Venator. Well, Master, these verses be worthy to keep a room in every
man's memory. I thank you for them; and I thank you for your many
instructions, which, God willing, I will not forget. And as St. Austin,
in his Confessions, commemorates the kindness of his friend Verecundus,
for lending him and his companion a country house, because there they
rested and enjoyed themselves, free from the troubles of the world, so,
having had the like advantage, both by your conversation and the art you
have taught me, I ought ever to do the like; for, indeed, your company
and discourse have been so useful and pleasant, that, I may truly say, I
have only lived since I enjoyed them and turned angler, and not before.
Nevertheless, here I must part with you; here in this now sad place,
where I was so happy as first to meet you: but I shall long for the
ninth of May; for then I hope again to enjoy your beloved company, at
the appointed time and place. And now I wish for some somniferous
potion, that might force me to sleep away the intermitted time, which
will pass away with me as tediously as it does with men in sorrow;
nevertheless I will make it as short as I can, by my hopes and wishes:
and, my good Master, I will not forget the doctrine which you told me
Socrates taught his scholars, that they should not think to be honoured
so much for being philosophers, as to honour philosophy by their
virtuous lives. You advised me to the like concerning Angling, and I
will endeavour to do so; and to live like those many worthy men, of
which you made mention in the former part of your discourse. This is my
firm resolution. And as a pious man advised his friend, that, to beget
mortification, he should frequent churches, and view monuments, and
charnel-houses, and then and there consider how many dead bodies time
had piled up at the gates of death, so when I would beget content, and
increase confidence in the power, and wisdom, and providence of Almighty
God, I will walk the meadows, by some gliding stream, and there
contemplate the lilies that take no care, and those very many other
various little living creatures that are not only created, but fed, man
knows not how, by the goodness of the God of Nature, and therefore trust
in him. This is my purpose; and so, let everything that hath breath
praise the Lord: and let the blessing of St. Peter's Master be with
mine.
Piscator. And upon all that are lovers of virtue; and dare trust in his
providence; and be quiet; and go a-Angling.
"Study to be quiet."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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