for iust cause greued with his vnkynde countrie he promised to vtter a certaine meane how he should easely subdue and conquire all Grece but when after the king called on him for the performaunce thereof he then againe with minde wholy altered and chauÌ„ged desired rather to die then to acquite him of hys promes and so fainyng that he first would sacrifice vnto Diana drancke the bloodde of a Bull whiche he then had sacrificed whence he presently dyed as recordeth Plutarche The cause or reason that may hereof be geuen why I saie the blood of a bull droncke warme should kil is borrowed of Aristotle Plinie and Dioscorides who to geather affirme that it is for none other cause but that this bloodde so druncke straungely congealeth and hardneth incontinently yea muche more then the bloodde of any other beaste so that in quantitie once entered into the stomake it curdeth causing faintnes and suffocation and stoppeth with the same the forces of respiration and feelyng whence sodenlie of necessitie followeth also death Plinie wryteth that Colewoâ—rtes boyled in the abouesaide bloodde are verie medicinable againste an opilation this bloodde then by it selfe drouncke is pestilente and venemous but in composition mixt with other thinges is both holsome and profitable Manne to whom god hath framed all thinges subiecte hath by this beaste no lesse profite and seruice then by the others of that kynde whiche he alone ingendreth For which onely cause Columella preferreth hym before all other beastes affirmyng that to kill a Bull was in tymes paste a crime verie heinous and almost in déede capital Plinie writeth of one that was banished for that he kilde a bul The firste that tamed the Bull and laide youke on hys necke was as Diodorus reporteth one Denis or Dionisius the soonne of Iupiter and Proserpina But Plinie in his seuenth booke déemeth the contrarie affirmyng that it was an Athenian and hight Briges others some suppose that it was Triptolemus of whom Virgill in thys sorte séemeth to saie that he an infant was maister notwithstandyng and inuentour of the crooked Plough Seruius indifferentlie attributeth it as well to Orsiris as to Triptolemus I suppose that Virgill leafte thereof to discouer the name of the inuentour of a thing so profitable and necessarie for that as it maie bee presumed it was not the inuention of one sole man onely but rather the wante and lacke therof hath forced man in this case to deuise or inuente some thyng to whiche some others to perfect it haue also after added some what Trogus Pompeius recounteth that Auidis Kyng of Spaine was the firste that layde maisteryng hande on the wilde and sauage Bull the firste also that fitted theim to the yoke or Plough but in fine whosoeuer it were verie necessarie is hys seruice and profitable in mannes affaires This beast feedeth contrarie to all others for in takyng his repaste he goeth alwaies backwardes all others of what soeuer kynde marchyng still on wardes Aristotle wryteth of a certaine kind of Bulles in Frigia whose hornes are not fastened in the inner parte of their heades and in the bone but tossyng to and fro growe onely copled to the skinne by meane whereof they so turne theym at their pleasure as their eares whiche thyng Elian in like sorte plainly recordeth The first that tamed Bulles in Rome and kilde theim for mannes vse was Iulius Caesar whiche thyng Plinie recordeth largelie This beaste hath this propertie of nature or qualitie lente hym that he skilefully prognosticateth of the weather continually for when it shall raine he foresheweth it in mountyng hys snoute breathyng into the ayre or otherwise in séekyng some couerte besides his wonted manner How necessarie water is in all the vses of mannes life of the excellencie of this element and how to finde or trie the best water from the other Chap. 12. IN all the vses of mannes life no one thyng is founde more necessarie then the elemente of water for if he lacke at any tyme bread he maie with sundry kindes of meates as hearbes nourishe the bodie and if fire faile hym sunderie thynges are yet good and holsome to be eaten rawe so that man maie continue and liue of them for a tyme but without water neither can man beast or what so els is liue or continue in this worlde at all There is neither herbe neither plante of what sort so euer he be that without water giueth any kinde of increase for what so euer is without exception it needeth some tymes water Whence Thales Milesius as also Hesiodus imagined that water was the beginnyng of all thynges the moste auncient and first of the other thre elementes in vertue also and force without comparison surpassyng them for as hath Plinie and also Isidorus water moisteth and subuerteth greate mountaines it ruleth and hath dominion ouer the whole face of the yearth it quencheth fire and chaunged into vapours it also mounteth or passeth into euery the regions of the aire whence after a time again it descendeth to giue increase and multiplie all thynges vpon yearth Farther God so muche estemed this elemente aboue the reste that concludyng to regenerate man againe by Baptisme would that his safetie should growe of parte by this elemente And in the beginnyng of the worlde when he first deuided the waters he in suche estimation had it as hath the texte that he almoste nexte would place it vnderneath the heauens lesse mindyng in that place that houge heape of water that boundeth and limiteth the partes of the yearth The greatest torment that the Romaines had at any tyme prouided for the coÌ„demned was that thei were interdicted bothe from water and fire remembryng water in this place before the other for the more assertained and assured excellencie Sithe then water is so necessarie in euery the vses of mannes life here must we then coÌ„sider of waters which are the better For accomplishement whereof this maie be the firste note who so will passe through places straunge and vnknowen desirous to learne whither the waters be there holsome yea or not as also whether they bée to be caried any other where as necessitie at tymes or for causes maie require first let hym diligently with aduise consider the places adiacent about the spryng or riuer how long the inhabitantes there liue their disposition and nature Whither thei be healthie strong and valiant and of good complection their iyes not infected their legges of good proportion and able suche where so euer thei bee well witnes of the goodnes of their water but contrary if you finde them then contrary must be your iudgement But if your spring be late founde so that the fore saied experience of no parte helpe vs then will we referre you to the practises followyng Take a basme of Brasse or other vestell cleane neate and very well polished then throwe some droppes of that wateâ— there on of that water I meane of whose goodnes you would make
experimente and if after it bee dried you finde at all no kinde of stain or marke then is that water assuredly bothe good and holesome ▪ An other good proofe maie be if you please to boile of this water in the saied vessell and after it hath boiled to let it for a tyme to stande to settle and to coole then after when ye shall empte it if in the bottome you finde no kinde of slime or sande then is that water to be reputed for good and of these waters if ye make proofe of two that whiche hath least is to be accōpted without more the beste Farther if in these vessels or in the semblable you doe to bée boiled any kinde of pulse to make there with some potage or other meate as beanes pease or other of that sorte that water in whiche thei first seeth is beste You must consider also if certainly you will iudge of waters in what place or soile thei spring and rise if out of a sandie grounde cleare andneate or contrary out of a mirie soile foule and vnpure and whither there growe any Rushes or other herbes or weedes noisome and pestilente but for better suretie who so would drinke of a water vnknowen or of suche as he deemeth to bee indeede lesse good lette hym with a small fire firste of all boile hym and then after beyng colde drinke of hym in his neede Plinie writeth that the Emperour Nero so boiled his water and then coolyng it in the Snowe gloried that he was the father of suche an inuention The reason why water boiled should therefore be more conducible is for that it is not pure and simple in his owne nature but is all together mixt bothe with the earth and the aire notwithstandyng the parte windie as it easily resolueth by the fire into vapours so that other substaunce also terrestriall by the saied vertue or force of