Note Books (Leonardo da Vinci) p.136

O time, swift despoiler of created things! How many kings, how many peoples hast though brought low! How many changes of stage and circumstance have followed since the wondrous form of this fish died here in this hollow, winding recess? Now destroyed by time patiently though liest within this narrow space, and with thy bones despoiled and bare art become and armour and support to the mountain which lies above thee.