cure a disease that nature hath bred and brought forth because it onely appertaineth to the Creator If a man will bend a streight Tree crooked or a crooked Tree streight so soone as it is at libertie will it not return to his naturall grouth can the taming of a Lyon make him leaue his naturall roaring will Art make a Foxe faithfull harmeles or make a birde not to delight in the woods wherefore then do men seeke to haue breed and keep crauing dull Iades and vnperfect shaped Horses and perswade themselues that good feeding good keeping and artificiall riding and practise will make them absolute and perfect Horses and heere of publishe and set foorth great volumes do they thinke that art can bring an ape to beget an ape with a long taile If this be not error ignorance and senceles practise my desire is of those that better vnderstand to defend the contrary and to manifest the same by reason how shameles a thing then were it for me to admit more grosse imperfection when mans corruption transporteth him so far beyond the degrees of reason to allow and maintaine all seeing imperfection Againe some will and do obiect that Horses of such excellent shape spirrit and life as I haue described will be dangerous to those that are not expert in the art and that such will speedely spend themselues and not continue in flesh or good liking and are very chargeable to keepe and besides so vnruly and intemperate as thereby great danger will ensue to the most people that are vnskilfull of Horsemanship and such like childish and ignorant conceits wherein the multitude do excell it might aswell be obiected that fire and water wine and weapon and many such like are dangerous and that many haue perrished therewith therefore very vnfit to haue them or vse them the which proceedeth from their debilitie of iudgement not able to apprehend that such Horses are the most excellent that euer haue bene or shal be created being compounded of the most iust and true proportion of mixture of the temperature of the elements which giueth them that fulnesse of spirit vigor and courage neither that the temperature of an excellent Horseman which compriseth all perfection wherewith naturall man can bee endued with if he haue the managing of such Horses will not Animum volentem accendere blow the fire when it burneth cleere knowing that such natures are to be vsed according to the temperature of their owne nature without iarre or violence but the ignorant rider not able to iudge of his nature doth so far distemper nature in the beginning as afterwards not knowing how to restore him to his former obedience is astonished with the admiration of his wonder holdeth Omne ignotum pro magnifico All vnknowne things beyond the degrees of admiration The Hebrues doe deriue the name of Time of a verbe which signifieth to corrupt because it doth corrupt all and as the times are so are men that liue in them whereby the best horsemen that euer haue bin do not only carry the note of the errors of the times wherin they liue but the ful streame of the corruption thereof which maketh me to become like vnto the Marriner who ordereth his sailes acording to the times and the winde and doth of necessitie turne and wind to arriue to that place obliquely by fetching a compasse when he cannot do it directly and by a straight line Non semper et vnogradu saith Seneca sed vna via non se mutat sed aptat he saileth not alwaies with one and the same pace although he follow the same way he changeth not but accomodateth himselfe whose example I haue followed heerein but with the glew of mutuall concord yet adhering to that memorable sentence of Tertullian That is true whatsoeuer is first Contra pra◠and that is false whatsoeuer is latter and therefore the forsaking or not knowing the knowledg of these that liued nearest the first creation who did see best and the adhering to the knowledg of those that haue liued furthest from those times who did see more dimly and their knowledge more corrupt hath bene the cause of their manifolde errors in Horsemanship in these latter ages and the principall cause of my long discourse in this tractat wherein I haue often deliberated to thinke rethink redoubting what may happen yet knowing when to feare I did thereby knowe safely to go forward Nam animus vereri qui scit scit tutô aggredi so as I doubt not to affirm the Athenians prouerbe after victory Noctua volavit the bird of darkenes is put to flight comforting my selfe with that saying of Aug. Qui se dicit scire quod nescit temerarius est qui se negat scire quod scit ingratus est he is rash that speaketh that hee dooth not know And he is vnthankfull that denieth to knowe that he doth knowe Paruus error in principio Maximus est in fine CHAP. 27. Of perfect breeding WHen I remembred that Salomon proclaimeth mans wisdome vnperfect and his knowledge in each science vncertain Eccle. 8. perceiued neuer man to haue attained such degrees of learning as to finde himselfe ignorant how time the beginner increaser and subuerter of all humane knowledge hath wrought defects and difficulties in vnderstanding I could not but admire the breeders of Horses within this kingdome seeing them in this moste decayed time of knowledge to cast their anchor into the deepe and deceaueable sands of the practise of these times wherin vnlimited tirrannicall custome which neuer admitteth either dispensation or quallification without notorious affront ruleth and raigneth in the superlatiue supremacie of error and onely by referring the effects of al good breed to the immediate work of god as though the effect of all such causes were supernatural to be reduced to God immediately as a miracle receauing them from nature and abhorring the naturall meanes not considering that there are effects onely naturall and only to be referred to nature not that nature