The Compleat Angler
Izaak Walton
Language: English
Pages: 176
ISBN: 0486431878
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
First published in 1653, this literary and nature classic was created by a Londoner with a passion for rustic life. As satisfying a primer on fishing as any angler could wish, it celebrates the art and spirit of fishing with verse, song and folklore, moral reflections, and timeless wisdom. Cast in the form of a dialogue between the veteran angler Piscator and his pupil Viator, it both informs and delights with an ingenious exploration of fishing's subtle intricacies and the pleasures of the natural world.
Skeggar; when in the East they avow him Penk; but to the Northward, Brood and Locksper, so from thence to a Tecon; then to a Salmon’ (Northern Memoirs (London, 1694), 255). Pilcher: pilchard (Sardina pilchardus). Artificial Paint or Patches: artificial paint = make-up. Patches were small pieces of black silk cut into decorative shapes and worn on the face, either for adornment or to conceal blemishes. Pickerel-weed … learned Gesner: Gesner, p. 503, ll. 49–51. Walton apparently conflates this
depend on one mad chance. The harms and mischiefs which th’abuse Of wine doth every day produce, Make good the Doctrine of the Turks, That in each grape a devil lurks. And by yon fading sapless tree, Bout which the Ivy twin’d you see, His fate’s foretold, who fondly places His bliss in womans soft embraces. All pleasures, but the Anglers, bring I’th’ tail repentance like a sting. Then on these banks let me sit down, Free from the toilsom Sword and Gown, And pity those that do affect
eyes, did stretch out his legs and embraced the Pikes head, and presently reached them to his eyes, tearing with them and his teeth those tender parts; the Pike moved with anguish, moves up and down the water, and rubs himself against weeds, and whatever he thought might quit him of his enemy; but all in vain, for the frog did continue to ride triumphantly, and to bite and torment the Pike, till his strength failed, and then the frog sunk with the Pike to the bottom of the water; then presently
of a fine cast and handsome shape, with small scales, which are plac’d after a most exact and curious manner, and, as I told you, may be rather said not to be ill, than to be good meat; the Chub and he have (I think) both lost part of their credit by ill cookery, they being reputed the worst or coursest of fresh-water-fish: but the Barbel affords an Angler choice sport, being a lusty and a cunning Fish: so lusty and cunning as to endanger the breaking of the Anglers line, by running his head
from the top of which you will go directly into the House, or back again over these stepping stones, and about by the Bridg. Viat. Nay, sure the nearest way is best; at least my stomach tells me so; and I am now so well acquainted with your Rocks, that I fear them not. Pisc. Come then, follow me, and so soon as we have din’d, we will down again to the little House; where I will begin at the place I left off about Flie-Fishing, and read you another Lecture; for I have a great deal more to say