VIAT. Why truly, Sir, as long as I conveniently can; and longer I think, you would not have me.

Pisc. Not to your inconvenience by any means, Sir, but I see you are weary, and therefore I will presently wait on you to your chamber, where take counsel of your pillow, and to-morrow resolve me. Here! take the lights, and pray follow them, Sir: Here you are like to lie: and, now I have shewed you your lodgings, I beseech you command any thing you want; and so I wish you good rest!

GOOD

THE SECOND DAY.

CHAPTER III.

PISCATOR.

morrow, Sir! What up and dressed so early? VIAT. Yes, Sir, I have been dressed this half hour: for I rested so well, and have so great a mind either to take, or see a Trout taken, in your fine river, that I could no longer lie a-bed.

PISC. I am glad to see you so brisk this morning, and so eager of sport; though, I must tell you, this day proves so calm, and the sun rises so bright, as promises no great success to the Angler: but, however, we'll try; and, one way or other, we shall, sure, do something. What will you have to your breakfast, or what will you drink this morning?

VIAT. For breakfast, I never eat any, and for drink I am very indifferent; but if you please to call for a glass of ale, I'm for you: and let it be quickly, if you please, for I long to see the little Fishing-house you spoke of, and to be at my lesson.

PISC. Well, Sir! You see the ale is come without calling; for though I do not know your's, my people know my diet; which is always one glass so soon as I am dressed, and no more till dinner; and so my servants have served you.

VIAT. My thanks. And now, if you please, let us look out this fine morning.

PISC. With all my heart; Boy, take the key of my Fishing-house, and carry down those two anglerods in the hall-window, thither, with my fish-pannier, pouch, and landing-net; and stay you there till we come.

Come, Sir, we'll walk after; where, by the way, I expect you should raise all the exceptions against our country you can.

VIAT. Nay, Sir, do not think me so ill-natured nor so uncivil: I only made a little bold with it last night to divert you, and was only in jest.

Pisc. You were then in as good earnest as I am now with you but had you been really angry at it, I could not blame you; for, to say the truth, it is not very taking at first sight. now you are abroad, does not the sun shine as bright here as in Essex, Middlesex, or Kent, or any your southern counties.

of

But look you, Sir,

VIAT. "Tis a delicate morning indeed! And I now think this a marvellous pretty place.

PISC. Whether you think so or no, you cannot oblige me more than to say so: and those of my friends who know my humour, and are so kind as to comply with it, usually flatter me that way. But look you, Sir, now you are at the brink of the hill, how do you like my river, the vale it winds through like a snake, and the situation of my little Fishinghouse?

VIAT. Trust me, 'tis all very fine; and the house seems at this distance a neat building.

And here though I

Pisc. Good enough for that purpose. is a bowling-green too, close by it; so, am myself no very good bowler, I am not totally devoted to my own pleasure, but that I have also some regard to other men's. And now, Sir, you are come to the door; pray walk in, and there we will sit and talk, as long as you please.

VIAT. Stay, what's here over There is, under this the door? PISCATORIBUS SA

*

CRUM! Why then I perceive I
have some title here; for I am
one of them, though one of the
worst; and here below it
the Cypher too you spoke
and 'tis prettily contrived.
my Master Walton ever
here to see it; for it seems new
built?

motto, the Cypher mentioned in the Title-page. And some part of the Fishing-house has been described; but the pleasantness of the river, mountains, and meadows, about it, cannot ;

is

of,

unless Sir Philip Sid

Has

ney, or Mr. Cotton's

father, were again a

been

live to do it.

PISC. Yes, he saw it cut in the stone before it was set up; but never in the posture it now stands : for the house was but building when he was last here, and not raised so high as the arch of the door. And I am afraid he will not see it yet; for he has lately writ me word, he doubts his coming down this summer; which, I do assure you, was the worst news he could possibly have sent me.

VIAT. Men must sometimes mind their affairs to

U

make more room for their pleasures: and 'tis odds he is as much displeased with the business that keeps him from you, as you are that he comes not. But I am the most pleased with this little house of any thing I ever saw: It stands in a kind of Peninsula too, with a delicate clear river about it. I dare hardly go in, lest I should not like it so well within as without; but by your leave I'll try. Why this is better and better, fine lights, finely wainscoted, and all exceeding neat, with a marble table and all in the middle.

PISC. Enough, Sir, enough! I have laid open to you the part where I can worst defend myself; and now you attack me there! Come, boy, set two chairs, and whilst I am taking a pipe of tobacco, which is always my breakfast, we will, if you please, talk of some other subject.

VIAT. None fitter, then, Sir, for the time and place, than those instructions you promised.

Pisc. I begin to doubt, by something I discover in you, whether I am able to instruct you, or no: though, if you are really a stranger to our clear northern rivers, I still think I can; and therefore, since it is yet too early in the morning at this time of the year, to-day being but the seventh of March, to cast a fly upon the water, if you will direct me what kind of fishing for a Trout I shall read you a lecture on, I am willing and ready to obey you.

VIAT. Why, Sir, if you will so far oblige me and