Chapter II: Part 2

_Viat_. That we wil, Sir, and to all the lovers of Angling too, of which number, I am now one my self, 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 too morrow at the time and place appointed, and bestow one day with me and my friends in hunting the _Otter_, I will the next two dayes 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'l not fail you, God willing, to be at _Amwel Hil_ to morrow morning before Sunrising.

CHAP. II.

_Viat_. My friend _Piscator_, you have kept time with my thoughts, for the Sun is just rising, and I my self just now come to this place, and the dogs have just now put down an _Otter_, look down at the bottom of the hil, there in that Meadow, chequered with water Lillies and Lady-smocks, there you may see what work they make: look, you see all busie, men and dogs, dogs and men, all busie.

_Pisc_. Sir, I am right glad to meet you, and glad to have so fair an entrance into this dayes sport, and glad to see so many dogs, and more men all in pursuit of the _Otter_; lets complement no longer, but joine unto them; come honest _Viator_, lets be gone, lets make haste, I long to be doing; no reasonable hedge or ditch shall hold me.

_Viat_. Gentleman Huntsman, where found you this _Otter_?

_Hunt_. Marry (Sir) we found her a mile off 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 Sun-rise, and have given her no rest since we came: sure she'l hardly escape all these dogs and men. I am to have the skin if we kill him.

_Viat_. Why, Sir, whats the skin worth?

_Hunt_. 'Tis worth ten shillings to make gloves; the gloves of an _Otter_ are the best fortification for your hands against wet weather that can be thought of.

_Pisc_. I pray, honest Huntsman, let me ask you a pleasant question, Do you hunt a Beast or a fish?

_H_. Sir, It is not in my power to resolve you; for the question has been debated among many great Clerks, and they seem to differ about it; but most agree, that his tail is fish: and if his 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. But (Sir) I can tell you certainly, that he devours much fish, and kils and spoils much more: And I can tell you, that he can smel a fish in the water one hundred yards from him (_Gesner_ sayes, 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 can smell both by water and land. And thus much for my knowledg 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 vent.

_via_. Oh me, all the Horse are got over the river, what shall we do now?

_Hun_. Marry, stay a little & follow, 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 _Kil buck_, for he vents again.

_via_. Marry so he is, for look he vents in that corner. Now, now _Ringwood_ has him. Come bring him to me. Look, 'tis a Bitch _Otter_ upon my word, and she has lately whelped, lets 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.

_Hunt_. Come Gentlemen, come all, lets go to the place where we put downe the _Otter_; look you, hereabout it was that shee kennell'd; look you, here it was indeed, for here's her young ones, no less then five: come lets kill them all.

_Pisc_. No, I pray Sir; save me one, and I'll try if I can make her tame, as I know an ingenuous Gentleman in _Leicester-shire_ has done; who hath not only made her tame, but to catch fish, and doe many things of much pleasure.

_Hunt_. Take one with all my heart; but let us kill the rest. And now lets go to an honest Alehouse and sing _Old Rose_, and rejoice all of us together.

_Viat_. Come my friend, let me invite you along with us; I'll bear your charges this night, and you shall beare mine to morrow; for my intention is to accompany you a day or two in fishing.

_Pisc_. Sir, your request is granted, and I shall be right glad, both to exchange such a courtesie, and also to enjoy your company.

* * * * *

_Viat_. Well, now lets go to your sport of Angling.

_Pisc_. Lets 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.

_Viat_. Now _Piscator_, where wil you begin to fish?

_Pisc_. We are not yet come to a likely place, I must walk a mile further yet before I begin.

_Viat_. Well then, I pray, as we walk, tell me freely how you like my Hoste, and the company? is not mine Hoste a witty man?