is an vniuersal cause endowed with a iurisdiction seuered from God but that she is a name of order which God hath bestowed in the frame of the worlde to the end that the necessarie effectes might follow the preseruation thereof thorough which their vnanimous consent in practise they haue long sucked a strong opinion of the possibility of good breed whereby there is growne a broad sea of difference in your point of true knowledge of breeding and their acustomed practise so as notwithstanding the great and inuincible power of nature in all creatures whereof God being the Author and whereunto as vnto a naturall meanes he hath applyed himself for preseruation there is not one Horse of a thousand bred in the perfection of nature whereby all and euery of them cannot but acknowledge his own thoughts and forseeing doubtfull which maketh me crye with Paul Nihil mihi conscius sum I know not how far I shal offend but
his former perfection so farre as lyeth in the power and abilitie of man CHAP. 35 That the aliment or food that the Horseeand Mare do seede vppon before thâ—ction raiseth and maketh their seed THe learned Phisitions and Philosophers do holde that all aliment or foode is differing in qualitie after the disgestion and concoction in euery creature and hath a different and particular seed aswel in substance as in tâ—perature from which groud it is probable and without contradiction that the colt begotten pertaketh his temperature and quallitie of the meate which their Sires did feed vppon before the action for who is so much depriued of vnderstanding but knoweth that there are meates and drinks to increase or mittigate heat or drynes or moistute for though it be true that all meat that Horses eat whether in naturall quallitie the same are hot or colde dry or moiste turne to the nature of the Horse and of his substance whereof if any other creature doe eat it will doe the like yet such as the naturall quality of the meat is in his operation such wil be the naturall quallitie of the humors after the same is concocted and disgested in the bodie and according thereunto such wil be the blood the fleame the choler and the melancholy that commeth from the same for if the Horse be fed with grasse sorrell lettuce or other hearbes will any man doubt but that the blood and other humors that come thereof wil be in nature and qualitie colde and moist according to the naturall qualitie of that aliment or foode Then if the blood and other humors after the concoction of such food be colde and moyst will any man doubt that the seed of generation and the menstruall blood for so much therof as nature taketh from it but that the same wil be cold and moist acording to the natural quallitie thereof and that as the blood thereof is colde and moiste the wheyish blood thereof drawne from the liuer by the veynes wil be colde moist and the seed thereof cold moist because the humors do attaine the substances and qualities which the meate had before it was eaten that the brain of the colt being the seat of his sence hath his beginning maintenance from the purest part of the seede and measure of spirit which the Colt hath from the liuer heart and veines will be of like Nature and qualitie For if wee consider the Colt and sound the causes of his essence and nature and consider the causes which maketh him mooue you shall finde that it is his heate and moisture which are two principall qualities consisting in all liuing creatures nourishers of nature for so soone as heate and moisture faile in any liuing creature it can no more liue nor mooue streight is the body occupied with contrarie qualities coldnes and drynes the enemies of nature If you will mount ascend higher to know what is the cause of those two qualities heate and moisture you shal finde that it is because al liuing creatures are composed of the foure elements of fyer aier water earth in which the said foure qualities of heate moisture coldnesse and drinesse doe consist and while heate and moisture rain in the body it liueth but when cold and drynesse are predominate then dyeth it Againe if you consider the cause of the heate and moisture and the other qualities which wee see in the foure Elements and in the bodies made of them yee shall finde the sun the cause of the heat the moone the cause of the moisture let vs passe farther and seek the cause wherefore the Sunne is hot and the moone moiste and from whence these qualities come vnto them and we shall finde the soueraigne cause in God The due consideration heereof if without partialitie it be considered will moste apparantly condemne the practise of all breeders and the workes of all former writers and their knowledge of nature not to bee defended for if iudicially you consider that the power of all begetting doth onely appertaine to his naturall vertue called his vegetatiue soule the which if it haue bred and cherished a rawe colde and vnperfect seede how can it be defended but that the Colt begotten of that seede wil be of the same temperature and depriued of the good temperature which it ought to haue according whereunto his goodnes or badnes of action will be wherefore seeing all the learned and true experience teache vs that there are only two waies to come vnto the knowledge of thinges the one from the causes and maximes to the knowledge of the effects consequences the other when contrary by the effects consequences we know the causes and maximees For when we see the earth waxe greene and the trees gather leaues wee know by that effect that the Sunne which is the cause thereof approacheth nigh vnto vs and wee come to receiue this maximee that the Sunne giueth vigor and force to the earth to bring forth fruites And by the contrarie wee receiue this maxime to know the effect and to conclude the consequence that the Sunne comming nigh vs