Lord, who hath praise enough, nay, who hath any?
None can express thy works, but he that knows them: And none can know thy works, they are so many, And so complete, but only he that owes them.
We all acknowledge both thy power and love To be exact, transcendent, and divine; Who does so strangely, and so sweetly move, Whilst all things have their end, yet none but thine.
Wherefore, most Sacred Spirit, I here present For me, and all my fellows praise to thee: And just it is that I should pay the rent, Because the benefit accrues to me.
And as concerning _Fish_, in that Psalm [Psal. 104], wherein, for height of Poetry and Wonders, the Prophet _David_ seems even to exceed himself; how doth he there express himselfe in choice Metaphors, even to the amazement of a contemplative Reader, concerning the Sea, the Rivers, and the Fish therein contained. And the great Naturallist _Pliny_ sayes, "[That Natures great and wonderful power is more demonstrated in the Sea, then on the Land.]" And this may appear by the numerous and various Creatures, inhabiting both in and about that Element: as to the Readers of _Gesner, Randelitius, Pliny, Aristotle_, and others is demonstrated: But I will sweeten this discourse also out of a contemplation in Divine _Dubartas_, who sayes [in the fifth day],
_G.o.d quickened in the Sea and in the Rivers, So many fishes of so many features, That in the waters we may see all Creatures; Even all that on the earth is to be found, As if the world were in deep waters drownd.
For seas (as well as Skies) have Sun, Moon, Stars; (As wel as air) Swallows, Rooks, and Stares; (As wel as earth) Vines, Roses, Nettles, Melons, Mushrooms, Pinks, Gilliflowers and many milions Of other plants, more rare, more strange then these; As very fishes living in the seas; And also Rams, Calves, Horses, Hares and Hogs, Wolves, Urchins, Lions, Elephants and Dogs; Yea, Men and Maids, and which I most admire, The Mitred Bishop, and the cowled Fryer.
Of which examples but a few years since, Were shewn the_ Norway _and_ Polonian _Prince_.
These seem to be wonders, but have had so many confirmations from men of Learning and credit, that you need not doubt them; nor are the number, nor the various shapes of fishes, more strange or more fit for contemplation, then their different natures, inclinations and actions: concerning which I shall beg your patient ear a little longer.
The _Cuttle-fish_ wil cast a long gut out of her throat, which (like as an Angler does his line) she sendeth, forth and pulleth in again at her pleasure, according as she sees some little fish come neer to her [Mount _Elsayes_: and others affirm this]; and the _Cuttle-fish_ (being then hid in the gravel) lets the smaller fish nibble and bite the end of it; at which time shee by little and little draws the smaller fish so neer to her, that she may leap upon her, and then catches and devours her: and for this reason some have called this fish the _Sea-Angler_.
There are also l.u.s.tful and chaste fishes, of which I shall also give you examples.
And first, what _Dubartas_ sayes of a fish called the _Sargus_; which (because none can express it better then he does) I shall give you in his own words, supposing it shall not have the less credit for being Verse, for he hath gathered this, and other observations out of Authors that have been great and industrious searchers into the secrets of nature.
_The Adulterous_ Sargus _doth not only change, Wives every day in the deep streams, but (strange) As if the honey of Sea-love delight Could not suffice his ranging appet.i.te, Goes courting_ She-Goats _on the gra.s.sie sh.o.r.e, Horning their husbands that had horns before_.
And the same Author writes concerning the _Cantharus_, that which you shall also heare in his own words.
_But contrary, the constant_ Cantharus, _Is ever constant to his faithful Spouse, In nuptial duties spending his chaste life, Never loves any but his own dear wife_.
Sir, but a little longer, and I have done.
_Viat_. Sir, take what liberty you think fit, for your discourse seems to be Musick, and charms me into an attention.
_Pisc_. Why then Sir, I will take a little libertie to tell, or rather to remember you what is said of _Turtle Doves_: First, that they silently plight their troth and marry; and that then, the Survivor scorns (as the _Thracian_ women are said to do) to out-live his or her Mate; and this is taken for such a truth, that if the Survivor shall ever couple with another, the he or she, not only the living, but the dead, is denyed the name and honour of a true _Turtle Dove_.