_Pisc_. Sir, To speak truly, he is not to me; for most of his conceits were either Scripture-jests, or lascivious jests; for which I count no man witty: for the Divel will help a man that way inclin'd, to the first, and his own corrupt nature (which he alwayes 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 mixt with them) he is the man: and indeed, such a man should have his charges born: and to such company I hope to bring you this night; for at _Trout-Hal_, not far from this place, where I purpose to lodg to night, there is usually an Angler that proves good company.

But for such discourse as we heard last night, it infects others; the very boyes will learn to talk and swear as they heard mine Host, and another of the company that shall be nameless; well, you know what example is able to do, and I know what the Poet sayes in the like case:

----_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 Alehouse that I know right well, rest our selves, and dress it for our dinner.

_via_. Oh, Sir, a _Chub_ is the worst fish that swims, I hoped for a _Trout_ for my dinner.

_Pis_. 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 all fish, yet you shall see I'll make it good fish by dressing it.

_Viat_. Why, how will you dress him?

_Pisc_. I'll tell you when I have caught him: look you here, Sir, do you see? (but you must stand very close) there lye upon the top of the water 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.

_Viat_. I 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.

_Pisc_. And that you shall see me do presently; look, the biggest of these _Chubs_ has had some bruise upon his tail, and that looks like a white spot; that very _Chub_ I mean to catch; sit you but down in the shade, and stay but a little while, and I'll warrant you I'll bring him to you.

_viat_. I'll sit down and hope well, because you seem to be so confident.

_Pisc_. Look you Sir, there he is, that very _Chub_ that I shewed 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 Alehouse, where we shall find a cleanly room, Lavender in the windowes, and twenty Ballads stuck about the wall; there my Hostis (which I may tell you, is both cleanly and conveniently handsome) has drest many a one for me, and shall now dress it after my fashion, and I warrant it good meat.

_viat_. Come Sir, with all my heart, for I begin to be hungry, and long to be at it, and indeed to rest my self too; for though I have walked but four miles this morning, yet I begin to be weary; yester dayes hunting hangs stil upon me.

_Pisc_. Wel Sir, and you shal quickly be at rest, for yonder is the house I mean to bring you to.

Come Hostis, how do you? wil you first give us a cup of your best Ale, and then dress this _Chub_, as you drest my last, when I and my friend were hereabout eight or ten daies ago? but you must do me one courtesie, it must be done instantly.

_Host_. I wil do it, Mr. _Piscator_, and with all the speed I can.

_Pisc_. Now Sir, has not my Hostis made haste? And does not the fish look lovely?

_Viat_. Both, upon my word Sir, and therefore lets say Grace and fall to eating of it.

_Pisc_. Well Sir, how do you like it?

_viat_. Trust me, 'tis as good meat as ever I tasted: now let me thank you for it, drink to you, and beg a courtesie of you; but it must not be deny'd me.

_Pisc_. What is it, I pray Sir? You are so modest, that me thinks I may promise to grant it before it is asked.

_viat_. Why Sir, it is that from henceforth you wil allow me to call you Master, and that really I may be your Scholer, for you are such a companion, and have so quickly caught, and so excellently cook'd this fish, as makes me ambitious to be your scholer.

_Pisc_. Give me your hand: from this time forward I wil be your Master, and teach you as much of this Art as I am able; and will, as you desire me, tel you somewhat of the nature of some of the fish which we are to Angle for; and I am sure I shal tel you more then every Angler yet knows.

And first I will tel you how you shall catch such a _Chub_ as this was; & then how to cook him as this was: I could not have begun to teach you to catch any fish more easily then this fish is caught; but then it must be this particular way, and this you must do:

Go to the same hole, where in most hot days you will finde floting neer the top of the water, at least a dozen or twenty _Chubs_; get a _Grashopper_ or two as you goe, and get secretly behinde the tree, put it then upon your hook, and let your hook hang a quarter of a yard short of the top of the water, and 'tis very likely that the shadow of your rod, which you must rest on the tree, will cause the _Chubs_ to sink down to the bottom with fear; for they be a very fearful fish, and the shadow of a bird flying over them will make them do so; but they will presently rise up to the top again, and there lie soaring till some shadow affrights them again: when they lie upon the top of the water, look out the best _Chub_, which you setting your self in a fit place, may very easily do, 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-mouth'd fishes, of which a hook does scarce ever lose his 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 doe as I bid you, and I will sit down and mend my tackling till you return back.

