324 ^ ie Complete Angler 



bravius, a bishop in Bohemia, who, in his book O/ 

 Fish and Fish-ponds, relates what he says he saw 

 with his own eyes, and could not forbear to tell the 

 reader. Which was : 



" As he and the bishop Thurzo were walking by 

 a large pond in Bohemia, they saw a frog, when the 

 Pike lay very sleepily and quiet by the shore side, 

 leap upon his head ; and the frog haying expressed 

 malice or anger by his swoln cheeks and staring 

 eyes, did stretch out his legs and embrace the Pike's 

 head, and presently reached them to his eyes, tear- 

 ing with them, and his teeth, those tender parts : 

 the Pike, moved with anguish, moves up and down 

 the water, and rubs himself against weeds, and 

 whatever he thought might quit him of his enemy ; 

 but all in vain, for the frog did continue to ride 

 triumphantly, and to bite and torment the Pike til) 

 his strength failed ; and then the frog sunk with the 

 Pike to the bottom of the water : then presently the 

 frog appeared again at the top, and croaked, and 

 seemed to rejoice like a conqueror, after which he 

 presently retired to his secret hole. The bishop, 

 that had beheld the battle, called his fisherman 

 to fetch his nets, and by all means to get th6 Pike 

 that they might declare what had happened : and 

 the Pike was drawn forth, and both his eyes eaten 

 out; at which when they began to wonder, the 

 fisherman wished them to forbear, and assured them 

 he was certain that Pikes were often so served." 



I told this, which is to be read in the sixth 

 chapter of the book of Dubravius, unto a friend, 

 who replied, "'It was as improbable as to have the 

 mouse scratch out the cat's eyes". But he did not 

 consider, that there be Fishing frogs, which the 

 Dalmatians call the Water-devil, of which I might 

 tell you as wonderful a story : but I shall tell you 

 that 'tis not to be doubted but that there be some 