the earth bringeth forth her fruits and withdrawing from vs the earth leaueth to bring foorth CHAP. 36. The meanes to make theseede perfect for generation IT is graunted by all learned and vnderstanding men that the seede of the horse ought to be hot and drie and that all excessiue moisture of seede must bee abated and taken away 1 Labour Now the means to make hot and dry seede fit for generation is labour and spare dyet 2 Spare dyet by labour the moisture by reason of heate is exhausted by spare dyet the disgestion is made perfect and therefore through heate proceeding from labour the same is easily perfectly concocted and so be cometh fit for generation wherin also this consideration is to bee had that the meate that the horse and mare do feed vpon be in qualitie of Nature hot and dry and then moderately taken there is no doubt but that the seed which shall come thereof will be easily perfected because naturallie it partaketh of the qualitie and temperature of the meate as hath bin said and also the same meate that feedes both horse and Mare would be one and the same The cause why Colts are like their Syres because it will increase a vniforme seede and so the Colt be like vnto the Syers the meate would bee olde sweete hay or Wheate-strawe moderately giuen his prouender olde dryed cleane and sweete Oates wynowed or cleansed from all dust and filth mingled with olde dryed pease or beanes with a scattering of Baye salte and anniseedes their water sweet and pure and euery day early in the morning when they are both fastinge and emptie moderately excercised vntill they sweate and then painefully dressed rubbed dry and thorough cold before any meat be giuen vnto them the which doth not only perfect disgestioÌ„ exhausteth the moisture from their
Nemo sibi 〈◊〉 erra sed alijs erroris causa et Author est Error is not simply an Error to him that possesseth it but it is the cause and Author of many other errors And besides whosoeuer beleeueth an error thinketh it a worke of charity to perswade another to beleeue the â—â—me and that he may the better do it he feareth not to adde of his owne inuention so much as he seeth necessary for his purpose to supply that want and vnwillingnesse which he thinketh to be in the coÌ„cerpt of him to whom he telleth the same And therefore whereas other Nations publish themselues the great Maisters of this Subiect affirming that whatsoeuer they say should be beleued and receiued without iudging and examining what they teach Hold it for tyranicall Iustice Nam qut a semet ipso loquitur mendax est It is said that in the Countrey of Pharsalia from whence came BVCEPHALE Alexander the great his Horse that the Mare that was kept for that Horse broght foorth Coltes alwayes like the Syre for which cause Aristotle reporteth she was called IVSTE I will not enquire how many of our great Maisters can expresse the naturall and true reason thereof although I doubt not the same and many more greater expressed in this Tractat and yet the learned Phylosophers and Phisitions make great Dispute from whence the likenesse of yssue to their Parentes proceede considering their diuersity of likenesse neyther will I enquire of any mans particular Stable where peraduenture Asinus subfreno currere docetur some concealed Cart-Horses are finely cloathed Neither at any time enquire where true practise of Horsemanship I onely speake of riding his Majesties Court excepted is vsed Who can make that cleane that commeth of vncleane seede Can a Kite bring forth a good flying Hawke mals Coruâ— malum ouum of an euil Crow commeth an euil egge The long and pittifull apprehension hereof standing at the gates of my eâ—res although in the winter of mine Age hath mere then enforced me to this labour and to present the same vnto your view as the most noble Aire for such labour to flye in who by consideration what as amisle done may â—â—o the Springs of your wisdomes as from the Beames of your vertues be mooued to the consideration of that is not done by your generous endeuours in short time make both it your selues in it â—al samous partes all his Maiesties Kingdomes and Dominions aboue all the Kingdoms of the world in greatest perfection hauing at this day as famous Riders as euer was Zenophon Geouan Barardiuâ— Colo Pagano Frederick Gryson John Pietro Puglano Claudio Curto or who soeuer And therefore my principall labour herein is principally to enforme guide the vnderstanding with assured knowledge vndoubtedly to know from whence the perfection of shape and the naturall goodnesse of euery horse proceedeth vt ipso unltu Ethiopem cognoscas That by the only view of them you may know their goodnesse how to keepe maintaine your Races in greatest perfection nearest their originall and primary creation to set foorth the same by probable reason thereby to refell and confute all former Errors heeretofore written or practised neuer by any heereto fore attempted but the contrary successiuely defended My desire therfore is that you would be pleased diligently to read this my Tractat wherein I doubt not you shall finde sufficient contentment against the oppositions of any former Writer whatsoeuer and to do your greatest endeuours to place within euerye Shyre a sufficient vnderstanding Rider according to the Rule of Themystocles that will Impetraremelius quam impetrare preuaile by perswasion not by constraint By whom all Horses fytte for seruice may be made fytte and apt for all seruices because without such Riders there is not one Horse of a thousand vnderstandingly and truely broken or made perfect Then shall your Horses be defence of the poore preseruation of the rich laughter at feare inuincible power against force honour of our most renowned King and the life of the Common weale The want whereof hath not onely depriued all his Maiesties Dominions of good