the fire whose qualitie is to trie and disioigne contrary natures descendeth to the bottome and lower partes of the vessell By whiche meanes this boiled water romaineth lesse vaporous all the windie substaunce thereof perfectly consumed it also again is more subtile and light beyng this purified from the grosse and stimie substaunce and so consequently more easie to be kepte and conserued compitently refreshyng and moistyng the bodie without any alteration or opilation at all Whence it is euidente that these deepe welles or tye pittes giue none so good and holesome waters as are the others principally for that the water more sauoureth of some slimie nature and that it is at no tyme purified by any shewe of the soonne as that also it more easily putrifieth then any other How bee it the more that you drawe out of any suche Welle the better and the more profitable becometh the water for that by continuall motion corruption lesse ingendereth and nothing better frō putrifaction preserueth any water then perpetuall and incessante agitation for ones corrupted it impoisoneth the newe waters in their springes theim selues as letted or lackyng frée course or passage but stil drawen newe commeth on more freshe still and sauerie For whiche cause the water of standing pondes and diches is of all other moste pestilente and venemous whiche for that it hardely springeth and hardely passeth thence againe putrifieth and ingendereth sunderie impoisoned matters and ofte tymes whiche worste is it corrupteth the aire whence the inhabitauntes there about are ordinarily infected Consider we also that these waters whiche flowe towardes the Southe are not so holesome as those that runne to the North for the aire in the Southe is more vaporous and moiste whiche hurteth of parte and impaireth the water but in the Northe more subtile and drie whēce the water is more light and more voide of ill mixtions For whiche cause that water is euer more beste whiche is moste cleare moste light moste subtile and moste purified for it is as we fore saied moste free from the mixtion of the other elementes and beyng set ouer the fire wareth also warme and boileth before any other Farther also a verie certaine and singuler proofe of waters is this if ye circumspectly consider whiche of them first or before the other boileth beyng bothe putre in like vessels ouer one fire with like consideration of tyme in them bothe also whiche of them in like maner firste retourneth to his naturall qualitie to bee that he firste was colde in taste and feelyng for these are assured argumentes of a most subtile and pearsing substaunce and for as much as the mixture of the yearth with any kinde of water forceth or canseth some alteration in waight it shall be good to chuse still that whiche you finde lighteste whiche easily you maie proue in this sorte and maner followyng You shall take twoo peces of linen clothe of one and the same weight puttyng one into one water and the other into the other vntill they be both throwe moistned and weete then hang theim in the ayre wher the Sunne shineth not on theim so long vntill thei both be perfectly drie rewaight theim then againe and the cloth whiche you finde to peise or drawe deepest argueth his water to bee vndoubtedly moste waightiest Other some haue vsed for their more expedition to waigh them in vesseles pure neate cleane in waight not differyng with out any farther curiositie at all Aristotle and Plinie affirme that the greatest cause of diuers qualities in waters is and riseth onelye of sundrie substaunces or maners of their soiles by the meanes of Stones Trées Mines and Mettalles through which these springes or Riuers runne and for this cause they become some hotte some colde some swéete some salte some sauerie some lesse sauerie wherefore it is a sure and an infallible rule that these waters that haue no taste smell or sauour are continually reputed for the moste holsome and beste Al suche notwithstādyng as haue hereof writen togither affirme that these springes that passe thorowe mines of gold excell without comparison by many degrées the others for proofe whereof these riuers are accompted moste worthie of all others whiche ingender and preserue gold in their fine and small sandes but because we perticulerly some thyng haue saied of the proprietie of springes and riuers we leaue here to wearie the reader with examples Now then sith some thynges haue been spoken of fountaines and flouddes it followeth that we consequently treate of rainie waters whiche of some are reputed for verie soueraigne and medicinable but of others some accompted lesse profitable or necessarie Vitruuius and Columella with certaine other Phisitians highly commende all rainie waters but these especially that are receiued cleane pure without any kinde of grosse or terrestriall substaunce for that of them selues saie thei these waters are light and voide of all mixtion caused onely of vapours which by their onely subtilitie are taken vp into the aire leauyng as maie bee supposed all impure or slimie substaunce behinde theim Some neuerthelesse saie that this water descendyng in
vnexamined in his Exposition of Youtke and Age hathe to this pourpose sutche woordes as folowe For twoo causes was Man formed righte beholdinge Heauen The one for that he shoulde be the perfectest of other Creatures and sutche as shoulde taste or sauer of all Celestial qualities The other for that in the proportion and temperature of his bodye he is more hoate then any other Creature and that the nature of heate is euermore to mounte and ascende vpwardes Other Creatures as far inferiour as also lesse perfecte lesse participate in these Celestiall qualities and lesse naturall heate haue they in any sorte to aduaunce them For whiche cause neither are they of the same frame or proportion with man It séemeth that in this place S. Thomas folowed the opinion of the Platonistes who affirmed that naturall heate with sundrie the Vitall Spirites in Man in whiche he more aboundeth then any other liuinge Creature are the onely causes that he marcheth vprightly aduaunced in manner so perfect and so séemely for that by the force and vigor of the foresaide powres and bloudde he addresseth him selfe vpwardes That which his indeuour more perfectly to accomplishe he further againe is ayded by the true proportion and mixture of the Elementes of whiche he borroweth his firste springe and beginninge with sutche equalitie and conueniente weighte that he fitly and commodiously walketh addressing him selfe to looke on the marueilous frame of Heauen Nowe then sith Man of parte by the perfection of his Soule as also of parte by the excellent feauture of his Bodye is beroughte with the loue and cōtemplation of Heauen he should only woorke thinke and deuise thinges Heauenly Spirituall disdeininge the Earthe with all thinges thereon transitorye But wée be in sutch sorte enamoured with the vile consideration of worldly pleasures that for the most part hauing our eies and countenaunce bente to Heauen the harte lyeth soylde belowe vpon the Earthe Againe concerning Man of whom wée haue here spoken Pline remembreth an other thinge whiche thoughe it be not of sutche importance as are the others yet may it of somme parte contente and please the Reader especially to whome experience hathe not reuealed it founde notwithstanding daily to be true of all sutche as please carefully to experimente it He saithe that Man dead poyseth more then when he liued that whiche he also affirmeth in all other kinde of Creatures Againe he saithe that Man hauing eaten in the morninge poyseth lesse then when he was before fastinge Whiche thinge is by Erasmus in a certaine Probleame of his confirmed Who also in the same remembreth other somme things not vnwoorthy of readinge yéeldinge the same reasons with Pline for the confirmation thereof grounded on the consideration of the Vitall Spirites and Ayre as is aboue rehearsed Whereas the contrarye séemeth to haue somme shewe of truth for that who so shal take at any time his refection layeth vp within him selfe the poyse and weight therof Notwithstandinge it is euident that the refection alwaies increaseth the vitall Spirites whiche solace and comforte man increasinge and multiplyinge naturall heate within him Hence cometh it that when one man from the grounde assayeth to lifte an other the lifted is then more weighty when he dothe breathe or conuaye his winde out not redrawinge it agayne for the small time of that practise the whiche when he retayneth in his body kéepeth in is founde by meane thereof more light then he