Some Trout, or Perch, or Pike; and having done, April 3, 1650. Edw. Powel, M. of Arts. TO MY DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW,6 MR. IZ. WALTON, ON HIS COMPLETE ANGLER.' This book is so like you, and you like it, Rob. FLOUD, C.? TO HIS INGENIOUS FRIEND, MR. IZAAK WALTON, NOTES. 4 The date does not occur in the second Edition. * Probably the Edward Powel" of the borough of Stafford, Minister," whose son Charles took his degree of B. A. in 1666, became Rector of Cheddington, and was the author of The Religious Rebel. Wood's Fasti Oxon. by Bliss, vol. ii. p. 289. An “Ed. Powel,” and most likely the same person, addressed some Complimentary Verses to his “very worthy and most ingenious friend, Mr. James Shirley," which are prefixed to Shirley's Poems, 8vo. 1646. 6 Thus in the second, but the words “in-law" are omitted in the third and subsequent Editions. 7 Elder brother of John Floud, M. A. before mentioned, and brother of Walton's first wife. See Life of Walton. ON HIS COMPLETE ANGLER.1 Since 'tis become a common fate, that we But then what make I here, to write of that, Yet I shall hardly praise, or like thy skill; NOTE. · These verses occur in the second edition only. For what reason Walton omitted them in the three subsequent impressions, which were published in his life-time, it is not easy to guess, unless it was because he thought slightingly of their merits. That it was not from a quarrel with the author is certain, from his having addressed “An humble Eclogue” to him as late as May, 1660, in which Walton calls him his “ingenious friend." But when I think with what a pleasing art Thou dost thy rules both practise and impart, I am delighted too, as well as taught; And fishes leap for joy when they are caught : I could unman myself, and wish to be A fish, so that I might be took by thee. Blest then are thy companions, who, with thee Participate of such felicity, Such undisturb’d, such dangerless delight, That does at once both satiate and invite. Whence more safe joy, more true contentment springs Than from the courts of those gay pageants, kings Or great king-riders, who still hurried are With those grand tyrants, business and care; And fling upon base acts, and filthy vice, Spurr'd on by ambition and by avarice. Whilst by some gliding river thou sitst down, Thy mind's thy kingdom, and content's thy crown, Conversing with the silent fish, and when Thou’rt killing them, thou think'st of once dead men ; And from oblivion and the grave set'st free Names, whom thou robest with immortality. For he that reads thy Wotton and thy Donne Can't but believe a resurrection; And spite of envy, this encomium give, By Thee fish die; by Thee dead friends revive. NOTE. 2 One of the twelve adopted sons of Ben Jonson, and the author of The Cunning Lovers, a Tragedy, 1654; Songs, and other Poems, 1664; and Covent Garden Drollery, 1672, &c. CLARISSIMO AMICISSIMOQUE FRATRI, DOMINO ISAACO WALTON, ARTIS PISCATORIÆ PERITISSIMO. Unicus est medicus reliquorum piscis, et istis, Fas quibus est medicum tangere, certa salus. * Litera mysterium quælibet hujus habet. Hunc cupio, hunc capias, (bone frater arundinis,) ix@úv: + Solveret hic pro me debita, teque Deo. Piscis is est, et piscator, mihi credito, qualem Vel piscatorem piscis amare velit. * ΙΧΘΥΣ, PISCIS. I 'Ingoms, Jesus. Σ Σωτήρ, Salvator. HENRY BAYLEY, Artium Magister. NOTE. Henry Bagley in the second, third, and fourth Editions. A Henry Bagley was minister of the Savoy from 1623 to 1625. H. E AD VIRUM OPTIMUM, ET PISCATOREM PERITISSIMUM, ISAACUM WALTONUM.1 Magister artis docte Piscatoriæ, NOTE. " These verses occur for the first time in the fifth Edition. |