And to parallel this Land Variety & teach mankind moral faithfulness & to condemn those that talk of Religion, and yet come short of the moral faith of fish and fowl; Men that violate the Law, affirm"d by Saint _Paul_ [Rom. 2.14.15] to be writ in their hearts, and which he sayes shal at the last day condemn and leave them without excuse. I pray hearken to what _Dubartas_ sings [5. day.] (for the hearing of such conjugal faithfulness, will be Musick to all chaste ears) and therefore, I say, hearken to what _Dubartas_ sings of the _Mullet_:
_But for chaste love the_ Mullet _hath no peer, For, if the Fisher hath surprised her pheer, As mad with woe to sh.o.a.re she followeth, Prest to consort him both in life and death_.
On the contrary, what shall I say of the _House-c.o.c.k_, which treads any Hen, and then (contrary to the _Swan_, the _Partridg_, and _Pigeon_) takes no care to hatch, to feed, or to cherish his own Brood, but is sensless though they perish.
And "tis considerable, that the _Hen_ (which because she also takes any _c.o.c.k_, expects it not) who is sure the Chickens be her own, hath by a moral impression her care, and affection to her own Broode, more then doubled, even to such a height, that our Saviour in expressing his love to _Jerusalem_, [Mat. 23. 37] quotes her for an example of tender affection, as his Father had done _Job_ for a pattern of patience.
And to parallel this _c.o.c.k_, there be divers fishes that cast their sp.a.w.ne on flags or stones, and then leave it uncovered and exposed to become a prey, and be devoured by Vermine or other fishes: but other fishes (as namely the _Barbel_) take such care for the preservation of their seed, that (unlike to the _c.o.c.k_ or the _Cuckoe_) they mutually labour (both the Sp.a.w.ner, and the Melter) to cover their sp.a.w.ne with sand, or watch it, or hide it in some secret place unfrequented by Vermine, or by any fish but themselves.
Sir, these examples may, to you and others, seem strange; but they are testified, some by _Aristotle_, some by _Pliny_, some by _Gesner_, and by divers others of credit, and are believed and known by divers, both of wisdom and experience, to be a truth; and are (as I said at the beginning) fit for the contemplation of a most serious, and a most pious man.
And that they be fit for the contemplation of the most prudent and pious, and peaceable men, seems to be testified by the practice of so many devout and contemplative men; as the Patriarks or Prophets of old, and of the Apostles of our Saviour in these later times, of which twelve he chose four that were Fishermen: concerning which choice some have made these Observations.
First, That he never reproved these for their Imployment or Calling, as he did the Scribes and the Mony-Changers. And secondly, That he found the hearts of such men, men that by nature were fitted for contemplation and quietness; men of mild, and sweet, and peaceable spirits, (as indeed most Anglers are) these men our blessed Saviour (who is observed to love to plant grace in good natures) though nothing be too hard for him, yet these men he chose to call from their irreprovable imployment, and gave them grace to be his Disciples and to follow him.
And it is observable, that it was our Saviours will that his four Fishermen Apostles should have a prioritie of nomination in the catalogue of his twelve Apostles, as namely first, S. _Peter, Andrew, James_ [Mat. 10.] and _John_, and then the rest in their order.
And it is yet more observable, that when our blessed Saviour went up into the Mount, at his Transfiguration, when he left the rest of his Disciples and chose onely three to bear him company, that these three were all Fishermen.
And since I have your promise to hear me with patience, I will take a liberty to look back upon an observation that hath been made by an ingenuous and learned man, who observes that G.o.d hath been pleased to allow those whom he himselfe hath appointed, to write his holy will in holy Writ, yet to express his will in such Metaphors as their former affections or practise had inclined them to; and he brings _Solomon_ for an example, who before his conversion was remarkably amorous, and after by G.o.ds appointment, writ that Love-Song [the Canticles] betwixt G.o.d and his Church.
