And sat, by chance, my drooping nets to dry. My scaly prize, in order all display’d, By number on the greensward there I laid My captives, which or in my nets I took, Or hung unwary on my wily hook. Strange to behold! yet what avails a lie? I saw them bite the grass as I sat by, Then sudden darting o’er the verdant plain, They spread their fins, as in their native main; I paused, with wonder’struck, while all my prey Left their new master, and regain’d the sea. Amazed, within my secret self I sought, What god, what herb, the miracle had wrought. “But sure no herbs have power like this,” I cried, And straight I pluck’d some neighbouring herbs and tried. Scarce had I bit, and proved the wondrous taste, When strong convulsions shook my troubled breast, I felt my heart grow fond of something strange, And my whole nature labouring with a change. Restless I grew, and ev’ry place forsook, And still upon the seas I bent my look. “Farewell for ever! farewell, land!’ I said, And plunged among the waves my sinking head.