The Complete Angler | Page 7

yet
five miles to walk before wee shall come to the Thatcht house. And, Sir,
though my infirmities are many, yet I dare promise you, that both my
patience and attention will indure to hear what you will say till wee
come thither: and if you please to begin in order with the antiquity,
when that is done, you shall not want my attention to the
commendations and accommodations of it: and lastly, if you shall
convince me that 'tis an Art, and an Art worth learning, I shall beg I
may become your Scholer, both to wait upon you, and to be instructed
in the Art it self.
Pisc. Oh Sir, 'tis not to be questioned, but that it is an art, and an art
worth your Learning: the question wil rather be, whether you be
capable of learning it? For he that learns it, must not onely bring an
enquiring, searching, and discerning wit; but he must bring also that
patience you talk of, and a love and propensity to the art itself: but
having once got and practised it, then doubt not but the Art will (both
for the pleasure and profit of it) prove like to _Vertue, a reward to it

self_.
Viat. Sir, I am now become so ful of expectation, that I long much to
have you proceed in your discourse: And first, I pray Sir, let me hear
concerning the antiquity of it.
Pisc. Sir, I wil preface no longer, but proceed in order as you desire me:
And first for the Antiquity of Angling, I shall not say much; but onely
this; Some say, it is as ancient as Deucalions Floud: and others (which I
like better) say, that Belus (who was the inventer of godly and vertuous
Recreations) was the Inventer of it: and some others say, (for former
times have had their Disquisitions about it) that Seth, one of the sons of
Adam, taught it to his sons, and that by them it was derived to Posterity.
Others say, that he left it engraven on those Pillars which hee erected to
preserve the knowledg of the _Mathematicks, Musick_, and the rest of
those precious Arts, which by Gods appointment or allowance, and his
noble industry were thereby preserved from perishing in _Noah's_
Floud.
These (my worthy Friend) have been the opinions of some men, that
possibly may have endeavoured to make it more ancient then may well
be warranted. But for my part, I shall content my self in telling you,
That Angling is much more ancient then the incarnation of our Saviour:
For both in the Prophet Amos [Chap. 42], and before him in Job [Chap.
41], (which last Book is judged to be written by _Moses_) mention is
made _fish-hooks_, which must imply Anglers in those times.
But (my worthy friend) as I would rather prove my self to be a
Gentleman, by being learned and _humble, valiant_ and _inoffensive,
vertuous_ and communicable_, then by a fond ostentation of _riches_;
or (wanting these Vertues my self) boast that these were in my
Ancestors; [And yet I confesse, that where a noble and ancient Descent
and such Merits meet in any man, it is a double dignification of that
person:] and so, if this Antiquitie of Angling (which, for my part, I
have not forc'd) shall like an ancient Familie, by either an honour, or an
ornament to this vertuous Art which I both love and practise, I shall be
the gladder that I made an accidental mention of it; and shall proceed to
the justification, or rather commendation of it.

Viat. My worthy Friend, I am much pleased with your discourse, for
that you seem to be so ingenuous, and so modest, as not to stretch
arguments into Hyperbolicall expressions, but such as indeed they will
reasonably bear; and I pray, proceed to the justification, or
commendations of Angling, which I also long to hear from you.
Pisc. Sir, I shall proceed; and my next discourse shall be rather a
Commendation, then a Justification of Angling: for, in my judgment, if
it deserves to be commended, it is more then justified; for some
practices what may be justified, deserve no commendation: yet there
are none that deserve commendation but may be justified.
And now having said this much by way of preparation, I am next to tell
you, that in ancient times a debate hath risen, (and it is not yet resolved)
Whether Contemplation or Action be the chiefest thing wherin the
happiness of a man doth most consist in this world?
Concerning which, some have maintained their opinion of the first, by
saying, "[That the nearer we Mortals come to God by way of imitation,
the more happy we are:]" And that God injoyes himself only by
Contemplation of