CHAP. i. THE FIRST DAY. 33 



choice metaphors, even to the amazement of a contemplative 

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

 contained ! 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, Ausonius, Aristotle, 

 and others, may be demonstrated. But I will sweeten this 

 discourse also out of a contemplation in divine Du Bartas (in 

 the fifth day), who says : 



" God quicken'd in the sea, and in the rivers, 

 So many fishes of so many features, 

 That in the waters we may see all creatures, 

 Even all that on the earth are to be found, 

 As if the wor l ( lwre^de^rjjvaters drown'd. 

 For seas as well as skies have sun, moon, stars; 

 As well as air swallows, rooks, and stares; 

 As well as earth vines, roses, nettles, melon-, 

 * Mushrooms, pinks, gilliflowers, and many millions 

 Of other plants, more rare, more strange than these, 

 As very fishes, living in the seas ; 

 As also rams, calves, horses, hares, and hogs, 

 Wolves, urchins, lions, elephants, and dogs; 

 Yea, men and maids; and, which I most admire, 

 The mitred bishop and the cowled friar ; 

 Of which, examples, but a few years since, 

 Were shown the Norway and Polonian Prince." 



These seem to be wonders, but have had so many confirma- 

 tions from men of learning and credit, that you need not doubt 

 them; nor are the number, nor the various shapes of fishes, 

 more strange or more fit for contemplation than their different 

 natures, inclinations, and actions ; concerning which I shall beg 

 your patient ear a little longer. 



The cuttle-fish will cast a long gut oiit of her throat, which, 

 like as an angler doth his line, she sendeth forth and pulleth in 

 again at her pleasure, according as she sees some little fish come 

 to her; and the cuttle-fish, being then hid in the gravel, 



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