THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 33 



give you in his own words ; supposing it shall not have the less 

 credit for being verse, for he hath gathered tiiis, and other observa- 

 tions, out of authors that have been great and industrious search- 

 ers into the secrets of nature. 



The adulterous Sargus* doth not only change 

 Wives every day in the deep streams, but — strange f 

 As if the hoHfy of sea-love delight 

 Could not suffer his ranging appetite. 

 Goes courting she-goats on the grassy shore. 

 Horning their husbands that had horns before. 



And the same author writes concerning the Cantharus, that 

 which you shall also hear in his own words. 



But contrary, the constant Cantharus^ 

 Is ever constai^t to his faithful spouse. 

 In nuptial duties spending hi^ chaste life, 

 A^'ever loves any but his own dear wife. 



* This story of the Sargus {Perca Labrax, or Basse) is often repeated by 

 the ancients. Du Bartas evidently has Oppian in his eye when writing of 

 fishes, but mistakes his author in saying that the finny gallants went 

 ashore {Sur les hordes herbus). Oppian describes the amours as occurring 

 when 



" Their sweating goats the swains compel to lave 

 Their languid bodies in the cooling wave ; 

 * * * * * 



Tumultuous round the rival lovers throng, 

 Display the fin and roll the busy tongue ; 

 ***** 



The willing goats receive the soft address. 



While those repeat the bliss and unfatigued caress." 



Halieutics, iv., 395 {Jones). 



The notion wj».s derived probably from the fish crowding round the 

 goats to feed on the vermin, &c., which fell from them. See also another 

 method of accounting for it in Lacipede, Hist, des Poissons Tom., vii., 

 21.— Am. Ed. 



t The cantharus, Scarabceus, sea beetle. To show how closely Oppian 

 is followed, I give Jones's translation : 



" The beetle no promiscuous joy allows. 



True to his vow, and grateful to his spouse ; 



No change he seeks, nor leaves his dusky fair, 



Propitious Hymen joins the constant pair." 



(L, 845-6.)— ./Jm. Ed. 

 3* 



