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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 are to be found,
As if the world were in deep waters drown'd.
For seas---as well as skies---have sun, moon, stars
As well as air---swallows, rooks, and stares;
As well as earth---vines, roses, nettles, melons,
Mushrooms, pinks, gilliflowers, and many millions
Of other plants, more rare, more strange than these;
As very fishes, living in the seas;
As 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 friar,
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, than their different natures, inclinations,
and actions; concerning which, I shall beg your patient ear a
little longer.
The cuttle-fish will cast a long gut out of her throat, which,
like as an angler doth his line, she sendeth forth, and pulleth
in again at her pleasure, according as she sees some little fish
come near to her; and the cuttle-fish, being then hid in the gravel,
lets the smaller fish nibble and bite the end of it; at which
time she, by little and little, draws the smaller fish so near
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.
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