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
numbred for Christians Lact. Firmianus letteth not to laugh at or deride those men whiche attribute the aduentures of the worlde to Fortune S. Augustine in his retractations repenteth hym of his errour that he followyng the common phrace or wonted maner in speache did attribute the good happe of man in like sorte also to Fortune highly cōmendyng in the saied place kyng Dauid for that he ascribed euery his tribulations to the inscrutable and secrete iudgementes of God onely This then muste we beleue that what so euer is or any where hath his beyng that the same bothe is and proceadeth still from god Farther also besides that sundrie our elders had some feelyng in this matter Saluste also sawe it and boldly therefore pronounced that eche man was the firste and principall cause of his fortune and in his proheme of his warre of Iugurthe saieth that the slothfull and negligent person complaineth still of Fortune but without any iuste cause or reason Iuuenal more plainly in his tenth Satire affirmeth that where aduice is there Fortune still exileth though wée repute her for a goddesse and lodge her in the heauens Other Philosophers were there whiche though thei also affirmed that Fortune of her self could in deede doe nothyng beleued it notwithstandyng that she was an instrument or aide to the diuine prouidence as if God should stande in nede of some other to assiste hym whiche is no lesse vaine then the opinions aboue rehearsed and also others some that in this place might be remembred whiche I all leaue as also to be tedious onely passyng in fewe there by yet to admonishe the ignoraunte and simple Christian what so euer that he forsake his fonde and foolishe custome to gréeue or to mislike at any tyme with Fortune when any thing betideth hym contrary to his expectation For in fine this must we knowe that God disposeth mannes affaires alone to whom and to none other in euery our necessities we muste appeale and crie for his assistaunt grace and succour That sundrie beastes by some priuie naturall instinct haue foreknowleage of thynges to come as also of many countries by the onely force of little wormes brought to be desolate and forsaken Chap. 20. NOt onely the naturall instincte of sundrie creatures brute and voide of reason might suffice to learne vs the inwarde proprieties of thinges infinite as how and in what sorte thei mighte please and profite vs as in the vse or practise of Phisicke or otherwise but also a noumber of them birdes and foules I meane as well as any other haue some priuie feelyng of euery the chaunge and alteration of weather as when we shall haue raine winde pleasaunt tymes or tempestes instructyng here in man as if he sawe it presently As then wée sée that Shepe prognosticate of raine when moste busily thei disporte in skippyng to and fro The semblable is perceiued most plainly in the bullocke especially when he licketh directly againste the heare liftyng his snoute a lofte into the aire bellowyng and breathyng eftsones on the ground féedyng with the same more busily then is his wont or maner The yeawe when she diggeth the grounde with her foote as also when the goates couet nighest to slepe together when also the antes walke thickest in a ranke in greater heapes also then is their vsuall maner runnyng eche on other as troubled or amased these all bee markes assured of moisture raine and weather When Lyons leaue their wonted ranges and soiles and séeke a newe to preie in other countries then bee you well assured of greate drieth that yere followyng Elian recordeth that the goates of Libia knowe certainly when firste the Caniculer daies begin and by euident demonstrations bothe féele and perceiue when it will in dede or likely is to raine When Woulfes drawe in troopes towardes houses and villages and come nigher into the sight of men then is their common wonte an infallible rule is it of a tempest shortly followyng Fishes also no lesse straungely prognosticate and diuine of euery these chaunges and mutations of tymes When the Dolphines leape very busily in the Sea discoueryng theim selues by mounting aboue the water then greate windes shall followe especially from that parte whence thei seme to come but contrary when thei trouble the water beatyng them selues there in a more certaine signe then that can none be of faire weather When the frog crooketh more and more loude then is her wonte she fore learneth vs of raine and of tempestious weather Neither are birdes exempted from this priuileage of whiche as