which they usually are, but get into
+the soft earth or mud; and there many of them together bed themselves,
+and live without feeding upon anything, as I have told you some swallows
+have been observed to do in hollow trees, for those six cold months. And
+this the Eel and Swallow do, as not being able to endure winter weather:
+for Gesner quotes Albertus to say, that in the year 1125, that year's
+winter being more cold than usually, Eels did, by nature's instinct, get
+out of the water into a stack of hay in a meadow upon dry ground; and
+there bedded themselves: but yet, at last, a frost killed them. And our
+Camden relates, that, in Lancashire, fishes were digged out of the earth
+with spades, where no water was near to the place. I shall say little
+more of the Eel, but that, as it is observed he is impatient of cold, so
+it hath been observed, that, in warm weather, an Eel has been known to
+live five days out of the water.
+
+And lastly, let me tell you, that some curious searchers into the
+natures of fish observe, that there be several sorts or kinds of Eels;
+as the silver Eel, the green or greenish Eel, with which the river of
+Thames abounds, and those are called Grigs; and a blackish Eel, whose
+head is more flat and bigger than ordinary Eels; and also an Eel whose
+fins are reddish, and but seldom taken in this nation, and yet taken
+sometimes. These several kind of Eels are, say some, diversely bred; as,
+namely, out of the corruption of the earth; and some by dew, and other
+ways, as I have said to you: and yet it is affirmed by some for a
+certain, that the silver Eel is bred by generation, but not by spawning
+as other fish do; but that her brood come alive from her, being then
+little live Eels no bigger nor longer than a pin; and I have had too
+many testimonies of this, to doubt the truth of it myself; and if I
+thought it needful I might prove it, but I think it is needless.
+
+And this Eel, of which I have said so much to you, may be caught with
+divers kinds of baits: as namely, with powdered beef; with a lob or
+garden worm; with a minnow; or gut of a hen, chicken, or the guts of any
+fish, or with almost anything, for he is a greedy fish. But the Eel may
+be caught, especially, with a little, a very little Lamprey, which some
+call a Pride, and may, in the hot months, be found many of them in the
+river Thames, and in many mud-heaps in other rivers; yea, almost as
+usually as one finds worms in a dunghill.
+
+Next note, that the Eel seldom stirs in the day, but then hides himself;
+and therefore he is usually caught by night, with one of these baits of
+which I have spoken; and may be then caught by laying hooks, which you
+are to fasten to the bank, or twigs of a tree; or by throwing a string
+across the stream, with many hooks at it, and those baited with the
+aforesaid baits; and a clod, or plummet, or stone, thrown into the river
+with this line, that so you may in the morning find it near to some
+fixed place; and then take it up with a drag-hook, or otherwise. But
+these things are, indeed, too common to be spoken of; and an hour's
+fishing with any angler will teach you better, both for these and many
+other common things in the practical part of angling, than a week's
+discourse. I shall therefore conclude this direction for taking the Eel,
+by telling you, that in a warm day in summer, I have taken many a good
+Eel by Snigling, and have been much pleased with that sport.
+
+And because you, that are but a young angler, know not what Snigling is
+I will now teach it to you. You remember I told you that Eels do not
+usually stir in the daytime; for then they hide themselves under some
+covert; or under boards or planks about flood-gates, or weirs, or mills;
+or in holes on the river banks: so that you, observing your time in a
+warm day, when the water is lowest, may take a strong small hook, tied
+to a strong line, or to a string about a yard long; and then into one of
+these holes, or between any boards about a mill, or under any great
+stone or plank, or any place where you think an Eel may hide or shelter
+herself, you may, with the help of a short stick, put in your bait, but
+leisurely, and as far as you may conveniently; and it is scarce to be
+doubted, but if there be an Eel within the sight of it, the Eel will
+bite instantly, and as certainly gorge it; and you need not doubt to
+have him if you pull him not out of the hole too quickly, but pull him
+out by degrees; for he, lying folded double in his hole, will, with the
+help of his tail, break all, unless you give him time to be wearied with
+pulling, and so get him out by degrees, not pulling too hard.
+
+And to commute for your patient hearing this long direction, I shall
+next tell you, how to make this Eel a most excellent dish of meat.
+
+First, wash him in water and salt; then pull off his skin below his vent
+or navel, and not much further: having done that, take out his guts as
+clean as you can, but wash him not: then give him three or four scotches
+with a knife; and then put into his belly and those scotches, sweet
+herbs, an anchovy, and a little nutmeg grated or cut very small, and
+your herbs and anchovies must also be cut very small; and mixt with good
+butter and salt: having done this, then pull his skin over him, all but
+his head, which you are to cut off, to the end you may tie his skin
+about that part where his head grew, and it must be so tied as to keep
+all his moisture within his skin: and having done this, tie him with
+tape or packthread to a spit, and roast him leisurely; and baste him
+with water and salt till his skin breaks, and then with butter; and
+having roasted him enough, let what was put into his belly, and what he
+drips, be his sauce. S. F.
+
+When I go to dress an Eel thus, I wish he were as long and as big as
+that which was caught in Peterborough river, in the year 1667; which was
+a yard and three quarters long. If you will not believe me, then go and
+see at one of the coffee-houses in King Street in Westminster.
+
+But now let me tell you, that though the Eel, thus drest, be not only
+excellent good, but more harmless than any other way, yet it is certain
+that physicians account the Eel dangerous meat; I will advise you
+therefore, as Solomon says of honey, "Hast thou found it, eat no more
+than is sufficient, lest thou surfeit, for it is not good to eat much
+honey". And let me add this, that the uncharitable Italian bids us "give
+Eels and no wine to our enemies".
+
+And I will beg a little more of your attention, to tell you, that
+Aldrovandus, and divers physicians, commend the Eel very much for
+medicine, though not for meat. But let me tell you one observation, that
+the Eel is never out of season; as Trouts, and most other fish, are at
+set times; at least, most Eels are not.
+
+I might here speak of many other fish, whose shape and nature are much
+like the Eel, and frequent both the sea and fresh rivers; as, namely,
+the Lamprel, the Lamprey, and the Lamperne: as also of the mighty
+Conger, taken often in Severn, about Gloucester: and might also tell in
+what high esteem many of them are for the curiosity of their taste. But
+these are not so proper to be talked of by me, because they make us
+anglers no sport; therefore I will let them alone, as the Jews do, to
+whom they are forbidden by their law.
+
+And, scholar, there is also a FLOUNDER, a sea-fish which will wander
+very far into fresh rivers, and there lose himself and dwell: and thrive
+to a hand's breadth, and almost twice so long: a fish without scales,
+and most excellent meat: and a fish that affords much sport to the
+angler, with any small worm, but especially a little bluish worm, gotten
+out of marsh-ground, or meadows, which should be well scoured. But this,
+though it be most excellent meat, yet it wants scales, and is, as I told
+you, therefore an abomination to the Jews.
+
+But, scholar, there is a fish that they in Lancashire boast very much
+of, called a CHAR; taken there, and I think there only, in a mere called
+Winander Mere; a mere, says Camden, that is the largest in this nation,
+being ten miles in length, and some say as smooth in the bottom as if it
+were paved with polished marble. This fish never exceeds fifteen or
+sixteen inches in length; and is spotted like a Trout: and has scarce a
+bone, but on the back. But this, though I do not know whether it make
+the angler sport, yet I would have you take notice of it, because it is
+a rarity, and of so high esteem with persons of great note.
+
+Nor would I have you ignorant of a rare fish called a GUINIAD; of which
+I shall tell you what Camden and others speak. The river Dee, which runs
+by Chester, springs in Merionethshire; and, as it runs toward Chester,
+it runs through Pemble Mere, which is a large water: and it is observed,
+that though the river Dee abounds with Salmon, and Pemble mere with the
+Guiniad, yet there is never any Salmon caught in the mere, nor a
+Guiniad in the river. And now my next observation shall be of the
+Barbel.
+
+
+
+
+
+The fourth day-continued
+
+Of the Barbel
+
+Chapter XIV
+
+Piscator, Venator, Milk-woman
+
+Piscator. The Barbel is so called, says Gesner, by reason of his barb or
+wattles at his mouth, which are under his nose or chaps. He is one of
+those leather-mouthed fishes that I told you of, that does very seldom
+break his hold if he be once hooked: but he is so strong, that he will
+often break both rod and line, if he proves to be a big one.
+
+But the Barbel, though he be of a fine shape, and looks big, yet he is
+not accounted the best fish to eat, neither for his wholesomeness nor
+his taste; but the male is reputed much better than the female, whose
+spawn is very hurtful, as I will presently declare to you.
+
+They flock together like sheep, and are at the worst in April, about
+which time they spawn; but quickly grow to be in season. He is able to
+live in the strongest swifts of the water: and, in summer, they love the
+shallowest and sharpest streams: and love to lurk under weeds, and to
+feed on gravel, against a rising ground; and will root and dig in the
+sands with his nose like a hog, and there nests himself: yet sometimes
+he retires to deep and swift bridges, or flood-gates, or weir; where he
+will nest himself amongst piles, or in hollow places; and take such hold
+of moss or weeds, that be the water never so swift, it is not able to
+force him from the place that he contends for. This is his constant
+custom in summer, when he and most living creatures sport themselves in
+the sun: but at the approach of winter, then he forsakes the swift
+streams and shallow waters, and, by degrees, retires to those parts of
+the river that are quiet and deeper; in which places, and I think about
+that time he spawns; and, as I have formerly told you, with the help of
+the melter, hides his spawn or eggs in holes, which they both dig in the
+gravel; and then they mutually labour to cover it with the same sand, to
+prevent it from being devoured by other fish.
+
+There be such store of this fish in the river Danube, that Rondeletius
+says they may, in some places of it, and in some months of the year, be
+taken, by those who dwell near to the river, with their hands, eight or
+ten load at a time. He says, they begin to be good in May, and that they
+cease to be so in August: but it is found to be otherwise in this
+nation. But thus far we agree with him, that the spawn of a Barbel, if
+it be not poison, as he says, yet that it is dangerous meat, and
+especially in the month of May, which is so certain, that Gesner and
+Gasius declare it had an ill effect upon them, even to the endangering
+of their lives.
