Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/190

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  • <poem>

The eighth is Knowledge, how to find the way To make them bite when they are dull and slow; And what doth let the same and breeds delay; And every like impediment to know, That keeps them from their food and wonted prey Within the stream or standing waters low;

 And with Experience skilfully to prove,
 All other faults to mend or to remove.

The ninth is Placability of mind, Contented with a reasonable dish; Yea though sometimes no sport at all he find Or that the weather prove not to his wish. The tenth is Thanks to that GOD, of each kind, To net and bait, doth send both fowl and fish;

 And still reserve enough in secret store
 To please the rich and to relieve the poor.

Th'eleventh good gift and hardest to endure, Is Fasting long from all superfluous fare; Unto the which he must himself inure By exercise and use of diet spare: And with the liquor of the waters pure Acquaint himself if he cannot forbear;

 And never on his greedy belly think,
 From rising sun until alow he sink.

The twelfth and last of all is Memory, Remembering well before he setteth out, Each needful thing that he must occupy; And not to stand of any want in doubt Or leave something behind forgetfully: When he hath walked the fields and brooks about,

 It were a grief back to return again,
 For things forgot that should his sport maintain.
  • <poem>