The Complete Angler | Page 9

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 lustful 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 appetite, Goes courting_ She-Goats _on the grassie shore, 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 shoare she followeth, Prest to consort him both in life and death_.
On the contrary, what shall I say of the _House-Cock_, 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 Cock, 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 Cock, there be divers fishes that cast their spawne 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 Cock or the _Cuckoe_) they mutually labour (both the Spawner, and the Melter) to cover their spawne with sand, or watch it, or hide it in some secret place unfrequented by Vermine, or