20 



And in all places and all seasons breeds, 



In lakes as well as rivers : hence proceeds 



The name of Cyprian, which the Cyprian dame 



Bestow'd; the French to carp have chang'd the name. 



Of all the fish that swim the vvat'ry mead, 



Not one in cunning can the carp exceed. 



Sometimes when nets enclose the stream, she flies 



To hollow rocks, and there in secret lies: 



Sometimes the surface of the water skims, 



And, springing o'er the net, undaunted ( swims; 



Now motionless she lies beneath the flood. 



Holds by a weed, or deep into the mud 



Plunges her head, for fear against her will, 



The nets should drag her and elude her skill : 



Nay, not content with this, she oft will dive 



Beneath the net, and not alone contrive 



Means for her own escape, but pity take 



On all her hapless brethren of the lake; 



For rising, with her back she lifts the snares, 



And frees the captives with officious cares j 



The little fry in safety swim away, 



And disappoint the nets of their expected prey.* 



No other fish so great an age attain, 



For the same carp, which from the wat'ry plain 



The Valois' seated on the throne survey 'd, 



Now sees the sceptre by the Bourbons sway'd; 



* Thus Montaigne relates of the Scarus " having swallowed the fisher's 

 hooke, his fellowes will presently flocke about him, and nibkle the line in 

 sunder ; and if any of them happen to be taken in a bow net, some of his 

 fellowes turning his head away, will put his taile in at the neck of the net, 

 who with his teeth fast holding the same, never leave him, vntil they have 

 pulled him out. The Barbie fishes, if one of them chance to be engaged, 

 will set the line against their backes, and with a fin tkey have, toethed like 

 a sharp saw, presently saw and fret the sae asunder." Fiend's tramlatisn 

 of Montegnis Essays, 1613, p. 2 66. 



He 



