God quickened in the Sea and in the Rivers,
So many fishes of so many features,
That read more

God quickened in the Sea and in the Rivers,
So many fishes of so many features,
That in the waters we may see all Creatures;
Even all that on the earth is to be found,
As if the world were in deep waters drowned.

How cheerfully he seems to grin,
How neatly spreads his claws,
And welcomes little fishes in
read more

How cheerfully he seems to grin,
How neatly spreads his claws,
And welcomes little fishes in
With gently smiling jaws!

When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was read more

When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.
With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil's walking parody
On all four-footed things.

The little fishes of the sea,
They sent an answer back to me.
The little fishes' answer read more

The little fishes of the sea,
They sent an answer back to me.
The little fishes' answer was
"We cannot do it, Sir, because--"

But death is sure to kill all he can get
And all is fish with him that comes to read more

But death is sure to kill all he can get
And all is fish with him that comes to net.

Here when the labouring fish does at the foot arrive,
And finds that by his strength but vainly he read more

Here when the labouring fish does at the foot arrive,
And finds that by his strength but vainly he doth strive;
His tail takes in his teeth, and bending like a bow,
That's to the compass drawn, aloft himself doth throw:
Then springing at his height, as doth a little wand,
That, bended end to end, and flerted from the hand,
Far off itself doth cast. so does the salmon vaut.
And if at first he fail, his second summersaut
He instantly assays and from his nimble ring,
Still yarking never leaves, until himself he fling
Above the streamful top of the surrounded heap.

The great fish [eat] the small.

The great fish [eat] the small.

One that is neither flesh not fish.

One that is neither flesh not fish.

A sly old fish, too cunning for the hook.

A sly old fish, too cunning for the hook.