Horses but also hath discouraged and dismaied many valorous and noble Gentlemen from the delight and pleasure therin although the whole Arte euery part thereof be without offence scandal Temperance the rule of all pleasure damage or preiudice of another And without preiudice of theÌ„ selues their honors their healthes their leasure their duty or their function if the same be taken as men do take Honuy with the tip of the finger not with a full hand for the fulnesse of pleasure is the bayte of iniquity Degener at a robore acâ—nâ—ute miles asiueiudine volupta tem Tacit And you my natiue Countrey men of North-hampton Shire as also you Gentlemen of Kent amongst whom I liue A Countrey obiect to the eyes of all forreigne Nations because there is neyther harty desire nor true ioye in that whereof the minde is vnskilfull ignorant Malerum esca Goluptain Let the Coles of your affections bee kindled with delight your actions to the eares of all people blowen to a wonder against which let no excuse bee sufficient Armour to set in a beautifull Sample such Workes of Horsemanship Honus â—ere 〈◊〉 nus est that may beeas a Glasse to the blinde eyes of al forreigne Nations to see their imperfectioÌ„s your actions in such perfection at you therby may getthe first possession of the keits of al honourable and vertuous mindes But if you obiect that the Ioâ—ney of high Honorâ—ly eth not in plaine way and that you cannot eate the sweet without the sower Nam qui addit Scientiaâ—â— addit et laborâ—m So may it be said on the contrary that laughter is mingled with teares Qui serutatur est maiestatis apprimâ—etur ef gleria Et ipsa seâ—â—citaâ—â—se nisi temperat pramit Yet I pray you be not dismayed invit virtuti nulla est via there is no way vnresistable to vertue Nulla est praclusa oâ—â— thus patet Neither is the way forestalled but open to all neither is or can any thing bee so hard or difficult but paynes and industry will effect Be not as the standing Pooles that gather onely corruption what mooued Pâ—râ—ander to vndertake the digging downe of the high Mountayne Ischmus Let it not be forgotten that the Learned haue said Dissacienâ—e auiuuant The Diuine power avâ—eth all vertuâ—us endâ—uours Certainely there are so many Beauties and so many Graâ—es in the face of Gâ—odnesse that no eye can possibly see iâ— without affection without rauishment otherwise where had beene the Glory of al the famous verinous worthy Actes of Alexander Themistoolâ—s Epiminodas Hearcules Persius Thesius Bellâ—oâ—â—on Hanntball Seivio Caesar and of infinite others if great and difficult Labours had swallowed then glorious encenours Lober est materia vntutis et glerâ—ae â—une qui reijâ—â—â—â— illas reijcis The rewardes of Labour are vertue and
all other beastes in the middle betwixt man and Plante going as it were athwart so that man the vniuersall king of these lower parts walking with an vpright countenance as a maister in his house rulling all beastes with obedience and following will to man their commaunder springing from their naturall affection to account the minde being the efficient cause of their affection to action the minde beeing the efficient cause of their affection it is a consequent in reason that man by his knowledge and practise for the obteyning of the motion of their affection labour by art practise to gaine the minde and natural disposition of the subiect to endure their being which the god of nature hath giuen wherunto euerie creature desireth restitution All which principally consisteth in the true knowledge of nature for who seeth not that where nature is bound how it desireth to bee loosened The works of nature and wherin it is decayed how it laboureth to be restored and how all creatures in the world reioyce at their returning againe to nature and how the ordinance of all thinges is to haue ioyned the end to the beginning to make the course of it stable Not to change from his proper origionall kinde do we not see the tree bird sea Sun Stones Fyre and euery creature preserue themselues in the natural course of their first and primarie creation and haue an ynated hatred of all things that be enemies to the same Therfore whatsoeuer creature is to remaine for durable must now by mans industrie and the helpe of his owne nature so far as lyeth in the power of man bee brought to his former restitution and for this cause hath nature hid the knowledge and truth of all thinges in the heart of man which mooued Plato to say That whatsoeuer men learned they doe but recorde them as things forgotte Shall man then so diuine a Creature so much degenerate to become so slymy and earthy not to awake his thoughts from the sleepe of idlenes to imbrace the true knowledge of nature Art and practise of Horsemanshippe tending somuch to the honour of the King and preseruation of the whole body of the common-weale can any calling bee more noble then a good Horse-man are they not tryumphers both in Campes and Courts doth any earthly thing breede more wonder and hath not the same from all beginning beene hereditarie in the moste noble persons how then Fascientia nobilior quae Gersatur circa nobilius subiectuÌ„ shall not that action bee accompted moste best and honourable that is euermore performed by the best wherefore let the pleasure in the excercise of your mindes bee so cherished that without perswasion of the excellencye of the knowledge your selues may bee perswaded by knowing the fruites of knowledge Patente indisposito frustra intitur vis agentis None will bee taught if he be not mooued with desire to bee taught and as Aristotle saith It is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must bee the fruite and how 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 can bee without being mooued to practise is not hard to consider but no doubt that man which seeth the