Sale. Why, 'tis, a man-fish;
An ocean centaur, begot between a siren
And a he stock-fish.
Sea. Pray, where took ye him?
Quart. We took him strangely in the Indies, near
The mouth of Rio de la Plata, asleep
Upon the shore, just as you see him now.
Mis. Hol. How say ye, asleep!
Ware. How! Would he come to land?
Sea. 'Tis strange a fish should leave his element!
Quart. Ask him what things the country told us.
Sale. You
Will scarce believe it now. This fish would walk you
Two or three mile o' th' shore sometimes; break houses,
Ravish a naked wench or two (for there
Women go naked), then run to sea again.
Quart. The country has been laid,[226] and warrants granted
To apprehend him.
Ware. I do suspect these fellows:
They lie as if they had patent for it.