Note 48 — Chapter III · The Host conducts the Angler and Painter to Beresford Hall and Mr. Cotton’s Fishing House on the River Dove.

Mr. Cotton’s hopeful temper amidst his cares has been well expressed in these lines ‘To my dear and most worthy friend, Mr. Isaac Walton.

‘And some delight it is the while,

‘Though nature now does weep in rain,

‘To think that I have seen her smile,

‘And haply may I do again.

‘If the all-ruling Power please

‘We live to see another May,

‘We’ll recompense an age of these

‘Foul days in one fine fishing day.’

Poems on several Occasions.—Ed.