muche or more maie wée write to this purpose then of all other beastes of what sort so euer The foules of the sea when thei refuse the deapth and hasten to the shore denote some stormie blaste and sodaine chaunge of weather If the Cranes flie in the aire with out any brute or noise then promes thei a calme but if thei crie and slie in heapes disordered then be ye well assured thei promes you the cōtrary When the crowe flieth frō the maine lande to the sea she there by as wel prognosticateth some chaunge of weather and raine as also when she plaineth with mournfull noise and crie If the shriche Oule houle muche in any storme tempestuous it denoteth some presente chaunge vnto the better but if in a calme she syng besides her wonted maner it noteth againe as on the other side some spedy alteration Plutarche writeth that when the Crowe syngeth with a rawe and horse voice not lettyng to beate her self busily with her winges she fore learneth vs of winde and raine in aboundance The same also is euidēt vnto vs by the saied birde againe as when the Sunne is fallyng in the poincte of the Weste if he skippe and syng mountyng sodainly into the aire streight fallyng doune againe as if he scarce could flie beginnyng then again his plaie euen as before threatnyng as we might saie some blusteryng storme or tempeste Greate troopes againe of white birdes ordinarilie assēble and mete in heapes together immediatly before some greate chaunge or alteration of weather When the Cocke the Capon with euery other kinde of Pultrie beate eftsones their winges aduaunce theim selues and syng as also reioisyng in outward shewe and apperance it is as moste suppose a true presage or signe of present winde and weather When the Larke syngeth very earely in the mornyng whē also the Ducke doeth washe or bath her self beakyng trimmyng and orderyng her feathers it euidently denoteth excesse of winde and raine When the Swallowe flieth so nigh vnto the water that a man would thinke she still would touche or strike it a presage no lesse sure of raine is this then the others Elian writeth that the Snite hath full and perfecte felyng of th' increase aswell as decrease of the Moone But I feare I greue the reader with these fore paste exāples wherfore I now will speake of certaine beastes whiche haue forced men to leaue and forgoe their countrie the same all not
beginneth to streame forthe that parte that is behinde still by his weight pusheth and thrusteth on the former by continuall force or fight as it were in suche sorte that the onely weight firste causeth the colde Bottle to empte as also by the same meane it noiseth as is euident or resoundeth somthing farther Whiche aunswere as Aristotle in this respecte geueth so also learneth he vs of an other the like practise which rather by experience then reason we see daily A Shippe saieth he in the Sea or in the salte water carrieth farre a greater weight then he dothe in the freashe for the Sea addeth he is a more thicke or grosser substaunce and beareth a charge or burthen more houge then the other beyng of a nature in respecte more pure and subtile For proofe whereof experience this learneth vs that if we cast into a riuer an Egge immediatly it sinketh and passeth to the bottome but contrarie wise if you throwe hym into the Sea or salte water he swimmeth as supported by a greater force or violēce Of the renoumed and greate Tamberlaine of the kingdomes and countries that he subdued and finally of his practise and maner in warre Chap. 14. THere hath béen amonge the Grekes Romaines the people of Carthage and others innitfie worthy and famous capitaines which as they were right valiaunt and fortunate in war so were they no lesse fortunate in that some others by writynge commended their chiualrie to the posteritie for euer But in our tyme we haue had one in no respect inferiour to any of the others in this one pointe notwithstandyng lesse happie that no man hath vouchsaued by hys penne in any sorte to commende him to the posteritie following So that I who moste desired somethynge to speake of hym haue béen forced together here and there little péeces and pamphlets scarce lendyng you any shewe of his conquirous exploytes the same also confusely and without any order This then of whom we speake was that greate and mightie Tamburlaine who in hys tender yeres was a poore labourer or husbandman or as other some reporte a common Soldiar how be it in the ende he became Lorde of suche greate kingdomes and seignories that he in no pointe was inferiour to that prince of the worlde