+
+The fish is of a fine cast and handsome shape, with small scales, which
+are placed after a most exact and curious manner, and, as I told you,
+may be rather said not to be ill, than to be good meat, The Chub and he
+have, I think, both lost part of their credit by ill cookery; they being
+reputed the worst, or coarsest, of fresh-water fish. But the Barbel
+affords an angler choice sport, being a lusty and a cunning fish; so
+lusty and cunning as to endanger the breaking of the angler's line, by
+running his head forcibly towards any covert, or hole, or bank, and then
+striking at the line, to break it off, with his tail; as is observed by
+Plutarch, in his book De Industria Animalium: and also so cunning, to
+nibble and suck off your worm close to the hook, and yet avoid the
+letting the hook come into his mouth.
+
+The Barbel is also curious for his baits; that is to say, that they be
+clean and sweet; that is to say, to have your worms well scoured, and
+not kept in sour and musty moss, for he is a curious feeder: but at a
+well-scoured lob-worm he will bite as boldly as at any bait, and
+specially if, the night or two before you fish for him, you shall bait
+the places where you intend to fish for him, with big worms cut into
+pieces. And note, that none did ever over-bait the place, nor fish too
+early or too late for a Barbel. And the Barbel will bite also at
+generals, which, not being too much scoured, but green, are a choice
+bait for him: and so is cheese, which is not to be too hard, but kept a
+day or two in a wet linen cloth, to make it tough; with this you may
+also bait the water a day or two before you fish for the Barbel, and be
+much the likelier to catch store; and if the cheese were laid in
+clarified honey a short time before, as namely, an hour or two, you were
+still the likelier to catch fish. Some have directed to cut the cheese
+into thin pieces, and toast it; and then tie it on the hook with fine
+silk. And some advise to fish for the Barbel with sheep's tallow and
+soft cheese, beaten or worked into a paste; and that it is choicely good
+in August: and I believe it. Rut, doubtless, the lob-worm well scoured,
+and the gentle not too much scoured, and cheese ordered as I have
+directed, are baits enough, and I think will serve in any month: though
+I shall commend any angler that tries conclusions, and is industrious to
+improve the art. And now my honest scholar, the long shower and my
+tedious discourse are both ended together: and I shall give you but this
+observation, that when you fish for a Barbel, your rod and line be both
+long and of good strength; for, as I told you, you will find him a heavy
+and a dogged fish to be dealt withal; yet he seldom or never breaks his
+hold, if he be once strucken. And if you would know more of fishing for
+the Umber or Barbel, get into favour with Dr. Sheldon, whose skill is
+above others; and of that, the poor that dwell about him have a
+comfortable experience.
+
+And now let's go and see what interest the Trouts will pay us, for
+letting our angle-rods lie so long and so quietly in the water for their
+use. Come, scholar, which will you take up?
+
+Venator. Which you think fit, master.
+
+Piscator. Why, you shall take up that; for I am certain, by viewing the
+line, it has a fish at it. Look you, scholar! well done! Come, now take
+up the other too: well! now you may tell my brother Peter, at night,
+that you have caught a leash of Trouts this day. And now let's move
+towards our lodging, and drink a draught of red-cow's milk as we go; and
+give pretty Maudlin and her honest mother a brace of Trouts for their
+supper.
+
+Venator. Master, I like your motion very well: and I think it is now
+about milking-time; and yonder they be at it.
+
+Piscator. God speed you, good woman! I thank you both for our songs last
+night: I and my companion have had such fortune a-fishing this day, that
+we resolve to give you and Maudlin a brace of Trouts for supper; and we
+will now taste a draught of your red-cow's milk.
+
+Milk-woman. Marry, and that you shall with all my heart; and I will be
+still your debtor when you come this way. If you will but speak the
+word, I will make you a good syllabub of new verjuice; and then you may
+sit down in a haycock, and eat it; and Maudlin shall sit by and sing you
+the good old song of the "Hunting in Chevy Chace," or some other good
+ballad, for she hath store of them: Maudlin, my honest Maudlin, hath a
+notable memory, and she thinks nothing too good for you, because you be
+such honest men.
+
+Venator. We thank you; and intend, once in a month to call upon you
+again, and give you a little warning; and so, good-night Good-night,
+Maudlin. And now, good master, let's lose no time: but tell me somewhat
+more of fishing; and if you please, first, something of fishing for a
+Gudgeon.
+
+Piscator. I will, honest scholar.
+
+
+
+
+
+The fourth day-continued
+
+Of the Gudgeon, the Ruffe, and the Bleak
+
+Chapter XV
+
+Piscator
+
+The GUDGEON is reputed a fish of excellent taste, and to be very
+wholesome. He is of a fine shape, of a silver colour, and beautified
+with black spots both on his body and tail. He breeds two or three times
+in the year; and always in summer. He is commended for a fish of
+excellent nourishment. The Germans call him Groundling, by reason of his
+feeding on the ground; and he there feasts himself, in sharp streams and
+on the gravel. He and the Barbel both feed so: and do not hunt for flies
+at any time, as most other fishes do. He is an excellent fish to enter a
+young angler, being easy to be taken with a small red worm, on or very
+near to the ground. He is one of those leather-mouthed fish that has his
+teeth in his throat, and will hardly be lost off from the hook if he be
+once strucken.
+
+They be usually scattered up and down every river in the shallows, in
+the heat of summer: but in autumn, when the weeds begin to grow sour and
+rot, and the weather colder, then they gather together, and get into the
+deeper parts of the water; and are to be fished for there, with your
+hook always touching the ground, if you fish for him with a float or
+with a cork. But many will fish for the Gudgeon by hand, with a running
+line upon the ground, without a cork, as a Trout is fished for: and it
+is an excellent way, if you have a gentle rod, and as gentle a hand.
+
+There is also another fish called a POPE, and by some a RUFFE; a fish
+that is not known to be in some rivers: he is much like the Perch for
+his shape, and taken to be better than the Perch, but will not grow to
+be bigger than a Gudgeon. He is an excellent fish; no fish that swims is
+of a pleasanter taste. And he is also excellent to enter a young angler,
+for he is a greedy biter: and they will usually lie, abundance of them
+together, in one reserved place, where the water is deep and runs
+quietly; and an easy angler, if he has found where they lie, may catch
+forty or fifty, or sometimes twice so many, at a standing.
+
+You must fish for him with a small red worm; and if you bait the ground
+with earth, it is excellent.
+
+There is also a BLEAK or fresh-water Sprat; a fish that is ever in
+motion, and therefore called by some the river-swallow; for just as you
+shall observe the swallow to be, most evenings in summer, ever in
+motion, making short and quick turns when he flies to catch flies, in
+the air, by which he lives; so does the Bleak at the top of the water.
+Ausonius would have called him Bleak from his whitish colour: his back
+is of a pleasant sad or sea-water-green; his belly, white and shining as
+the mountain snow. And doubtless, though we have the fortune, which
+virtue has in poor people, to be neglected, yet the Bleak ought to be
+much valued, though we want Allamot salt, and the skill that the
+Italians have, to turn them into anchovies. This fish may be caught with
+a Pater-noster line; that is, six or eight very small hooks tied along
+the line, one half a foot above the other: I have seen five caught thus
+at one time; and the bait has been gentles, than which none is better.
+
+Or this fish may be caught with a fine small artificial fly, which is to
+be of a very sad brown colour, and very small, and the hook answerable.
+There is no better sport than whipping for Bleaks in a boat, or on a
+bank, in the swift water, in a summer's evening, with a hazel top about
+five or six foot long, and a line twice the length of the rod. I have
+heard Sir Henry Wotton say, that there be many that in Italy will catch
+swallows so, or especially martins; this bird-angler standing on the top
+of a steeple to do it, and with the line twice so long as I have spoken
+of. And let me tell you, scholar, that both Martins and Bleaks be most
+excellent meat.
+
+And let me tell you, that I have known a Heron, that did constantly
+frequent one place, caught with a hook baited with a big minnow or a
+small gudgeon. The line and hook must be strong: and tied to some loose
+staff, so big as she cannot fly away with it: a line not exceeding two
+yards.
+
+
+
+
+
+The fourth day-continued
+
+Is of nothing, or of nothing worth
+
+Chapter XVI
+
+Piscator, Venator, Peter, Coridon
+
+Piscator. My purpose was to give you some directions concerning ROACH
+and DACE, and some other inferior fish which make the angler excellent
+sport; for you know there is more pleasure in hunting the hare than in
+eating her: but I will forbear, at this time, to say any more, because
+you see yonder come our brother Peter and honest Coridon. But I will
+promise you, that as you and I fish and walk to-morrow towards London,
+if I have now forgotten anything that I can then remember, I will not
+keep it from you.
+
+Well met, gentlemen; this is lucky that we meet so just together at this
+very door, Come, hostess, where are you? is supper ready? Come, first
+give us a drink; and be as quick as you can, for I believe we are all
+very hungry. Well, brother Peter and Coridon, to you both! Come, drink:
+and then tell me what luck of fish: we two have caught but ten bouts, of
+which my scholar caught three. Look! here's eight; and a brace we gave
+away. We have had a most pleasant day for fishing and talking, and are
+returned home both weary and hungry; and now meat and rest will be
+pleasant.
+
+Peter. And Coridon and I have not had an unpleasant day: and yet I have
+caught but five bouts; for, indeed, we went to a good honest ale-house,
+and there we played at shovel-board half the day; all the time that it
+rained we were there, and as merry as they that fished. And I am glad we
+are now with a dry house over our heads; for, hark! how it rains and
+blows. Come, hostess, give us more ale, and our supper with what haste
+you may: and when we have supped, let us have your song, Piscator; and
+the catch that your scholar promised us; or else, Coridon will be
+dogged.
+
+Piscator. Nay, I will not be worse than my word; you shall not want my
+song, and I hope I shall be perfect in it.
+
+Venator. And I hope the like for my catch, which I have ready too: and
+therefore let's go merrily to supper, and then have a gentle touch at
+singing and drinking; but the last with moderation.
+
+Coridon. Come, now for your song; for we have fed heartily. Come,
+hostess, lay a few more sticks on the fire. And now, sing when you will.