And if this hold in reason (as I see none to the contrary) then it may be probably concluded, that _Moses_ (whom I told you before, writ the book of _Job_) and the Prophet _Amos_ were both Anglers, for you shal in all the old Testaments find fish-hooks but twice mentioned; namely, by meek _Moses_, the friend of G.o.d; and by the humble Prophet _Amos_.
Concerning which last, namely, the Prophet _Amos_, I shall make but this Observation, That he that shall read the humble, lowly, plain stile of that Prophet, and compare it with the high, glorious, eloquent stile of the prophet _Isaiah_ (though they be both equally true) may easily believe him to be a good natured, plaine Fisher-man.
Which I do the rather believe, by comparing the affectionate, lowly, humble epistles of S. _Peter_, S. _James_ and S. _John_, whom we know were Fishers, with the glorious language and high Metaphors of S.
_Paul_, who we know was not.
Let me give you the example of two men more, that have lived nearer to our own times: first of Doctor _Nowel_ sometimes Dean of S. _Paul"s_, (in which Church his Monument stands yet undefaced) a man that in the Reformation of Queen _Elizabeth_ (not that of _Henry the VIII_.) was so noted for his meek spirit, deep Learning, Prudence and Piety, that the then Parliament and Convocation, both chose, injoyned, and trusted him to be the man to make a Catechism for publick use, such a one as should stand as a rule for faith and manners to their posteritie: And the good man (though he was very learned, yet knowing that G.o.d leads us not to heaven by hard questions) made that good, plain, unperplext Catechism, that is printed with the old Service Book. I say, this good man was as dear a lover, and constant practicer of Angling, as any Age can produce; and his custome was to spend (besides his fixt hours of prayer, those hours which by command of the Church were enjoined the old Clergy, and voluntarily dedicated to devotion by many Primitive Christians:) besides those hours, this good man was observed to spend, or if you will, to bestow a tenth part of his time in Angling; and also (for I have conversed with those which have conversed with him) to bestow a tenth part of his Revenue, and all his fish, amongst the poor that inhabited near to those Rivers in which it was caught, saying often, _That Charity gave life to Religion_: and at his return would praise G.o.d he had spent that day free from worldly trouble, both harmlesly and in a Recreation that became a Church-man.
My next and last example shall be that undervaluer of money, the late Provost of _Eaton Colledg_, Sir _Henry Wotton_, (a man with whom I have often fish"d and convers"d) a man whose forraign imployments in the service of this Nation, and whose experience, learning, wit and cheerfulness, made his company to be esteemed one of the delights of mankind; this man, whose very approbation of Angling were sufficient to convince any modest Censurer of it, this man was also a most dear lover, and a frequent practicer of the Art of Angling, of which he would say, "["Twas an imployment for his idle time, which was not idly spent;]" for Angling was after tedious study "[A rest to his mind, a cheerer of his spirits, a divertion of sadness, a calmer of unquiet thoughts, a Moderator of pa.s.sions, a procurer of contentedness, and that it begot habits of peace and patience in those that profest and practic"d it.]"
Sir, This was the saying of that Learned man; and I do easily believe that peace, and patience, and a calm content did cohabit in the cheerful heart of Sir _Henry Wotton_, because I know, that when he was beyond seventy years of age he made this description of a part of the present pleasure that possest him, as he sate quietly in a Summers evening on a bank a fishing; it is a description of the Spring, which because it glides as soft and sweetly from his pen, as that River does now by which it was then made, I shall repeat unto you.
_This day dame Nature seem"d in love: The l.u.s.tie sap began to move; Fresh juice did stir th"imbracing Vines, And birds had drawn their_ Valentines.
_The jealous_ Trout, _that low did lye, Rose at a well dissembled flie; There stood my friend with patient skill, Attending of his trembling quil.
Already were the eaves possest With the swift Pilgrims dawbed nest: The Groves already did rejoice, In_ Philomels _triumphing voice: The showrs were short, the weather mild, The morning fresh, the evening smil"d_.