was before Againe who so faste runneth neither maye he for that time either breathe or blowe mutche for restrayning his breathe he findeth him selfe more agile and quicke for that the Ayre beinge an Element very lighte desireth to rise vp and to mounte alofte where his naturall place is of reste or aboade as experience may learne vs in a skinne or bladder whiche empty not pufte vp throwne into the water sinketh continually resteth on the bottome but full of winde or blowne out swimmeth still on highe Pline in the same place againe recordeth that mans body in the water drowned and after a time risinge from the bottome on highe if it be a man he euermore hath his face turned from the Earthe vpwardes but if it be a woman shée continually floteth in manner and sorte contrary which thinge Nature hath onely in sutche wise prouided to couer the partes of woomen whiche alwaies should be secrete Againe also an other reason maye be geuen for that wooman before by meane of her pappes or breastes is founde more weighty but man behinde bicause of his shoulders more grosse or greater then are those of woomen ¶ Of the excellency of the Heade aboue all other members of the Body and that it is not good to haue a little Heade or strayte Breaste as also whence it is that wee accompte it courtesie to take of the Cappe or Hatte in salutinge an other Chap. 8. IF it be an especiall Prerogatiue amonge all other Creatures graunted vnto man that he shoulde haue his body of sutche perfect and sutche desired shape his face aduaunced of Heauen euermore heauenly things to aduice him Then assuredly the Heade which in man farre surpasseth bothe all and euery parte which also is the highest among the others all ought by reasons lawe the aduauntage to haue and preeminence in eche respect and case As in déede eche parte imployeth his skilfull payne loyally to garde kéepe the Heade from harme in sutche sorte that when so it is in daunger or any perill els forthwith the Foote the Hande the Arme with the others all toyle to defende the Heade from all griefe and annoye for in the Heade consisteth the well beinge of them al and the Heade if it be pained eche parte complaineth forthwith S. Ambrose especially commendyng that parte of the body saythe That the frame or composition of man representeth of somme parte the face or countenance of the World and as Heauen thereof is the chiefe portion most eminent and bewtiful the Fyre the Ayre with the other Elementes to it inferiour so the Heade in respecte surmounteth eche other parte in Man as Quéene Mistresse or Empresse all alone whiche as a holde or Castle in the middle of a Citie builte on somme Rocke alofte wherein bothe Counsell and aduise continually doo lodge them where power and authoritie haue chosen to them their beinge And Salomon the eies of the sage are in the inner partes of his Heade Lactantius Firmianus saithe that God hath geuen to man his Head in place aboue to the intent he shoulde haue rule Empire ouer Beastes Galene to it attributeth principalitie ouer all other partes in man and Plato in Timeo in consideration of the prerogatiue thereof termeth it the whole body It beinge then of so greate importance the Fountaine also and chiefe springe of eche the powers in man it is of necessitie that it shoulde be of fitte proportion and forme conuenable Whence it commeth that Paulus Eginetus in his first Booke De
this sorte from aboue prutrifieth incontinently as is to bée seen in standyng pooles or diches whiche ingender infinite ordures How bee it to speake indifferently this is not to be attributed to any defaute or imperfection in this water but rather for that it is reserued in so vile a place into whiche moste commonly flowe all noisome sinckes and vnsauerie gutters with others of that sorte lesse meete to bée here remembred as also of parte by the ordure that it draweth and bryngeth with it washyng the yearth as it floweth into the aboue saied troughes or diches especially when it powreth doune or raineth aboundauntlie Wherefore the cause of this sodaine corruption of part procedeth from the extreme heate of the Sunne of part for that it is so pure and delicate but mixte now with suche contagious and lothesome impurities that it immediatly and without staie corrupteth of necessitie Notwithstandyng if this water so subtile and well purified were taken fallyng from houses voide of duste or filthe or rather before it touche any house or other thing were receiued into sonie cleane and pure vessell it maie be thought that it would proue more pure then any other as also that it longer might bee without putrifaction preserned Others some there are that plainly affirme the contrary as Plinie that writeth it to bee nought and vnholesome who also commaundeth that we neither drinke or taste of it for that these vapours whence it in the beginnyng and firste of all riseth issue and procede of diuerse thynges as also of diuerse soiles whence it also receiueth diuers and different qualities good and badde with like and with the same facilitie And againe alleagyng some farther proofe for his assertion answereth also to that that we aboue remembred lesse admitting it for comprobation sufficient as to saie that it therfore is pure or light because it is drawne into the regions of the aire whether it as is euidente not naturally mounteth but is taken by secrete force and violency of the sunne Neither are these vapours saieth he which in the middle regiō of the aire by extreme cold are altered into haile or snowe so pure and so perfecte as most men suppose them but resolued into water are rather founde in verie deede pestiferous and noisome Besides whiche defecte he this againe addeth that this rainie water by the onely euaporation and heate of the yearth becommeth infected euen in the same tyme and instante that it raineth For better proofe of whiche impuritie it onely is to bee noted how quickly and how sone it becometh putrified of whiche wee haue experience often tymes vpon the sea where it impossible is to preserue suche waters from corruption For these causes now cisternes and depe welles are of most men lesse commended How be it touchyng these differente and contrary opinions eche manne maie sentence accordyng to his phantasie as for my parte I willynglie would not prefarre a rainie water before the others although in truthe it bee in cases more fittyng and necessarie and although also Plinie whiche other wise discommendeth it letteth not to reporte that fishes in stādyng pondes and lakes quickely waxe fatte but then moste especially when it moste aboundantly raineth so as thei maie be thought still to please moste in this water Theophrastus saieth that all hearbes in the gardein wéedes or grasse what quantitie of water so euer you bestowe on theim spring thence notwithstandyng in no respecte so well as with some pleasaunte or smalle showers of raine In maner semblable writeth Plinie of the reede or bulle rushe whiche the better to growe or prospere thirsteth still for raine Suche also is Aristotles opinion and consonante to the former concernyng the fattyng or impairyng of fishes By what policie we may drawe freash water out of the Sea and why colde water in fallyng maketh greatet noyse then it woulde doe if it were warme finally why a Shippe on the salte water beareth greater weight then on the freashe Chap. 13. ARistotle writeth as also Plinie that we shoulde frame certaine vessels of waxe hollowe within so bindyng or closing theim that in theim be founde no hole or vente lettyng theim doune into the Sea fastned in some Nette or other fitte matter with long lines or cordes whence after they there haue béen the space of one whole daie if wée againe drawe theim wee shall finde in euerie of theim a certaine quantitie of freshe water suche and so good as in any spring or fountaine The reason why the salte water becometh freashe by the entraunce into these vessels is in thys sorte geuen vs of Aristotle who saieth that the waxe beyng a bodie both full of powres and swéete graunteth passage to the most pure and subtill parte of the water which as it leaueth without hys grosse and saulte substaunce so pearsing it sauereth of the waxie nature swete and pleasant In truthe if it be so I saie againe if it bee so for that I neuer yet practised in any sorte this secrette it might well serue in sundrie our necessities whiche commonly betyde vs in infinite our affaires How be it I suppose that if thys falte water waxe freashe by the onely and sole enteraunce in to the aboue saide vessels the saied vessels in like sorte filled also full with the