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.

Bleak

CHAPTER XVI

Is of nothing, or that which is nothing worth.

P

ISC. 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 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 trouts, 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.

PET. And Coridon and I have had not an unpleasant day, and yet I have caught but five trouts : 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.

PISC. Nay, I will not be worse than my word; you shall not want my song, and I hope I shall be perfect in it.

VEN. 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.

COR. 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 PISC. Well, then, here's to you, Coridon; and now for my song.

will.

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 book,

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;