The Complete Angler | Page 6

of my Brotherhood.
Viat. Sir, to be plain with you, I am sorry you are an _Angler_: for I
have heard many grave, serious men pitie, and many pleasant men scoff
at Anglers.
Pisc. Sir, There are many men that are by others taken to be serious
grave men, which we contemn and pitie; men of sowre complexions;
mony-getting-men, that spend all their time first in getting, and next in
anxious care to keep it: men that are condemn'd to be rich, and alwayes
discontented, or busie. For these poor-rich-men, wee Anglers pitie them;
and stand in no need to borrow their thoughts to think our selves happie:
For (trust me, Sir) we enjoy a contentednesse above the reach of such
dispositions.
And as for any scoffer, qui mockat mockabitur. Let mee tell you, (that
you may tell him) what the wittie French-man [the Lord Mountagne in
his Apol. for Ra-Se-bond.] sayes in such a Case. When my Cat _and I
entertaine each other with mutuall apish tricks (as playing with a garter,)

who knows but that I make her more sport then she makes me? Shall I
conclude her simple, that has her time to begin or refuse sportivenesse
as freely as I my self have? Nay, who knows but that our agreeing no
better, is the defect of my not understanding her language? (for
doubtlesse Cats talk and reason with one another) and that shee laughs
at, and censures my folly, for making her sport, and pities mee for
understanding her no better?_ To this purpose speaks Mountagne
concerning _Cats_: And I hope I may take as great a libertie to blame
any Scoffer, that has never heard what an Angler can say in the
justification of his Art and Pleasure.
But, if this satisfie not, I pray bid the Scoffer put this Epigram into his
pocket, and read it every morning for his breakfast (for I wish him no
better;) Hee shall finde it fix'd before the Dialogues of Lucian (who
may be justly accounted the father of the Family of all _Scoffers_:)
And though I owe none of that Fraternitie so much as good will, yet I
have taken a little pleasant pains to make such a conversion of it as may
make it the fitter for all of that Fraternity.
Lucian _well skill'd in_ scoffing, _this has writ, Friend, that's your folly
which you think your wit; This you vent oft, void both of wit and fear,
Meaning an other, when your self you jeer_.
But no more of the _Scoffer_; for since Solomon sayes, he is an
abomination to men, he shall be so to me; and I think, to all that love
Vertue and Angling.
Viat. Sir, you have almost amazed me [Pro 24. 9]: for though I am no
Scoffer, yet I have (I pray let me speak it without offence) alwayes
look'd upon Anglers as more patient, and more simple men, then (I fear)
I shall finde you to be.
Piscat. Sir, I hope you will not judge my earnestnesse to be impatience:
and for my simplicitie, if by that you mean a harmlessnesse, or that
simplicity that was usually found in the Primitive Christians, who were
(as most Anglers are) quiet men, and followed peace; men that were too
wise to sell their consciences to buy riches for vexation, and a fear to
die. Men that lived in those times when there were fewer Lawyers; for

then a Lordship might have been safely conveyed in a piece of
Parchment no bigger then your hand, though several skins are not
sufficient to do it in this wiser Age. I say, Sir, if you take us Anglers to
be such simple men as I have spoken of, then both my self, and those of
my profession will be glad to be so understood. But if by simplicitie
you meant to expresse any general defect in the understanding of those
that professe and practice Angling, I hope to make it appear to you, that
there is so much contrary reason (if you have but the patience to hear it)
as may remove all the anticipations that Time or Discourse may have
possess'd you with, against that Ancient and laudable Art.
Viat. Why (Sir) is Angling of Antiquitie, and an Art, and an art not
easily learn'd?
Pisc. Yes (Sir:) and I doubt not but that if you and I were to converse
together but til night, I should leave you possess'd with the same happie
thoughts that now possesse me; not onely for the Antiquitie of it, but
that it deserves commendations; and that 'tis an Art; and worthy the
knowledge and practice of a wise, and a serious man.
Viat. Sir, I pray speak of them what you shall think fit; for wee have