Sea shoulde geue vs some small quantitie or measure of freashe water for filled as is afore saide why shoulde not the purer parte passe through these porie vessels leauyng within the slimie or saulte substaunce of the Sea as beyng cast voyde into the Sea shoulde receiue there by contrarie order inwardes water pure and immixte without any droppe at all of the other The reason seemeth one as tending both to one ende vnlesse we should dwell here on some scrupulous difference arguing that by the same meane and by the same facillitie this freashe water distilleth not out of the full vessell as on the other side it entereth into the voyde and emptie for that some appearaunce is of greater force in goyng out then is as some suppose at the entraunce or comyng in how be it who so curious is may make easie proofe both of the one the other Farther for their sakes that please in these experimentes one other thynge shall I write in thys place not lesse necessarie Who so filleth at anye tyme twoo Bottles of one measure the mouth necke of like length and widnes the one with boilyng water the other all colde and straigh waies will empte theim after one sorte without gile at one tyme I meane and in one instante tegether shall finde that the colde water will as well be first out as also that in fallyng it assuredly will yelde a greater brute or noyse the boylynge water slidyng on the other side slowly and with lesse noyse The reason is that the warme water lesse poyseth then the colde whiche by heate of the fier hath loste nowe the greatest quantitie of his grosse vapours so that when firste the colde water
and inuenteth Treasons puttinge in execution all vice and treachery Ezechiel accoumpteth Idlenesse emonge the other Sinnes for whiche Sodome was in sutche sorte as wée reade destroyed And for my parte I knowe no thinge that with the slouthefull man prospereth The fire if it be not fostred and couered with Woode it fainteth and wasteth and in the ende is extinguished The Ayre in obscure and darke place voide of desired motion becommeth foorthewith noysomme and infectious The Water depriued of her course in runninge putrifieth without staye annoyeth and impoyseneth If the Earth be not opened laboured shée geueth none other fruites but Brembels Thornes Thistles or sutche like Golde that desired mettall if it be not wrought and polished looseth vtterly his bewtie yron also with others the semblable if not continually laboured and kepte ruste waste as experience learneth vs Whole Prouinces and Countries not inhabited or peopled are euermore barren and very infectious in sutch sorte that it appeareth trauaile to be thereof the sole onely Medicine Houses and fayre lodgynges not inhabited fal into ruine Highe waies and common pathes not frequented or vsed are in shorte time closed and shutte vp againste the passenger whence it now is open and manifest that whatsoeuer lieth vnused or vnlaboured shortly consumeth and wasteth to nothinge Example in man whose wittes if they be not in continuance of studie exercised waxe cankered and with paine performe the woonted duetie the harte and minde also languishe and fainte as vnable to doo any thinge and in fine all their forces quaile and fall as dismayde As I then before haue sayde that continuall exercise frameth man agile and disposed to all thinges so saye I nowe on the contrary that idle securitie annoyeth the complexion and wasteth the good humours increasinge the superfluous in excesse in mans body Galene saithe that it is a thinge vnpossible that a man should liue not labouringe his body Auicenna to the same accordeth as also Cornelius Celsus with others very famous and excellent Phisitions The Horse him selfe with others sutche brute and dull beastes beinge pampered still in stable loose their pase and other qualities The shippe that still rideth at Anker in the Hauen geathereth mothes rotteth but dothe not so in voyage The Souldier then marreth when he longe time reposeth him selfe voyde of feare and carelesse Againe it is reported that the improuident securitie of Hannibal at Capua was the onely cause that the Romaines gaue him there the ouerthrowe Who so in Battaile beste trauerseth him grounde fighteth as is knowen in moste assured safetie but to him that loyâ—ereth and arresteth him in his place many daungers are assigned and ineuitable discommodities the sunne also on him more then on the others hath greater aduantage The Archer neuer shooteth to the birde that fleeth but to her that arresteth her or pearcheth any where bendeth he his Bowe and fitteth his boltes Further wée sée that all kinde of instrumeutes not touchte or playde on immediatly becomme discordante harrishe vnpleasant but kepte in hande continually plaide on féedeth the hearer with swéete notes and pleasant Harmonie Some kindes of Wine are there which vnlesse they be continually wrought too and fro in their vessels corrupte and putrifie to be serued to no man The precious riche stoane not wrought and polished lacketh his naturall commendation and grace but perfected by the skilfull and light hande of the Iueller maketh shew of it self and commendeth his vertue yea the yron it selfe the more often that in any your vses you imploye it the brighter shall his Glasse be and the fayrer still it looketh Emonge brute beastes these are to Man moste likinge and acceptable whiche moste can sustaine of weary Payne Trauaile Here might wée auoche and alleage sundrye the opinions as well of Poetes as also Philosophers condemninge with one mouthe the vnprofitable Ideler whose onely authorities mighte accomplishe and perfecte that whiche wée presently labour to proue in many The Sainctes them selues and Holy Fathers of the time past accurse them the louers of Vertue and the Learned deteste them Ouid Plato Horace Claudian Virgil with all the whole heape of learned Poetes write and â—…gh continually againste them eche Historie besides is full of the discommodities ensuinge Idlenesse Plato and Aristotle condemninge this voice exalte aboue measure the practise of Chinalrie whence what so euer in Warre is necessarie is skilfully eche where put in dre and practised The Emperour Adrian on a time aduaunced one Turbus a carefull and trustie Minister in the affayres of his Maister whom on a time as the Emperour beholde too painfully busied as him selfe thoughte then presently saide I woulde not Turbus that then shouldest kill thy selfe or with too muche perseuerance hazarde thine estate To whom he answeared if it please your sacred Maiestie the man that is fauoured and aduaunced by an Emperour muste on his féete die where he goeth busied Q. Curtius saithe that the maladies or infirmities whiche issue or springe of idlenesse are perfectly plaistered by woonâ—ed exercise The Olde Romaines accustomed to beginne their daie continually at midnight to the intent that in the morninge at the firste shewe or appearinge of the Sunne eche man in his vocation might followe his affayres and farther they also thought that euen then the one halfe of the daye was paste without any profite or good at all donne A certaine Romaine on a time perswaded with the Senate that they shoulde not in any wise distroye or sacke Carthage to the ende that beinge possest thereof they might not liue in continuall quiet and idle securitie To this purpose Scipio Nasica saide consideringe that somme assured then the presente state of Rome for that Carthage was then tributorie and Greece subdued naye rather saide he wée nowe liue in daunger and hazarde for that wée at this time dreade or feare no enimie By whiche his answeare he this mutch inferred that surceasinge nowe from Armes and bathed in delices this their security more hazarded their estate then the warres or any other their Neighbours enimies to the Empire And againe Feare saith he more assuredly warrenteth the estate of Rome then carelesse to liue as though no man durste to touche vs Vnto the which woordes or aduice of Scipio the French Prouerbe answeareth of parte not vnaptly Better is it to loose then to cease or be idle Apuleus highly commended the Maisters of Defence or swoordeplayers of his time who in sutche sorte detested all kinde of Loyterers that the Maisters in that Science neuer woulde permitte their Schollers to eate before thei had fully accomplished and ended some commendable exployte laudable practise Cicero to this purpose remembereth these woordes Man is borne to be busied iâ—… vertuous exercises whereof saith be our Soule or Minde is a sufficient argument whiche no where or at no time arresteth her idly Emonge all other decrées of the renowmed Draco Lawegeuer to the Athenians none was