vertue cannot but bee rauished with the loue of her beautie for as the Image of such actions stirreth and instructeth the minde with desire to bee worthy so it informeth with knowledge and practise how to be worthie haue not Horsemen from all beginning bene accompted egregia et imidiate regni membra The most excellent principall members of the kingdome and such as the Maiestie both of King and kingdome depend vpon What else mooued Seuerus the Emperor to cal them SenatoruÌ„ seminarium the nurserie of the state and as men especiall aboue others euermore called to the great and solemne meetings of the kingdome Comitis apelâ— laâ—â—â—gâ—n 〈…〉 pr◠〈◊〉 Coâ—â—â—â— laluls 〈…〉 â—hitter is not a Dake called Dux a dncendo exercitu of being the generall leader of the Army and a Marques called Mâ—chio of this word Mâ—cha which signifieth a horse for markgâ—ase signifieth equitun praefeclus the general of the Horsemen and Marsteller the maister of the Horse on whome all the companye of horse-men called Equestres depended who in former ages haue twice in the yeare celebrated their feastes called Equiria horsemens feasts viz On the thirâ—â—nth of March and the eighteenth of Aprill And the Romens in their gouerment did ensrancheis Horse-men with many liberties immunities as an ensigne of their fame appointed to those horsemen called Equestres the wearing of golde Rings naming them Equites aurati the golden Knightes and afterwards for their more honour gaue them ornawenta deaurâ—ta gilded ornaments If I should speake of ancient Histories who are the witnes of former times the light of truth the life of remembrance the mistris of life messenger of old season how memorable is Salon on theme stâ—â—enowned king who kept twelue thousand Horsenâ—en Phrao Cornclâ—â— Ta â—â—us Oldendorpuis 〈…〉 deâ—tar so 133 inuincible Alexander â—ulius Câ—â—lar King â—ycus Bellerophon Son of Gâ—oucus King of Eplera who â—lew two monsters Solymâ—â— Chymera who rid swift Pâ—gâ—sus into a mountaine of Iabia called Chimera and of Câ—ius Câ—lar in the time that hee sauoured Mâ—rius against Silla who to shew the excellency of his horsemanship caused his hands to be bound behinde him and by the only keeping of his knees close to the horse with the small motion thereof without bridle and saddle perfectly to stay stop and turne and of many other kings the memorable records of whose excellent actions would rauish the Reader with admiration how horsemen should become so wonderfull among men So may I not forget the worthines of the Horse from whome the worthines of man proceedeth whose antiquitie cannot be blotted out of memory beeing originally created with man for his only vse and seruice It is said in the 21. of Prouerbs that the Horse was prepared for the day of battaile Bello armantur equs bella haec â—n minta ninantur and in the 1. of Kings the 4. and 2. Croni 9. that Salomon kept 40. thousand horses for warre and likewise many places of the Scriptures make mention of the greate prouision of Horses for warres and to illustrate their excellencie appeareth in the 39. of Iob. How the strength of the Horse commeth from the Lord and with neying hee couereth his necke and that his neying is fearefull that hee diggeth with his feete in the valley and reioyseth in his strength hee goeth foorth to meete the Harnest man hee meeketh at feare and is not affraide and turneth not his backe from the Sword though the Quiuer rattle against him the glittering Speare and the Shield hee swalloweth the ground with swiftnesse and rage and beleeueth not it is the voice of the Trumpet hee saith among the Trumpets ha ha hee smelleth the battaile a farre off and the noyse of the Captaines and the shouting so that
helpfull for the strengthning and assisting nature in the expulsion of her enemies and I doe graunt as the learned doe say that there are foure complexions and likewise foure elements but I deny that euerie horse is coloured as he is complexioned for if the diuersitie of colours of horse haire should bee a true demonstration of complexions there would bee many more complexions then there are elements and although it bee true that horses haue complexions and also true touching the compositions of the elements yet it doth not followe neither doe I admitte that the colour of their haire is a demonstration of their complexions or that they be coloured according to the temperature of the foure elements for the diuersities of their colours are to euerie mans eies witnesses of more colours then there are complexions besides The Moore is black The Europian white The American tawny The East Indiâ—nâ—ed Distmouish those coÌ„â—lexionsâ—y the haâ—e The cause of the colour of haue horses doe almoste yearely alter their colours from the colours they wre of at the time of their foaling wherein also should be alteration of complexion for wee doe see the colour of mans haire doth not truely manifest his complexion for that there are seuerall men both of blacke red browne and white hayre and yet euerie one of their complexions are perfect Sanguine so as the diuersitie of colour of mans haire doth not declare the diuersitie of mans complexion for the naturall cause of the colour of mans haire is the grosse vapour which ariseth from disgestion that the braine maketh at the time of his nourishment and looke what colour is of the member such is that of his excrements if the braine in composition partake much of fleame the haire in growth is white if much choller saffron coloured c. And moreouer Hipocrates saieth that the coloure of mans haire may alter with the ayre of the countrie wherfore then should it be admitted in horses to haue their colour of haire according to their complexion or temperature and if in horses why not in Kine Sheepe Hogs Dogs and such like and seeing that euery mans experience approueth the