ON THE ANTIQUITY OF FISHING. 213 



They to an ancient temple went that stood 



Forlorn and wasted by the raging flood : 



Prostrate they fell upon the sacred ground, 



Devoutly praying the earth might re-abound. 



The Goddess heard their prayers, and bid them take 



Tlwir mother's bones and throw behind their back. 



-This oracle obscure and dark of sense, 



Amaz'd their minds, what they might draw from thence, 



They then view'd hill and dale, each rock and tree, 



And thought the earth their mother well might be. 



Therefore to try if it were, false or true. 



The scatter'd stones behind their backs they threw ; 



Forthwith the stones as they had life conceived, 



Began to move, and more and more received 



The shape of man. Thus was the world again 



Supply'd with people sprung with little pain ; 



But yet no birds nor beasts for meat were found, 



Since the great deluge all destroyed and drown'd. 



Then did Deucalion first the art invent 



Of fishing, and to woods and groves he went ; 



There from the trees long rinds and crooks he brake. 



And made them hooks and lines the fish to take* 



In this rude sort began this simple art, 



The fish as yet had felt but little smart, 



And were to bite more eager, apt, and bold, 



In that first age, which was then all of gold : 



But when in time the fear and dread of man 



Fell more and more on the creatures, they began 



To stand in awe of this usurping king, 



That did both seas and earth in thraldom bring. 



'Twas then a work of greater skill to take 



The wary fish in any pond or lake, 



So worse and worse two ages more did pass, 



And hooks were made of silver and of brass ; 



And Hues of hemp and flax were framed new, 



So still this art more perfect daily grew. 



But at the last the iron age drew near, 



And hooks of hardest steel invented were ; 



And rods of lightest cane and hazel plant, 



And lines of silk and hair no skill did want* 



