AN ANGLER, A HUNTER, AND A FALCONER 



Bird's-nests, and of so various forms, and so wonderfully made, 

 as may beget wonder and amusement in any beholder : and so 

 many hundred of other rarities in that collection, as will make 

 the other wonders I spake of the less incredible ; for you may 

 note, that the waters are Nature's store-house, in which she 

 locks up her wonders. 



But, Sir, lest this discourse may seem tedious, I shall give 

 it a sweet conclusion out of that holy poet Mr. George Herbert 

 his divine * Contemplation on God's Providence.' 



Lord, who hath praise enough ? Nay, who hath any ? 

 None can express thy works, but he that knows them ; 

 And none can know thy works, they are so many, 

 And so complete, but only he that owes them ! 



We all acknowledge both thy power and love 

 To be exact, transcendent, and divine; 

 Who dost so strangely and so sweetly move, 

 Whilst all things have their end, yet none but thine. 



Wherefore, most sacred Spirit, I here present 

 For me, and all my fellows, praise to thee ; 

 And just it is that I should pay the rent, 

 Because the benefit accrues to me. 



And as concerning fish in that Psalm, Psal. 104, wherein 

 for height of poetry and wonders, the Prophet David seems 

 even to exceed himself, how doth he there express himself in 

 choice metaphors, even to the amazement of a contemplative 

 reader, concerning the sea, the rivers, and the fish therein con- 

 tained? And the great Naturalist, Pliny, says, 'That Nature's 

 great and wonderful power is more demonstrated in the sea 

 than on the land.' And this may appear by the numerous and 

 various creatures inhabiting both in and about that element ; as 

 to the readers of Gesner, Rondeletius, Pliny, Auso- D U Bartas, in the 

 nius, Aristotle, and others, may be demonstrated. Fifth Day. 

 But I will sweeten this discourse also out of a contemplation 

 in divine Du Bartas, who says : 



God quickened in the sea and in the rivers, 



So many fishes of so many features, 



That in the waters we may see all creatures, 



Ev'n all that on the earth are to be found, 



As if the world were in deep waters drown'd. 



For Seas as well as Skies, have Sun, Moon, Stars ; 



As well as Air Swallows, Rooks, and Stares ; 



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