36 



Let out the water from youropen'd lake, 

 And all the finny race in baskets take; 

 The water rushes out, the dams and mound* 

 Remov'd, thro r valleys and o'er stones resounds, 



pouncleth the example of the prince and magistrate whom the people will 

 imitate. We may wish that both the one and the other were duly executed 

 or obserued, whereby fishing would be better maintained, and most especially 

 the nauigation : and fiesh would in some seasons of the yeare be vsed more 

 commodiously, and better for the health of man. The great number of all 

 lorts and kinds offish according to the obseruation of the Romaines (noted 

 by Maister Bodine) ought to moue vs thsreunto } fish being so pure a 

 creature, that were it not, that we see the same subiect vnto diseases, it 

 wold be very doubtfull, whether the same amongst other creatures was cursed 

 for man's transgression, the scripture speaking only that the earth was 

 cursed therefore : considering also the prouerbe, at sound as a fab 5 and if 

 any be subiect to diseases it is fish of riuers, or of standing waters and fish- 

 ponds, which may be cured by strawing much parsley into the water. And 

 because that flesh and fish are two principal! things for the food of man, 

 and that our purpose is not to omit any thing, jhat incklently may be 

 bandied for the good of the commonwealth, therefore will it not be exorbi- 

 tant the rule of our methode to discourse somewhat thereof. The best sea- 

 son of the yeare to eate fish is from September vntill March, if we will 

 regard the goodnesse of the fish : howbeit that for the increase of beasts, we 

 are commanded with great reason and consideration, to eate most fish in 

 March and Aprill, when he loseth his taste. The fresh fish of riuers is of 

 more digestion, and better for sicke persons ; but the sea-fish is of more 

 nourishment. All fish being moist and cold of nature, is qualified by the 

 addition of salt, and being eaten with much bread cannot do any hurt, 

 especially vnto cholericke persons, with whose complexion it agreeth best. 

 And whereas all other creatures do first decay and putrifie in the belly, the 

 fish doth first putrifie in the head : for no otherr reason, but that hauing 

 only one gut the meate doth easily passe the same, without digestion or cor- 

 ruption ; which by staying long with other creatures causeth putrifaction : 

 aa argument that fish is more healthfull then flesh, howbeit that (through 

 the continuall vse) flesh is more agreeable with our nature." England? s 

 vievVf in the vnmasking of fwo parad9X.es: loiih a replication vnto the 

 answer of Maister lohn Bodine t by Gfrrard de JJdaljnes, Mrrckant. Oet* 

 1603. 



And 