_viat_. Truly, my loving Master, you have offered me as fair as I could wish: Ile go, and observe your directions.

Look you, Master, what I have done; that which joyes my heart; caught just such another _Chub_ as yours was.

_Pisc_. 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.

_Viat_. But Master, What if I could not have found a _Grashopper_?

_Pis_. Then I may tell you, that a black _Snail_, with his belly slit, to shew 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 a Cow-turd) or a _Bob_, which you will find in the same place, and in time wil be a _Beetle_; it is a short white worm, like to, and bigger then a Gentle, or a _Cod-worm_, or _Case-worm_: any of these will do very wel 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 shal see or hear him leap at Flies, then if you get a _Grashopper_, 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 bit, 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 Flie, but especially with a _Grashopper_.

_Viat_. But before you go further, I pray good Master, what mean you by a leather mouthed fish.

_Pisc_. 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 _Gudgion_ and _Carp_, and divers others have; and the hook being stuck into the leather or skin of such fish, does very seldome or never lose its hold: But on the contrary, a _Pike_, a _Pearch_, or _Trout_, and so some other fish, which have not their teeth in their throats, but in their mouthes, which you shal 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 the fish unless he have gorg'd it.

_Viat_. I thank you good Master for this observation; but now what shal be done with my _Chub_ or _Cheven_ that I have caught.

_Pisc_. Marry Sir, it shall be given away to some poor body, for Ile warrant you Ile 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 God and you for it.

And now lets walk towards the water again, and as I go Ile tel you when you catch your next _Chub_, how to dresse it as this was.

_viat_. Come (good Master) I long to be going and learn your direction.

_Pisc_. You must dress it, or see it drest thus: When you have scaled him, wash him very cleane, cut off his tail and fins; and wash him not after you gut him, but chine or cut him through the middle as a salt fish is cut, then give him four or five scotches with your knife, broil him upon wood-cole or char-cole; but as he is broiling; baste him often with butter that shal be choicely good; and put good store of salt into your butter, or salt him gently as you broil or baste him; and bruise or cut very smal into your butter, a little Time, or some other sweet herb that is in the Garden where you eat him: thus used, it takes away the watrish taste which the _Chub_ or _Chevin_ has, and makes him a choice dish of meat, as you your self know, for thus was that dressed, which you did eat of to your dinner.

Or you may (for variety) dress a _Chub_ another way, and you will find him very good, and his tongue and head almost as good as a _Carps_; but then you must be sure that no grass or weeds be left in his mouth or throat.

Thus you must dress him: Slit him through the middle, then cut him into four pieces: then put him into a pewter dish, and cover him with another, put into him as much White Wine as wil cover him, or Spring water and Vinegar, and store of Salt, with some branches of Time, and other sweet herbs; let him then be boiled gently over a Chafing-dish with wood coles, and when he is almost boiled enough, put half of the liquor from him, not the top of it; put then into him a convenient quantity of the best butter you can get, with a little Nutmeg grated into it, and sippets of white bread: thus ordered, you wil find the _Chevin_ and the sauce too, a choice dish of meat: And I have been the more careful to give you a perfect direction how to dress him, because he is a fish undervalued by many, and I would gladly restore him to some of his credit which he has lost by ill Cookery.

_Viat_. But Master, have you no other way to catch a _Cheven_, or _Chub_?

_Pisc_. Yes that I have, but I must take time to tel it you hereafter; or indeed, you must learn it by observation and practice, though this way that I have taught you was the easiest to catch a _Chub_, at this time, and at this place. And now we are come again to the River; I wil (as the Souldier sayes) prepare for skirmish; that is, draw out my Tackling, and try to catch a _Trout_ for supper.

