英語背誦文選第二冊(陳冠商)29．The Angler 釣 魚 翁

29．The  Angler

How comforting it is to see a cheerful and contented old age; and to behold

a poor fellow, like this, after being tempest-tost through life, safely

moored  in  a  snug  and  quiet  harbour  in  the  evening  of  his  days  !  His

happiness, how- ever, sprung from within himself, and was independent of

external circumstances; for he had that inexhaustible good-nature, which

is the most precious gift of Heaven, spreading itself like oil over  the

troubled sea of thought, and keeping the mind smooth and equable  in  the

roughest  weather.

On inquiring further about him I learned that he was a universal favorite

in  the  village,  and  the  oracle  of  the  tap-  room;  where  he  delighted  the

rustics with his songs(1), and, like Sindbad(2), astonished them with his

stories  of  strange  lands,  and  shipwrecks,  and  sea-fights.  He  was  much

noticed too by gentlemen sportsmen of the neighborhood; had taught several

of  them  the  art  of  angling;  and  was  a  privileged  visitor  to  their

kitchens(3). The whole tenor of his life was quiet and inoffensive, being

principally  passed  about  the  neighboring  streams,  when  the  weather  and

season were favorable; and at other times he employed himself at home(4),

preparing his fishing tackle for the next campaign(5), or manufacturing

rods,  nets,  and  flies(6),  for  his  patrons  and  pupils  among  the  gentry.