The Complete Angler | Page 8

his own _Goodness, Eternity, Infiniteness_, and
Power, and the like; and upon this ground many of them prefer
Contemplation before _Action_: and indeed, many of the Fathers seem
to approve this opinion, as may appear in their Comments upon the
words of our Saviour to Martha. [Luk. 10. 41, 42]
And contrary to these, others of equal Authority and credit, have
preferred Action to be chief; as experiments in Physick, and the
application of it, both for the ease and prolongation of mans life, by
which man is enabled to act, and to do good to others: And they say
also, That Action is not only Doctrinal, but a maintainer of humane
Society; and for these, and other reasons, to be preferr'd before
Contemplation.
Concerning which two opinions, I shall forbear to add a third, by
declaring my own, and rest my self contented in telling you (my worthy
friend) that both these meet together, and do most properly belong to
the most honest, ingenious, harmless Art of Angling.

And first I shall tel you what some have observed, and I have found in
my self, That the very sitting by the Rivers side, is not only the fittest
place for, but will invite the Angler to Contemplation: That it is the
fittest place, seems to be witnessed by the children of Israel, [Psal. 137.]
who having banish'd all mirth and Musick from their pensive hearts,
and having hung up their then mute Instruments upon the Willow trees,
growing by the Rivers of Babylon, sate down upon those banks
bemoaning the ruines of Sion, and contemplating their own sad
condition.
And an ingenuous Spaniard sayes, "[That both Rivers, and the
inhabitants of the watery Element, were created for wise men to
contemplate, and fools to pass by without consideration.]" And though
I am too wise to rank myself in the first number, yet give me leave to
free my self from the last, by offering to thee a short contemplation,
first of Rivers, and then of Fish: concerning which, I doubt not but to
relate to you many things very considerable. Concerning Rivers, there
be divers wonders reported of them by Authors, of such credit, that we
need not deny them an Historical faith.
As of a River in Epirus, that puts out any lighted Torch, and kindles
any Torch that was not lighted. Of the River Selarus, that in a few
hours turns a rod or a wand into stone (and our Camden mentions the
like wonder in _England_:) that there is a River in Arabia, of which all
the Sheep that drink thereof have their Wool turned into a Vermilion
colour. And one of no less credit then Aristotle, [in his Wonders of
nature, this is confirmed by Ennius and Solon in his holy History.] tels
us of a merry River, the River Elusina, that dances at the noise of
Musick, that with Musick it bubbles, dances, and growes sandy, but
returns to a wonted calmness and clearness when the Musick ceases.
And lastly, (for I would not tire your patience) Josephus, that learned
Jew, tells us of a River in Judea, that runs and moves swiftly all the six
dayes of the week, and stands still and rests upon their Sabbath day.
But Sir, lest this discourse may seem tedious, I shall give it a sweet
conclusion out of that holy Poet Mr. George Herbert his Divine
Contemplation on Gods providence.

_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],
_God quickened in