_Viat_. Trust me Master, I see now it is a harder matter to catch a _Trout_ then a _Chub_; for I have put on patience, and followed you this two hours, and not seen a fish stir, neither at your Minnow nor your worm.

_Pisc_. Wel Scholer, you must indure 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? is not this worth all my labour?

_Viat_. On my word Master, this is a gallant _Trout_; what shall we do with him?

_Pisc_. Marry ee'n eat him to supper: We'l go to my Hostis, 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 lodg there to night, and bring a friend with him. My Hostis has two beds, and I know you and I may have the best: we'l rejoice with my brother _Peter_ and his friend, tel tales, or sing Ballads, or make a Catch, or find some harmless sport to content us.

_Viat_. A match, good Master, lets go to that house, for the linen looks white, and smels of Lavender, and I long to lye in a pair of sheets that smels so: lets be going, good Master, for I am hungry again with fishing.

_Pisc_. Nay, stay a little good Scholer, I caught my last _Trout_ with a worm, now I wil put on a Minow and try a quarter of an hour about yonder trees for another, and so walk towards our lodging. Look you Scholer, thereabout we shall have a bit presently, or not at all: Have with you (Sir!) on my word I have 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 Scholer, towards yonder high hedg: We'l sit whilst this showr falls so gently upon the teeming earth, and gives a sweeter smel to the lovely flowers that adorn the verdant Meadows.

Look, under that broad _Beech tree_ I sate 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 cave, near to the brow of that Primrose hil; there I sate viewing the Silver streams glide silently towards their center, the tempestuous Sea, yet sometimes opposed by rugged roots, and pibble stones, which broke their waves, and turned them into some: and sometimes viewing the harmless Lambs, some leaping securely in the cool shade, whilst others sported themselvs in the cheerful Sun; and others were craving comfort from the swolne Udders of their bleating Dams. As I thus sate, these and other sighs had so fully possest my soul, that I thought as the Poet has happily exprest it:

_I was for that time lifted above earth;
And possest joyes 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 cast away all care, and sung like a _Nightingale_; her voice was good, and the Ditty fitted for it; 'twas 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 then that now in fashion in this Critical age. Look yonder, on my word, yonder they be both a milking again: I will give her the _Chub_, and persuade them to sing those two songs to us.

_Pisc_. God speed, good woman, I have been a-fishing, and am going to _Bleak Hall_ to my bed, and having caught more fish then will sup my self and friend, will bestow this upon you and your daughter for I use to sell none.

_Milkw_. Marry, God requite you Sir, and we'l eat it cheerfully: will you drink a draught of red Cow's milk?

_Pisc_. No, I thank you: but I pray do us a courtesie that shal stand you and your daughter in nothing, and we wil think our selves stil something in your debt; it is but to sing us a Song, that that was sung by you and your daughter, when I last past over this Meadow, about eight or nine dayes since.

_Milk_. what Song was it, I pray? was it, _Come Shepherds deck your heads_: or, _As at noon_ Dulcina _rested_: or _Philida flouts me_?

_Pisc_. 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_. O I know it now, I learn'd the first part in my golden age, when I was about the age of my daughter; and the later part, which indeed fits me best, but two or three years ago; you shal, God willing, hear them both. Come _Maudlin_, sing the first part to the Gentlemen with a merrie heart, and Ile sing the second.

The Milk maids Song.

_Come live with me, and be my Love,
And we wil all the pleasures prove
That vallies, Groves, or hils, or fields,
Or woods and steepie mountains yeelds.

Where we will sit upon the_ Rocks,
_And see the Shepherds feed our_ flocks,
_By shallow_ Rivers, _to whose falls
Mellodious birds sing_ madrigals.

_And I wil make thee beds of_ Roses,
_And then a thousand fragrant posies,
A cap of flowers and a Kirtle,
Imbroidered all with leaves of Mirtle.