+
+Piscator. Well then, here s to you, Coridon; and now for my song.
+
+    O the gallant Fisher's life,
+      It is the best of any;
+    'Tis full of pleasure, void of strife,
+      And 'tis beloved of many:
+        Other joys
+        Are but toys;
+        Only this
+        Lawful is;
+        For our skill
+        Breeds no ill,
+      But content and pleasure.
+
+    In a morning up we rise
+      Ere Aurora's peeping,
+    Drink a cup to wash our eyes.
+      Leave the sluggard sleeping;
+        Then we go
+        To and fro,
+        With our knacks
+        At our backs
+        To such streams
+        As the Thames
+      If we have the leisure.
+
+    When we please to walk abroad
+      For our recreation,
+    In the fields is our abode,
+      Full of delectation:
+        Where in a brook
+        With a hook
+        Or a lake
+        Fish we take:
+        There we sit
+        For a bit,
+      Till we fish entangle.
+
+    We have gentles in a horn,
+      We have paste and worms too
+    We can watch both night and morn,
+      Suffer rain and storms too;
+        None do here
+        Use to swear;
+        Oaths do fray
+        Fish away;
+        We sit still,
+        And watch our quill
+      Fishers must not wrangle.
+
+    If the sun's excessive heat
+      Make our bodies swelter,
+    To an osier hedge we get
+      For a friendly shelter
+        Where, in a dike,
+        Perch or Pike
+        Roach or Dace
+        We do chase Bleak or Gudgeon,
+        Without grudging
+      We are still contented.
+
+    Or we sometimes pass an hour
+      Under a green willow,
+    That defends us from a shower,
+      Making earth our pillow;
+        Where we may
+        Think and pray
+        Before death
+        Stops our breath.
+        Other joys
+        Are but toys,
+      And to be lamented.
+
+    Jo. Chalkhill.
+
+Venator. Well sung, master; this day's fortune and pleasure, and the
+night's company and song, do all make me more and more in love with
+angling. Gentlemen, my master left me alone for an hour this day; and I
+verily believe he retired himself from talking with me that he might be
+so perfect in this song; was it not, master?
+
+Piscator. Yes indeed, for it is many years since I learned it; and
+having forgotten a part of it, I was forced to patch it up with the help
+of mine own invention, who am not excellent at poetry, as my part of the
+song may testify; but of that I will say no more, lest you should think
+I mean, by discommending it, to beg your commendations of it. And
+therefore, without replications, let's hear your catch, scholar; which I
+hope will be a good one, for you are both musical and have a good fancy
+to boot.
+
+Venator. Marry, and that you shall; and as freely as I would have my
+honest master tell me some more secrets of fish and fishing, as we walk
+and fish towards London to-morrow. But, master, first let me tell you,
+that very hour which you were absent from me, I sat down under a
+willow-tree by the water-side, and considered what you had told me of
+the owner of that pleasant meadow in which you then left me; that he had
+a plentiful estate, and not a heart to think so; that he had at this
+time many law-suits depending; and that they both damped his mirth, and
+took up so much of his time and thoughts, that he himself had not
+leisure to take the sweet content that I, who pretended no title to
+them, took in his fields: for I could there sit quietly; and looking on
+the water, see some fishes sport themselves in the silver streams,
+others leaping at flies of several shapes and colours; looking on the
+hills, I could behold them spotted with woods and groves; looking down
+the meadows, could see, here a boy gathering lilies and lady-smocks, and
+there a girl cropping culverkeys and cowslips, all to make garlands
+suitable to this present month of May: these, and many other field
+flowers, so perfumed the air, that I thought that very meadow like that
+field in Sicily of which Diodorus speaks, where the perfumes arising
+from the place make all dogs that hunt in it to fall off, and to lose
+their hottest scent I say, as I thus sat, joying in my own happy
+condition, and pitying this poor rich man that owned this and many other
+pleasant groves and meadows about me, I did thankfully remember what my
+Saviour said, that the meek possess the earth; or rather, they enjoy
+what the others possess, and enjoy not; for anglers and meek
+quiet-spirited men are free from those high, those restless thoughts,
+which corrode the sweets of life; and they, and they only, can say, as
+the poet has happily express it,
+
+    Hail! blest estate of lowliness;
+      Happy enjoyments of such minds
+    As, rich in self-contentedness,
+      Can, like the reeds, in roughest winds,
+    By yielding make that blow but small
+    At which proud oaks and cedars fall.
+
+There came also into my mind at that time certain verses in praise of a
+mean estate and humble mind: they were written by Phineas Fletcher, an
+excellent divine, and an excellent angler; and the author of excellent
+Piscatory Eclogues, in which you shall see the picture of this good
+man's mind: and I wish mine to be like it.
+
+      No empty hopes, no courtly fears him fright;
+      No begging wants his middle fortune bite:
+    But sweet content exiles both misery and spite.
+
+      His certain life, that never can deceive him,
+        Is full of thousand sweets and rich content
+      The smooth-leav'd beeches in the field receive him,
+        With coolest shade, till noon-tide's heat be spent.
+      His life is neither tost in boisterous, seas,
+      Or the vexatious world, or lost in slothful ease;
+    Please and full blest he lives when he his God can please.
+
+      His bed, more safe than soft, yields quiet sleeps,
+        While by his side his faithful spouse teas place
+      His little son into his bosom creeps,
+        The lively picture of his father's face.
+      His humble house or poor state ne'er torment him
+      Less he could like, if less his God had lent him;
+    And when he dies, green turfs do for a tomb content him,
+
+Gentlemen, these were a part of the thoughts that then possessed me. And
+I there made a conversion of a piece of an old catch, and added more to
+it, fitting them to be sung by us anglers. Come, Master, you can sing
+well: you must sing a part of it, as it is in this paper.
+
+    Man's life is but vain, for 'tis subject to pain,
+      And sorrow, and short as a bubble;
+    'Tis a hodge-podge of business, and money, and care,
+      And care, and money, and trouble.
+
+    But we'll take no care when the weather proves fair;
+      Nor will we vex now though it rain;
+    We'll banish all sorrow, and sing till to-morrow,
+      And angle, and angle again.
+
+Peter. I marry, Sir, this is musick indeed; this has cheer'd my heart,
+and made me remember six verses in praise of musick, which I will speak
+to you instantly.
+
+    Musick! miraculous rhetorick, thou speak'st sense
+    Without a tongue, excelling eloquence;
+    With what ease might thy errors be excus'd,
+    Wert thou as truly lov'd as th' art abus'd!
+    But though dull souls neglect, and some reprove thee,
+    I cannot hate thee, 'cause the Angels love thee.
+
+Venator. And the repetition of these last verses of musick has called to
+my memory what Mr. Edmund Waller, a lover of the angle, says of love and
+musick.
+
+    Whilst I listen to thy voice,
+      Chloris! I feel my heart decay
+        That powerful voice
+      Calls my fleeting soul away:
+    Oh! suppress that magic sound,
+    Which destroys without a wound.
+
+    Peace, Chloris! peace, or singing die,
+      That together you and I
+        To heaven may go;
+        For all we know
+    Of what the blessed do above
+    Is, that they sing, and that they love.
+
+Piscator. Well remembered, brother Peter; these verses came seasonably,
+and we thank you heartily. Come, we will all join together, my host and
+all, and sing my scholar's catch over again; and then each man drink the
+tother cup, and to bed; and thank God we have a dry house over our
+heads.
+
+Piscator. Well, now, good-night to everybody. Peter. And so say I.
+
+Venator. And so say I.
+
+Coridon. Good-night to you all; and I thank you.
+
+
+
+
+
+The FIFTH day.
+
+Piscator. Good-morrow, brother Peter, and the like to you, honest
+Coridon.
+
+Come, my hostess says there is seven shillings to pay: let's each man
+drink a pot for his morning's draught, and lay down his two shillings,
+so that my hostess may not have occasion to repent herself of being so
+diligent, and using us so kindly.
+
+Peter. The motion is liked by everybody, and so, hostess, here's your
+money: we anglers are all beholden to you; it will not be long ere I'll
+see you again; and now, brother Piscator, I wish you, and my brother
+your scholar, a fair day and good fortune. Come, Coridon, this is our
+way.
+
+
+
+
+
+The FIFTH day-continued
+
+Of Roack and Dace
+
+Chapter XVII
+
+Venator and Piscator
+
+Venator. Good master, as we go now towards London, be still so courteous
+as to give me more instructions; for I have several boxes in my memory,
+in which I will keep them all very safe, there shall not one of them be
+lost.
+
+Piscator. Well, scholar, that I will: and I will hide nothing from you
+that I can remember, and can think may help you forward towards a
+perfection in this art. And because we have so much time, and I have
+said so little of Roach and Dace, I will give you some directions
+concerning them.
+
+Some say the Roach is so called from rutilus, which they say signifies
+red fins. He is a fish of no great reputation for his dainty taste; and
+his spawn is accounted much better than any other part of him. And you
+may take notice, that as the Carp is accounted the water-fox, for his
+cunning; so the Roach is accounted the water-sheep, for his simplicity
+or foolishness. It is noted, that the Roach and Dace recover strength,
+and grow in season in a fortnight after spawning; the Barbel and Chub in
+a month; the Trout in four months; and the Salmon in the like time, if
+he gets into the sea, and after into fresh water.
+
+Roaches be accounted much better in the river than in a pond, though
+ponds usually breed the biggest. But there is a kind of bastard small
+Roach, that breeds in ponds, with a very forked tail, and of a very
+small size; which some say is bred by the Bream and right Roach; and
+some ponds are stored with these beyond belief; and knowing-men, that
+know their difference, call them Ruds: they differ from the true Roach,
+as much as a Herring from a Pilchard. And these bastard breed of Roach
+are now scattered in many rivers: but I think not in the Thames, which I
+believe affords the largest and fattest in this nation, especially below
+London Bridge. The Roach is a leather-mouthed fish, and has a kind of
+saw-like teeth in his throat. And lastly, let me tell you, the Roach
+makes an angler excellent sport, especially the great Roaches about
+London, where I think there be the best Roach-anglers. And I think the
+best Trout-anglers be in Derbyshire; for the waters there are clear to
+an extremity.