came to the inheritaunce at that instante with her husbande This gathereth Boecius at large writyng on the seconde of the Topiques of Cicero The other ceremonie was muche more common and therfore they were not reputed for mothers of the familie thoughe they otherwise weere honoured by the name of matrones Farther the Romaines hadde againe this custome that when they firste brought the yonge wife to her husbandes house she arrested her with out at the doore or gates as one that might not enter before shee weere drawen in there at by force geuyng the world thereby to vnderstande that thei by constraint and not willynglie came thether where they shoulde loose their maidenhoode or virginitie and afterwarde when they woulde geue the maid to her husbande she sate her downe suche was the vsage in her mothers lappe whence the husbande againe drewe her the seconde tyme by force the maide imbrasing her mother as harde as she might possiblie whiche they chifely did in memorie of that that some tymes the Romaines hadde in manner sembleable taken the Sabine maides out of the armes of their mothers by meanes where of Rome came in short tyme to be well peopled Yet againe after these before he might bedde her the maide presented at one tyme bothe fire and water vnto hym whiche they did to signifie as hath Plutarche and Lactantius by these twoo elementes the secrete of generation for that thei be the principall causes generatiue in all kinde of thinges naturall Others affirme for this cause that the maide thereby shoulde promise sinceritie in harte and loyaltie in behauiour for the water naturally purgeth all ordure and immundicitie and fire fineth and trieth all maner of metalles sunderyng and partyng the purer from the grosse Farther they supposed all mariages infortunate contracted in the moneth of Maie and that for certaine fonde vanities and superstitious imaginations without grounde or reason and therfore remenbred of no man Of these thinges we reade more largelie in Ouide and Plutarche An other custome was this that when the wife first entered into her husbandes house the husbande should vtter with a hawte voice these two wordes Caia Cecilia and shée in maner semblable muste aunswere hym Caio Cecilio whiche they vsed for that in the tyme of Tarquinius Priscus Kyng of the Romaines there was a damsell in Rome chaste discréete sober gentle and wise adorned besides with all other vertues rare in the feminine kinde which had to name Caia Cecilia but before she came to Rome called her felfe Tanaquila for which cause the yong man pronounced these wordes to minde his wife to immitate the other There was also carried vsuallie before the maide the firste daie that she came to dwell in her husbandes house a Distaffe charged with Flaxe and a Spindle hangyng at it to the intente she might be mindfull to leue by her labour Hereof writeth Plinie to whom I referre hym that more herein desireth Besides all these an other thynge was yet practised by the Romaines whiche was when anie espoused or tooke to wife a Widowe the mariage was solemnized euermore in a holie day but if a maide then contrariwise continuallie on a woorke daie And this Macrobius and Plutarche recorde at large and againe saithe Plutarche all suche solemnizations finished on festiuall daies were of purpose onlie don in suche tymes to the intent that all the people then occupied in plaies and pleasures might not vnderstande of these seconde mariages of Widowes but maides contrariwise were maried ordinarilie on labourynge daies to suche effecte that the whole worlde might witnes of suche matches Macrobius also saieth that therefore vnto maides on these daies suche solemnities weere prohibited for that as is aboue saide they vsed a certaine ceremonie to take the bride by force out from the mothers lappe which to do on the saboth or holie daie was a thing vnlawfull I leaue heere to speake of other ceremoniall solemnities ordinarily practised among the olde auncient Romaines some thynge to speake nowe in this place of the Babilonians whiche in this sorte folowyng gaue in mariage their doughters In one appointed daie continuallie in the yere they ordered in publike place all the yong maidens marigeable in eache Citie where the fairest and moste beautifull were not married with anie monie that their fathers or other frendes should at that time bestow on theim but vnto suche as woulde most largelie and moste frankelie disburse for them whiche ordre they healde in theim that were nexte faire without respecte of degree or linage orderlie descending from degre vnto degrée vntill they also came to the lesse faire or harde fauoured which they also bestowed on those that were contented to take leaste summes of monie with them whiche euermore was taken of that which was geuen for the fairest so that in fine the latter sorte was as well maried as the first without anie kinde of charge or coste to their pareÌ„tes these onely enricht or domaged that pleased to take them Marcus Antonius Sabellicus writeth that the Venetians in olde tyme vsed also thys order here muste you notwithstandyng in this place consider that all those that were of indifferent beautie neither to be estemed faire or ill feutered were neither bought nor solde but at euen hande deliuered Longe sith in Fraunce to the intent their doughters should neuer iustlie complaine theim that they against their will or likyng were maried they accustomed when the father ment to marie his doughter to make a solemne or daintie bankette vnto whiche the father woulde inuite a greate many of yonge menne of semblable parentage and degree vnto hymself of whiche all placed there at table together the father graunteth frée libertie of choise to his doughter who to make shewe of hym that in that companie beste pleased her presented vnto hym in presence of thothers a basin of water to washe after his diner In a certaine toune of Africa called Leptina the maner was that the first day that the bride should come to her husebandes house before she came she shoulde sende vnto her mother in law desiryng her to lende her as hauyng néede therof an earthen potte whiche should refuce with sharpe words to doo her that little courtisie to the intente onlie that from the firste daie she might beginne to acquainte her selfe with the importunities of her mother and by this hard and vnkind refusall learne to supporte what so after might followe Amonge the Meslâ—gites they ordeined that eache man shoulde haue his wife and yet euerie woman besides was common to theim all and all their wiues againe in maner sembleable were not denied to anie man Eusebius writeth that the auncient Brytons liued in like sorte scarse different in anie thing The Arabians those onlie I meane of Arabia foelix hadde a law or rather an vsage that the woman that maried her self should forthwith be as frée to all her husebandes kinsemen as to her huseband whoÌ„ she onely hadde
three tymes in the daie and night chaungeth his taste or sauour to weete from sweete to bitter and from bitter to swéete againe Of an other water also in Iudea whiche continually in the Saboth daie is founde to be drie whiche Plinie assureth vs writyng also of an other fountaine emong the Garamantes whiche in the daie is euermore so swéete and colde that it is impossible for any manne to drinke of it and contrary in the night is againe so warme that it burneth his hande that presumeth to touche it and hath to name the fountaine or welle of the Sunne Of this fountaine haue writen as of a thing moste certain Arrianus Diodorus Siculus Quintus Curtius in his historie of Alexander Solinus and the Poete Lucretius who there of hath giuen a Philosophicall and naturall reason Besides these like straunge is the nature of the welle Eleusina whose water is verie freshe cleare and standyng how be it if any man plaie on an instrument swéete and musicall by it so nigh I meane that the water maie be supposed to heare it it forthwith beginneth in suche sorte to swell that it ouersloweth bothe banke and border as though it had some pleasure or secrete likyng in musike this reporteth Aristotle in his meruailes of nature Solinus also and the old Poete Ennius Vitrunius writeth of the riuer Chimera whose water in taste is verie delectable and pleasaunte but partyng into twoo troughes or twoo sundrie chanels the one continueth swéete still the other bitter and vnsauerie how bée it it maie bée supposed that he borroweth this alrered qualitie of the soile or ground onely through which he passeth and so that alteration