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 ivie buds,
With Coral clasps, and Amber studs
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me, and be my Love.

The Shepherds Swains shal dance and sing
For thy delight each May morning:
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me, and be my Love_.

_Via_. Trust me Master, it is a choice Song, and sweetly sung by honest _Maudlin_: Ile bestow Sir _Thomas Overbury's_ Milk maids wish upon her, _That she may dye in the Spring, and have good store of flowers stuck round about her winding sheet_.

The Milk maids mothers answer.

_If all the world and love were young,
And truth in every Shepherds 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,
And_ Philomel _becometh dumb,
The Rest complains of cares to come.

The Flowers do fade, and wanton fields
To wayward Winter reckoning yeilds
A honey tongue, a heart of gall,
Is fancies spring, but sorrows fall.

Thy gowns, thy shooes, thy beds of Roses,
Thy Cap, thy Kirtle, and thy Posies,
Soon break, soon wither, soon forgotten,
In folly ripe, in reason rotten.

Thy belt of straw and Ivie buds,
Thy Coral clasps and Amber studs,
All these in me no means can move
To come to thee, and be thy Love.

But could youth last, and love stil breed,
Had joys no date, nor age no need;
Then those delights my mind might move
To live with thee, and be thy love_.

_Pisc_. Well sung, good woman, I thank you, I'l give you another dish of fish one of these dayes, and then beg another Song of you. Come Scholer, let Maudlin alone, do not you offer to spoil her voice. Look, yonder comes my Hostis to cal us to supper. How now? is my brother _Peter_ come?

_Host_. Yes, and a friend with him, they are both glad to hear you are in these parts, and long to see you, and are hungry, and long to be at supper.

CHAP. III.

_Piscat_. Wel met brother _Peter_, I heard you & a friend would lodg here to night, and that has made me and my friend cast to lodge here too; my friend is one that would faine be a brother of the _Angle_: he has been an _Angler_ but this day, and I have taught him how to catch a _Chub_ with _daping_ a _Grashopper_, and he has caught a lusty one of nineteen inches long. But I pray you brother, who is it that is your companion?

_Peter_. Brother _Piscator_, my friend is an honest Country man, and his name is _Coridon_, a most downright witty merry companion that met me here purposely to eat a _Trout_ and be pleasant, and I have not yet wet my line since I came from home: But I wil fit him to morrow with a _Trout_ for his breakfast, if the weather be any thing like.

_Pisc_. Nay brother, you shall not delay him so long, for look you here is a _Trout_ will fill six reasonable bellies. Come Hostis, dress it presently, and get us what other meat the house wil afford, and give us some good Ale, and lets be merrie.

_The Description of a_ Trout.

_Peter_. On my word, this _Trout_ is in perfect season. Come, I thank you, and here's a hearty draught to you, and to all the brothers of the Angle, wheresoever they be, and to my young brothers good fortune to morrow; I wil furnish him with a rod, if you wil furnish him with the rest of the tackling, we wil set him up and make him a fisher.

And I wil tel him one thing for his encouragement, that his fortune hath made him happy to be a Scholer to such a Master; a Master that knowes 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 _Sammon_, as any that I ever met withall.

_Pisc_. Trust me, brother _Peter_, I find my Scholer to be so sutable to my own humour, which is to be free and pleasant, and civilly merry, that my resolution is to hide nothing from him. Believe me, Scholer, 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.

_Viat_. 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 shal find me obedient, and thankful, and serviceable to my best abilitie.

_Pisc_. 'Tis enough, honest Scholer, come lets to supper. Come my friend _Coridon_, this _Trout_ looks lovely, it was twenty two inches when it was taken, and the belly of it look'd some part of it as yellow as a Marygold, and part of it as white as a Lily, and yet me thinks it looks better in this good fawce.

