32 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART i. 



but there be so many strange creatures to be now seen, many 

 collected by John Tradescant, and others added by my friend 

 Elias Ashmole, Esq., who now keeps them carefully and 

 methodically at his house near to Lambeth near London, as 

 may get some belief of some of the other wonders I mentioned. 

 I will tell you some of the wonders that you may now see, and 

 not till then believe, unless you think fit. 



You may see the hog-fish, the dog-fish, the dolphin, the 

 coney- fish, the parrot-fish, the shark, the poison-fish, sword-fish, 

 and not only other incredible fish, but you may there see the 

 salamander, several sorts of barnacles, and Solan geese, the 

 bird of Paradise, such sorts of snakes, and such birds'-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 Go&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 strongly and so sweetly move, 



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



Wherefore, most sacred Spiiit, 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 (Psalm civ.) wherein, 

 for height of poetry and wonders, the prophet David seems 

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



