CHAPTER XVI.

Is of nothing; or, that which is nothing worth.

PISCATOR.

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 tomorrow towards London, if I have now forgotten any thing 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 unplea

sant 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, shall not want my song, and I hope I shall be perfect in it.

you

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 will.

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

Oh! the gallant fisher's life,

It is the best of any,

'Tis full of pleasure, void of strife,

And 'tis beloved by many :

Other joys

Are but toys,

Before death

Stops our breath :

Other joys

Are but toys,

And to be lamented.

Jo. CHALKHILL.

VEN. Well sung, Master; this day's fortune and pleasure, and this night's company and song, do all make me more and more in love with Angling. Gentlemen, my Master left me alone for an hour this day, and I verily believe he retired himself from talking with me, that he might be so perfect in this song; was it not, Master?

Pisc. Yes indeed, for it is many years since I learned it, and having forgotten a part of it, I was forced to patch it up by the help of mine own invention, who am not excellent at poetry, as my part of the song may testify: but of that I will say no more, lest you should think I mean by discommending it to beg your commendations of it. And therefore, without replications, let's hear your catch, Scholar, which I hope will be a good one, for you are both musical, and have a good fancy to boot.

VEN. Marry, and that you shall, and as freely as I would have my honest Master tell me some more secrets of fish and fishing as we walk and fish towards London to-morrow. But Master, first let me tell you that, that very hour which you were absent from me, I sat down under a Willow-tree by the