Unfortunately, the pernicious fishes aren’t the real problem:
To descend to more particulars, how many creatures are at deadly feud with
men? Lions, wolves, bears, etc. Some with hoofs, horns, tusks, teeth, nails:
How many noxious serpents and venomous creatures, ready to offend us with
stings, breath, sight, or quite kill us? How many pernicious fishes,
plants, gums, fruits, seeds, flowers, etc. could I reckon up on a sudden,
which by their very smell many of them, touch, taste, cause some grievous
malady, if not death itself? Some make mention of a thousand several
poisons: but these are but trifles in respect. The greatest enemy to man,
is man, who by the devil’s instigation is still ready to do mischief, his
own executioner, a wolf, a devil to himself, and others. (134-135)
This post is part of a long, tedious, and very illustrated read-along of Robert Burton’s The Anatomy of Melancholy – more info here and follow along on Facebook here. Illustrations posted via master.of.literature on Instagram.
Don’t do it, lil guy! (Great drawing!)
Thanks!