Alexander or if he were he yet came nexte him of any other that euer liued He raigned in the yere of our Lord God a thousande three hundred fower score and tenne Some suppose that he was a Parthian borne a people lesse honorable then dread of the Romaines his farher and mother were verie poore and néedie he notwithstanding was of honest vertuous conditions wel fewtred valiant healthie quicke nimble sharpe witted also of ripe and mature deliberation and iudgemēt imaginyng and deuising haute and greate enterprises euen in that his most and extreame penurie as though he some times shoulde be a maister of many thinges He was of a valiant and inuincible corage so that from his Cradle and infancie it seemed he was vowed to Mars and merciall affaires onely Where vnto he gaue hym selfe with suche painefull indeuour that hardlye a man might iudge whether he were more happie in déede in aduised cousel or princely dexteritie By meane of which his vertues and others that we shall hereafter remember he in shorte tyme acquired such honour and reputation as is to be supposed man neuer shall do againe His first beginning was as writeth Baptista Fulgotius that beyng the soonne of a poore manne kepyng cattle in the filde liuyng there with other boyes of his age and condition was chosen in sport by the others for their kyng and althought they had made in déede this their election in plaie he whose spirites were rauished with greate and high matters forst theim to swere to him loialtie in al thinges obeyng hym as king wher or when it should please hym in any matter to commaunde theim After this othe then in solemne sorte ministred he charged eache of theim forthwith to sell their troope and cattell leauing this seruile and base trade of life séeking to serue in warre acceptyng hym for capitaine whiche in deede they did beyng quickly assembled of other worke men and pastours to the full number at leaste of fiue hundred with whom the firste attempte that euer be tooke in hande was that they robde all suche marchauntes as anie where paste nigh theim and after he imparted the spoyle so iustlie that all his companions serued hym with no lesse faithe then loue and loyaltie whiche occasioned sundrie others a newe to seeke and followe hym Of whiche newes in the ende the Kinge of Persia aduertised sent forth vnder the conducte of one of his capitaines a thousande horses well appointed to apprehende and take hym at whose commyng he so well knewe in this matter howe to beare hym that of his enimie he soone had made hym his assured frende and companion in suche sorte that they ioigned both their companies together attempting then before enterprises much more greate and more difficill In the meane tyme a certaine discorde or breache of amitie grewe betwixte the Kyng of Persia and his brother by occasion where of Tamburlaine tooke parte with the Kynges brother where he so ordered the matter in suche sorte that he deposed the King and aduaunced the other After this by this newe prince in recompence of his seruice he was ordained generall of the greater parte of his armie who vnder pretexte that he woulde conquire ad subdue other prouinces to the Persians mustered still and gathered more Souldiars at hys pleasure with whom he so practised that they easely reuolted like Rebels followyng hym subduyng their Leage and Soueraigne This hauynge nowe deposed whom he before aduaunced he crouned hymself Kyng and Lorde of that countrie Now moued with compassion towardes his owne countrie whiche long tymes had been tributorie to the Princes of Persia and to the Sarrazins did theim to be frée from all seruice and exactions lottyng to theim for Prince him selfe and none other After this consideryng with hym selfe that he presentlie hadde gathered a houge and greate armie moued priuie mutenies and rebelliōs in other countries by meanes wherof in prosis of tyme he conquired Syria Armenia Babylon Mesopotamia Scythia Asiatica Albania and Media with others manie territories riche also famous cities And although we finde written nothing of any his warres whatsoeuer yet is it to be presumed that he fought many a bataile in open filde with the ennimie before he had subdued so many kingdomes and territories for as muche as all those that remember of hym anie thyng commende to vs the haute exploytes of this moste valiaunte personage and farther that hee so circumspectly ordered his companie that in his Campe was neuer knowen any brawle or mutenie He was verie courteous liberall doyng honour to all menne accordynge to their demerites that woulde accompanie or follow him feared therefore equally and loued of the people He so painefullie and with suche
