Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

Chubs has had fome bruise upon his tail,and that looks like a white spot; that very Chub I mean to catch; fit you but down in the shade, and stay but a little while,and I'l warrant you I'l bring him to you.

viat. I'l fit down and hope well, because you feem to be fo confident.

Pifc. Look you Sir, there he is, that very Chub that I fhewed you, with the white spot on his tail; and I'l be as certain to make him a good dish of meat, as I was to catch him. I'l now lead you to an honeft Alehouse, where we shall find a cleanly room, Lavender in the windowes, and twenty Ballads stuck about the wall; there my Hoftis (which I may tel 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

E

my heart,

for

for I begin to be hungry, and long to be at it,and indeed to reft my felf too; for though I have walked but four miles this morning, yet I begin to be weary; yesterdayes hunting hangs ftil upon me.

Pifc. Wel Sir,and youfhal quickly be at reft, for yonder is the house I mean to bring you to.

?

Come Hoftis, how do you wil you first give us a cup of your best Ale, and then dress this Chub, as you dreft my last, when I and my friend were here about eight or ten daies ago? but you must do me one courtefie, it must be done instantly.

Hoft. I wil do it, Mr. Pifcator, and with all the speed I can. Pifc. Now Sir, has not my Hoftis made hafte? and does not the fish look lovely?

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

Pifc. Wel

it?

Pifc. Well Sir, how do you like

viat. Trust me,'tis as good meat. as ever I tafted: now let me thank

you for it, drink to you, and beg a courtefie of you; but it must not be deny'd me.

Pifc. What is it,I pray Sir? you are fo modeft, 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 Mafter, and that really I may be your Scholer, for you are fuch a companion, and have fo quickly caught, and fo excellently cook'd this fish, as makes me ambitious to be your scholer.

Pifc. Give me your hand: from this time forward I wil be your Mafter, and teach you as much of this Art as I am able; and will, as you defire me, tel you tel you fomewhat of the

nature of fome of the fish which we

[blocks in formation]

are to Angle for; and I am fure I

shal tel you more yet knows.

then

every Angler

And first I will tel you how you shall catch fuch 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 eafily then this fish is caught; but then it must be this particular way, and this you muft do:

Go to the fame 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 Grafhopper or two as you goe, and get fecretly 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 caufe the Chubs to fink 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 du fo; but they will presently rise up to the top again, and there lie foaring 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 doe, and move your Rod as foftly 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 fure to catch him; for hee is one of the leather-mouth'd fishes, of which a hook does scarce ever lose his hold:

you,

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 and I will fit down and mend my tackling till you return back. viat. Truly, my loving Master, you have offered mee as fair as I

E 3

could

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »