And as a ship in safe and quiet road
Under some hill or harbour doth abide,
With all her freight, her tackling and her load,
Attending still the wind and wishèd tide;
Which when it serves, no longer makes abode,
But forth into the wat'ry deep doth slide,
And through the waves divides her fairest way
Unto the place where she intends to stay.
So must the Angler be provided still
Of divers tools and sundry baits in store,
And all things else pertaining to his skill
Which he shall get and lay up long before;
That when the weather frameth to his will
He may be well appointed evermore
To take fit time when it is offered ever:
For time in one estate abideth never.
The Qualities of an Angler. <poem> But ere I further go, it shall behove To show what gifts and qualities of mind Belong to him that doth the pastime love; And what the virtues are of every kind Without the which it were in vain to prove Or to expect the pleasure he should find:
No more than he that having store of meat Hath lost all lust and appetite to eat.
For what avails to brook or lake to go, With handsome rods and hooks of divers sort, Well-twisted lines, and many trinkets moe To find the fish within their wat'ry fort: If that the mind be not contented so But wants those gifts, that should the rest support.
And make his pleasure to his thoughts agree. With these therefore he must enduèd be.
- <poem>
