The Compleat Angler, Or, the Contemplative Man's RecreationThis historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 edition. Excerpt: ...With child with hundred winters, with her touch Quencheth the fire, tho' glowing ne'er so much. So of the fire, in burning furnace, springs The fly Pyrausta with the flaming wings: Without the fire, it dies: within it joys, Living in that which each thing else destroys. So, slow Bootes underneath him sees, In th' icy isles, those goslings hatch'd of trees; Whose fruitful leaves, falling into the water, Are turn'd, they say, to living fowls soon after. So, rotten sides of broken ships do change To barnacles. O transformation strange! 'Twas first a green tree; then, a gallant hull; Lately a mushroom; now, a flying gull. Venator. O my good master, this morning-walk has been spent to my great pleasure and wonder: but, I pray, when shall I have your direction how to make artificial flies, like to those that the Trout loves best; and, also, how to use them? P1scator. My honest scholar, it is now past five of the clock: we will fish till nine; and then go to breakfast. Go you to yonder sycamore-tree, and hide your bottle of drink under the hollow root of it; for about that time, and in that place, we will make a brave breakfast with a piece of powdered beef, and a radish or two, that I have in my fish-bag: we shall, I warrant you, make a good, honest, wholesome hungry breakfast. And I will then give you direction for the making and using of your flies: and in the meantime, there is your rod and line; and my advice is, that you fish as you see me do, and let's try which can catch the first fish. Venator. I thank you, master. I will observe and practise your direction as far as I am able. P1scator. Look you, scholar; you see I have hold of a good fish: I now see it is a Trout. I pray, put that net under him; and touch not my line, for if you do, then we... |