XXXVI.
“Thither swift dolphins gambol, inly stirred,
“And open-mouthed the cumbrous tunnies leap;
“Thither the seal or porpus’ wallowing herd
“Troop at her bidding, roused from lazy sleep;
“Raven-fish, salmon, salpouth, at her word,
“And mullet hurry through the briny deep.
“With monstrous backs above the water, sail
“Ork, physeter, sea-serpent, shark, and whale[8].
XXXVII.
“There we behold a mighty whale, of size[9]
“The hugest yet in any waters seen:
“More than eleven paces, to our eyes,
“His back appears above the surface green:
“And (for still firm and motionless he lies,
“And such the distance his two ends between)
“We all are cheated by the floating pile,
“And idly take the monster for an isle.
XXXVIII.
“Alcina made the ready fish obey
“By simple words and by mere magic lore:
“Born with Morgana[10]—but I cannot say
“If at one birth, or after or before.
“As soon as seen, my aspect pleased the fay;
“Who showed it in the countenance she wore:
“Then wrought with art, and compassed her intent,
“To part me from the friends with whom I went.
