4 PROSE HALIETJTICS. 



Caper once more like young Terpsichore, 



In giddy gyres, above the sounding sea, 



TiU near'd, you seize the prize with steady wrist, 



And grasp at last the bright funambulist. 

 In the following passage, too, how graphically he de- 

 scribes the tussle between a trawler and a large anthia, 

 hooked at sea ! — 



The fisher standing from the shallop's head. 

 Projects the lengthening line and plunging lead. 

 Gently retracts, then draws it in apace. 

 While flocking anthias follow and give chase: 

 As men their foe, so these pursue their fate, 

 Ajid closely press the still receding bait. 

 Nor long in vain the tempting morsel pleads, 

 A hungry anthia seizes, snaps, and bleeds; 

 The fraud soon felt, he flies in wild dismay. 

 Whizz goes the line — ^begins Piscator's play! 

 His muscles tense, each tendon on the rack, 

 Of swelling limbs, broad loins, and sinewy back: 

 Mark yon fine form,* erect, with rigid brow. 

 Like stately statue sculptured at the prow. 

 From wary hand who pays the loosening rein 

 Manoeuvring holds, or lets it run again. 

 And see ! the anthia not a moment fiags, 

 Eesists each pull, and 'gainst the dragger, drags ;t 

 With lashing tail, to darkest depths below 

 Shoots headlong down, in hopes t' evade the foe. 

 Now ply your oars, my lads, Piscator bawls ; 

 The huge fish plunges, down Piscator falls ; 

 A second plxmge, and lo ! th' ensanguined twine 

 Flies through his fissured fingers to the briae. 

 As two strong combatants of balanced might 

 Force first essay, then practise every sleight. 

 So these contend — awhile a weU-match'd pair — 

 TiU frantic efibrts by degrees impair 



* Oppian has recorded elsewhere his idea of a perfect fisher- 

 man. Physically, he is to be well made, active, and athletic; in 

 his moral character, he must be patient, vigilant, enterprising, 

 and courageous, full of dodges and expedients, — in short, aLazza- 

 rone in form, and a Ulysses in internal resources. 



•f "EXkcoi' av epiovra. 



