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the complete angler-第14部分

小说: the complete angler 字数: 每页4000字

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and; and a live minnow lying by her: the mould or body of the minnow was cloth; and wrought upon; or over it; thus; with a needle; the back of it with very sad French green silk; and paler green silk towards the belly; shadowed as perfectly as you can imagine; just as you see a minnow: the belly was wrought also with a needle; and it was; a part of it; white silk; and another part of it with silver thread: the tail and fins were of a quill; which was shaven thin: the eyes were of two little black beads: and the head was so shadowed; and all of it so curiously wrought; and so exactly dissembled; that it would beguile any sharp…sighted Trout in a swift stream。 And this minnow I will now shew you; look; here it is; and; if you like it; lend it you; to have two or three made by it; for they be easily carried about an angler; and be of excellent use: for note; that a large Trout will come as fiercely at a minnow as the highest…mettled hawk doth seize on a partridge; or a greyhound on a hare。 I have been told that one hundred and sixty minnows have been found in a Trout's belly: either the Trout had devoured so many; or the miller that gave it a friend of mine had forced them down his throat after he had taken him。

Now for Flies; which is the third bait wherewith Trouts are usually taken。 You are to know; that there are so many sorts of flies as there be of fruits: I will name you but some of them; as the dun…fly; the stone… fly; the red…fly; the moor…fly; the tawny…fly; the shell…fly; the cloudy or blackish…fly; the flag…fly; the vine…fly; there be of flies; caterpillars; and canker…flies; and bear…flies; and indeed too many either for me to name; or for you to remember。 And their breeding is so various and wonderful; that I might easily amaze myself; and tire you in a relation of them。

And; yet; I will exercise your promised patience by saying a little of the caterpillar; or the palmer…fly or worm; that by them you may guess what a work it were; in a discourse; but to run over those very many flies; worms; and little living creatures; with which the sun and summer adorn and beautify the river…banks and meadows; both for the recreation and contemplation of us anglers; pleasures which; I think; myself enjoy more than any other man that is not of my profession。

Pliny holds an opinion; that many have their birth; or being; from a dew that in the spring falls upon the leaves of trees; and that some kinds of them are from a dew left upon herbs or flowers; and others from a dew left upon coleworts or cabbages: all which kinds of dews being thickened and condensed; are by the sun's generative heat; most of them; hatched; and in three days made living creatures。 and these of several shapes and colours; some being hard and tough; some smooth and soft; some are horned in their head; some in their tail; some have none; some have hair; some none: some have sixteen feet; some less; and some have none: but; as our Topsel hath with great diligence observed; those which have none; move upon the earth; or upon broad leaves; their motion being not unlike to the waves of the sea。 Some of them he also observes to be bred of the eggs of other caterpillars; and that those in their time turn to be butterflies; and again; that their eggs turn the following year to be caterpillars And some affirm; that every plant has its particular fly or caterpillar; which it breeds and feeds。 I have seen; and may therefore affirm it; a green caterpillar; or worm; as big as a small peascod; which had fourteen legs; eight on the belly; four under the neck; and two near the tail。 It was found on a hedge of privet; and was taken thence; and put into a large box; and a little branch or two of privet put to it; on which I saw it feed as sharply as a dog gnaws a bone: it lived thus; five or six days; and thrived; and changed the colour two or three times but by some neglect in the keeper of it; it then died and did not turn to a fly: but if it had lived; it had doubtless turned to one of those flies that some call Flies of prey; which those that walk by the rivers may; in summer; see fasten on smaller flies; and; I think; make them their food。 And 'tis observable; that as there be these flies of prey; which be very large; so there be others; very little; created; I think; only to feed them; and breed out of I know not what; whose life; they say; nature intended not to exceed an hour; and yet that life is thus made shorter by other flies; or accident。

'Tis endless to tell you what the curious searchers into nature's productions have observed of these worms and flies: but yet I shall tell you what Aldrovandus; our Topsel; and others; say of the Palmer…worm; or Caterpillar: that whereas others content themselves to feed on particular herbs or leaves; for most think; those very leaves that gave them life and shape; give them a particular feeding and nourishment; and that upon them they usually abide; yet he observes; that this is called a pilgrim; or palmer…worm; for his very wandering life; and various food; not contenting himself; as others do; with any one certain place for his abode; nor any certain kind of herb or flower for his feeding; but will boldly and disorderly wander up and down; and not endure to be kept to a diet; or fixt to a particular place。

Nay; the very colours of caterpillars are; as one has observed; very elegant and beautiful I shall; for a taste of the rest; describe one of them; which I will; some time the next month; shew you feeding on a willow…tree; and you shall find him punctually to answer this very description: his lips and mouth somewhat yellow; his eyes black as jet; his forehead purple; his feet and hinder parts green; his tail two…forked and black; the whole body stained with a kind of red spots; which run along the neck and shoulder…blade; not unlike the form of St。 Andrew's cross; or the letter X; made thus crosswise; and a white line drawn down his back to his tail; all which add much beauty to his whole body。 And it is to me observable; that at a fixed age this caterpillar gives over to eat; and towards winter comes to be covered over with a strange shell or crust; called an aurelia; and so lives a kind of dead life; without eating all the winter。 And as others of several kinds turn to be several kinds of flies and vermin; the Spring following; so this caterpillar then turns to be a painted butterfly。

Come; come; my scholar; you see the river stops our morning walk: and I will also here stop my discourse: only as we sit down under this honeysuckle hedge; whilst I look a line to fit the rod that our brother Peter hath lent you; I shall; for a little confirmation of what I have said; repeat the observation of Du Bartas:

God; not contented to each kind to give And to infuse the virtue generative; Made; by his wisdom; many creatures breed Of lifeless bodies。 without Venus' deed。

So; the cold humour breeds the Salamander; Who; in effect; like to her birth's commander; With child with hundred winters; with her touch Quencheth the fire; tho'glowing ne'er so much。

So of the fire; in burning furnace; springs The fly Pyrausta with the flaming wings: Without the fire; it dies: within it joys; Living in that which each shine else destroys。

So; slow Bo?tes underneath him sees In th' icy isles those goslings hatch'd of trees; Whose fruitful leaves; falling into the water; Are turn'd; they say; to living fowls soon after。

So; rotten sides of broken ships do change To barnacles。 O transformation strange! 'Twas first a green tree; then; a gallant hull; Lately a mushroom; now; a flying gull。

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 yonder 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 practice 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 of fish 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。

Piscator。 Look you; scholar; I have yet another。 And now; having caught three brace of Trouts; I will tell you a short tale as we walk towards our breakfast。 A scholar; a preacher I should say; that was to preach to procure the approbation of a parish that he might be their lecturer; had got from his fellow…pupil the copy of a sermon that was first preached with great commendation by him that composed it: and though the borrower of it preached it; word for word; as it was at first; yet it was utterly disliked as it was preached by the second to his congregation; which the sermon…borrower complained of to the lender of it: and was thus answered: 〃 I lent you; indeed; my fiddle; but not my fiddle…stick; for you are to 

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