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the complete angler-第39部分

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 way; if you have a gentle rod; and as gentle a hand。

There is also another fish called a POPE; and by some a RUFFE; a fish that is not known to be in some rivers: he is much like the Perch for his shape; and taken to be better than the Perch; but will not grow to be bigger than a Gudgeon。 He is an excellent fish; no fish that swims is of a pleasanter taste。 And he is also excellent to enter a young angler; for he is a greedy biter: and they will usually lie; abundance of them together; in one reserved place; where the water is deep and runs quietly; and an easy angler; if he has found where they lie; may catch forty or fifty; or sometimes twice so many; at a standing。

You must fish for him with a small red worm; and if you bait the ground with earth; it is excellent。

There is also a BLEAK or fresh…water Sprat; a fish that is ever in motion; and therefore called by some the river…swallow; for just as you shall observe the swallow to be; most evenings in summer; ever in motion; making short and quick turns when he flies to catch flies; in the air; by which he lives; so does the Bleak at the top of the water。 Ausonius would have called him Bleak from his whitish colour: his back is of a pleasant sad or sea…water…green; his belly; white and shining as the mountain snow。 And doubtless; though we have the fortune; which virtue has in poor people; to be neglected; yet the Bleak ought to be much valued; though we want Allamot salt; and the skill that the Italians have; to turn them into anchovies。 This fish may be caught with a Pater…noster line; that is; six or eight very small hooks tied along the line; one half a foot above the other: I have seen five caught thus at one time; and the bait has been gentles; than which none is better。

Or this fish may be caught with a fine small artificial fly; which is to be of a very sad brown colour; and very small; and the hook answerable。 There is no better sport than whipping for Bleaks in a boat; or on a bank; in the swift water; in a summer's evening; with a hazel top about five or six foot long; and a line twice the length of the rod。 I have heard Sir Henry Wotton say; that there be many that in Italy will catch swallows so; or especially martins; this bird…angler standing on the top of a steeple to do it; and with the line twice so long as I have spoken of。 And let me tell you; scholar; that both Martins and Bleaks be most excellent meat

And let me tell you; that I have known a Heron; that did constantly frequent one place; caught with a hook baited with a big minnow or a small gudgeon。 The line and hook must be strong: and tied to some loose staff; so big as she cannot fly away with it: a line not exceeding two yards。





The fourth day…continued

Is of nothing; or of nothing worth

Chapter XVI

Piscator; Venator; Peter; Coridon

Piscator。 My purpose was to give you some directions concerning ROACH and DACE; and some other inferior fish which make the angler excellent sport; for you know there is more pleasure in hunting the hare than in eating her: but I will forbear; at this time; to say any more; because you see yonder come our brother Peter and honest Coridon。 But I will promise you; that as you and I fish and walk to… morrow towards London; if I have now forgotten anything that I can then remember; I will not keep it from you。

Well met; gentlemen; this is lucky that we meet so just together at this very door; Come; hostess; where are you ? is supper ready ? Come; first give us a drink; and be as quick as you can; for I believe we are all very hungry。 Well; brother Peter and Coridon; to you both! Come; drink: and then tell me what luck of fish: we two have caught but ten bouts; of which my scholar caught three。 Look! here's eight; and a brace we gave away。 We have had a most pleasant day for fishing and talking; and are returned home both weary and hungry; and now meat and rest will be pleasant。

Peter。 And Coridon and I have not had an unpleasant day: and yet I have caught but five bouts; for; indeed; we went to a good honest ale… house; and there we played at shovel…board half the day; all the time that it rained we were there; and as merry as they that fished。 And I am glad we are now with a dry house over our heads; for; hark ! how it rains and blows。 Come; hostess; give us more ale; and our supper with what haste you may: and when we have supped; let us have your song; Piscator; and the catch that your scholar promised us; or else; Coridon will be dogged。

Piscator。 Nay; I will not be worse than my word; you shall not want my song; and I hope I shall be perfect in it

Venator。 And I hope the like for my catch; which I have ready too: and therefore let's go merrily to supper; and then have a gentle touch at singing and drinking; but the last with moderation。

Coridon。 Come; now for your song; for we have fed heartily。 Come; hostess; lay a few more sticks on the fire。 And now; sing when you will。

Piscator。 Well then; here s to you; Coridon; and now for my song。

O the gallant Fisher's life; It is the best of any; 'Tis full of pleasure; void of strife; And 'tis beloved of many: Other joys Are but toys; Only this Lawful is; For our skill Breeds no ill; But content and pleasure。

In a morning up we rise Ere Aurora's peeping; Drink a cup to wash our eyes。 Leave the sluggard sleeping; Then we go To and fro; With our knacks At our backs To such streams As the Thames If we have the leisure。

When we please to walk abroad For our recreation; In the fields is our abode; Full of delectation: Where in a brook With a hook Or a lake Fish we take: There we sit For a bit; Till we fish entangle。

We have gentles in a horn; We have paste and worms too We can watch both night and morn; Suffer rain and storms too; None do here Use to swear; Oaths do fray Fish away; We sit still; And watch our quill Fishers must not wrangle。

If the sun's excessive heat Make our bodies swelter; To an osier hedge we get For a friendly shelter Where; in a dike; Perch or Pike Roach or Dace We do chase Bleak or Gudgeon; Without grudging We are still contented。

Or we sometimes pass an hour Under a green willow; That defends us from a shower; Making earth our pillow; Where we may Think and pray Before death Stops our breath。 Other joys Are but toys; And to be lamented。

Jo。 Chalkhill。

Venator。 Well sung; master; this day s fortune and pleasure; and the night's company and song; do all make me more and more in love with angling。 Gentlemen; my master left me alone for an hour this day; and I verily believe he retired himself from talking with me that he might be so perfect in this song; was it not; master?

Piscator。 Yes indeed; for it is many years since I learned it; and having forgotten a part of it; I was forced to patch it up with the help of mine own invention; who am not excellent at poetry; as my part of the song may testify; but of that I will say no more; lest you should think I mean; by discommending it; to beg your commendations of it。 And therefore; without replications; let's hear your catch; scholar; which I hope will be a good one; for you are both musical and have a good fancy to boot。

Venator。 Marry; and that you shall; and as freely as I would h
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