+
+Next, let me tell you, you shall fish for this Roach in Winter, with
+paste or gentles; in April, with worms or cadis; in the very hot months,
+with little white snails; or with flies under water, for he seldom takes
+them at the top, though the Dace will. In many of the hot months,
+Roaches may also be caught thus: take a May-fly, or ant-fly, sink him
+with a little lead to the bottom, near to the piles or posts of a
+bridge, or near to any posts of a weir, I mean any deep place where
+Roaches lie quietly, and then pull your fly up very leisurely, and
+usually a Roach will follow your bait up to the very top of the water,
+and gaze on it there, and run at it, and take it, lest the fly should
+fly away from him.
+
+I have seen this done at Windsor and Henley Bridge, and great store of
+Roach taken; and sometimes, a Dace or Chub. And in August you may fish
+for them with a paste made only of the crumbs of bread, which should be
+of pure fine manchet; and that paste must be so tempered betwixt your
+hands till it be both soft and tough too: a very little water, and time,
+and labour, and clean hands, will make it a most excellent paste. But
+when you fish with it, you must have a small hook, a quick eye, and a
+nimble hand, or the bait is lost, and the fish too; if one may lose that
+which he never had. With this paste you may, as I said, take both the
+Roach and the Dace or Dare; for they be much of a kind, in manner of
+feeding, cunning, goodness, and usually in size. And therefore take this
+general direction, for some other baits which may concern you to take
+notice of: they will bite almost at any fly, but especially at
+ant-flies; concerning which take this direction, for it is very good.
+
+Take the blackish ant-fly out of the mole-hill or ant-hill, in which
+place you shall find them in the month of June; or if that be too early
+in the year, then, doubtless, you may find them in July, August, and
+most of September. Gather them alive, with both their wings: and then
+put them into a glass that will hold a quart or a pottle; but first put
+into the glass a handful, or more, of the moist earth out of which you
+gather them, and as much of the roots of the grass of the said hillock;
+and then put in the flies gently, that they lose not their wings: lay a
+clod of earth over it; and then so many as are put into the glass,
+without bruising, will live there a month or more, and be always in
+readiness for you to fish with: but if you would have them keep longer,
+then get any great earthen pot, or barrel of three or four gallons,
+which is better, then wash your barrel with water and honey; and having
+put into it a quantity of earth and grass roots, then put in your flies,
+and cover it, and they will live a quarter of a year. These, in any
+stream and clear water, are a deadly bait for Roach or Dace, or for a
+Chub: and your rule is to fish not less than a handful from the bottom.
+
+I shall next tell you a winter-bait for a Roach, a Dace, or Chub; and it
+is choicely good. About All-hallantide, and so till frost comes, when
+you see men ploughing up heath ground, or sandy ground, or greenswards,
+then follow the plough, and you shall find a white worm, as big as two
+maggots, and it hath a red head: you may observe in what ground most
+are, for there the crows will be very watchful and follow the plough
+very close: it is all soft, and full of whitish guts; a worm that is, in
+Norfolk and some other counties, called a grub; and is bred of the spawn
+or eggs of a beetle, which she leaves in holes that she digs in the
+ground under cow or horse dung, and there rests all winter, and in March
+or April comes to be first a red and then a black beetle. Gather a
+thousand or two of these, and put them, with a peck or two of their own
+earth, into some tub or firkin, and cover and keep them so warm that the
+frost or cold air, or winds, kill them not: these you may keep all
+winter, and kill fish with them at any time; and if you put some of them
+into a little earth and honey, a day before you use them, you will find
+them an excellent bait for Bream, Carp, or indeed for almost any fish.
+
+And after this manner you may also keep gentles all winter; which are a
+good bait then, and much the better for being lively and tough. Or you
+may breed and keep gentles thus: take a piece of beast's liver, and,
+with a cross stick, hang it in some corner, over a pot or barrel half
+full of dry clay; and as the gentles grow big, they will fall into the
+barrel and scour themselves, and be always ready for use whensoever you
+incline to fish; and these gentles may be thus created till after
+Michaelmas. But if you desire to keep gentles to fish with all the year,
+then get a dead cat, or a kite, and let it be flyblown; and when the
+gentles begin to be alive and to stir, then bury it and them in soft
+moist earth, but as free from frost as you can; and these you may dig up
+at any time when you intend to use them: these will last till March, and
+about that time turn to be flies.
+
+But if you be nice to foul your fingers, which good anglers seldom are,
+then take this bait: get a handful of well-made malt, and put it into a
+dish of water; and then wash and rub it betwixt your hands till you
+make it clean, and as free from husks as you can; then put that water
+from it, and put a small quantity of fresh water to it, and set it in
+something that is fit for that purpose, over the fire, where it is not
+to boil apace, but leisurely and very softly, until it become somewhat
+soft, which you may try by feeling it betwixt your finger and thumb; and
+when it is soft, then put your water from it: and then take a sharp
+knife, and turning the sprout end of the corn upward with the point of
+your knife, take the back part of the husk off from it, and yet leaving
+a kind of inward husk on the corn, or else it is marr'd and then cut off
+that sprouted end, I mean a little of it, that the white may appear; and
+so pull off the husk on the cloven side, as I directed you; and then
+cutting off a very little of the other end, that so your hook may enter;
+and if your hook be small and good, you will find this to be a very
+choice bait, either for winter or summer, you sometimes casting a little
+of it into the place where your float swims.
+
+And to take the Roach and Dace, a good bait is the young brood of wasps
+or bees, if you dip their heads in blood; especially good for Bream, if
+they be baked, or hardened in their husks in an oven, after the bread is
+taken out of it; or hardened on a fire-shovel: and so also is the thick
+blood of sheep, being half dried on a trencher, that so you may cut into
+such pieces as may best fit the size of your hook; and a little salt
+keeps it from growing black, and makes it not the worse, but better:
+this is taken to be a choice bait, if rightly ordered.
+
+There be several oils of a strong smell that I have been told of, and to
+be excellent to tempt fish to bite, of which I could say much. But I
+remember I once carried a small bottle from Sir George Hastings to Sir
+Henry Wotton, they were both chemical men, as a great present: it was
+sent, and receiv'd, and us'd, with great confidence; and yet, upon
+inquiry, I found it did not answer the expectation of Sir Henry; which,
+with the help of this and other circumstances, makes me have little
+belief in such things as many men talk of. Not but that I think that
+fishes both smell and hear, as I have express in my former discourse:
+but there is a mysterious knack, which though it be much easier than the
+philosopher's stone, yet is not attainable by common capacities, or else
+lies locked up in the brain or breast of some chemical man, that, like
+the Rosicrucians, will not yet reveal it. But let me nevertheless tell
+you, that camphire, put with moss into your worm-bag with your worms,
+makes them, if many anglers be not very much mistaken, a tempting bait,
+and the angler more fortunate. But I stepped by chance into this
+discourse of oils, and fishes smelling; and though there might be more
+said, both of it and of baits for Roach and Dace and other float-fish,
+yet I will forbear it at this time, and tell you, in the next place,
+how you are to prepare your tackling: concerning which, I will, for
+sport sake, give you an old rhyme out of an old fish book; which will
+prove a part, and but a part, of what you are to provide.
+
+    My rod and my line, my float and my lead,
+      My hook and my plummet, my whetstone and knife,
+    My basket, my baits, both living and dead,
+      My net, and my meat, for that is the chief:
+    Then I must have thread, and hairs green and small,
+    With mine angling purse: and so you have all.
+
+But you must have all these tackling, and twice so many more, with
+which, if you mean to be a fisher, you must store yourself; and to that
+purpose I will go with you, either to Mr. Margrave, who dwells amongst
+the book-sellers in St. Paul's Church-yard, or to Mr. John Stubs, near
+to the Swan in Goldinglane: they be both honest men, and will fit an
+angler with what tackling he lacks.
+
+Venator. Then, good master, let it be at--for he is nearest to my
+dwelling. And I pray let's meet there the ninth of May next, about two
+of the clock; and I'll want nothing that a fisher should be furnished
+with.
+
+Piscator. Well, and I'll not fail you, God willing, at the time and
+place appointed.
+
+Venator. I thank you, good master, and I will not fail you. And, good
+master, tell me what BAITS more you remember; for it will not now be
+long ere we shall be at Tottenham-High-Cross; and when we come thither I
+will make you some requital of your pains, by repeating as choice a copy
+of Verses as any we have heard since we met together; and that is a
+proud word, for we have heard very good ones.
+
+Piscator Well, scholar, and I shall be then right glad to hear them. And
+I will, as we walk, tell you whatsoever comes in my mind, that I think
+may be worth your hearing. You may make another choice bait thus: take a
+handful or two of the best and biggest wheat you can get; boil it in a
+little milk, like as frumity is boiled; boil it so till it be soft; and
+then fry it, very leisurely, with honey, and a little beaten saffron
+dissolved in milk; and you will find this a choice bait, and good, I
+think, for any fish, especially for Roach, Dace, Chub, or Grayling: I
+know not but that it may be as good for a river Carp, and especially if
+the ground be a little baited with it.
+
+And you may also note, that the SPAWN of most fish is a very tempting
+bait, being a little hardened on a warm tile and cut into fit pieces.
+Nay, mulberries, and those black-berries which grow upon briars, be good
+baits for Chubs or Carps: with these many have been taken in ponds, and
+in some rivers where such trees have grown near the water, and the fruit
+customarily drops into it. And there be a hundred other baits, more than
+can be well named, which, by constant baiting the water, will become a
+tempting bait for any fish in it.
+
+You are also to know, that there be divers kinds of CADIS, or
+Case-worms, that are to be found in this nation, in several distinct
+counties, in several little brooks that relate to bigger rivers; as
+namely, one cadis called a piper, whose husk, or case, is a piece of
+reed about an inch long, or longer, and as big about as the compass of a
+two-pence. These worms being kept three or four days in a woollen bag,
+with sand at the bottom of it, and the bag wet once a day, will in three
+or four days turn to be yellow; and these be a choice bait for the Chub
+or Chavender, or indeed for any great fish, for it is a large bait.