contrary why should I not say with Cicero Experientia magis quam discendo cognoui I haue knowne more by experience then by learning Furthermore if that his haire should be coloured according to his complexion the which I doe not admit but if it were admitted yet how shall it be prooued that according to his colour he is well or euill conditioned For if by condition they meane his good or bad action and the goodnes of his worke qualitie then is their proposition also vntrue for euery creature worketh according to his nature and all learning doth deny that complexion and nature are in all parts one and the same for the learned doe know that the temperature of the Elements is termed Nature and that is the schoolemaister that doth teach the sensitiue soule of the Horse what to doe Animi mores corporis tempe ratur imsequuÌ„turâ— and according to that temperature doth one bruite beast better performe the workes of his kinde then another but that shall neuer be found true in respect of the colour or that the temperature of the Elements is manifested in his coloure againe some Horses are of many colours then acording to their rule of many complexions and if complexion were admitted simply for Nature then by consequence of reason of many natures so of many diuers and seuerall workes and qualitie of workes Notwithstanding for further examination of their infallible rules wherwith the whole world is blinded let vs come to the vse practise and daily experience of colours and let our great loue to colours set spectacles vppon them to make their excellencie appeare greater clearer and more glorious then they are and examine the moste best and generally admitted coloure called Browne baye which is termed the best at al assayes and which the Frenchmen do call Bayarie loyal trusty Bayard being noted the generall and chiefe Captaine of all coloures let me aske any Horseman in whome knowledge and practise doth reside whether all Horses of that coloure without exception are good if al be not then the rule for coloure fayleth and then by consequence the coloure for haire procedeth not from complexion for if all baye colour be principallie good then whosoeuer hath liued and hath his sight to know baye colour needeth no further or more knowledge to knowe a good Horse and if that coloure bee onely the best then no Horses so good as those An other question I would demaund whether there are not as good Horses of other colours the which if it be admitted then the colour from complexion fayleth Moreouer if yet you rest not satisfied I will set down the wordes of two learned writers that after longe discourse thereof say that de pilo diuersi diuersa sentiunt of the colours of haire diuers doe diuerslie thinke And Ouid Virgill two famous learned men are direct opposite each to the other in opinion of colour of horses the one of them affirming the white colour best and the other denying the same beeing a colour according to the rule of complexion the moste worst and yet I could giue excellent examples of the goodnesse of white horses but the more this cause is handled the more the error of colour is manifest but as I haue saide for this matter experientia omnium rerum certissima moderatrix experience is the best moderator of this controuersie Now if you will yeeld your selfe to heare the originall of these former errors vnderstand that the best writers hereof haue ben much abused for Opianus saith that colours of horses were chosen and maintained for hunting of wilde beastes because saith he the colour of some horses is hatefull to some beastes more then to others and vppon such like causes haue the learned writers alowed colours leauing to posterity their opinions what colours they thought best for such actions since which some writers seeming or at least making shew to vnderstand much making greate Bookes of diuersitie of matter haue set downe colour a principall cause of a good horse so as by translating and taking notes out of other mens labours vntruely collecting and adding their owne conceits not being able to vnderstand the naturall causes they haue made al men almost be caryed away with toies and not with true iudgement thereof do notwithstanding wonderfully tryumph playing as he that hath gotten nothing holdeth it fast so as if the horse be a brown-bay with a white starre white foote or such like he is valued oftentimes more then he is thrice worth Thus hath many ages taken that for a cause which is no cause there is nothing more true then that the goodnesse of the cause is the goodnesse of the effect for as Bernard well noteth si bona fuerit causa pugnantis pugnae exitus malus esse non potest if the
Horse that shee giueth them not onely a feeling but also a power to declare the same to others whereof may arise this question For asmuch as it hath bene saide that God is the author and giuer of nature and according to his creation all perfectly good and that all creatures aswell men as beastes worke according to nature and haue no naturall desire or inclination of corruption because euery creature naturally desireth his owne preseruation and perfection what needeth either Arte or practise to helpe or alter the same nature I answere that it is most true that Arte and practise were needles if man his disobedience had not depriued him of all obedience that by creation was subiect vnto him and the same his disobedience did not only bring a curse vpon the Earth but also the disobedience of all creatures to man and corruption to all euery their actions so there is not now any obedience or perfection in the dooing of action but that which is gotten by arte and preserued in vigor by vse and practise so that all thinges which now are vnto corrupted man most combersome as punishments of his disloyaltie were by original creatioÌ„n ordained for his furtherance