True, a new mistress now I chase, The first foe in the field; And with a stronger faith embrace A sword, a horse, a shield. Yet this inconstancy is such As you, too, shall adore,-- I could not love thee, dear, so much, Lov'd I not honor more. VIII. ANGLING. IZAAK WALTON.--1593-1683. _From_ THE COMPLETE ANGLER. _Venator._--O my good master, this morning walk has been spent to my great pleasure and wonder; but I pray, when shall I have your direction how to make artificial flies, like to those that the trout loves best, and also how to use them? _Piscator._--My honest scholar, it is now past five of the clock; we will fish till nine, and then go to breakfast. Go you to yon sycamore-tree, and hide your bottle of drink under the hollow root of it; for about that time, and in that place, we will make a brave breakfast with a piece of powdered beef, and a radish or two, that I have in my fish-bag: we shall, I warrant you, make a good, honest, wholesome, hungry breakfast, and I will then give you direction for the making and using of your flies; and in the meantime, there is your rod and line, and my advice is, that you fish as you see me do, and let's try which can catch the first fish. _Venator._--I thank you, master; I will observe and practise your direction as far as I am able. _Piscator._--Look you, scholar, you see I have hold of a good fish: I now see it is a trout. I pray put that net under him, and touch not my line, for if you do, then we break all. Well done, scholar! I thank you. Now for another. Trust me, I have another bite: come, scholar, come, lay down your rod, and help me to land this as you did the other. So now we shall be sure to have a good dish for supper. _Venator._--I am glad of that; but I have no fortune: sure, master, yours is a better rod and better tackling. _Piscator._--Nay, then, take mine; and I will fish with yours. Look you, scholar, I have another. Come, do as you did before. And now I have a bite at another. Oh me! he has broke all: there's half a line and a good hook lost. _Venator._--Ay, and a good trout too. _Piscator._--Nay, the trout is not lost; for pray take notice, no man can lose what he never had. _Venator._--Master, I can neither catch with the first nor second angle: I have no fortune.