Yet must you have a little rip beside
Of willow twigs, the finest you can wish;
Which shall be made so handsome and so wide
As may contain good store of sundry fish;
And yet with ease be hangèd by your side,
To bring them home the better to your dish.
A little net that on a pole shall stand,
The mighty pike or heavy carp to land.
His several Tools and what Garment is fittest.
And let your garments russet be or gray
Of colour dark and hardest to descry,
That with the rain or weather will away
And least offend the fearful fish's eye:
For neither scarlet nor rich cloth of 'ray
Nor colours dipt in fresh Assyrian dye,
Nor tender silks of purple, paul or gold
Will serve so well to keep off wet or cold.
In this array the Angler good shall go
Unto the brook to find his wishèd game;
Like old MENALCUS wandring to and fro
Until he chance to light upon the same;
And here his art and cunning shall bestow
For every fish his bait so well to frame.
That long ere PHOCEBUS set in western foam
He shall return well laden to his home.
Objection.
Some Youthful gallant here perhaps will say
"This is no pastime for a gentleman.
It were more fit at cards and dice to play,
To use both fence and dancing now and then,
