ife THE COMPLEAT ANGLER [PART n the fulness of it's road, and the loaden horses you meet every where upon the way. VIAT. Well, Sir, I will be content to think as well of your country as you would desire; and I shall have a great deal of reason both to think and to speak very well of you, if I may obtain the happi- ness of your company to the fore-mentioned place, provided your affairs lead you that way, and that they will permit you to slack • your pace> out of complacency to a traveller utterly a stranger in these parts, and who am still to wander out of my own know- ledge. Pise. Sir, you invite me to my own advantage, and I am ready to attend you; my way lying through that town; but my business, that is, my home, some miles beyond it: however, I shall have time enough to lodge you in your quarters, and afterwards to perform my own journey. In the mean time, may I be so bold as to enquire the end of your journey? VIAT. Tis into Lancashire, Sir, and about some business ot concern to a near relation of mine: for I assure you, I do not use to take so long journies, as from Essex t upon the single account of pleasure. Pise. From thence, Sir! I do not then wonder you should appear dissatisfied with the length of the miles, and the foulness of the way; though I am sorry you should begin to quarrel with them so soon: for, believe me, Sir, you will find the miles much longer, and the way much worse, before you come to your journey*s end. VIAT. Why truly, Sir, for that, I am prepared to expect the worst; but methinks the way is mended since I had the good fortune to fall into your good company. Pise. You are not obliged to my company for that: but because you are already past the worst, and the greatest part of your way to your lodging. VIAT. I am very glad to hear it, both for the ease of myself an