Jone _takes her neat rubb"d pail, and now She trips to milk the sand-red Cow; Where for some st.u.r.dy foot-ball Swain_.
Jone _strokes a_ Sillibub _or twaine.
The fields and gardens were beset With_ Tulips, Crocus, Violet, _And now, though late, the modest_ Rose _Did more then half a blush disclose.
Thus all looks gay and full of chear To welcome the new liveried year_.
These were the thoughts that then possest the undisturbed mind of Sir _Henry Wotton_. Will you hear the wish of another Angler, and the commendation of his happy life [Jo. Da.], which he also sings in Verse.
_Let me live harmlesly, and near the brink Of_ Trent _or_ Avon _have a dwelling place, Where I may see my quil or cork down sink, With eager bit of_ Pearch, _or_ Bleak, _or_ Dace; And on the world and my Creator think, Whilst some men strive, ill gotten goods t"imbrace; And others spend their time in base excess Of wine or worse, in war and wantonness.
_Let them that list these pastimes still pursue, And on such pleasing fancies feed their fill, So I the fields and meadows green may view, And daily by fresh Rivers walk at will, Among the_ Daisies _and the_ Violets _blue, Red_ Hyacinth, _and yellow_ Daffadil, _Purple_ Narcissus, _like the morning rayes, Pale_ gandergla.s.s _and azure_ Culverkayes.
_I count it higher pleasure to behold The stately compa.s.s of the lofty_ Skie, _And in the midst thereof (like burning Gold) The flaming Chariot of the worlds great eye, The watry clouds, that in the aire up rold, With sundry kinds of painted colour flye; And fair_ Aurora _lifting up her head, Still blushing, rise from old_ t.i.thonius _bed.
The_ hils _and_ mountains _raised from the_ plains, _The_ plains _extended level with the_ ground, _The_ grounds _divided into sundry_ vains, _The_ vains _inclos"d with_ rivers _running round; These_ rivers _making way through natures chains With headlong course into the sea profound; The raging sea, beneath the vallies low, Where_ lakes, _and_ rils, _and_ rivulets _do flow.
The loftie woods, the Forrests wide and long Adorn"d with leaves & branches fresh & green, In whose cool bowres the birds with many a song Do welcom with their Quire the Sumers_ Queen: _The Meadows fair, where_ Flora"s _gifts among Are intermixt, with verdant gra.s.s between.
The silver-scaled fish that softly swim, Within the sweet brooks chrystal watry stream.
All these, and many more of his Creation, That made the Heavens, the Angler oft doth see, Taking therein no little delectation, To think how strange, how wonderful they be; Framing thereof an inward contemplation, To set his heart from other fancies free; And whilst he looks on these with joyful eye, His mind is rapt above the Starry Skie_.
Sir, I am glad my memory did not lose these last Verses, because they are somewhat more pleasant and more sutable to _May Day_, then my harsh Discourse, and I am glad your patience hath held out so long, as to hear them and me; for both together have brought us within the sight of the _Thatcht House_; and I must be your Debtor (if you think it worth your attention) for the rest of my promised discourse, till some other opportunity and a like time of leisure.
_Viat_. Sir, You have Angled me on with much pleasure to the _thatcht House_, and I now find your words true, _That good company makes the way seem short_; for, trust me, Sir, I thought we had wanted three miles of the _thatcht House_, till you shewed it me: but now we are at it, we"l turn into it, and refresh our selves with a cup of Ale and a little rest.
_Pisc_. Most gladly (Sir) and we"l drink a civil cup to all the _Otter Hunters_ that are to meet you to morrow.
_Viat_. That we wil, Sir, and to all the lovers of Angling too, of which number, I am now one my self, for by the help of your good discourse and company, I have put on new thoughts both of the Art of Angling, and of all that profess it: and if you will but meet me too morrow at the time and place appointed, and bestow one day with me and my friends in hunting the _Otter_, I will the next two dayes wait upon you, and we two will for that time do nothing but angle, and talk of fish and fishing.