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the complete angler-第2部分

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it is said by many; that in fly…fishing for a Trout; the Angler must observe his twelve several flies for the twelve months of the year; I say; he that follows that rule; shall be as sure to catch fish; and be as wise; as he that makes hay by the fair days in an Almanack; and no surer; for those very flies that used to appear about; and on; the water in one month of the year; may the following year come almost a month sooner or later; as the same year proves colder or hotter: and yet; in the following Discourse; I have set down the twelve flies that are in reputation with many anglers; and they may serve to give him some observations concerning them。 And he may note; that there are in Wales; and other countries; peculiar flies; proper to the particular place or country; and doubtless; unless a man makes a fly to counterfeit that very fly in that place; he is like to lose his labour; or much of it; but for the generality; three or four flies neat and rightly made; and not too big; serve for a Trout in most rivers; all the summer: and for winter fly… fishing it is as useful as an Almanack out of date。 And of these; because as no man is born an artist; so no man is born an Angler; I thought fit to give thee this notice。

When I have told the reader; that in this fifth impression there are many enlargements; gathered both by my own observation; and the communication with friends; I shall stay him no longer than to wish him a rainy evening to read this following Discourse; and that if he be an honest Angler; the east wind may never blow when he goes a… fishing。

I。 W。




The first day

A Conference betwixt an Angler; a Falconer; and a Hunter; each commending his Recreation

Chapter I

Piscator; Venator; Auceps

Piscator。 You are well overtaken; Gentlemen! A good morning to you both! I have stretched my legs up Tottenham Hill to overtake you; hoping your business may occasion you towards Ware whither I am going this fine fresh May morning。

Venator。 Sir; I; for my part; shall almost answer your hopes; for my purpose is to drink my morning's draught at the Thatched House in Hoddesden; and I think not to rest till I come thither; where I have appointed a friend or two to meet me: but for this gentleman that you see with me; I know not how far he intends his journey; he came so lately into my company; that I have scarce had time to ask him the question。

Auceps。 Sir; I shall by your favour bear you company as far as Theobalds; and there leave you; for then I turn up to a friend's house; who mews a Hawk for me; which I now long to see。

Venator。 Sir; we are all so happy as to have a fine; fresh; cool morning; and I hope we shall each be the happier in the others' company。 And; Gentlemen; that I may not lose yours; I shall either abate or amend my pace to enjoy it; knowing that; as the Italians say; 〃 Good company in a journey makes the way to seem the shorter 〃。

Auceps。 It may do so; Sir; with the help of good discourse; which; methinks; we may promise from you; that both look and speak so cheerfully: and for my part; I promise you; as an invitation to it; that I will be as free and open hearted as discretion will allow me to be with strangers。

Venator。 And; Sir; I promise the like。

Piscator。 I am right glad to hear your answers; and; in confidence you speak the truth; I shall put on a boldness to ask you; Sir; whether business or pleasure caused you to be so early up; and walk so fast ? for this other gentleman hath declared he is going to see a hawk; that a friend mews for him

Venator。 Sir; mine is a mixture of both; a little business and more pleasure; for I intend this day to do all my business; and then bestow another day or two in hunting the Otter; which a friend; that I go to meet; tells me is much pleasanter than any other chase whatsoever: howsoever; I mean to try it; for to…morrow morning we shall meet a pack of Otter…dogs of noble Mr。 Sadler's; upon Amwell Hill; who will be there so early; that they intend to prevent the sunrising。

Piscator。 Sir; my fortune has answered my desires; and my purpose is to bestow a day or two in helping to destroy some of those villanous vermin: for I hate them perfectly; because they love fish so well; or rather; because they destroy so much; indeed so much; that; in my judgment all men that keep Otter…dogs ought to have pen〃 signs from the King; to encourage them to destroy the very breed of those base Otters; they do so much mischief。

Venator。 But what say you to the Foxes of the Nation; would not you as willingly have them destroyed ? for doubtless they do as much mischief as Otters do。

Piscator。 Oh; Sir; if they do; it is not so much to me and my fraternity; as those base vermin the Otters do。

Auceps。 Why; Sir; I pray; of what fraternity are you; that you are so angry with the poor Otters?

Piscator。 I am; Sir; a Brother of the Angle; and therefore an enemy to the Otter: for you are to note; that we Anglers all love one another; and therefore do I hate the Otter both for my own; and their sakes who are of my brotherhood。

Venator。 And I am a lover of Hounds; I have followed many a pack of dogs many a mile; and heard many merry Huntsmen make sport and scoff at Anglers。

Auceps。 And I profess myself a Falconer; and have heard many grave; serious men pity them; it is such a heavy; contemptible; dull recreation。

Piscator。 You know; Gentlemen; it is an easy thing to scoff at any art or recreation; a little wit mixed with ill nature; confidence; and malice; will do it; but though they often venture boldly; yet they are often caught; even in their own trap; according to that of Lucian; the father of the family of Scoffers:

Lucian; well skilled in scoffing; this hath writ; Friend; that's your folly; which you think your wit: This you vent oft; void both of wit and fear; Meaning another; when yourself you jeer。

If to this you add what Solomon says of Scoffers; that they are an abomination to mankind; let him that thinks fit scoff on; and be a Scoffer still; but I account them enemies to me and all that love Virtue and Angling。

And for you that have heard many grave; serious men pity Anglers; let me tell you; Sir; there be many men that are by others taken to be serious and grave men; whom we contemn and pity Men that are taken to be grave; because nature hath made them of a sour complexion; money…getting men; men that spend all their time; first in getting; and next; in anxious care to keep it; men that are condemned to be rich; and then always busy or discontented: for these poor rich…men; we Anglers pity them perfectly; and stand in no need to borrow their thoughts to think ourselves so happy。 No; no; Sir; we enjoy a contentedness above the reach of such dispositions; and as the learned and ingenuous Montaigne says; like himself; freely; 〃 When my Cat and I entertain each other with mutual apish tricks; as playing with a garter; who knows but that I make my Cat more sport than she makes me? Shall I conclude her to be simple; that has her time to begin or refuse; to play as freely as I myself have? Nay; who knows but that it is a defect of my not understanding her language; for doubtless Cats talk and reason with one another; that we agr
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