COMMENDATORY VERSES.* TO MY DEAR BROTHER-IN-LAW,+ MR IZAAK WALTON, ERASMUS in his learned Colloquies And such is this discourse: there's none so low, In the cool crystal streams, like lambs in May: Jo. FLOUD, Mr. of Arts.+ TO THE READER OF "THE COMPLETE ANGLER." FIRST mark the Title well: my Friend that gave it VARIATION.] 5 mirth.—2d edit. as in text in 3d edit. * None of the verses occur in the first, but they are all to be found in the second edition, excepting the two last by Dr Duport, which were inserted for the first time in the fifth edition. In the fifth edition, the words "in-law" are omitted; but as they correctly explain the writer's relationship, they are here adopted. Some account of this person, who was the brother of Walton's first wife, and of his family, will be found in the Life of Walton, at the commencement of the volume. For he that views it with judicious looks His baits will tempt us, and his hooks hold fast. Nor are we caught alone, but, which is best, And danger of a surfeit here is none. Is sauced, here, with such harmless recreation, More praise is due: for 'tis both positive CH. HARVIE, Mr. of^ Arts.* TO MY DEAR FRIEND, MR IZ. WALTON, IN PRAISE OF Down by this smooth stream's wandering side, 6 9 Where.-Ibid. In the second and third editions the initials C. H. only occur; the name was printed at length in the fifth edition for the first time. An account of Harvey will be found in a subsequent note. Scorns his dull element, and springs Such as to body, soul, or fame,1 3 An obvious rod, a twist of hair, In this clear stream let fall a grub; Your false fly cheats a speckled 4 Trout. VARIATIONS. 2 And.-Ibid. 2 5 feed.-Ibid. 8 that.-Ibid. 1 The following lines here occur in the 2d edition, but are omitted in all the others: "And there the cunning Carp you may 2 These two lines are omitted in the 2d edit. 3 in.-2d edit. Snig, a term more generally applied to the small nine-eyed eel, commonly found about the apron of an old weir, or in shallow parts of the river Lee, and forms the amusement of sniggling to youthful Anglers.-Eu. H. "If it prove big" alludes to one of the stories told of the Wise Men of Gotham, a facetious penny history much in circulation in the time of Walton. It is there related that the men of Gotham, upon a Good Friday, after due consultation, collected all their white herrings, red herrings, sprats, and salt fish, and cast the whole into a pond, in order to secure a sufficient store of fish for the next Lent. In due time upon dragging the pond, there was found only a very large eel, and it being suspected the same must, by the size, have devoured the intended stock, it was concluded that such a voracious monster ought to be destroyed, and, as a death-warrant, it was determined that it should be put in another pond, in order that it might be drowned.-Eu. H. When you these creatures wisely choose Fish from your arts do rescue men," Distemper'd, serious, turning sad; Hence fetch your cure, cast in your bait, 8 7 The water's calmness in your breast, Their fate oft makes the tale1 seem true. The daughter's dower, th' inheritance Make good the doctrine of the Turks, Then on these banks let me sit down, To conquer nations and protect. 5 Whilst.-2d edit. 7 you'll.-Ibid. VARIATIONS. 6 You fishes choose to rescue men.-Ibid. 8 Then this stream's calmness.-Ibid. 9 And give me cheap and quiet joys.-Ibid. Sweeter are cheap and silent joys.— 3d edit. 1oft makes that fable true.-2d edit. 2 This, and the four following lines first appeared in the 3d edit. 3 that.-2d edit. 7 shall.-Ibid. 4 that. Ibid. 5 this bank.-Ibid. 8 affords me such content. -Ibid. 6 lie.-Ibid. 9 so.-Ibid. |