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第37节

the complete angler-第37节

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ys in St。 Matthew's Gospel; for He there says—〃 Blessed be the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy。 Blessed be the pure in heart; for they shall see God。 Blessed be the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven。 And; Blessed be the meek; for they shall possess the earth。〃 Not that the meek shall not also obtain mercy; and see God; and be comforted; and at last come to the kingdom of heaven: but in the meantime; he; and he only; possesses the earth; as he goes towards that kingdom of heaven; by being humble and cheerful; and content with what his good God had allotted him。 He has no turbulent; repining; vexatious thoughts that he deserves better; nor is vext when he see others possess of more honour or more riches than his wise God has allotted for his share: but he possesses what he has with a meek and contented quietness; such a quietness as makes his very dreams pleasing; both to God and himself。

My honest Scholar; all this is told to incline you to thankfulness; and to incline you the more; let me tell you; and though the prophet David was guilty of murder and adultery; and many other of the most deadly sins; yet he was said to be a man after God's own heart; because he abounded more with thankfulness that any other that is mentioned in holy scripture; as may appear in his book o£ Psalms; where there is such a commixture; of his confessing of his sins and unworthiness; and such thankfulness for God's pardon and mercies; as did make him to be accounted; even by God himself; to be a man after his own heart: and let us; in that; labour to be as like him as we can; let not the blessings we receive daily from God make us not to value; or not praise Him; because they be common; let us not forget to praise Him for the innocent mirth and pleasure we have met with since we met together。 What would a blind man give to see the pleasant rivers; and meadows; and flowers; and fountains; that we have met with since we met together ? I have been told; that if a man that was born blind could obtain to have his sight for but only one hour during his whole life; and should; at the first opening of his eyes; fix his sight upon the sun when it was in its full glory; either at the rising or setting of it; he would be so transported and amazed; and so admire the glory of it; that he would not willingly turn his eyes from that first ravishing object; to behold all the other various beauties this world could present to him。 And this; and many other like blessings; we enjoy daily。 And for the most of them; because they be so common; most men forget to pay their praises: but let not us; because it is a sacrifice so pleasing to Him that made that sun and us; and still protects us; and gives us flowers; and showers; and stomachs; and meat; and content; and leisure to go a…fishing。

Well; Scholar; I have almost tired myself; and; I fear; more than almost tired you。 But I now see Tottenham High…Cross; and our short walk thither shall put a period to my too long discourse; in which my meaning was; and is; to plant that in your mind with which I labour to possess my own soul; that is; a meek and thankful heart。 And to that end I have shewed you; that riches without them; do not make any man happy。 But let me tell you; that riches with them remove many fears and cares。 And therefore my advice is; that you endeavour to be honestly rich; or contentedly poor: but be sure that your riches be justly got; or you spoil all。 For it is well said by Caussin; 〃 He that loses his conscience has nothing left that is worth keeping 〃。 Therefore be sure you look to that。 And; in the next place; look to your health: and if you have it; praise God; and value it next to a good conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of; a blessing that money cannot buy; and therefore value it; and be thankful for it。 As for money; which may be said to be the third blessing; neglect it not: but note; that there is no necessity of being rich; for I told you; there be as many miseries beyond riches as on this side them: and if you have a competence; enjoy it with a meek; cheerful; thankful heart。 I will tell you; Scholar; I have heard a grave Divine say; that God has two dwellings; one in heaven; and the other in a meek and thankful heart; which Almighty God grant to me; and to my honest Scholar。 And so you are welcome to Tottenham High…Cross。