is lesse to be meruailed at as also it maie bée thought that these diuers proprieties of these other waters also should not so muche amase and trouble vs if wee knewe the occasions and causes of their effectes The same ones againe make yet farther mention of an other streame hayung to name Silar whiche what so euer is caste into it conuerteth it straight into a stone or stonie substaunce In Ilirica there is a welle whose water is bothe swéete and pleasaunt but burneth what so euer is throwne into it in sort as if it were a perfecte fire There is in Epirus an other fountaine into whiche if ye putte a Torche lighted it extinguisheth but if you putte hym in not lighted he taketh fire thence and burneth from noone euer more he ebbeth as it were and in the ende waxeth drie but the night growyng on he growes againe with suche spede that at midnight he is full and beginneth to ouer run his banckes or limites An other fountaine is there also in Persia of whiche who so drinketh loseth incontinētly his téeth There are in Arcadia certaine springes whiche distill and droppe out of the sides of sunderie mountaines whose waters al are so excessiue cold that there is no kinde of vessell be it of golde siluer or any other mettall that is able in any wise to holde and kepe theim but breake them all with extremitie of coldnes onely the horne of an asse his foote excepted whiche cōtaineth and kéepeth theim as if it were any other common kinde of water Wée would hardly credite in this place that there are certaine riuers bothe greate and wide that sodainly passe doune entering into the boiles of the yearth whiche afterwarde brake out againe in places farre of and farre distante from thence if wee had not experience hereof and suche as maie not bee denied for example of some Vadiana in Spaine Tigris in Armenia whiche springeth in Mesopotamia Licus in Asia There are certaine springes also of freshe water whiche passyng into the sea runne wholie vpon the sea without any commixtion in any sorte with it of whiche there is one betwixte Sicilia and the Isle Enaria adioygnyng vnto Naples In Egipte it is euidente that it raineth not at all but that Nilus ouerflowyng the countrie moisteneth it naturally whence it giueth her fruite of all sortes aboundantly Twoo riuers are there also in Boecia in the one of whiche all shepe that are watered beare onely blacke wolle and besides that none other the other contrary cause theim that drinke thereof to beare white wolle onely In Arabia there is a welle at whiche as before what sheepe so euer water theim beare there wolle not as the others white or blacke but redde all Of all these waters hauyng suche straūge proprieties Aristotle disputeth at fulle and copiously The riuer Lincestis maketh hym drunke as sone as any wine that drinketh of hym In the Isle of Cea as recordeth Plinie there was a fountaiue of whiche who so dranke ones became forthwith stupide and insenseble of no more felyng or witte then an Asse In Thrace there is an other lake of whom who so drinketh or swimmeth in hym sterueth without more neuer to be recouered There is also in Pontus a riuer in whiche are founde certaine stones that will burne whiche also then take on fire when the winde is euer more greatest and by how muche the more thei be couered in the water so muche the better and soner burne thei Besides these diuers haue written of diuers other kindes of waters as of some that heale certaine griefes or maladies of whiche sorte there is one founde in Italie called Zize whiche remedieth or salueth all hurtes what so euer in the iye an other in Achaia of whiche if a woman with childe drinke she shall be assured of good and spéedie deliueraunce Others also there are that remedie many other infirmities as the stone the leprosie the feuers both tertian and quartain of which Theophrastus Plinie Vitruuius remēber vs In Mesopotamia also is founde an other riuer whose water if you smell to it is bothe pleasaunte and odoriferous Baptista Fulgotius in his recollection writeth that there is also a welle in Englande into whiche if you throwe any kinde of wood it will within the space of one yere bée conuerted into a stone He also faithfully confirmeth that whiche Albertus surnamed the greate in persone experimented in a certaine well in high Almaignie and Albertus writeth that he puttyng his hande into the water hauyng in it a bough that part that was vnder the water chaūged into a stone the other parte as before continuyng that it was The saied Fulgotius reporteth yet another matter as straunge of a welle also about whiche if happely you walke not vtteryng any worde or voice at all the water then continueth as before still and cleare but if you speake any thyng be it neuer so softe or little it then beginneth to rage and to trouble as to behold it were verie straunge and meruailous he notwithstandyng reporteth to haue experimented it in persone who while he attentiuely behelde it with silence found it as is aboue said bothe quiete and cleare but when he ones spake it then began to trouble as if one within of purpose with some instrument had laboured it In Fraūce also
is another equall in coldnes with any of the aboue remembred and yet often tymes â—lames of fire haue been séen to issue out of it Plinie writeth that moste men are scrupulous in these matters and make conscience to credite them how be it assuredly the secretes of nature are in maner inscrutable though in deede more euidently séen in this elemente of water then in any other thyng And farther in the worlde so many thynges are so straunge and so meruailous that we iustly maie repute no thyng though lesse common therefore impossible especially these that are certified vs of menne of suche credite as are all those whom we here haue alledged Besides this we are truely certified euen by those that haue séen it liuyng yet in our tyme that in one of the Isles of Canaria called Ferra beyng an Isle populus and verie well inhabited in a certaine place verie nigh the middle thei haue none other water then that which distilleth as is well knowne moste aboundantly out of the leaues or braunches of a certatne trée at the foote of whiche tree neither any thyng nigh it is there to bee founde any spryng or other water neuer the lesse this tree continueth alwaies so moiste that bothe from his braunches leaues and boughes it euer distilleth in suche quantitie and aboundance that bothe nighte and daie thei fette there to serue all their necessities whiche hardly we should haue credited had wée onely founde it written Wherefore let it not seme straunge or incredible to any that whiche wée haue here tofore recited for this elemente of water is very puissaunte and meruailous whose force and hidden qualities are not to all men so familiar and well knowen As concernyng the sea also it is reported to bée in Winter more warme then in the Sommer as againe more salte in Autumne then in other tymes any Moste true it is also that in some partes of the sea to weete in those that bée farrest of from the lande no snowe falleth at any tyme what so euer Of all these thynges sundrie haue giuen sundrie good reasons of whiche the greater parte attribute it to th' onely proprietie or qualitie of the soile mines stones trees and mettalles where fountaines haue their sprynges where riuers and lakes runne For better proofe whereof that it so is in déede by daiely experience we well are instructed that vines and other fruictes of one and the same kinde are more better and more sauery in one soile then in another for that some are swete some sharpe and sower some good and profitable others againe infectious and noisome The aire also it self then corrupteth and is pestilente when it passeth ouer any countrie lesse holsome or impoisoned What meruaile then is it if the water that washeth and penetrateth the yearth stones mettalles hearbes rootes and trees with infinite suche and others the semblable receiue holsome or lesse holsome proprieties or natures be thei neuer so straunge so rare or incredible especially aided also by some influences of the starres and Planettes Of diuers straunge thinges whiche happened at the birth and death of our sauiour Christe recited by sundrie famous and learned historians besides these that are recorded by the Euangelistes in the scriptures Chap. 16. ALthough these thynges writen by the Euangelistes whiche happened at the birth and death of our sauiour strauÌ„ge in déede and very miraculous are of all others moste certaine and worthy of credite yet it semeth to me no thyng or very little from the purpose if we remember