A description of a strange (and miraculous) Fish, cast upon the sands in the meads, in the Hundred of Worwell, in the County Palatine of Chester, (or Chesshiere. The certainty whereof is here related concerning the said most monstrous Fish.  

To the tune of Bragandary.  
 

OF many marvels in my time  
I'us heretofore,  
But here's a stranger now in prime  
that's lately come on shore,  
Invites my pen to specify  
What some (I doubt) will think a lie.  
O rare beyond compare, in England near the like.   

It is a fish, a monstrous fish,  
a fish that many dreads,  
But now it is as we would wish,  
cast up o'th' sands i'th' meads,  
In Chesshire; and 'tis certain true,  
Described by those who did it view.  
O rare beyond compare, in England near the like.   

Full twenty one yards and one foot  
this fish extend in length,  
With all things correspondent to't,  
for amplitude and strength:  
Good people what I shall report,  
Do not account a feigned sport.  
O rare beyond compare, in England near the like.   

It is almost five yards in height,  
which is a wondrous thing,  
O mark what marvels to our sight  
our Potent Lord can bring.  
These secrets Neptune closely kéeps  
Within the bosom of the déeps.  
O rare beyond compare, in England near the like.   

His lower jaw-bone's five yards long,  
the upper thrice so much,  
Twelve yoke of oxen stout and strong,  
(the weight of it is such)  
Could not ones stir it out o'th' sands  
Thus works the All-creating hands.  
O rare beyond compare, in England near the like.   

Some have a project now in hand,  
(which is a tedious task)  
When the Sea turns, to bring to Land  
the same with empty cask:  
But how I cannot well conceive,  
To each man's judgement that I leave.  
O rare beyond compare, in England near the like.   

The lower jawbone named of late▪  
had teeth in't thirty four,  
Whereof some of them are in weight  
two pounds, or rather more:  
There, were no teeth i'th' upper jaw,  
But holes, which many people saw,  
O rare beyond compare, in England near the like.    

The second part,  
To the same tune.  
 
 

HIs Pistol is in length four yards,  
big as a man i'th' waist,  
This monster he who well regards,  
from th'first unto the last,  
By every part may motives find,  
To wonder at this wondrous kind.  
O rare beyond compare, in England near the like.   

His Cod are like two hogsheads great,  
this seemeth past belief,  
But men of credit can relate  
what I describe in brief:  
Then let's with charity confess  
God's works are more than man can guess.  
O rare, etc.   

The tongue on't is so mighty large,  
I will it not express,  
Lest I your credit over-charge,  
but you may easlly guess,  
That sith his shape so far excels,  
The tongue doth answer all parts else.  
O rare, etc.   

A man on horseback as 'tis tried  
may stand within his mouth,  
Let none that hears it this deride,  
for 'tis confirmed for truth:  
By those who dare avouch the same,  
Then let the Writer bear no blame.  
O rare, etc.   

His nerves or sinews like Bulls pissles,  
for riding rods some use:  
Of Spermaceti there's some vessels:  
if this be the worst news,  
That of this monster we shall hear,  
All will be well I do not fear.  
O rare, etc.   

Already sixteen tuns of Oil  
is from this fish extracted  
And yet continually they 〈◊〉  
no season is protracted:  
It cannot be imagined how much  
'Twill yield, the vastness on't is such.  
O rare, etc.   

When he upon the sands was cast  
alive, which was awhile:  
He yelled so loud, that many (aghast)  
heard him above six mile:  
'tis said the Female fish likewise  
Was heard to mourn with horrid cries:  
O rare, etc.   

The Mariners of Chester say  
a Herring-hag 'tis named:  
What ere it be, for certain they  
that are for knowledge famed,  
Affirm, the like in ages passed  
Upon our Coast was never cast.  
O rare beyond compare, in England near the like.   
M. P.    

Printed at London for Thomas Lambert, at the sign of the Hors-shoo in Smithfield.  
There is a Book to satisfy such as desire a larger description hereof.