Sic Jovis altisoni subito pennata satelles, Arboris è trunco, serpentis saucia morsu; Ipsa feris subigit transfigens unguibus anguem Semianimum, et variâ graviter cervice micantem; Quem se intorquentem laniens rostroque craentans, Abjicit efflantem, et laceratum effundit in undas, Seque obitu a solis nitidos convertit ad ortus. CICERO. Tel on voit cet oiseau, qui porte le tonnere, Blessé par un serpent élancé de la terre; Il s'envole, il entraine au sejour azuré L'ennemi tortueux dont il est entouré. Le sang tombe des airs: il dechire, il devore Le reptile acharné, qui le combat encore; Il le perçe, il le tient sous ses ongles vainqeurs, Par cent coups rédoublés il venge ses douleurs; Le Monstre en expirant, se debat, se replie; Il exhale en poison le reste de sa vie; Et l'aigle tout sanglant, fier et victorieux, Le rejette en fureur, et plane au haut des cieux. VOLTAIRE. [Sidenote: The early Publications of Grotius.] About the year 1608, Grotius published his celebrated work _Mare Liberum_, to assert in it against the English, the general freedom of the sea. The controversy arose upon the claim of Great Britain to enjoy the dominion of the British seas, in the most extensive sense of those words, both as to the right of navigating them, and the right of fishing within them. Against this claim, Grotius attempted to shew that the sea was, from its nature, insusceptible of exclusive right; and that, if it were susceptible of it, England did not prove her title to it. Selden, in opposition to Grotius, asserted the British claim, by his treatise _Mare Clausam_,--a noble exertion of a vigorous mind, fraught with profound and extensive erudition. It is pleasing to add, that he treats Grotius with the respect due to his learning and character. Selden's treatise was thought of so much importance to his cause, that a copy of it was directed to be deposited in the British Admiralty. Grotius was highly pleased with the respect, which was shewn to him by Selden. On Selden's _Mare Clausum_ he composed the following epigram:-- Ipsum compedibus qui vinxerat Ennegisæum, Est Grecâ Xerxes multus in historia: Lucullum Latii Xerxem dixere togatum; Seldenus Xerxes ecce Britannus erit. [Sidenote: CHAP. III. 1597-1610] The States General were gratified by his work; but at that time it was so much their interest to preserve the strictest amity with England, that they discountenanced any further advocation of their claim.[012]