here some other thynges perhaps not lesse meruailous fine and considred of euen of those that haue written them Paulus Orosius and Eutropius writyng of Octauian with whom also accordeth Eusebius saiyng that at the birthe of our sauiour Christe into this worlde there happened to breake vp euen at that instante a certaine spryng that ranne with oile by the space of one daie in an Inne or common Tauerne in the citee of Rome And it seemeth that this spryng no thyng els signified but the commyng of Christ to wete of the annointed by whom and in whom all christians are The publike Inne into whiche all men indifferently and without respecte are receiued and lodged signifieth our true mother the holy and true Churche the greate Inne or common lodgyng for all faithfull Christians out of whiche should passe and procede incessantly all maner of people vertuous and louyng god Eutropius to this also adioigneth that as well in sundrie places aboute Rome as in Rome it self euen in the full plaine and cleare daie was séen a circle whiche perfectly compassed the Sunne rounde about no lesse bright or cleare then the Sunne it self giuing also as muche light or rather more then it Paulus Orosius in like sorte reporteth that euen at the same tyme the Senate and people of Rome to gether offered to Octauian Augustus the title of chief prince or soueraigne lorde and siegnior whiche he refused in any wise to accept prognosticating lesse thinkyng there on that an other more greater and more puissante then he was borne to whom onely and alone this title appertained Commestor in his historie semblablie affirmeth that the Temple dedicated by the Romaines to the goddesse Peace then felle and sundred on euery side or quarter and farther saith that at the first erection of this temple the inhabitantes consulted with the Oracle of Apollo to knowe how long it should continue and stande whiche aunswered vntill a virgine should beare a childe whiche thei estemed to bée a thyng impossible and that therefore their Churche shoulde stande eternally how bee it at the deliuerie of the virgine the mother of our redemer and prince of heauen it fell doune and suered eche parte from other Whence also Lucas of Tuy in the Chronicles of Spain writeth that he some tymes founde in the aunciente Annaleis or recordes of that countrie hauyng by conference and computation founde out the tyme that in the very same night that our Sauiour was borne there appered in Spaine precisely at midnight a certaine cloude that in suche sorte gaue light to the countrie as if it had then been the middle of the daie or noone tide I also remember that S. Hierome reporteth that at the same tyme when the virgine fled into Egipte with her sonne all the Idolles and Images of their goddes there felle doune and defaste them selues vpon their aultars and other places and that the Oracles that these goddes or better to saie these deuilles to deceiue the people gaue foorthe then at tymes then ceaste neuer after giuyng them any aunswere what so euer This miracle alleaged in this sorte by sainct Hierome semeth also to be approued by that famous and moste excellente though a Panime Plutarche who without any credite that he gaue to these thynges as also that he knewe not or how or why they chaunsed hath written neuer the lesse a perticuler treatise of the defect or ende of these Oracles for euen then in his tyme
of that citie Whiche neuer the lesse was restored againe by the Emperour Domitian who euery where and in all countries made diligent searche for bookes causing with the same that famous library in Grece to be trasported and brought from thēce vnto Rome whence it is euident that al Ptolomies librarie was not there consumed as we before saide it to bee with fier for that some parte of it was now cōueighed to Rome Farther Paulus Orosius geueth vs to thincke that it throwly in deede was not brunt and consumed when he saith that there were burned only four hundred thousand for that the number of bookes there as we reade in others was no lesse then seuen hundred thousande so that wee may conclude thre hundred thousand to be saued how be it diuers histories passe this in such sorte as if none had been reserued from the rage of the fier But to retourne to the library of Rome the saide Paulus Orosius saieth that in the daies of the Emperour Commodus this saide library was once againe burned and that Gordian as the others to repaire it gathered againe fiftie two thousande volumes whiche all as some reporte were geuen hym by the testamēt of Seranus Samoniquus whose thei first were as hath Iulius Capitolinus Besides these were many others both noble and riche libraries gathered by our elders as well priuate and meane menne as greate Lordes and Princes The firste library that euer was knowen among the Christians was that as recordeth Esidorus of Panphilius the Martir whose life is at large writtē by Eusebius in whose studie after his death were founde thirtie thousande diuers volumes One common vsage or custome was ordinary in the olde age to weete that they had in their secret Cabinetes or Studies the perfect Image and purtraite of all suche as had in anie sorte excelled in learnyng Plinie writeth that Marcus Varro beyng yet then liuyng merited for hys rare vertue and knowledge in good letters that hys Image shoulde haue place in the library of Asinius Polion Cicero wrote to Fabian that hee shoulde prouide hym of some purtraites the better to adorne and beautifie hys study Plinie the yonger writing to Iulius Seuerus saieth that Ere Seuerus a man verie well lettered would order in his studie among other his purtraites the Images of Cornelius and Titus Arius Of these thinges finde wee euerie where sufficient and good proofe whose libraries as also those of other learned men and greate Princes whiche after in successe and processe of tyme followed were destroied and defaced by the Gothee and Vandales vntill now that in our tyme by the greate bounty of God infinite are founde both studious and learned that haue gathered together houge heapes of bookes though not in deede the tenth parte of these aboue remembred by our ancestours And assuredly a greate nōber of those whiche from their tyme vntill now haue been carefully preserued founde neuer the lesse ill written lesse perfect and incorrected in suche sorte that had it not been for the grerte paines of certaine worthy personages hardlie had they euer been brought to any kinde of perfection ¶ Of the amitie and enmitie of sundrie thinges issuyng by priuie hidden and secrete proprieties Chap. 4. THe aunciente philosopher Heraclitus as also others some after hym helde and maintained in their disputations this opinion that eche thyng had his firste cause or beginnyng by concorde and discorde by peace and enmitie whiche is in all thynges of what kinde soeuer whence also issued the generation and corruption of them on whiche poinct of Philosophie I lesse mynde here to dwell of parte for that it is bothe intricate and difficill of parte also for that the reader in my phantasie shall thence reape as little fruicte as he shall conceiue pleasure Notwithstādyng we shall some what saie of the secrete loue and hatered whiche naturally is in many thynges whiche whence or how it cometh no manne directly knoweth and is therefore assuredly no lesse straunge then marueilous As first of all the enmitie betwixte the Dogge and the Catte betwixte Oile and Pitche the Harte and the Serpente with many suche others whiche in suche sorte malice and enuie eche the other this secrete rancor of no parte proceading from th'elementes for the difference or contrarietie in thynges mixte or compounde is to all men aperte and euident as wee sée The water first disaccordeth as of nature contrary with the fire for that the fire is hotte and drie but the water contrary these elementeseche to other opposite and repugnaunte The water and the yearth accorde well together but in this respect onely that thei bothe bee colde in the other that one beyng moiste that other drie eche here leaueth the other as his auncient enemie Betwixt the fire and the yearth there is a conformitie to wéete in that thei bothe be drie a contrarietie againe euen betwene theim bothe dwelleth the fire hoate that other colde So that as these elementes of parte agrée together so also disagrée thei of parte as is euidente All thynges then what so euer are caused of these elementes must be subiecte of necessitieto these contrary qualities whiche bee in these elementes whence thei mixte are and compounded Wherfore that thyng in whiche ruleth moste some