Izaak Walton - The Complete Angler 1653

Sir, This was the saying of that Learned man; and I do easily believe that peace, and patience, and a calm content did cohabit in the cheerful heart of Sir Henry Wotton , because I know, that when he was beyond seventy years of age he made this description of a part of the present pleasure that possest him, as he sate quietly in a Summers evening on a bank a fishing; it is a description of the Spring, which because it glides as soft and sweetly from his pen, as that River does now by which it was then made, I shall repeat unto you.

These were the thoughts that then possest the undisturbed mind of Sir Henry Wotton . Will you hear the wish of another Angler, and the commendation of his happy life [Jo. Da.], which he also sings in Verse.

Sir, I am glad my memory did not lose these last Verses, because they are somewhat more pleasant and more sutable to May Day , then 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 Thatcht 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.

Viat . Sir, You have Angled me on with much pleasure to the thatcht 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 the thatcht House , till you shewed it me: but now we are at it, we'l turn into it, and refresh our selves with a cup of Ale and a little rest.

Pisc . Most gladly (Sir) and we'l drink a civil cup to all the Otter Hunters that are to meet you to morrow.

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.

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.