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; There stood my friend with patient skill, And now, though late, the modest rose These were the thoughts that then possessed the undisturbed mind of Sir Henry Wotton. Will you hear the wish of another Angler, and the commen dation of his happy life, which he also sings in verse? Let me live harmlessly; and near the brink Let them that list, these pastimes still pursue, Purple narcissus like the morning rays, I count it higher pleasure to behold And in the midst thereof, like burning gold, The hills and mountains raised from the plains, The veins enclos'd with rivers running round; These rivers muking way through Nature's chains The lofty woods, the forests wide and long, All these, and many more of his creation To think how strange how wonderful they be : And whilst he looks on these with joyful eye, 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. VEN. 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 shewed 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. 'PISC. Most gladly, Sir, and we'll drink a civil cup to all the Otter-hunters that are to meet you to-morrow. VEN. 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 two will, for that time, do nothing but angle, and talk of fish and fishing. PISC. "Tis a match, Sir; I'll not fail you, God willing, to be at Amwell-hill to-morrow morning before sun-rising. CHAPTER II. OBSERVATIONS OF THE OTTER AND CHUB. 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. PISC. 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's compliment no longer, but join unto them. Come, honest Venator, let's be gone, let us make haste; I long to be doing: no reasonable hedge or ditch shall hold me. VEN. Gentleman Huntsman, where found you this Otter? HUNT. 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 |