1Behold: this flying fish, with shining wings,

2When

forth the swelling billows up she springs1

,

3Thinking, but all in vain, to fly away,

4To hungry hawks and

kites2

becomes a prey.

5Then down into the deep she dives again;

6But then her foes within the frothy

main3

7(Whales, sharks,

bonitos4

) lie and

watch5

, each hour,

8This helpless, harmless creature to devour.

9Let discontented spirits come and see

10This perfect

map6

of

infelicity7

.

11So have I seen a

hart8

with hounds oppressed,

12An arrow sticking in her quivering breast;

13If she goes on, her guiltless blood still flows;

14If she stands still, she falls amongst her foes.

15So have I known (O, sad)

the best of kings9

16(

Ay me10

, the thought of this such horror brings

17To my sad soul), his princely spirit posed

18In strange dilemmas, everywhere enclosed

19By his and

God’s depressed Israel’s foes11

;

20In this great

strait12

,

his native side13

he chose.

21

Perfidious Scot14

, thou

this base plot15

did’st lay;

22

Iscariot-like16

thou didst thy

kings17

betray.

23

He18

lost his life, but got a lasting

fame19

;

24Thus, being overcome, he overcame.

25Then patient be, though things fit not thy wish;

26Thou might’st have been king, hart, or flying fish.