Note this and therefore nature in Horses is not neither can be any other then an inclination and forwardnes knowledge a quickner vp of nature and arte a guide to keepe it in order by generall precepts vniuersall grounds and experience with imitation conferring both by the continuall holding on of many particular actions so as nature of it selfe is now insufficient knowledge and arte without nature fondnes and without experience vnprofitable As in chirurgerie although the bare practitioner do by his experience sometime hit well vpon the healing of some disease yet it is euident that hauing arte and knowledge matched with his experience so as he discerne the nature and cause of his disease marking the complexion age and manner of liuing of his patient and considering the equalitie and quantitie of his medicine and applying them in due time shall the better performe the duty of his science and the better attain the desired end but it is againe obiected that if the creation and creature were from God perfectly good notwithstanding his disobedience to man his owne corruption yet being created and preserued by God for the only vse of man how commeth it to passe that where there is one Horse by creation good in action there are a thousand Iades according to creation and in action I answere first that the creation and generation of these times are not immediatly created by God as in the first creation without meanes but by naturall meanes whereunto his grace is annexed Crescite et multiplicamini growe and increase vnto which meanes being his owne ordinance he giueth his blessing for the increase preseruation therof 2. it may be answerd out of the 4. of Esdras 9. verse that the world hath lost his youth and the times begin to waxe olde and also in the 2. of Esdras chap. 5. the question being demanded why the latter age should not be as perfect in creation as the first it was answered aske a woman wherfore are not they whom thou hast now brought forth like those that were before thee but lesse of stature she shall answere thee the same were borne in the flower of youth the others were borne in the time of age when the wombe failed consider now thy selfe how that ye are lesse of stature then those that were before you and so are they that come after you lesse then they as the creatures which now begin to be old and haue passed ouer the strength of youth So as the farther generation is from the first creation the more neerer to corruption Thirdly it may be answerd that euery Horse is created as man is of soule and bodie and is compounded of the foure elements as man and hee that doubteth thereof may aswel doubt whether himselfe be or no but the one which is in man celestial neuer dying the other terrestial dieth with the bodie and yet a most excellent pure liuing spirit hauing the faculties nutritiue vegetatiue motiue and sensitiue so doth it by his temperature of the elements righty rule as mans doth gouerne the bodie of euery Horse which naturally obeieth to euery action and that is truely called Nature wherof onely God is the Author so as the goodnes or badnes of the temperature of the elemeÌ„ts is the cause The cause why one horse doth better performe his kinde then another why one beast doeth better performe the workes of his kinde then another the temperature being the schoolemaister to direct the sensitiue soule to euery action and such is the force of natures custome to haue dominion ouer all creatures therefore the learned terme nature 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dicta ab eo quod aliquid nasci faciat named from that which maketh something to be created whose propertie cause we cannot without obseruation finde other then that God the author of nature hath ordeined it Nam obscurata est ratio naturalis per in obedientiam primi pareÌ„tis our naturall reason is obscured by the disobedience of our first parents and yet nature may not be saide to be vnperfect or faultie for it hath put into all thinges possibility and aptnes and also acte and perfection and thereupon Cicero saith who hath reason from nature to the same is right reason giuen and then comming from nature is also perpetuall for perpetuum est quod natura frequens quod vsus introducit what nature bringeth is perpetuall and what vse bringeth is often so as nature whether it be armed with vertue or vice it is perpetual and the faculties causeth the perfection thereof acordingly for nature is knowne by his work and nature causeth the bodie to worke therefore such as the nature is such is the worke and such as the worke is such is the qualitie of the nature Now the seate or place of those faculties of this nature is principally the braine and the heart The braine is the â—eâ—t of the sencible soule the sence of sence and motion of the moste noble animal spurits composed of the vitall and raised from the hart by the Arteries vnto the braine as the regall and principall seates of the creature the heart beeing the place where the vitall and Arteriall spirrits are bred and doe equally participate the temperature thereof from whence they had theyr being and are dispersed ouer the whole bodie and then it may be truly saide Cuius effectus omnthus prodest eius et partes ad omnes pertinent where the effect of any thing is profitable to all there the partes thereof appertaine to all and as the power of that vitall spirit is great or small which is euermore according to the temperature of the elements such and the same it causeth and enforceth the bodie and euery parte thereof to worke and
