All Fishers know the changing  Deceit
How clung to Rocks, when coming Dangers threat,
New Forms they take, and wear a borrow'd Dress,
Mock the true Stone, and Colours well express.
Now o'er their liken'd Parts the Limners spread
A mossy Green, or streak with dusky Red;
On their soft Skin now whitish Marl imprint,
Or raise the clouded Azure of the Flint:
As the Rock looks, they take a diff'rent Stain,
Dapple with Grey, or branch the livid Vein.
Nor scaly Foes, nor Fishers curious Eyes
Perceive the Cheat, or find the false Disguise.
Thus they conceal'd the dreaded Danger shun,
By borrow'd Shapes obscur'd, and lost in seeming Stone.
But when with near Approach the weaker Prey
Invites, her waning Colours all decay;
No Vizard then, or mimick Form they seek;
Vig'rous they quit the Rock, and own the real .