_Coridon_. Indeed, honest friend, it looks well, and tastes well, I thank you for it, and so does my friend _Peter_, or else he is to blame.

_Pet_. Yes, and so I do, we all thank you, and when we have supt, I wil get my friend _Coridon_ to sing you a Song, for requital.

_Cor_. I wil sing a Song if anyboby wil sing another; else, to be plain with you, I wil sing none: I am none of those that sing for meat, but for company; I say, 'Tis merry in Hall when men sing all.

_Pisc_. I'l promise you I'l sing a Song that was lately made at my request by Mr. _William Basse_, one that has made the choice Songs of the _Hunter in his carrere_, and of _Tom of Bedlam_, and many others of note; and this that I wil sing is in praise of Angling.

_Cor_. And then mine shall be the praise of a Country mans life: What will the rest sing of?

_Pet_. I wil promise you I wil sing another Song in praise of Angling, to-morrow night, for we wil not part till then, but fish to morrow, and sup together, and the next day every man leave fishing, and fall to his business.

_Viat_. 'Tis a match, and I wil provide you a Song or a Ketch against then too, that shal give some addition of mirth to the company; for we wil be merrie.

_Pisc_. 'Tis a match my masters; lets ev'n say Grace, and turn to the fire, drink the other cup to wet 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.

_Pet_. It is a match. Look, the shortest Cut fals to _Coridon_.

_Cor_. Well then, I wil begin; for I hate contention.

CORIDONS Song.

_Oh the sweet contentment
The country man doth find!
high trolollie laliloe
high 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 tri'd;
high trolollie lollie loe
high trolollie lee,
The City full of wantonness,
and both are full of pride_:
Then care away,
and wend along with me.

_But oh the honest countryman
Speaks truly from his heart,
high trolollie lollie loe
high trolollie lee,
His pride is in his Tillage,
his Horses and his Cart_:
Then care away,
and wend along with me.

_Our clothing is good sheep skins
Gray russet for our wives,
high trolollie lollie loe
high trolollie lee.
'Tis warmth and not gay clothing
that doth prolong our lives_:
Then care away,
and wend along with me,

_The ploughman, though he labor hard,
Yet on the_ Holy-day,
_high trolollie lollie loe
high trolollie lee,
No Emperor so merrily
does pass his time away_:
Then care away,
and wend along with me.

_To recompence our Tillage,
The Heavens afford us showrs;
high trolollie lollie loe
high trolollie lee,
And for our sweet refreshments
the earth affords us bowers_:
Then care away, &c.

_The_ Cuckoe _and the_ Nightingale
_full merrily do sing,
high trolollie lollie loe
high trolollie lee,
And with their pleasant roundelayes
bid welcome to the_ Spring:
Then care away,
and wend along with me.

_This is not half the happiness
the Country man injoyes;
high trolollie lollie loe
high trolollie lee,
Though others think they have as much
yet he that says so lies_:
Then come away, turn
County man with me_.

_Pisc_. 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 wel 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 may make your selves merrier for a little then 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 complement you out of the debt that I owe you, and therefore I will begin my Song, and wish it may be as well liked.

The ANGLERS Song.

_As inward love breeds outward talk,
The_ Hound _some praise, and some the_ Hawk,
_Some better pleas'd with private sport,
Use_ Tenis, _some a_ Mistris _court:
But these delights I neither wish,
Nor envy, while I freely fish.

Who_ hunts, _doth oft in danger ride
Who_ hauks, _lures oft both far & wide;
Who uses games, may often prove
A loser; but who fals in love,
Is fettered in fond_ Cupids _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
Then 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 timerous_ 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 alurements ne're surprise.

But yet though while I fish, I fast,
I make good fortune my repast,
And there unto my friend invite,
In whom I more then that delight:
Who is more welcome to my dish,
Then 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 chuse 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.

_Cor_. Well sung brother, you have paid your debt in good coyn, we Anglers are all beholding to the good man that made this Song. Come Hostis, give us more Ale and lets drink to him.

