CHAPTER V. 

 THE POETS' DOLPHIN. 



A THOROUGHLY poetical fish is the poets' dolphin. In the 

 first place, it is not a dolphin at all, but a porpoise. In the 

 next, it is a creature abounding in classical impossibilities, 

 and as overgrown with delightful legends and traditions as 

 any old tree in an Assam jungle is with orchids. Moreover, 

 it is a "fish" the poets really know nothing about Finally, 

 as both Arion and Amphion, the heroes of delphinian 

 adventure, were poets, their successors of more modern 

 days feel themselves called upon to patronise the dolphin. 1 

 It is therefore in every way a thoroughly poetical animal. 



Physically, it is "scaled" and "curved" in form, while 

 its colours transcend all other efforts of nature in loveliness. 

 It plays in "coral caves," and lives in "caverns roofed with 

 spar." Sometimes it comes forth to do battle with the seal, 

 as in Spenser : 



" As when a dolphin and a sele are met 

 In the wide champain of the ocean plain, 



1 Davenant is a delightful exception. Speaking of the Drum he says : 



" Had wet Arion chosen to lament 

 His grief at sea on such an instrument, 

 Perhaps the martiall mustick might incite 

 The sword-fish, thrasher, and the whale to fight, 

 But not to dance." 



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