elementarie qualitie boroweth his name of the saied qualitie and so wée saie it to bée either hoate colde moiste or drie some in more high degrée then others accordyng to the predominant force in any these elementes And this these bodies contrary either to other are the onely and sole causes of contrary effectes so that whence this discrepante or different nature in thynges is is now manifeste and nedeth no farther explication But this other enmitie that proceadeth not from any the elementes but rather from some hidden proprietie or secrete influence to find the true cause and occasion thereof would aske more earneste studie and longer contremplation The Dogge and Catte as is aboue saied eche hateth other neither knowe we the cause why Other creatures also sée wée that mutually are affectioned either to other neither issueth this their loue from any the elementes whereof thei are composed The Asse eateth Fenell gyante or otherwise Sagapene whiche in Latine maie also be called ferula and findeth it bothe good and toothsome whiche to all other beastes of Horse kinde is a very starcke and plain poison The Fox ioieth and liketh of the Serpent whiche neuer the lesse enuieth all other beastes what so euer Neither is this lesse to be meruailed emong men then also emong any other creatures for that man neither knowyng why ne yet for what cause eftsones at the firste sighte when he shall méete an other neuer hauyng before or seen or knowen hym will notwithstandyng disdaine and hate hym and immediatly findyng againe the second no lesse straunge to hym then the first will well conceiue of hym loue and like hym and that whiche more is sometyme will bothe honour and reuerence hym yea though he
reciteth the opinions of sundrie philosophers with many natural reasons concerning the saide matter But although it be good and necessary for the body yet must it not be with excesse and immoderatly taken for that to muche fleepe as well recordeth Aristotle weakneth the spirites of the bodie as well as also of the Soule euen as moderate and competent reaste bettereth theim increasing their vigor and their force For as many thinges are necessary and nedeful in mans life so taken in excesse annoie and greue vs muche as to eate who feleth not how hunger vs compelleth and yet who to muche eateth repenteth it we see in semblable sorte exercise with moderation also pleaseth but in excesse therof no man hath any liking So sleepe then must be taken for necessitie onely to reuiue refreashe and comforte the wery senses the spirites also vitall and other wery members For to much sleape besides that it maketh heauie the aboue saide spirites and senses the partie also becometh slouthfull weake and effeminate with ouer muche idlenes ingendereth muche humiditie and rawe humors in the bodie whiche commonly assault it with sundrie infirmities messenges of death and of finall ruine for when we to muche fleape all the moistures and humors of the bodie with the naturall heate retire to the extreame partes therof no where purgyng or euacuatyng that what so is redundant So then vnmeasured sleepe is not onely forbidden by philosophers and phisiciens but also is a thing odious to the wise vertuous Aristotle saieth that while wee sleape and slumber no difference is knowen betwixte the wise man and the foole and surely were there none other cause to breake and call the wise man from long and weary sleape but onely to eschewe and vterly refuse in any pointe to bee like or resemble hym that is not yet therefore should he flie it though moderate sleape geue life and be therefore right necessarie consideryng that he that sleapeth is not then as one liuyng And as Plutarche addeth in his boke of the contention of water and fire who so sleapeth hath none other force or vnderstandyng sleapyng then if him selfe were deade a colde or senslis carrion Plinie also is of this minde saiyng that sléepe still bereueth vs of the one halfe of our life for that when we sleape we neither knowe nor féele whether we liue or not Ouide with other Poetes and men of like learnyng tearme sleape an Image or purtraite of death and in the Scriptures sleepe is compared vnto death as where Saincte Paule saieth brethren we will not that ye be ignorant of these that are a sleape by whiche woordes he meaneth these that now are dedde and a little after God shall draw out after hym those that haue slepte in Christ Slepe also is the figure of negligencie and of sloth whiche thesame S. Paule againe in plaine woordes vttereth my brethren it now is tyme ye arise wake out of your slepe Slepe also signifieth synne as hath Sainct Gregorie who saith that to slepe is to continue and perseuere in synne And againe if that to slepe muche had not been accoumpted synne Saincte Paule then neuer had remembred these woordes so often awake ye iuste and leaue any more to synne Lette vs beginne to shame then that spende the greater parte of our tyme in slepe and in our bedde for surely who so doeth his offence is nothyng lesse then his that all daie doeth sitte in fatte dishes surfettyng like a grosse and swolen Epicure consideryng these creatures should onely be taken to the sole sustentation and maintenaunce of life and not to fill or pamper voluptuouslie the bellie in whiche sorte slepe muste also bee taken onely for necessitie nothing at all for pleasure Sith then slepe none otherwise muste be vsed lette vs now speake in what sorte is beste to slepe whiche waie and how to tourne beyng laied doune in bedde to reste vs to the intent that our slepe maie not annoie but profit vs Suche then as are of bodie not impotente or lesse hardie should passe as some suppose their first slepe on the right side but after that the greater part of the night vpō the left thēce chaungyng towardes the mornyng vnto the right again The reason is for that mannes stomacke is so ordered that the mouthe thereof somewhat more bendeth towardes the right side then it doeth to the left but the bottome contrary wise to the leafte declining from the righte So slepyng one hower or twoo on the right side the stomack stretcheth foorthe it self at large vpon the Liuer whence twoo singuler commodities insue the firste that the stomacke ordereth and inlargeth her self in wisshed maner by meanes whereof it passeth with more ease and contentment the late meates receiued or nutriment what so euer the secōde the moisture or humiditie of the foode in the stomacke cooleth refresheth and comforteth the Liuer by meanes whereof the naturall heate waxeth strong within the stomacke whiche mattereth not a little to hasten the digestion This dooen it shall not be discommodious to turue vnto the other side on whiche beyng sometymes laied the Liuer straight imbraceth and couereth the stomacke whēce in this maner aided it perfecteth and causeth immediately digestion How bée it it also shall be expedient some what before you rise ones againe to tourne and caste you on the right side to the intente the stomacke disburden and discharge it self again of the Liuer expellyng all noisome aire and superfluitie of the digestion passed This rule maie profite suche as haue their Liuer temperate their stomacke also not watrishe still and colde and to whom in fine these twoo are well affected but vnto hym whose Liuer percase maie be inflamed whose stomacke also is subiect vnto cold which bothe are common in many to bee seen to hym I thinke it noisome to slepe on the right side for that the stomack then falleth and resteth on the Liuer strainyng or chargyng it on euery side or parte whēce in excesse it heateth and inflameth immediatly the higher parte of the stomacke remainyng still vncouered coolyng so and weaknyng more then before besides that the Liuer draweth also to it euen that little heate that before was in the stomacke whence consequently insueth late and il digestion the bodie indisposed lesse apte to folowe any thing Wherefore whose stomacke is colde but Liuer contrary wise inflamed and hoate beste slepyng is for hym continually on the left side for that the stomacke couered on euery side with the Liuer it happely hasteneth and perfecteth digestion and concernyng the Liuer liyng so a lought it bothe is discharged and disburdeined of the stomacke hy meanes whereof it cooleth cleane voide of inflamations Some also slepe grouelyng their face and bellie dounewardes whiche semblablie aideth and comforteth digestion for that it both draweth and retaineth the heate naturall in the stomacke whiche thence expelleth and exileth all superfluities The contrary happeneth to them that slepe on their backe the face open