that they both damp'd his mirth and took up fo much of his time and thoughts, that he himselfe had not leisure to take the sweet content that I, who pretended no title, took in his fields; for I could there fit quietly, and looking on the water, fee fishes leaping at Flies of feveral fhapes and colours; looking on the Hils, could behold them fpotted with Woods and Groves; looking down the Meadows, could fee here a Boy gathering Lillies and Ladyfmocks, and there a Girle cropping Culver keys and Cowflips, all to make Garlands futable to this pleasant Month of May; thefe and many other Field-flowers fo perfum'd the air,that I thought this Meadow like the field in Sicily (of which Diodorus speaks) where the perfumes arising from the place, makes all dogs that hunt in it,to fall off,and to lose their hottest fent. I say, as I thus fate joying in mine own happy condition, and pittying that rich mans that ought ought this, and many other pleasant Groves and Meadows about me, I did thankfully remember what my Saviour said, that the meek possess the earth; for indeed they are free from those high, those restless thoughts and contentions which corrode the fweets of life. For they, and they only,can fay as the Poet has happily expreft it. Hail bleft eftate of poverty ! Gentlemen,thefe were a part of the thoughts that then poffeft me, and I there made a converfion of a piece of an old Ketch, and added more to it,fitting them to be fung by us Anglers: Come, Master, you can ing well, you must sing a part of it as it is in this The ANGLERS Song. For two Voyees, Treble and Baf?, CANTVS. Mr, Hený Lawer An's life is but vair;for "sis jubje&t to pain, and sorrow, and hortas 5 bubles'tis a hodge podge of bufirefs, and mony,and care;and care,and mony,and trouble. But we'l take no care when the weather proves fair, nor will we vex now though it yan;we:lbamisli all forrow,and fing till tomorrow.and Angle;a & An; Isagani An's life is but va ng'or 'cis lubïed to pa u and sorrow,and fhott as a buble, sa hodgepodge of bufinefs, and mony and care, wod caresan) nery,and trouble, But we take no care when the wea ther provesfa norwillwe vex now though it rain;we banish a'L Corrow and fing till tomorrow,and Angle and Angle again Pet. I marry Sir, this is Mufick indeed, this has cheered my heart, and made me to remember fix Verfes in praise of Mufick, which I will speak to you inftantly. Mufick, miraculous Rhetorick, that speak' With what eafe might thy errors be excuf'd Pifcat. Well remembred, brother Peter, these Verses came seafonably. Come, we will all joine together, mine Hofte and all, and fing my Scholers Ketch over again, and then each man drink the tother cup and to bed, and thank God we have a dry house over our heads. Pifc. Well now, good night to every body. Pet. And fo fay I. Cor. |