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The various Forms and Sizes of that Tribe,
Who can minutely pourtray or deſcribe?
There's ſuch a vaſt and ſuch a numerous Brood
That ſwims into and cuts the ſwelling Flood,
To try to name theſe vaſtly numerous Creatures,
Or to define their various different Natures;
This unto me a Depth would equal prove,
Like to the Depth into the which they move:
The numerous Shoals that are in Depths below,
Are like the Waves that do them overflow;
He who the Stars that's in the heavenly Frame
Can number, he can only number them.
An Ocean great of Wonders, ſurely we
May in the Offspring of the Waters ſee;
Whilſt many of the Fiſhes that are there
Have Scales like Silver glittering white and fair;
Their checquer'd Spots ſo curious and rare,
That ſcarce the wing'd Creation in the Air
Can equal them for Beauty, or compare.
Others by Shapes and Forms ſo odd, proclaim
And ſpeak, tho' mute, their great Creator's Fame.
As other Creatures, so the Waters Brood,
The human Kind ſupply with Store of Food;
Man's empty Belly for to fill, ſeems what
Of Fiſh th' Ocean would evacuate:
Nor this, nor that alone, can him ſuffice,
But his luxurious Appetite to pleaſe,
The whole Creation falls a Sacrifice.
C
Nought
