My objection is of a most delicate nature.

You doubtless expect to be able to swim in safety, below the surface, like wary fishes, and you do not reflect that the vigilant eye of the Sovereign-Fisherman, or rather Vice-Fisherman, may very easily spy you out, and spear you with a skilful thrust of the harpoon.

Now I should never advise the finest, most highly flavoured, most desirable fishes to bind themselves together.

You will easily understand what might happen should one be caught and landed.

Moreover, you know very well that the great Fisherman of Galilee put the small fishes into his vivarium, but the Great Fisherman of Rome fries them." "Excellent!" exclaimed Don Paolo with a laugh.