whiche haue sundrie and straunge proprieties Chapt. 15. IN the Chapiter where we aboue some thyng spake in generall of the perfection of waters we promised to intreate of the proprietie or effecte of certaine springes or lakes in perticuler of which all the first shall bée the riuer of Iudea Asfaltida whiche also was after called the immoueable or deade sea Of this water Plinie Columella and Diodorus Syculus reporte many thynges bothe straunge and meruailous Firste that there ingendereth neither fishe foule or any other liuynge creature and that nothyng hauyng life maie there in be drouned so that if you throwe into it a man or any other creature he by no meanes shall perishe there in yea though he be bounde in suche sorte that he neither swimme or moue These thinges are recited by Plinie and Aristotle to giue some naturall reason for it saieth that the water of this riuer is verie salte grosse troublesome and thicke Cornelius Tacitus addeth also this an other proprietie that it neuer moueth or riseth in any waues for no winde what so euer or greate or vehemente These foresaied aucthours affirme as also Solinus that at one certaine tyme there gathereth together in this lake a straunge kinde of frothe or slime whiche is so good and so strong a morter that hardly any waighte or other force dissolueth it Diodorus Syculus termeth it Bitumen and Asfalta so that it semeth to take his denomination of this riuer Asfaltida Of other lakes we reade that ingender the like slime or morter as that that adioigneth so nigh vnto Babilon with the frothe of whiche Semiramis did to be built those famous walles of Babilon Into this water of Iudea descendeth the sloodde of Iordaine whose water is moste pure and excellent but enteryng into the other looseth his pristinate vertue by the onely impuritie and imperfection of the other It is written that Domician sent thether of purpose to be ascertained of the truthe concernyng this matter and receiued for aunswere as is afore saied Plinie remembereth vs of an other in Italie called Aueâ—â—a nigh vnto the sea or goulfe of Bayas and this lake is of this propertie or condition that there passeth no birde of what kinde so euer he be ouer it but immediatly he falleth doune dead into it The Poete Lucretius yeldeth this reasoÌ„ for it saiyng that by the meanes of the great number of trees that on bothe sides inuiron it and of parte by meanes of the continuall shadowe there ascendeth suche a vapour so grosse and so infectious that immediately it stifleth or impoisoneth the birdes and farther he addeth that it of parte also procedeth of certaine obnoxious and sulfured mines there Theophrastus and Plinie accorde bothe tegether of a riuer in Iudea called Licos as also of an other in Ethiopia of like and semblable nature hauyng the proprieties of oile or the like matter whiche put into a lampe giue lighte and burne incontinently Pomponius Mela and Solinus writyng of Ethiopia affirme that there is a lake or riuer verie swete pleasante and cleare in whiche notwithstanding if any man washe hym self he issueth thence againe all annointed as if he came out of a bathe of oile The semblable to this reporteth Vitruuius saiyng that there is a certaine floudde in Cilicia as also nigh vnto Carthage a well of the same propertie Solinus Theophrastus and Isidorus affirme that thei haue heard of twoo diuers welles of the one of whiche twoo if a woman fertile chaunce to drinke she from that tyme euer after shall liue sterill and baron and contrary wise if a woman sterill by happe drinke of the other she forthwith becometh fruitfull and beareth children aboundantly Thei againe remember vs of an other in Arcadia of whiche who so drinketh stearueth immediatly Aristotle in his questions naturall speaketh of one in Thracia of like and semblable effecte as also of an other equall to it in Sarmatia Herodotus hath whiche Plinie and Solinus confirme that the riuer Hypenis bothe great and wide descendyng doune from Scithia is a water right holesome and sauourie into the which neuer the lesse after the enteraunce of a little spring or fountaine it waxeth so bitter and so vnsauerie onely by the saltnesse or vnpleasante taste of that welle that it is vnpossible for any man in any wise to drinke of it The saied aucthours againe as also Isidorus remember vs of twoo other fountaines or springes in Boecia of whiche the one beyng drounke vtterly taketh from vs our memorie the other