CANTO iv. OF GOOD AND EVIL. 133 



Ferb, shrub, and tree, with strong emotions rise 



For light and air, and battle in the skies; 



Whose roots diverging with opposing toil 



Contend below for moisture and for soil; 



Round the tall Elm the flattering Ivies bend, 



And strangle, as they clasp, their struggling friend; 



Envenom'd dews from Mancinella flow, 



And scald with caustic touch the tribes below; 50 



Dense shadowy leaves on stems aspiring borne 



With blight and mildew thin the realms of corn; 



And insect hordes with restless tooth devour 



The unfolded bud, and pierce the ravell'd flower. 



" In ocean's pearly haunts, the waves beneath 

 Sits the grim monarch of insatiate Death; 

 The shark rapacious with descending blow 

 Darts on the scaly brood, that swims below; 



The shark rapacious, 1. 57. The shark has three rows of sharp teeth 

 within each other, which he can bend downwards internally to 

 admit larger prey, and raise to prevent its return ; his snout hangs 