And now lets everie one go to bed that we may rise early; but first lets pay our Reckoning, for I wil have nothing to hinder me in the morning for I will prevent the Sun rising.

_Pet_. A match: Come _Coridon_, you are to be my Bed-fellow: I know brother you and your Scholer wil lie together; but where shal we meet to morrow night? for my friend _Coridon_ and I will go up the water towards _Ware_.

_Pisc_. And my Scholer and I will go down towards _Waltam_.

_Cor_. Then lets meet here, for here are fresh sheets that smel of Lavender, and, I am sure, we cannot expect better meat and better usage.

_Pet_. 'Tis a match. Good night to every body.

_Pisc_. And so say I.

_Viat_. And so say I.

* * * * *

_Pisc_. Good morrow good Hostis, I see my brother _Peter_ is in bed still; Come, give my Scholer and me a cup of Ale, and be sure you get us a good dish of meat against supper, for we shall come hither as hungry as _Hawks_. Come Scholer, lets be going.

_Viat_. Good Master, as we walk towards the water, wil you be pleased to make the way seeme shorter by telling me first the nature of the _Trout_, and then how to catch him.

_Pisc_. My honest Scholer, I wil do it freely: The _Trout_ (for which I love to angle above any fish) may be justly said (as the ancient Poets say of Wine, and we English say of Venson) to be a generous fish, because he has his seasons, a fish that comes in, and goes out with the _Stag_ or _Buck_: and 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 compar'd to ours, they differ much in their bigness, shape, and other wayes, and so do _Trouts_; 'tis wel known that in the Lake _Lemon_, the Lake of _Geneva_, there are _Trouts_ taken, of three Cubits long, as is affirmed by _Gesner_, a Writer of good credit: and _Mercator_ sayes, 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 certaine waters that breed _Trouts_ remarkable, both for their number and smalness--I know a little Brook in _Kent_ that breeds them to a number incredible, and you may take them twentie or fortie in an hour, but none greater then about the size of a _Gudgion_. 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 twentie or fortie 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 bee bigger then a _Herring_.

There is also in _Kent_, neer to _Canterbury_, a _Trout_ (called there a _Fordig Trout_) a _Trout_ (that bears the name of the Town where 'tis usually caught) that is accounted rare meat, many of them near the bigness of a _Salmon_, but knowne by their different colour, and in their best season cut very white; and none have been known to be caught with an Angle, unless it were one that was caught by honest Sir _George Hastings_, an excellent Angler (and now with God) and he has told me, he thought that _Trout_ bit not for hunger, but wantonness; and 'tis 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 satisfie their curiositie.

Concerning which you are to take notice, that it is reported, there is a fish that hath not any mouth, but lives by taking breath by the porinss of her gils, and feeds and is nourish'd by no man knows what; and this may be believed of the _Fordig Trout_, which (as it is said of the _Stork_, that he knowes 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 about three in the River of _Fordig_.

And now for some confirmation of this; 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 _Swallowes_, which are not seen to flye 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, [view Sir Fra. Bacon exper. 899.], have been found (many thousand at a time) in hollow trees, where they have been observed to live and sleep [see Topsel of Frogs] 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 amongst us to bee doubted.

And so much for these _Fordig 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 vertue of the fresh water only, as the _Camelion_ is said to live by the air.

There is also in _Northumberland_, a _Trout_, called a _Bull Trout_, of a much greater length and bignesse then any in these Southern parts; and there is in many Rivers that relate to the Sea, _Salmon Trouts_ as much different one from another, both in shape and in their spots, as we see Sheep differ one from another in their shape and bigness, and in the finess of their wool: and certainly as some Pastures do 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 then 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 after hee is come to his full growth, he declines in his bodie, but keeps his bigness or thrives in his head till his death. And you are to know that he wil about (especially before) the time of his Spawning, get almost miraculously through _Weires_ and _Floud-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 Spawne in the Spring or Summer, when the Sun hath warmed both the earth and water, and made it fit for generation.