+
+There is also a lesser cadis-worm, called a Cockspur, being in fashion
+like the spur of a cock, sharp at one end: and the case, or house, in
+which this dwells, is made of small husks, and gravel, and slime, most
+curiously made of these, even so as to be wondered at, but not to be
+made by man, no more than a king-fisher's nest can, which is made of
+little fishes' bones, and have such a geometrical interweaving and
+connection as the like is not to be done by the art of man. This kind of
+cadis is a choice bait for any float-fish; it is much less than the
+piper-cadis, and to be so ordered: and these may be so preserved, ten,
+fifteen, or twenty days, or it may be longer.
+
+There is also another cadis, called by some a Straw-worm, and by some a
+Ruff-coat, whose house, or case, is made of little pieces of bents, and
+rushes, and straws, and water-weeds, and I know not what; which are so
+knit together with condensed slime, that they stick about her husk or
+case, not unlike the bristles of a hedge-hog. These three cadises are
+commonly taken in the beginning of summer; and are good, indeed, to take
+any kind of fish, with float or otherwise. I might tell you of many
+more, which as they do early, so those have their time also of turning
+to be flies in later summer; but I might lose myself, and tire you, by
+such a discourse: I shall therefore but remember you, that to know
+these, and their several kinds, and to what flies every particular cadis
+turns, and then how to use them, first as they be cadis, and after as
+they be flies, is an art, and an art that every one that professes to be
+an angler has not leisure to search after, and, if he had, is not
+capable of learning.
+
+I'll tell you, scholar; several countries have several kinds of cadises,
+that indeed differ as much as dogs do; that is to say, as much as a very
+cur and a greyhound do. These be usually bred in the very little rills,
+or ditches, that run into bigger rivers; and I think a more proper bait
+for those very rivers than any other. I know not how, or of what, this
+cadis receives life, or what coloured fly it turns to; but doubtless
+they are the death of many Trouts: and this is one killing way:
+
+Take one, or more if need be, of these large yellow cadis: pull off his
+head, and with it pull out his black gut; put the body, as little
+bruised as is possible, on a very little hook, armed on with a red hair,
+which will shew like the cadis-head; and a very little thin lead, so put
+upon the shank of the hook that it may sink presently. Throw this bait,
+thus ordered, which will look very yellow, into any great still hole
+where a Trout is, and he will presently venture his life for it, it is
+not to be doubted, if you be not espied; and that the bait first touch
+the water before the line. And this will do best in the deepest stillest
+water.
+
+Next, let me tell you, I have been much pleased to walk quietly by a
+brook, with a little stick in my hand, with which I might easily take
+these, and consider the curiosity of their composure: and if you should
+ever like to do so, then note, that your stick must be a little hazel,
+or willow, cleft, or have a nick at one end of it, by which means you
+may, with ease, take many of them in that nick out of the water, before
+you have any occasion to use them. These, my honest scholar, are some
+observations, told to you as they now come suddenly into my memory, of
+which you may make some use: but for the practical part, it is that that
+makes an angler: it is diligence, and observation, and practice, and an
+ambition to be the best in the art, that must do it. I will tell you,
+scholar, I once heard one say, "I envy not him that eats better meat
+than I do; nor him that is richer, or that wears better clothes than I
+do: I envy nobody but him, and him only, that catches more fish than I
+do". And such a man is like to prove an angler; and this noble
+emulation I wish to you, and all young anglers.
+
+
+
+
+The FIFTH day-continued
+
+Of the Minnow, or Penk; Loach, Bull-Head, or Miller's-Thumb: and the
+Stickle-bag
+
+Chapter XVIII
+
+Piscator and Venator
+
+Piscator. There be also three or four other little fish that I had
+almost forgot; that are all without scales; and may for excellency of
+meat, be compared to any fish of greatest value and largest size. They
+be usually full of eggs or spawn, all the months of summer; for they
+breed often, as 'tis observed mice and many of the smaller four-footed
+creatures of the earth do and as those, so these come quickly to their
+full growth and perfection. And it is needful that they breed both often
+and numerously; for they be, besides other accidents of ruin, both a
+prey and baits for other fish. And first I shall tell you of the Minnow
+or Penk.
+
+The MINNOW hath, when he is in perfect season, and not sick, which is
+only presently after spawning, a kind of dappled or waved colour, like
+to a panther, on its sides, inclining to a greenish or sky-colour; his
+belly being milk white; and his back almost black or blackish. He is a
+sharp biter at a small worm, and in hot weather makes excellent sport
+for young anglers, or boys, or women that love that recreation. And in
+the spring they make of them excellent Minnow-tansies; for being washed
+well in salt, and their heads and tails cut off, and their guts taken
+out, and not washed after, they prove excellent for that use; that is,
+being fried with yolk of eggs, the flowers of cowslips and of primroses,
+and a little tansy; thus used they make a dainty dish of meat.
+
+The LOACH is, as I told you, a most dainty fish: he breeds and feeds in
+little and clear swift brooks or rills, and lives there upon the gravel,
+and in the sharpest streams: he grows not to be above a finger long, and
+no thicker than is suitable to that length. The Loach is not unlike the
+shape of the Eel: he has a beard or wattles like a barbel. He has two
+fins at his sides, four at his belly, and one at his tail; he is dappled
+with many black or brown spots; his mouth is barbel-like under his nose.
+This fish is usually full of eggs or spawn; and is by Gesner, and other
+learned physicians, commended for great nourishment, and to be very
+grateful both to the palate and stomach of sick persons. He is to be
+fished for with a very small worm, at the bottom; for he very seldom, or
+never, rises above the gravel, on which I told you he usually gets his
+living.
+
+The MILLER'S-THUMB, or BULL-HEAD, is a fish of no pleasing shape. He is
+by Gesner compared to the Sea-toad-fish, for his similitude and shape.
+It has a head big and flat, much greater than suitable to his body; a
+mouth very wide, and usually gaping; he is without teeth, but his lips
+are very rough, much like to a file. He hath two fins near to his gills,
+which be roundish or crested; two fins also under the belly; two on the
+back; one below the vent; and the fin of his tail is round. Nature hath
+painted the body of this fish with whitish, blackish, brownish spots.
+They be usually full of eggs or spawn all the summer, I mean the
+females; and those eggs swell their vents almost into the form of a dug.
+They begin to spawn about April, and, as I told you, spawn several
+months in the summer. And in the winter, the Minnow, and Loach, and
+Bull-head dwell in the mud, as the Eel doth; or we know not where, no
+more than we know where the cuckoo and swallow, and other half-year
+birds, which first appear to us in April, spend their six cold, winter,
+melancholy months. This BULL-HEAD does usually dwell, and hide himself,
+in holes, or amongst stones in clear water; and in very hot days will
+lie a long time very still, and sun himself, and will be easy to be seen
+upon any flat stone, or any gravel; at which time he will suffer an
+angler to put a hook, baited with a small worm, very near unto his very
+mouth: and he never refuses to bite, nor indeed to be caught with the
+worst of anglers. Matthiolus commends him much more for his taste and
+nourishment, than for his shape or beauty.
+
+There is also a little fish called a STICKLEBAG, a fish without scales,
+but hath his body fenced with several prickles. I know not where he
+dwells in winter; nor what he is good for in summer, but only to make
+sport for boys and women-anglers, and to feed other fish that be fish of
+prey, as Trouts in particular, who will bite at him as at a Penk; and
+better, if your hook be rightly baited with him, for he may be so baited
+as, his tail turning like the sail of a wind-mill, will make him turn
+more quick than any Penk or Minnow can. For note, that the nimble
+turning of that, or the Minnow is the perfection of Minnow-fishing. To
+which end, if you put your hook into his mouth, and out at his tail; and
+then, having first tied him with white thread a little above his tail,
+and placed him after such a manner on your hook as he is like to turn
+then sew up his mouth to your line, and he is like to turn quick, and
+tempt any Trout: but if he does not turn quick, then turn his tail, a
+little more or less, towards the inner part, or towards the side of the
+hook; or put the Minnow or Sticklebag a little more crooked or more
+straight on your hook, until it will turn both true and fast; and then
+doubt not but to tempt any great Trout that lies in a swift stream. And
+the Loach that I told you of will do the like: no bait is more tempting,
+provided the Loach be not too big.
+
+And now, scholar, with the help of this fine morning, and your patient
+attention, I have said all that my present memory will afford me,
+concerning most of the several fish that are usually fished for in fresh
+waters.
+
+Venator. But, master, you have by your former civility made me hope that
+you will make good your promise, and say something of the several rivers
+that be of most note in this nation; and also of fish-ponds, and the
+ordering of them: and do it I pray, good master; for I love any
+discourse of rivers, and fish and fishing; the time spent in such
+discourse passes away very pleasantly.
+
+
+
+
+The FIFTH day-continued
+
+Of Rivers, and some Observations of Fish
+
+Chapter XIX
+
+Piscator
+
+WELL, scholar, since the ways and weather do both favour us, and that we
+yet see not Tottenham-Cross, you shall see my willingness to satisfy
+your desire. And, first, for the rivers of this nation: there be, as you
+may note out of Dr. Heylin's Geography and others, in number three
+hundred and twenty-five; but those of chiefest note he reckons and
+describes as followeth.
+
+The chief is THAMISIS, compounded of two rivers, Thame and Isis; whereof
+the former, rising somewhat beyond Thame in Buckinghamshire, and the
+latter near Cirencester in Gloucestershire, meet together about
+Dorchester in Oxfordshire; the issue of which happy conjunction is
+Thamisis, or Thames; hence it flieth betwixt Berks, Buckinghamshire,
+Middlesex, Surrey, Kent and Essex: and so weddeth itself to the Kentish
+Medway, in the very jaws of the ocean. This glorious river feeleth the
+violence and benefit of the sea more than any river in Europe; ebbing
+and flowing, twice a day, more than sixty miles; about whose banks are
+so many fair towns and princely palaces, that a German poet thus truly
+spake:
+
+           Tot campos, &c.
+
+    We saw so many woods and princely bowers,
+    Sweet fields, brave palaces, and stately towers;
+    So many gardens drest with curious care,
+    That Thames with royal Tiber may compare.
