_God quickened in the Sea and in the Rivers,
So many fishes of so many features,
That in the waters we may see all Creatures;
Even all that on the earth is to be found,
As if the world were in deep waters drownd.
For seas (as well as Skies) have Sun, Moon, Stars;
(As wel as air) Swallows, Rooks, and Stares;
(As wel as earth) Vines, Roses, Nettles, Melons,
Mushrooms, Pinks, Gilliflowers and many milions
Of other plants, more rare, more strange then these;
As very fishes living in the seas;
And also Rams, Calves, Horses, Hares and Hogs,
Wolves, Urchins, Lions, Elephants and Dogs;
Yea, Men and Maids, and which I most admire,
The Mitred Bishop, and the cowled Fryer.
Of which examples but a few years since,
Were shewn the_ Norway _and_ Polonian _Prince_.
These seem to be wonders, but have had so many confirmations from men
of Learning and credit, that you need not doubt them; nor are the
number, nor the various shapes of fishes, more strange or more fit for
contemplation, then their different natures, inclinations and actions:
concerning which I shall beg your patient ear a little longer.
The _Cuttle-fish_ wil cast a long gut out of her throat, which (like
as an Angler does his line) she sendeth, forth and pulleth in again at
her pleasure, according as she sees some little fish come neer to her
[Mount _Elsayes_: and others affirm this]; and the _Cuttle-fish_ (being
then hid in the gravel) lets the smaller fish nibble and bite the end
of it; at which time shee by little and little draws the smaller fish
so neer to her, that she may leap upon her, and then catches and
devours her: and for this reason some have called this fish the
_Sea-Angler_.
There are also lustful and chaste fishes, of which I shall also give
you examples.
And first, what _Dubartas_ sayes of a fish called the _Sargus_; which
(because none can express it better then he does) I shall give you in
his own words, supposing it shall not have the less credit for being
Verse, for he hath gathered this, and other observations out of Authors
that have been great and industrious searchers into the secrets of
nature.
_The Adulterous_ Sargus _doth not only change,
Wives every day in the deep streams, but (strange)
As if the honey of Sea-love delight
Could not suffice his ranging appetite,
Goes courting_ She-Goats _on the grassie shore,
Horning their husbands that had horns before_.
And the same Author writes concerning the _Cantharus_, that which you
shall also heare in his own words.
_But contrary, the constant_ Cantharus,
_Is ever constant to his faithful Spouse,
In nuptial duties spending his chaste life,
Never loves any but his own dear wife_.
Sir, but a little longer, and I have done.
_Viat_. Sir, take what liberty you think fit, for your discourse seems
to be Musick, and charms me into an attention.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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