On Sea-Fishing (Halieutica) (Mozley)

. . .The universe received the law ; to all he did give arms, and reminded them of himself. For thus threatens the calf, who bears no horns as yet on his young forehead ; thus do hinds flee, lions fight with valour, and dogs with their teeth, and the scorpion with the stroke of his tail, and thus with a light shaking of his pinions does the bird fly away. In all is the fear of a death they know not, to all is given to be aware of their enemy and how to guard against him, and to know the force and measure of their own weapon. Thus the Scar, if cunningly (lured) beneath the waves he has fallen into (a wicker trap) . . and only fears the bait when tricked into seizing it, ventures not with opposing forehead to dash against the rods, but turning away loosens the wicker-work with much lashing of his tail, and wriggling out escapes into the safety of the sea. Nay too if by chance any kindly Scar, swimming past, has seen him struggling in the wicker-work, he grasps with his jaws his tail from behind, and so pulls him, that the prey may spring clear of the basket which held him. The Squid, tardy in flight, when caught perchance beneath the clear water (and every moment his entrails fear the clutching hands) vomits dark blood from his mouth and stains the sea, and turns from his track baffling the eyes that follow him. The Pike enclosed in a net, though huge and fierce, sinks down submissive, parting the sands with his tail . . . darts up into the air and by his leap mocks with impunity their guile. The bold Lamprey, too, aware of his smooth back, struggling with the looser meshes of the net, at length escapes by many slippery writhings, and damages by his example : for by himself he finds a way for all. But the lazy Polypus with his hairy body clings to the rocks, and by this ruse eludes the nets, and takes or changes colour as the spot determines, ever like to that which he has touched. And when he greedily seizes the prey that hangs from the line, he also plays his trick, for when the rod is lifted and he at length emerges into the air, his arms melt away and he spews forth the plundered hook. But the Mullet with his tail strikes off the suspended bait, and gathers it when it falls. The Pike, stung to violent wrath, dashes here and there, and follows the waves that carry him, and tosses his head till the wound is widened, and the cruel barb falls out and leaves the gaping mouth. Nor is the Lamprey ignorant of his own powers of harm, nor fails in his own defence nor in fierce biting at close quarters, nor even when captive loses his fighting spirit. . . , The Anthias uses weapons on his back which he does not see, and knows the power of his spine, and turning upon his back he cuts the twine and cuts off the implanted hook.

The other animals that dwell in the dense forest are either racked and ever maddened by empty fears, or driven headlong by frenzied daring : Nature herself bids them give chase or grapple in close fight. Lo ! the impetuous Lion dashes to overthrow the hunters’ ranks, and presents his breast to their opposing weapons ; and even while he advances with greater boldness and ardour more exultant, and tosses his brawny muscles and adds anger to his might, he falls and his strength but hastens his own death. From his Lucanian den waddles forth the ugly Bear, —what save sluggish weight and stolid fierceness? The hunted Boar proclaims his wrath by his shaggy bristles ; he rushes with all his might upon the wounds of the opposing steel, and, checked by a dart sped through his vitals, he dies. Another group trust to their feet and flee before the pursuer, as frightened hares and hinds with tawny bodies and the stag that flees unceasingly once he has known panic. Here is the high-born pride and the nobler glory of the Steeds ; for by mettle do they win the prize, and they exult in victory. If in the seven laps of the Circus they have gained the crown, see you not how much higher the victor holds his lofty head, and commends himself to the breeze of popular favour ? Or when his tall back is adorned by a slain lion’s skin, how swelling his pomp, with what action he courts the eye, while with haughty beat of hoof he tramples the ground, and returns heavily laden with rich spoils ! What is the chiefest praise of Hounds ? Headlong boldness is theirs, and excellent sagacity in the chase, and power to pursue. Now With noses raised they sniff the air, now with lowered muzzles seek the track, and drive forth the quarry by their clamour, and calling chide their master ; and should the beast escape him when the battle is joined, the hound pursues it o’er every hill and plain. . . .

On skill does our toil depend, all our hope lies therein. Yet I would not bid you go to the midmost regions of the sea, or try the depths of the vast ocean ; between either extreme will you guide your line more profitably . . . whether the waters are studded with rocks (for such places need pliant rods, while an open coast admits of nets), or whether a high mountain cast its shivering shadows upon the sea (for in different wise do some fishes shun or seek the bait), or whether the shallows are verdant with grasses that grow at the bottom, and it interpose delays and foster the soft seaweed. In varying wise has Nature designed the dwellings of the deep, nor has she wished all fishes to abide together.

Some rejoice in the open sea, such as Mackerel and Turbot and swift Carp and black-backed Gurnards, and the costly Sturgeon, unknown to our Waters, and the cruel Sword-fish, as merciful as a sword-thrust, and frightened Tunnies that flee in large shoals, the tiny Remora (yet, strange to tell, a great hinderer of ships), and thou, companion of vessels and of the furrow traced upon the deep, Rudder-fish that always followest the shilling foam and bold Pinnace lurking at the edge of rocks and Sea-bream of unpleasing taste then Stone-brass like in hue to him, and Mullet glowing red in the blue wave, and Sargus notable for his markings, notable too the Rainbow-wrasse, and Bream that shines with gilded neck, glittering Braize, tawny Synodons, and self-conceiving Channe that plays the part of both parents to itself, then Rock-fish green-scaled and small of mouth, rare Dory, painted Mormyrs, and Gilt-head that counterfeits the sheen of gold. Umbers with livid body and swift Pikes and Perch ’ and Goat-fish, and Black-tail whose tail wins high renown, and Lamprey glowing with gold markings, and green Sea-carp, and Conger-eel made cruel by the wounds of his own tribe, and Scorpion that when taken will hurt with a fierce sting, and Blue-fish never seen under summer stars.

But on the other hand are fish that rejoice in grassy sand, as the Scar who alone chews the cud of eaten food, and the prolific tribe of Maenae, and Lamirus and Picarel and unclean Chromis, and Salpa justly held most worthless, and Phycis that imitates beneath the waves the nests of birds, and Red Mullet whose scales are suffused with tenuous blood. Soles shining bright and Passer of like hue with them and the marvellous Turbot of the Adriatic shore, broad Hares and soft-backed Frog-fish, and last of all . . . the slippery Gudgeon, harmful with not one spine only, the Cuttle-fish that bears black poison in a snow-white body, tough Hogs and sinuous Prawns, and Donkey-fish, undeserving of a name so mean, and thou. Sturgeon, renowned in foreign waters . . .