+
+2. The second river of note is SABRINA or SEVERN: it hath its beginning
+in Plinilimmon-hill, in Montgomeryshire; and his end seven miles from
+Bristol; washing, in the mean space, the walls of Shrewsbury, Worcester,
+and Gloucester, and divers other places and palaces of note.
+
+3. TRENT, so called from thirty kind of fishes that are found in it, or
+for that it receiveth thirty lesser rivers; who having his fountain in
+Staffordshire, and gliding through the counties of Nottingham, Lincoln,
+Leicester, and York, augmenteth the turbulent current of Humber, the
+most violent stream of all the isle. This Humber is not, to say truth, a
+distinct river having a spring-head of his own, but it is rather the
+mouth or aestuarium of divers rivers here confluent and meeting
+together, namely, your Derwent, and especially of Ouse and Trent; and,
+as the Danow, having received into its channel the river Dravus, Savus,
+Tibiscus, and divers others, changeth his name into this of Humberabus,
+as the old geographers call it.
+
+4. MEDWAY, a Kentish river, famous for harbouring the royal navy.
+
+5. TWEED, the north-east bound of England; on whose northern banks is
+seated the strong and impregnable town of Berwick.
+
+6. TYNE, famous for Newcastle, and her inexhaustible coal-pits. These,
+and the rest of principal note, are thus comprehended in one of Mr.
+Drayton's Sonnets:
+
+    Our floods' queen, Thames, for ships and swans is crown'd
+      And stately Severn for her shore is prais'd;
+    The crystal Trent, for fords and fish renown'd;
+      And Avon's fame to Albion's cliffs is rais'd.
+
+    Carlegion Chester vaunts her holy Dee;
+      York many wonders of her Ouse can tell;
+    The Peak, her Dove, whose banks so fertile be,
+      And Kent will say her Medway doth excel:
+
+    Cotswold commends her Isis to the Tame:
+      Our northern borders boast of Tweed's fair flood;
+    Our Western parts extol their Willy's fame,
+      And the old Lea brags of the Danish blood.
+
+These observations are out of learned Dr. Heylin, and my old deceased
+friend, Michael Drayton; and because you say you love such discourses as
+these, of rivers, and fish, and fishing, I love you the better, and love
+the more to impart them to you. Nevertheless, scholar, if I should begin
+but to name the several sorts of strange fish that are usually taken in
+many of those rivers that run into the sea, I might beget wonder in you,
+or unbelief, or both: and yet I will venture to tell you a real truth
+concerning one lately dissected by Dr. Wharton, a man of great learning
+and experience, and of equal freedom to communicate it; one that loves
+me and my art; one to whom I have been beholden for many of the choicest
+observations that I have imparted to you. This good man, that dares do
+anything rather than tell an untruth, did, I say, tell me he had lately
+dissected one strange fish, and he thus described it to me:
+
+"This fish was almost a yard broad, and twice that length; his mouth
+wide enough to receive, or take into it, the head of a man; his stomach,
+seven or eight inches broad. He is of a slow motion; and usually lies or
+lurks close in the mud; and has a moveable string on his head, about a
+span or near unto a quarter of a yard long; by the moving of which,
+which is his natural bait, when he lies close and unseen in the mud, he
+draws other smaller fish so close to him, that he can suck them into his
+mouth, and so devours and digests them."
+
+And, scholar, do not wonder at this; for besides the credit of the
+relator, you are to note, many of these, and fishes which are of the
+like and more unusual shapes, are very often taken on the mouths of our
+sea rivers, and on the sea shore. And this will be no wonder to any that
+have travelled Egypt; where, 'tis known, the famous river Nilus does not
+only breed fishes that yet want names, but, by the overflowing of that
+river, and the help of the sun's heat on the fat slime which the river
+leaves on the banks when it falls back into its natural channel, such
+strange fish and beasts are also bred, that no man can give a name to;
+as Grotius in his Sopham, and others, have observed.
+
+But whither am I strayed in this discourse. I will end it by telling
+you, that at the mouth of some of these rivers of ours, Herrings are so
+plentiful, as namely, near to Yarmouth in Norfolk, and in the west
+country Pilchers so very plentiful, as you will wonder to read what our
+learned Camden relates of them in his Britannia.
+
+Well, scholar, I will stop here, and tell you what by reading and
+conference I have observed concerning fish-ponds.
+
+
+
+
+The FIFTH day-continued
+
+Of Fish-Ponds
+
+Chapter XX
+
+Piscator
+
+DOCTOR LEBAULT, the learned Frenchman, in his large discourse of Maison
+Rustique, gives this direction for making of fish-ponds. I shall refer
+you to him, to read it at large: but I think I shall contract it, and
+yet make it as useful.
+
+He adviseth, that when you have drained the ground, and made the earth
+firm where the head of the pond must be, that you must then, in that
+place, drive in two or three rows of oak or elm piles, which should be
+scorched in the fire, or half-burnt, before they be driven into the
+earth; for being thus used, it preserves them much longer from rotting.
+And having done so, lay faggots or bavins of smaller wood betwixt them:
+and then, earth betwixt and above them: and then, having first very well
+rammed them and the earth, use another pile in like manner as the first
+were: and note, that the second pile is to be of or about the height
+that you intend to make your sluice or floodgate, or the vent that you
+intend shall convey the overflowings of your pond in any flood that
+shall endanger the breaking of your pond-dam.
+
+Then he advises, that you plant willows or owlers, about it, or both:
+and then cast in bavins, in some places not far from the side, and in
+the most sandy places, for fish both to spawn upon, and to defend them
+and the young fry from the many fish, and also from vermin, that lie at
+watch to destroy them, especially the spawn of the Carp and Tench, when
+'tis left to the mercy of ducks or vermin.
+
+He, and Dubravius, and all others advise, that you make choice of such a
+place for your pond, that it may be refreshed with a little rill, or
+with rain water, running or falling into it; by which fish are more
+inclined both to breed, and are also refreshed and fed the better, and
+do prove to be of a much sweeter and more pleasant taste.
+
+To which end it is observed, that such pools as be large and have most
+gravel, and shallows where fish may sport themselves, do afford fish of
+the purest taste. And note, that in all pools it is best for fish to
+have some retiring place; as namely, hollow banks, or shelves, or roots
+of trees, to keep them from danger, and, when they think fit, from the
+extreme heat of summer; as also from the extremity of cold in winter.
+And note, that if many trees be growing about your pond, the leaves
+thereof falling into the water, make it nauseous to the fish, and the
+fish to be so to the eater of it.
+
+'Tis noted, that the Tench and Eel love mud; and the Carp loves gravelly
+ground, and in the hot months to feed on grass. You are to cleanse your
+pond, if you intend either profit or pleasure, once every three or four
+years, especially some ponds, and then let it dry six or twelve months,
+both to kill the water-weeds, as water-lilies, candocks, reate, and
+bulrushes, that breed there; and also that as these die for want of
+water, so grass may grow in the pond's bottom, which Carps will eat
+greedily in all the hot months, if the pond be clean. The letting your
+pond dry and sowing oats in the bottom is also good, for the fish feed
+the faster; and being sometimes let dry, you may observe what kind of
+fish either increases or thrives best in that water; for they differ
+much, both in their breeding and feeding.
+
+Lebault also advises, that if your ponds be not very large and roomy,
+that you often feed your fish, by throwing into them chippings of bread,
+curds, grains, or the entrails of chickens or of any fowl or beast that
+you kill to feed yourselves; for these afford fish a great relief. He
+says, that frogs and ducks do much harm, and devour both the spawn and
+the young fry of all fish, especially of the Carp; and I have, besides
+experience, many testimonies of it. But Lebault allows water-frogs to be
+good meat, especially in some months, if they be fat: but you are to
+note, that he is a Frenchman; and we English will hardly believe him,
+though we know frogs are usually eaten in his country: however he
+advises to destroy them and king-fishers out of your ponds. And he
+advises not to suffer much shooting at wild fowl; for that, he says,
+affrightens, and harms, and destroys the fish.
+
+Note, that Carps and Tench thrive and breed best when no other fish is
+put with them into the same pond; for all other fish devour their spawn,
+or at least the greatest part of it. And note, that clods of grass
+thrown into any pond feed any Carps in summer; and that garden-earth and
+parsley thrown into a pond recovers and refreshes the sick fish. And
+note, that when you store your pond, you are to put into it two or three
+melters for one spawner, if you put them into a breeding-pond; but if
+into a nurse-pond, or feeding-pond, in which they will not breed, then
+no care is to be taken whether there be most male or female Carps.
+
+It is observed that the best ponds to breed Carps are those that be
+stony or sandy, and are warm, and free from wind; and that are not deep,
+but have willow-trees and grass on their sides, over which the water
+does sometimes flow: and note, that Carps do more usually breed in
+marle-pits, or pits that have clean clay bottoms; or in new ponds, or
+ponds that lie dry a winter season, than in old ponds that be full of
+mud and weeds.
+
+Well, Scholar, I have told you the substance of all that either
+observation or discourse, or a diligent survey of Dubravius and Lebault
+hath told me: not that they, in their long discourses, have not said
+more; but the most of the rest are so common observations, as if a man
+should tell a good arithmetician that twice two is four. I will
+therefore put an end to this discourse; and we will here sit down and
+rest us.
+
+
+
+
+
+The FIFTH day-continued
+
+Chapter XXI
+
+Piscator and Venator
+
+Piscator. Well, Scholar, I have held you too long about these cadis, and
+smaller fish, and rivers, and fish-ponds; and my spirits are almost
+spent, and so I doubt is your patience; but being we are now almost at
+Tottenham where I first met you, and where we are to part, I will lose
+no time, but give you a little direction how to make and order your
+lines, and to colour the hair of which you make your lines, for that is
+very needful to be known of an angler; and also how to paint your rod,
+especially your top; for a right-grown top is a choice commodity, and
+should be preserved from the water soaking into it, which makes it in
+wet weather to be heavy and fish ill-favouredly, and not true; and also
+it rots quickly for want of painting: and I think a good top is worth
+preserving, or I had not taken care to keep a top above twenty years.
