N vain had God stor’d Heav’n with glistring studs, 
The plain with grain, the mountain tops with woods, 
Sever’d the Aire from Fire, the Earth from Water, 
Had he not soon peopled this large Theatre 
With living creatures: therefore he began 
(This-Day) to quicken in the Ocean 
In standing Pools, and in the straggling Rivers 
(Whose folding Chanell fertill Champain severs) 
So many Fishes of so many features 
That in the Waters one may see all Creatures 
And all that in this All is to be found : 
As if the World within the Deeps were drown’d, 
One (like a Pirat) onely lives of prizes, 
That in the Deep he desperately surprises ; 
Another haunts the shore, to feed on foam: 
Another round about the Rocks doth roam, 
Nibbling on Weeds ; another hating theeving, 
Eats nought at all, of liquor onely living ¢ 
For the salt humor of his element 
Servs him, alone, for perfect nourishment. 
Some love the clear streams of swift tumbling torrents, 
Which through the rocks straining their struggling currents 
Break Banks & Bridges; and do never stop 
Till thirsty Summer comes to drink them up; 
Some almost alwaies pudder in the mud 
Of sleepy Pools, and never brook the flood 
Of Chrystall streams, that in continuall motion 
Bend toward the bosom of their Mother Ocean. 
O watry Citizens, what Umpeer bounded 
Your liquid Livings? O! what Monarch mounded 
With walls your City? what severest Law 
Keeps your huge armies in so certain aw, 
‘That you encroach not on the neighboring Borders 
Of your swim-brethren ? 
What cunning Prophet your fit time doth show? 
What Heralds trumpet summons you to go? 
What Guide conducteth, Day & Night, your Legions 
Through path-less Path in unacquainted Regions? 
Surely the same that made you first of Nought 
Who in your Nature some /deas wrought 
Of Good and Evill; to the end that we 
Following the Good might from the Evill flee. 
Du Bartas His First Week; or The Birth of the Worid, 1605. 