preserueth it causyng these that there of drinke at any tyme freshely to call to minde againe what thei before had or loste or forgotten Of twoo others also the one mouyng and prouokyng menne to venerie the other druonke cooleth and mortifieth their affections In Sicilia there is a fountaine whiche the inhabitauntes call Aretuza of which besides the multitude of fishe therin as also that it was an offeÌ„ce to take or to eate of theim a straunge and thyng incredible is crediblie reported whiche is that within this water many notable thynges haue been founde whiche in tymes long before had been throwne into the riuer Alfea whiche is in Achaia a conntrie of Grece by meanes whereof thei maintain and affirme that the water of this riuer passeth thorowe the entrailes of the yearth springyng and risyng againe in the aboue saied fountaine passyng vnder the sea betwixte Sicilia and Achaia The aucthours that reporte it are of suche credite and learnyng that thei easily maie harden an other man to write it againe after them Seneca affirmeth it Plinie and Ponponius Mela Strabo and Seruius commentyng on the tenth Eglogue of Virgil. Solinus and Isidorus haue this of an other fouÌ„taine in to whiche who so putteth his hande for the affirmation or negation of any thyng takyng a corporall othe if he there proteste any thyng againste the truth or veritie his iyes incontinently will drie vp and waxe blinde Plinie recordeth the verie semblable also of an other riuer whiche brunte of the hande of a periured wretche whiche reportyng an vntruthe swore by the saied water thrustyng his hande into it Philostratus in his seconde booke of the life of Apollo saieth that there was a certain riuer in whiche who so washte his handes and feete beyng in deede a wilfull and reatchlesse periurer was incontinently couered with a foule add lothsome leprosie Diodorus Siculus hath the like also of an other But if these thynges to any manne seme lesse worthie of credite knowe he that Isidorus a man vertuous and learned in the reporte of theim hath followed in moste places the aucthours aboue remembred and writeth also of many others as of the welle of Iacob in Idumea whiche fower tymes in the yere chaungeth his colour and from three monethes to three waxeth thicke and troublesome it now is blacke now red now gréene and at laste retonrneth to his naturall colour againe Of a riuer also that runneth through the countrie of the Troglotides whiche
manne goeth vpright as also why fasting then when hee hath eaten he euermore is founde more weightie and poisante and why in conclusion hee poyseth more deade then liuyng with others sutche not impleasant accidents Chap. 7. fol. 15. pag. 2. Of the excellencie of the heade aboue all other members of the bodie and that it is not good to haue a little heade or straite breaste as also whence it is that we accompte it courtesie to take of the Cappe or Hatte in saluting an other Chap. 8. fol. 17. pag. 2. That mannes death is to be accompted fortunate or lesse fortunate accordyng to the estate that hymself shall die in with certaine example seruing to that purpose Chap. 9. fol. 19. pag. 2. What speach was vsed in the beginning of the world and how first began the diuersitie of languages chap. 10. fol. 21. pag. 1. Of the diuision of ages of the worlde with a briefe discourse of diuers Notable matters chaūced also in them as also in fine of the beginnyng of Realmes and Kyngdomes Chap. 11. fol. 23. pag. 1. Of the straunge life of Diogenes surnamed Cinicus as also of his Sentences Propositions and Answeres Chap. 12. fol. 28. pag. 2. Of the excellencie and commendation of trauaile as also of the domages that growe of Idlenes Chap. 13. fol. 32. pag. 1. How detestable a matter Crueltie is with some examples seruing to that purpose Chap. 14. fol. 37. pag. 2. How for the most parte cruell kinges and blouddy tyrantes are the Ministers of God and how notwithstandyng they continually ende in state most wretched and extreame miserie Chap. 15. fol. 42. pag. 2. Of a straunge case which at two diuerse times chaunced after one and the same sorte vnto twoo Romaine Knightes of honorable Familie Chap. 16. fol. 44. pag. 1. Of the distinction of the age of man accordyng to the opinion of most Astrologians Chap. 17. fol. 45. pag. 1. Of certaine yeres in mans life whiche the learned in tymes paste iudged aboue the others to bee merueilous daungerous as also for what cause thei estéemed it to bee so Chap. 18. fol. 49. pag. 1. THE TABLE O◠the seconde parte WWhat daunger it is to murmer against princes as also what