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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 practise this recreation, to which I shall encourage them. For Angling may be said to be so like the Mathematics, that it can never be fully learned; 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 use 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 observations and the communications 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.

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TO MY DEAR BROTHER,
MR. IZAAK WALTON,

UPON HIS COMPLETE ANGLER.

ERASMUS, in his learned Colloquies,
Has mix'd some toys, that, by varieties,
He might entice all readers: for in him
Each child may wade, or tallest giant swim.
And such is this discourse: there's none so low,
Or highly learn'd, to whom hence may not flow
Pleasure and information; both which are
Taught us with so much art, that I might swear
Safely, the choicest critic cannot tell
Whether your matchless judgment most excel
In angling, or its praise; where commendation
First charms, then makes an art a recreation.

'Twas so to me; who saw the cheerful spring
Pictured in every meadow; heard birds sing
Sonnets in every grove; saw fishes play
In the cool crystal streams, like lambs in May:
And they may play, till anglers read this book;
But after, 'tis a wise fish 'scapes a hook.

Jo. FLOUD,* Master of Arts.

TO THE READER OF

THE COMPLETE ANGLER.

FIRST, mark the title well: my friend that gave it
Has made it good; this book deserves to have it ;
For he that views it with judicious looks,
Shall find it full of art, baits, lines, and hooks.
The world the river is; both you and I,
And all mankind, are either fish or fry.
If we pretend to reason, first or last,

His baits will tempt us, and his hooks hold fast.
* Brother of Walton's first wife.

Pleasure or profit, either prose or rhyme,
If not at first, will doubtless take in time.
Here sits, in secret, bless'd Theology,
Waited upon by grave Philosophy,-
Both natural and moral; History,

Deck'd and adorn'd with flowers of Poetry,
The matter and expression striving which
Shall most excel in worth, yet not seem rich.
There is no danger in his baits; that hook
Will prove the safest that is surest took.

Nor are we caught alone, but, which is best,
We shall be wholesome, and be toothsome dress'd;
Dress'd to be fed, not to be fed upon:

And danger of a surfeit here is none.
The solid food of serious contemplation
Is sauced here with such harmless recreation,
That an ingenuous and religious mind
Cannot inquire for more than it may find
Ready at once prepared, either t'excite
Or satisfy a curious appetite.

More praise is due for 'tis both positive
And truth, which once was interrogative,
And utter'd by the poet, then in jest,—
Et piscatorem piscis amare potest.

CH. HARVIE,* Master of Arts.

*

TO MY DEAR FRIEND,

MR. IZAAK WALTON,

IN PRAISE OF ANGLING, WHICH WE BOTH LOVE.

Down by this smooth stream's wandering side,
Adorn'd and perfumed with the pride

Of Flora's wardrobe, where the shrill

Aerial choir express their skill,

First, in alternate melody,

And then in chorus all agree.

Whilst the charm'd fish, as ecstasied
With sounds to his own throat denied,
Scorns his dull element, and springs
I' th' air, as if his fins were wings.

Supposed to be Christopher Harvie, for whom see Athen Oron. vol. i. et vide infra, chap. v.

'Tis here that pleasures sweet and high Prostrate to our embraces lie:

Such as to body, soul, or fame,

Create no sickness, sin, or shame :

Roses, not fenced with pricks, grow here;
No sting to th' honey bag is near :
But, what's perhaps their prejudice,
They difficulty want and price.

An obvious rod, a twist of hair,
With hook hid in an insect, are
Engines of sport would fit the wish
O' th' epicure, and fill his dish.

In this clear stream let fall a grub,
And straight take up a Dace or Chub.
I' th' mud, your worm provokes a snig,
Which being fast, if it prove big,
The Gotham folly will be found
Discreet, ere ta'en she must be drown'd.
The Tench, physician of the brook,
In yon dead hole expects your hook :
Which, having first your pastime been,
Serves then for meat and medicine.
Ambush'd behind that root doth stay
A Pike; to catch, and be a prey.
The treacherous quill in this slow stream
Betrays the hunger of a Bream.

And at that nimble ford, no doubt,

Your false fly cheats a speckled Trout.

When you these creatures wisely choose

To practise on, which to your use

Owe their creation, and when

Fish from your arts do rescue men,
To plot, delude, and circumvent,
Ensnare, and spoil, is innocent.
Here by these crystal streams you may
Preserve a conscience clear as they ;
And when by sullen thoughts you find
Your harassed, not busied, mind
In sable melancholy clad,
Distemper'd, serious, turning sad;
Hence fetch your cure, cast in your bait,
All anxious thoughts and cares will straight
Fly with such speed, they'll seem to be
Possess'd with the hydrophobie:

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