The Fourth Day 115 



of such places as are known to be above eight feet 

 high above water. And our Camden mentions, in 

 his Britannia, the like wonder to be in Pembroke- 

 shire, where the river Tivy falls into the sea ; and 

 that the fall is so downright, and so high, that the 

 people stand and wonder at the strength and sleight 

 by which they see the Salmon use to get out of the 

 sea into the said river; and the manner and height 

 of the place is so notable, that it is known, far, by 

 the name of the Salmon-leap. Concerning which, 

 take this also out of Michael Drayton, my honest 

 old friend ; as he tells it you, in his Polyolbion : 



And when the Salmon seeks a fresher stream to find ; 

 (Which hither from the sea comes, yearly, by his kind,) 

 As he towards season grows ; and stems the watry tract 

 Where Tivy, falling down, makes an high cataract, 

 Forc'd by the rising rocks that there her course oppose, 

 As tho' within her bounds they meant her to inclose ; 

 Here when the labouring fish does at the foot arrive, 

 And finds that by his strength he does but vainly strive ; 

 His tail takes in his mouth, and, bending like a bow 

 That's to full compass drawn, aloft himself doth throw, 

 Then springing at his height, as doth a little wand 

 That bended end to end, and started from man's hand, 

 Far off itself doth cast ; so does that Salmon vault: 

 And if, at first, he fail, his second summersault 

 He instantly essays, and, from his nimble ring 

 Still yerking, never leaves until himself he fling 

 Above the opposing stream. 



This Michael Drayton tells you, of this leap or 

 summersault of the Salmon. 



And, next, I shall tell you, that it is observed by 

 Gesner and others, that there is no better Salmon 

 than in England ; and that though some of our 

 northern counties have as fat, and as large, as the 

 river Thames, yet none are of so excellent a taste. 



And as I have told you that Sir Francis Bacon 

 observes, the age of a Salmon exceeds not ten 

 years ; so let me next tell you, that his growth is 

 very sudden : it is said, that after he is got into the 



