The Complete Angler 1653 by Izaak Walton
page 23 of 141 (16%)
page 23 of 141 (16%)
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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], _God 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; |
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