+
+But first for your Line. First note, that you are to take care that your
+hair be round and clear, and free from galls, or scabs, or frets: for a
+well-chosen, even, clear, round hair, of a kind of glass-colour, will
+prove as strong as three uneven scabby hairs that are ill-chosen, and
+full of galls or unevenness. You shall seldom find a black hair but it
+is round, but many white are flat and uneven; therefore, if you get a
+lock of right, round, clear, glass-colour hair, make much of it.
+
+And for making your line, observe this rule: first, let your hair be
+clean washed ere you go about to twist it; and then choose not only the
+clearest hair for it, but hairs that be of an equal bigness, for such do
+usually stretch all together, and break all together, which hairs of an
+unequal bigness never do, but break singly, and so deceive the angler
+that trusts to them.
+
+When you have twisted your links, lay them in water for a quarter of an
+hour at least, and then twist them over again before you tie them into a
+line: for those that do not so shall usually find their line to have a
+hair or two shrink, and be shorter than the rest, at the first fishing
+with it, which is so much of the strength of the line lost for want of
+first watering it, and then re-twisting it; and this is most visible in
+a seven-hair line, one of those which hath always a black hair in the
+middle.
+
+And for dyeing of your hairs, do it thus: take a pint of strong ale,
+half a pound of soot, and a little quantity of the juice of walnut-tree
+leaves, and an equal quantity of alum: put these together into a pot,
+pan, or pipkin, and boil them half an hour; and having so done, let it
+cool; and being cold, put your hair into it, and there let it lie; it
+will turn your hair to be a kind of water or glass colour, or greenish;
+and the longer you let it lie, the deeper coloured it will be. You might
+be taught to make many other colours, but it is to little purpose; for
+doubtless the water-colour or glass-coloured hair is the most choice and
+most useful for an angler, but let it not be too green.
+
+But if you desire to colour hair greener, then do it thus: take a quart
+of small ale, half a pound of alum; then put these into a pan or pipkin,
+and your hair into it with them; then put it upon a fire, and let it
+boil softly for half an hour; and then take out your hair, and let it
+dry; and having so done, then take a pottle of water, and put into it
+two handfuls of marigolds, and cover it with a tile or what you think
+fit, and set it again on the fire, where it is to boil again softly for
+half an hour, about which time the scum will turn yellow; then put into
+it half a pound of copperas, beaten small, and with it the hair that you
+intend to colour; then let the hair be boiled softly till half the
+liquor be wasted, and then let it cool three or four hours, with your
+hair in it; and you are to observe that the more copperas you put into
+it, the greener it will be; but doubtless the pale green is best. But if
+you desire yellow hair, which is only good when the weeds rot, then put
+in more marigolds; and abate most of the copperas, or leave it quite
+out, and take a little verdigris instead of it.
+
+This for colouring your hair.
+
+And as for painting your Rod, which must be in oil, you must first make
+a size with glue and water, boiled together until the glue be dissolved,
+and the size of a lye-colour: then strike your size upon the wood with a
+bristle, or a brush or pencil, whilst it is hot: that being quite dry,
+take white-lead, and a little red-lead, and a little coal-black, so much
+as altogether will make an ash-colour: grind these altogether with
+linseed-oil; let it be thick, and lay it thin upon the wood with a brush
+or pencil: this do for the ground of any colour to lie upon wood.
+
+For a green, take pink and verdigris, and grind them together in linseed
+oil, as thin as you can well grind it: then lay it smoothly on with your
+brush, and drive it thin; once doing, for the most part, will serve, if
+you lay it well; and if twice, be sure your first colour be thoroughly
+dry before you lay on a second.
+
+Well, Scholar, having now taught you to paint your rod, and we having
+still a mile to Tottenham High-Cross, I will, as we walk towards it in
+the cool shade of this sweet honeysuckle hedge, mention to you some of
+the thoughts and joys that have possessed my soul since we two met
+together. And these thoughts shall be told you, that you also may join
+with me in thankfulness to the Giver of every good and perfect gift, for
+our happiness. And that our present happiness may appear to be the
+greater, and we the more thankful for it, I will beg you to consider
+with me how many do, even at this very time, lie under the torment of
+the stone, the gout, and tooth-ache; and this we are free from. And
+every misery that I miss is a new mercy; and therefore let us be
+thankful. There have been, since we met, others that have met disasters
+or broken limbs; some have been blasted, others thunder-strucken: and we
+have been freed from these, and all those many other miseries that
+threaten human nature; let us therefore rejoice and be thankful. Nay,
+which is a far greater mercy, we are free from the insupportable burthen
+of an accusing tormenting conscience; a misery that none can bear: and
+therefore let us praise Him for His preventing grace, and say, Every
+misery that I miss is a new mercy. Nay, let me tell you, there be many
+that have forty times our estates, that would give the greatest part of
+it to be healthful and cheerful like us, who, with the expense of a
+little money, have eat and drunk, and laughed, and angled, and sung, and
+slept securely; and rose next day and cast away care, and sung, and
+laughed, and angled again; which are blessings rich men cannot purchase
+with all their money. Let me tell you, Scholar, I have a rich neighbour
+that is always so busy that he has no leisure to laugh; the whole
+business of his life is to get money, and more money, that he may still
+get more and more money; he is still drudging on, and says, that Solomon
+says "The diligent hand maketh rich"; and it is true indeed: but he
+considers not that it is not in the power of riches to make a man happy;
+for it was wisely said, by a man of great observation, "that there be as
+many miseries beyond riches as on this side of them ". And yet God
+deliver us from pinching poverty; and grant, that having a competency,
+we may be content and thankful. Let not us repine, or so much as think
+the gifts of God unequally dealt, if we see another abound with riches;
+when, as God knows, the cares that are the keys that keep those riches
+hang often so heavily at the rich man's girdle, that they clog him with
+weary days and restless nights, even when others sleep quietly. We see
+but the outside of the rich man's happiness: few consider him to be like
+the silk-worm, that, when she seems to play, is, at the very same time,
+spinning her own bowels, and consuming herself; and this many rich men
+do, loading themselves with corroding cares, to keep what they have,
+probably, unconscionably got. Let us, therefore, be thankful for health
+and a competence; and above all, for a quiet conscience.
+
+Let me tell you, Scholar, that Diogenes walked on a day, with his
+friend, to see a country fair; where he saw ribbons, and
+looking-glasses, and nutcrackers, and fiddles, and hobby-horses, and
+many other gimcracks; and, having observed them, and all the other
+finnimbruns that make a complete country-fair, he said to his friend,
+"Lord, how many things are there in this world of which Diogenes hath no
+need!" And truly it is so, or might be so, with very many who vex and
+toil themselves to get what they have no need of. Can any man charge
+God, that He hath not given him enough to make his life happy? No,
+doubtless; for nature is content with a little. And yet you shall hardly
+meet with a man that complains not of some want; though he, indeed,
+wants nothing but his will; it may be, nothing but his will of his poor
+neighbour, for not worshipping, or not flattering him: and thus, when we
+might be happy and quiet, we create trouble to ourselves. I have heard
+of a man that was angry with himself because he was no taller; and of a
+woman that broke her looking-glass because it would not shew her face to
+be as young and handsome as her next neighbour's was. And I knew another
+to whom God had given health and plenty; but a wife that nature had made
+peevish, and her husband's riches had made purse-proud; and must,
+because she was rich, and for no other virtue, sit in the highest pew in
+the church; which being denied her, she engaged her husband into a
+contention for it, and at last into a law-suit with a dogged neighbour
+who was as rich as he, and had a wife as peevish and purse-proud as the
+other: and this law-suit begot higher oppositions, and actionable words,
+and more vexations and lawsuits; for you must remember that both were
+rich, and must therefore have their wills. Well! this wilful,
+purse-proud law-suit lasted during the life of the first husband; after
+which his wife vext and chid, and chid and vext, till she also chid and
+vext herself into her grave: and so the wealth of these poor rich people
+was curst into a punishment, because they wanted meek and thankful
+hearts; for those only can make us happy. I knew a man that had health
+and riches; and several houses, all beautiful, and ready furnished; and
+would often trouble himself and family to be removing from one house to
+another: and being asked by a friend why he removed so often from one
+house to another, replied, "It was to find content in some one of them".
+But his friend, knowing his temper, told him, "If he would find content
+in any of his houses, he must leave himself behind him; for content will
+never dwell but in a meek and quiet soul". And this may appear, if we
+read and consider what our Saviour says in St. Matthew's Gospel; for He
+there says—"Blessed be the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
+Blessed be the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed be the
+poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. And, "Blessed be the
+meek, for they shall possess the earth." Not that the meek shall not
+also obtain mercy, and see God, and be comforted, and at last come to
+the kingdom of heaven: but in the meantime, he, and he only, possesses
+the earth, as he goes towards that kingdom of heaven, by being humble
+and cheerful, and content with what his good God had allotted him. He
+has no turbulent, repining, vexatious thoughts that he deserves better;
+nor is vext when he see others possess of more honour or more riches
+than his wise God has allotted for his share: but he possesses what he
+has with a meek and contented quietness, such a quietness as makes his
+very dreams pleasing, both to God and himself.
+
+My honest Scholar, all this is told to incline you to thankfulness; and
+to incline you the more, let me tell you, and though the prophet David
+was guilty of murder and adultery, and many other of the most deadly
+sins, yet he was said to be a man after God's own heart, because he
+abounded more with thankfulness that any other that is mentioned in holy
+scripture, as may appear in his book of Psalms; where there is such a
+commixture, of his confessing of his sins and unworthiness, and such
+thankfulness for God's pardon and mercies, as did make him to be
+accounted, even by God himself, to be a man after his own heart: and let
+us, in that, labour to be as like him as we can; let not the blessings
+we receive daily from God make us not to value, or not praise Him,
+because they be common; let us not forget to praise Him for the innocent
+mirth and pleasure we have met with since we met together. What would a
+blind man give to see the pleasant rivers, and meadows, and flowers, and
+fountains, that we have met with since we met together? I have been
+told, that if a man that was born blind could obtain to have his sight
+for but only one hour during his whole life, and should, at the first
+opening of his eyes, fix his sight upon the sun when it was in its full
+glory, either at the rising or setting of it, he would be so transported
+and amazed, and so admire the glory of it, that he would not willingly
+turn his eyes from that first ravishing object, to behold all the other
+various beauties this world could present to him. And this, and many
+other like blessings, we enjoy daily. And for the most of them, because
+they be so common, most men forget to pay their praises: but let not us;
+because it is a sacrifice so pleasing to Him that made that sun and us,
+and still protects us, and gives us flowers, and showers, and stomachs,
+and meat, and content, and leisure to go a-fishing.