commendation thei gaine by clemencie Chap. 1. fol. 50. pag. 2. Of what countrie Pilate was and how he died as also of a riuer so called and of the propertie of the same and finally of a certaine caue or denne in Dalmacia Chap. 2. fol. 52. pag. 1 In what degrees and at what age a man and woman should marrie Chap. 3. fol. 54. pag. 1. Of the cordiall and hartie loue that should be in marriage with diuers examples seruyng to that purpose Chap. 4. fol. 59. pag. 1. Of the straunge customes obserued by oure elders in mariage Chap. 5. fol. 61. pag. 2 Of the excellencie of paintyng Chap. 6. fol. 64. pag. 2. Of that excellent Painter Apelles as also of Protogines another in his tyme Chap. 7. fol. 66. pag. 2. Of a straunge maner of exile vsed in Athens by meanes of whiche the moste honorable and worthiest personages were oftentimes banished without any offence or faulte at all commited Chap. 8. fol. 69 pag. 2. Of sundrie excellent personages whiche by the ingra titude of ther Countrie haue vnkindly been banished Chap. 9. fol. 72. pag. 2. Of a strauge aduenture betide a certaine prisoner and how after his weary imprisonment hée was in the ende made free and deliuered Chap. 10. fol. 75. pag. 1. That the bloodde of a Bulle causeth theim to die that drinke therof at any tyme as also who first brought the Bull to the yoke Chap. 11. fol. 76. pag. 2. Now necessary water is in all the vses of mans life of the excellencie of this element and how to finde or trie the best water from the other Chap. 12. fol. 78. pag. 1. By what policie wee may drawe freshe water out of the Sea and why colde water in fallyng maketh greater noise then it would doe if it wer warme finally why a shippe on the salte water beareth greter weight then on the freashe Chap. 13. fol. 81. pag. 2. Of the renoumed and greate Tamburlaine of the kingdomes and countries that he subdued and finally of hys practise and maner in warre Chap. 14. fol. 82. pag. 2. Of many Lakes and fountaines the waters of which haue many straunge properties Chap. 15. fol. 87. pag. 2. Of diuers straunge thinges whiche hapened at the birth and death of our Sauiour Christ recited by sundry famous and learned historians besides these that are recorded by the Euaugelistes in the scriptures Chap. 16. fol. 92. pag. 1. Of many places aleaged by sundry good authers making mention of christe and of his life Cha. 17. fol. 95. p. 1. That men borne of base condition shoulde not leaue by all meanes possible to attempte to reache and aspire vnto honour with certaine examples seruyng to that purpose Chap. 18. fol. 99. pag. 1. Of the opinion that the olde Romaines and other auncient countries had of fortune and how they plast her in the number of their Gods in what forme or figure they also depainted her and finally that there is no fortune at all among the Christians attributyng the cause of all thinges vnto god Chap. 19. fol. 102. pag. 2. That sundrie beastes by some priuie naturall instinct haue foreknowleage of thinges to come as also of many countries by the onely force of little wormes brought to be desolate and forsaken Chap. 20. fol. 106. p. 〈◊〉 THE TABLE OF the thirde parte HOw profitable a thinge the inuention of letters was who first founde or inuented theim as also how the Hebrue Characters signifie some thing of theim selues that whiche is incident to no other kind of letters of what sorte or kind so euer cha 1. fol. 104. p. 2. Where on our elders wrote before the inuention of Paper and with what kinde of instrument how Paper and Parchement were firste founde out Who firste inuented the maner or skille of Printing as also what inestimable profite thence riseth and in fine by what meane a blinde man maie write Chap. 2. fol. 111. Pag. 1. Of the firste Libraries that euer were in the worlde and how the men of that time vsed to haue the Images or purtraites of the learned in theim Cha. 3. fol. 113. pag. 2. Of the amitie and enmitie of sundrie thinges issuyng by priuie hidden and secrete proprieties C. 4. fol. 116. P. 1. By what meanes bothe amitie and enmitie procede from the Heauenly and Celestiall influence and why a man hateth or loueth an other Cha. 5. fol. 119. Pag. 2. That the memorie maie bee hurte and that it also by arte and by pollicie maie be fortified Cha. 6. fol. 121. Pa. 1. In what honour and reputation Philosophers Poetes and all others in what Arte or Science soeuer they were learned liued with Emperous Kinges and Princes in tymes past Cha. 7. fol. 123. Pag 2 That learnyng is necessarie as well
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