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 lowsie, and unwholsome: for you shall in winter find him to have a big head, and then to be lank, and thin, & 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 a Pin, with a big head, and sticks close to him and sucks his moisture; those I think the _Trout_ breeds himselfe, and never thrives til he free himself from them, which is till warm weather comes, and then as he growes stronger, he gets from the dead, still water, into the sharp streames 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 flie or Minow that comes neer to him; and he especially loves the _May_ flie, which is bred of the _Cod-worm_ or _Caddis_; and these make the _Trout_ bold and lustie, and he is usually fatter, and better meat at the end of that month, then 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 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 then the male _Trout_; and a little head to any fish, either _Trout, Salmon_, or 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 blossome sooner then others do, so some _Trouts_ be in some Rivers sooner in season; and as the Holly or Oak are longer before they cast their Leaves, so are some _Trouts_ in some Rivers longer before they go out of season.

CHAP. IV.

And having told you these Observations concerning _Trouts_, I shall next tell you how to catch them: which is usually with a _Worm_, or a _Minnow_ (which some call a _Penke_;) or with a _Flie_, either a _natural_ or an _artificial_ Flie: Concerning which three I wil give you some Observations and Directions.

For Worms, there be very many sorts; some bred onely in the earth, as the _earth worm_; others amongst or of plants, as the _dug-worm_; and others in the bodies of living creatures; or some of dead flesh, as the _Magot_ 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 cal the _Lob-worm_) and the _Brandling_ are the chief; and especially the first for a great _Trout_, and the later for a lesse. There be also of _lob-worms_, some called _squirel-tails_ (a worm which 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_, hee is usually found in an old dunghil, or some very rotten place neer to it; but most usually in cow dung, or hogs dung, rather then horse dung, which is somewhat too hot and dry for that worm.

There are also divers other kindes 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 _oake-worm_, the _gilt-tail_, and too many to name, even as many sorts, as some think there be of severall 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 long kept before they be used; and in case you have not been so provident, then the way to cleanse and scoure 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 _Brandling_ 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 _mosse_, which is to be fresh every week or eight dayes; or at least taken from them, and clean wash'd, and wrung betwixt your hands till it be dry, and then put it to them again: And for Moss you are to note, that there be divers kindes of it which I could name to you, but wil onely tel you, that that which is likest a _Bucks horn_ is the best; except it be _white_ Moss, which grows on some heaths, and is hard to be found.

For the _Minnow_ or _Penke_, he is easily found and caught in April, for then hee appears in the Rivers: but Nature hath taught him to shelter and hide himself in the Winter in ditches that be neer to the River, and there both to hide and keep himself warm in the weeds, which rot not so soon as in a running River in which place if hee were in Winter, the distempered Floods that are usually in that season, would suffer him to have no rest, but carry him headlong to Mils and Weires 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 I cannot well teach in words, but must shew you how to put it on your hook, that it may turn the better: And you are also to know, that it is impossible it should turn too quick: And you are yet to know, that in case you want a _Minnow_, then a small _Loch_, or a _Sticklebag_, or any other small Fish will serve as wel: And you are yet to know, that you may salt, and by that means keep them fit for use three or four dayes or longer; and that of salt, bay salt is the best.

Now for _Flies_, which is the third bait wherewith _Trouts_ are usually taken. You are to know, that there are as many sorts of Flies as there be of Fruits: I will name you but some of them: as the _dun flie_, the _stone flie_, the _red flie_, the _moor flie_, the _tawny flie_, the _shel flie_, the _cloudy_ or blackish _flie_: there be of Flies, _Caterpillars_, and _Canker flies_, and _Bear flies_; and indeed, too many either for mee to name, or for you to remember: and their breeding is so various and wonderful, that I might easily amaze my self, and tire you in a relation of them.