+
+Well, Scholar, I have almost tired myself, and, I fear, more than almost
+tired you. But I now see Tottenham High-Cross; and our short walk
+thither shall put a period to my too long discourse; in which my meaning
+was, and is, to plant that in your mind with which I labour to possess
+my own soul; that is, a meek and thankful heart. And to that end I have
+shewed you, that riches without them, do not make any man happy. But let
+me tell you, that riches with them remove many fears and cares. And
+therefore my advice is, that you endeavour to be honestly rich, or
+contentedly poor: but be sure that your riches be justly got, or you
+spoil all. For it is well said by Caussin, "He that loses his
+conscience has nothing left that is worth keeping". Therefore be sure
+you look to that. And, in the next place, look to your health: and if
+you have it, praise God, and value it next to a good conscience; for
+health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of; a blessing
+that money cannot buy; and therefore value it, and be thankful for it.
+As for money, which may be said to be the third blessing, neglect it
+not: but note, that there is no necessity of being rich; for I told you,
+there be as many miseries beyond riches as on this side them: and if you
+have a competence, enjoy it with a meek, cheerful, thankful heart. I
+will tell you, Scholar, I have heard a grave Divine say, that God has
+two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful
+heart; which Almighty God grant to me, and to my honest Scholar. And so
+you are welcome to Tottenham High-Cross.
+
+Venator. Well, Master, I thank you for all your good directions; but for
+none more than this last, of thankfulness, which I hope I shall never
+forget. And pray let's now rest ourselves in this sweet shady arbour,
+which nature herself has woven with her own fine fingers; 'tis such a
+contexture of woodbines, sweetbriar, jasmine, and myrtle; and so
+interwoven, as will secure us both from the sun's violent heat, and from
+the approaching shower. And being set down, I will requite a part of
+your courtesies with a bottle of sack, milk, oranges, and sugar, which,
+all put together, make a drink like nectar; indeed, too good for any but
+us Anglers, And so, Master, here is a full glass to you of that liquor:
+and when you have pledged me, I will repeat the Verses which I promised
+you: it is a Copy printed among some of Sir Henry Wotton's, and
+doubtless made either by him, or by a lover of angling. Come, Master,
+now drink a glass to me, and then I will pledge you, and fall to my
+repetition; it is a description of such country recreations as I have
+enjoyed since I had the happiness to fall into your company.
+
+    Quivering fears, heart-tearing cares,
+    Anxious sighs, untimely tears,
+        Fly, fly to courts,
+        Fly to fond worldlings' sports,
+    Where strain'd sardonic smiles are glosing still,
+    And Grief is forc'd to laugh against her will:
+        Where mirth's but mummery,
+        And sorrows only real be.
+
+    Fly from our country pastimes, fly,
+    Sad troops of human misery.
+        Come, serene looks,
+        Clear as the crystal brooks,
+    Or the pure azur'd heaven that smiles to see
+    The rich attendance of our poverty:
+        Peace and a secure mind,
+        Which all men seek, we only find.
+
+    Abused mortals I did you know
+    Where joy, heart's-ease, and comforts grow,
+        You'd scorn proud towers,
+        And seek them in these bowers;
+    Where winds, sometimes, our woods perhaps may shake,
+    But blust'ring care could never tempest make,
+        Nor murmurs e'er come nigh us,
+        Saving of fountains that glide by us.
+
+    Here's no fantastick mask, nor dance,
+    But of our kids that frisk and prance;
+        Nor wars are seen
+        Unless upon the green
+    Two harmless lambs are butting one the other,
+    Which done, both bleating run, each to his mother
+        And wounds are never found,
+        Save what the plough-share gives the ground.
+
+    Here are no false entrapping baits,
+    To hasten too, too hasty Fates,
+        Unless it be
+        The fond credulity
+    Of silly fish, which worldling like, still look
+    Upon the bait, but never on the hook;
+        Nor envy, unless among
+        The birds, for prize of their sweet song.
+
+    Go, let the diving negro seek
+    For gems, hid in some forlorn creek:
+        We all pearls scorn,
+        Save what the dewy morn
+    Congeals upon each little spire of grass,
+    Which careless shepherds beat down as they pass:
+        And gold ne'er here appears,
+        Save what the yellow Ceres bears,
+
+    Blest silent groves, oh may ye be,
+    For ever, mirth's best nursery!
+        May pure contents
+        For ever pitch their tents
+    Upon these downs, these meads, these rocks, these mountains.
+    And peace still slumber by these purling fountains:
+        Which we may, every year,
+        Meet when we come a-fishing here.
+
+Piscator. Trust me, Scholar, I thank you heartily for these Verses: they
+be choicely good, and doubtless made by a lover of angling. Come, now,
+drink a glass to me, and I will requite you with another very good copy:
+it is a farewell to the vanities of the world, and some say written by
+Sir Harry Wotton, who I told you was an excellent angler. But let them
+be writ by whom they will, he that writ them had a brave soul, and must
+needs be possess with happy thoughts at the time of their composure.
+
+    Farewell, ye gilded follies, pleasing troubles;
+    Farewell, ye honour'd rags, ye glorious bubbles;
+    Fame's but a hollow echo, Gold, pure clay;
+    Honour the darling but of one short day;
+    Beauty, th' eye's idol, but a damask'd skin;
+    State, but a golden prison, to live in
+    And torture free-born minds; embroider'd Trains,
+    Merely but pageants for proud swelling veins;
+    And Blood allied to greatness is alone
+    Inherited, not purchas'd, nor our own.
+      Fame, Honour, Beauty, State, Train, Blood and Birth,
+      Are but the fading blossoms of the earth.
+
+    I would be great, but that the sun doth still
+    Level his rays against the rising hill:
+    I would be high, but see the proudest oak
+    Most subject to the rending thunder-stroke:
+    I would be rich, but see men, too unkind
+    Dig in the bowels of the richest mind:
+    I would be wise, but that I often see
+    The fox suspected, whilst the ass goes free:
+    I would be fair, but see the fair and proud,
+    Like the bright sun, oft setting in a cloud:
+    I would be poor, but know the humble grass
+    Still trampled on by each unworthy ass:
+    Rich, hated wise, suspected, scorn'd if poor;
+    Great, fear'd, fair, tempted, high, still envy'd more.
+      I have wish'd all, but now I wish for neither.
+      Great, high, rich, wise, nor fair: poor I'll be rather.
+
+    Would the World now adopt me for her heir;
+    Would beauty's Queen entitle me the fair;
+    Fame speak me fortune's minion, could I "vie
+    Angels" with India with a speaking eye
+    Command bare heads, bow'd knees, strike justice dumb,
+    As well as blind and lame, or give a tongue
+    To stones by epitaphs, be call'd "great master"
+    In the loose rhymes of every poetaster?
+    Could I be more than any man that lives,
+    Great, fair, rich wise, all in superlatives;
+    Yet I more freely would these gifts resign
+    Than ever fortune would have made them mine.
+      And hold one minute of this holy leisure
+      Beyond the riches of this empty pleasure.
+
+    Welcome, pure thoughts; welcome, ye silent groves;
+    These guests, these courts, my soul most dearly loves.
+    Now the wing'd people of the sky shall sing
+    My cheerful anthems to the gladsome spring:
+    A pray'r-book, now, shall be my looking-glass,
+    In which I will adore sweet virtue's face.
+    Here dwell no hateful looks, no palace cares,
+    No broken vows dwell here, nor pale-fac'd fears;
+    Then here I'll sit, and sigh my hot love's folly,
+    And learn t' affect an holy melancholy:
+      And if contentment be a stranger then,
+      I'll ne'er look for it, but in heaven, again.
+
+Venator. Well, Master, these verses be worthy to keep a room in every
+man's memory. I thank you for them; and I thank you for your many
+instructions, which, God willing, I will not forget. And as St. Austin,
+in his Confessions, commemorates the kindness of his friend Verecundus,
+for lending him and his companion a country house, because there they
+rested and enjoyed themselves, free from the troubles of the world, so,
+having had the like advantage, both by your conversation and the art you
+have taught me, I ought ever to do the like; for, indeed, your company
+and discourse have been so useful and pleasant, that, I may truly say, I
+have only lived since I enjoyed them and turned angler, and not before.
+Nevertheless, here I must part with you; here in this now sad place,
+where I was so happy as first to meet you: but I shall long for the
+ninth of May; for then I hope again to enjoy your beloved company, at
+the appointed time and place. And now I wish for some somniferous
+potion, that might force me to sleep away the intermitted time, which
+will pass away with me as tediously as it does with men in sorrow;
+nevertheless I will make it as short as I can, by my hopes and wishes:
+and, my good Master, I will not forget the doctrine which you told me
+Socrates taught his scholars, that they should not think to be honoured
+so much for being philosophers, as to honour philosophy by their
+virtuous lives. You advised me to the like concerning Angling, and I
+will endeavour to do so; and to live like those many worthy men, of
+which you made mention in the former part of your discourse. This is my
+firm resolution. And as a pious man advised his friend, that, to beget
+mortification, he should frequent churches, and view monuments, and
+charnel-houses, and then and there consider how many dead bodies time
+had piled up at the gates of death, so when I would beget content, and
+increase confidence in the power, and wisdom, and providence of Almighty
+God, I will walk the meadows, by some gliding stream, and there
+contemplate the lilies that take no care, and those very many other
+various little living creatures that are not only created, but fed, man
+knows not how, by the goodness of the God of Nature, and therefore trust
+in him. This is my purpose; and so, let everything that hath breath
+praise the Lord: and let the blessing of St. Peter's Master be with
+mine.
+
+Piscator. And upon all that are lovers of virtue; and dare trust in his
+providence; and be quiet; and go a-Angling.
+
+"Study to be quiet."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Compleat Angler, by Izaak Walton
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COMPLEAT ANGLER ***
+
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