Sharp poison'd Darts the dreaded  aid,
And hardy  wield the threat'ning Blade.
Nature and Time the growing Part produce,
Finish it's Length, and teach the murd'rous Use.
Nor burnish'd Steel, nor Plates of flaming Brass
In solid Work the fishy Snout surpass.
Struck with it's Point, the sounding Stone gives Way,
And shatter'd Rocks their secret Veins display.
The  Tail it's venom'd Shaft contains;
Nor Time nor Wast the pois'nous Treasure drains.
Murd'rous alike they ravage all the Sea,
First give the mortal Wound, then seize the Prey.
In this they differ; when the  dies,
Extinct with him the mould'ring Weapon lies.
Despis'd and harmless now, the worthless Bone
No longer boasts the Sword, but useless grown
Henceforth it's martial Nature must disown.
Not so the  Dart; that still survives
The dying Fish, and in it's Venom lives.