The First Day 33 



this discourse also out of a contemplation in divine 

 Du Bartas, who says ; 



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. 



And there is a fish called a Hermit, that at a 

 certain age gets into a dead fish's shell, and, like a 

 hermit, dwells there alone, studying the wind and 

 weather ; and so turns her shell, that she makes it 

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