Venator。 Well; Master; I thank you for all your good directions; but for none more than this last; of thankfulness; which I hope I shall never forget。 And pray let's now rest ourselves in this sweet shady arbour; which nature herself has woven with her own fine fingers; 'tis such a contexture of woodbines; sweetbriar; jasmine; and myrtle; and so interwoven; as will secure us both from the sun's violent heat; and from the approaching shower。 And being set down; I will requite a part of your courtesies with a bottle of sack; milk; oranges; and sugar; which; all put together; make a drink like nectar; indeed; too good for any but us Anglers; And so; Master; here is a full glass to you of that liquor: and when you have pledged me; I will repeat the Verses which I promised you: it is a Copy printed among some of Sir Henry Wotton's; and doubtless made either by him; or by a lover of angling。 Come; Master; now drink a glass to me; and then I will pledge you; and fall to my repetition; it is a description of such country recreations as I have enjoyed since I had the happiness to fall into your company。

Quivering fears; heart…tearing cares; Anxious sighs; untimely tears; Fly; fly to courts; Fly to fond worldlings' sports; Where strain'd sardonic smiles are glosing still; And Grief is forc'd to laugh against her will: Where mirth's but mummery; And sorrows only real be。

Fly from our country pastimes; fly; Sad troops of human misery。 Come; serene looks; Clear as the crystal brooks; Or the pure azur'd heaven that smiles to see The rich attendance of our poverty: Peace and a secure mind; Which all men seek; we only find。

Abused mortals I did you know Where joy; heart's…ease; and comforts grow; You'd scorn proud towers; And seek them in these bowers; Where winds; sometimes; our woods perhaps may shake; But blust'ring care could never tempest make; Nor murmurs e'er come nigh us; Saving of fountains that glide by us。

Here's no fantastick mask; nor dance; But of our kids that frisk and prance; Nor wars are seen Unless upon the green Two harmless lambs are butting one the other; Which done; both bleating run; each to his mother And wounds are never found; Save what the plough…share gives the ground。

Here are no false entrapping baits; To hasten too; too hasty Fates; Unless it be The fond credulity Of silly fish; which worldling like; still look Upon the bait; but never on the hook; Nor envy; unless among The birds; for prize of their sweet song。

Go; let the diving negro seek For gems; hid in some forlorn creek: We all pearls scorn; Save what the dewy morn Congeals upon each little spire of grass; Which careless shepherds beat down as they pass: And gold ne'er here appears; Save what the yellow Ceres bears;

Blest silent groves; oh may ye be; For ever; mirth's best nursery ! May pure contents For ever pitch their tents Upon these downs; these meads; these rocks; these mountains。 And peace still slumber by these purling fountains: Which we may; every year; Meet when we come a…fishing here。

Piscator。 Trust me; Scholar; I thank you heartily for these Verses: they be choicely good; and doubtless made by a lover of angling。 Come; now; drink a glass to me; and I will requite you with another very good copy: it is a farewell to the vanities of the world; and some say written by Sir Harry Wotton; who I told you was an excellent angler。 But let them be writ by whom they will; he that writ them had a brave soul; and must needs be possess with happy thoughts at the time of their composure。

Farewell; ye gilded follies; pleasing troubles; Farewell; ye honour'd rags; ye glorious bubbles; Fame's but a hollow echo; Gold; pure clay; Honour the darling but of one short day; Beauty; th' eye's idol; but a damask'd skin; State; but a golden prison; to live in And torture free…born minds; embroider'd Trains; Merely but pageants for proud swelling veins; And Blood allied to greatness is alone Inherited; not purchas'd; nor our own。 Fame; Honour; Beauty; State; Train; Blood and Birth; Are but the fading blossoms of the earth。

I would be great; but that the sun doth still Level his rays against the rising hill: I would be high; but see the proudest oak Most subject to the rending thunder…stroke: I would be rich; but see men; too unkind Dig in the bowels of the richest mind: I would be wise; but that I often see The fox suspected; whilst the ass goes free: I would be fair; but see the fair and proud; Like the bright sun; oft setting in a cloud: I would be poor; but know the humble grass Still trampled on by each unworthy ass: Rich; hated wise; suspected; scorn'd if poor; Great; fear'd; fair; tempted; high; still envy'd more。 I have wish'd all; but now I wish for neither。 Great; high; rich; wise; nor fair: poor I'll be rather。

Would the World now adopt me for her heir; Would beauty's Queen entitle me the fair; Fame speak me for

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