seede but also strengtheneth and clenseth their blood and bodies from all rawe vnperfect humors whereby you shall perceiue them to exceed in pride and lust Their prouender is to be giuen them at three seueral times in the day at morning Noone and night and at euerie time tost and two hours meatlesse to cause an absolute and perfect disgestion for fulnes of meat ouercommeth nature and thereby not able perfectly to disgest the disgestion will be rawe and vnperfect whereof can no petfect seed be made if they should be excercised vppon full stomackes then thorough the greatnes of heat comming by their labour the meat wil be more speedely disgested then nature had ability to performe by which vnperfect disgestion the humors must of necessitie be vnperfect the which being so carryed from the liuer by the veines into all partes of the bodie the substance whereof the seede is composed being carryed to the seed vessels in such imperfection the seede remaineth vnperfect and the blood corrupted a speciall cause also of all inward diseases and outward sorrances Hauing obserued that hath bene spoken about 8. or 10. dayes before the Horse and Mare come to the action being both of them in great lust and courage feede them for euerie of those daies with such sweete oates and old dry sweet wheat equall in mixture and quantitie for the wheate is a great comforter of the heart and an increaser of the vital spirits which aboue all things for that action is principally to bee mooued and stirred vp and for the better fuller accomplishment of the action for those viii or ten daies put into euerie gallō of the water they drink if they be of value and estimation a pinte of white Wine which will greatly abate the colde qualitie of the water and let them not at any time drinke excessiuely and sometime giue betwixt them a pottle of strong stale Beere or Ale with a greate toste of wheate breade and let the Stable be kept moste cleane and sweet And if at some times you will alter their dyet for that peraduenture they will not like of that foode for horses doe differ therein as men doe then make them breade in this manner take wheate and Oates equall in substance and grinde them together as it commeth from the mill being cleane sisted from filth bake loues thereof well mingled with brused beanes otherwise the bread will clam their mouthes let it be well seasoned with salt and Anniseedes and two or three daies old before they eate it which will bee in euerie part as comfortable as the other And then doubt not but this maner of keeping wil make a moste pure blood from whence proceedeth a moste pure seede thereof a moste temperate and delicate braine a great fulnes of vitall spirits and so a moste beautifull and excellent Colt for heereby as I haue said their vegetatiue soule which is no other then their naturall vertue hauing onelye power of operations as a directer and schoolemaister to the goodnes of the qualitie of the action proceeding onely from the temperature of the braine haue their beginnings vertues from the perfect temperature of the seed and the seed from the blood it is euident to the vttermost extent of mans vnderstanding that such as the temperature of the meates are such wil be the temperature of the blood and such as the blood is such is the temperature of the seed and such as the seed such is the temperature of the braine and such as the braine is such wil be the direction of the action and operation of the colte for the faculties temperature on which they consist are altogether giuen them in the wombe without being taught by another whereby the perfection and imperfection in generation is plainely discerned and that the perfect endowment of good temperature doth possesse sufficient power to shape a perfect bodie and to increase nourish the same in perfection with long life because the knowledge of the sensitiue soule taketh onely his dependance from the temperature of the braine as his director to performe all his actions in the fulnes of perfection Now forasmuch that from the temperature of the foure first qualities hot colde moist and dry which is properly and truly called nature all the abilities of the colte both of vertue and vice doe proceed it is an euident argument of truth that the varietie of operation springeth not from the sensible soule which is one selfe in all ages but from the diuersitie of temperature by meanes whereof the Horse dooth worke diuersely in young age middle age and olde age for that it pertaketh in euery age a contrary temperature Wherefore one Horse is better then another and although Horses of equall ages are contrary in worke and one far better then the other yet the reason thereof is that one of them enioyeth a better temperature then the other and diuers from the other and therefore it is truly saide that nature maketh able and that euery creature worketh according to his nature What were else the cause that two coltes bred by one Horse and Mare should one exceed the other in excellency of action which cannot be from instinct of nature but onely from the temperature of the foure first qualities and that is the onely cause that one bruite beast performeth the workes of his kinde better then another being the onely schoolemaister to direct the sensitiue soule what to doe but the vegetatiue soule only knoweth how to forme the colte to giue him the shape which he is to keep to receiue nourishment to retaine it to disgest it to expell the excrements and if any part of the bodie doe faile she knoweth how to supply the same anew and to yeeld it composition agreeable to the vse which it is to holde But the sensitiue soule onely worketh so far in the colt that when it is foaled it knoweth to sucke to draw forth the milk with his lips to the preseruation of his nature and presently to eat onely those thinges whereon Horses accustomably do feede and heereby you see what thinges in nature are proper to the temperature and to the vegetatiue and sensitiue soule And although some wil say that God hath originally giuen to those creatures this naturall instincte yet it may not be denyed but the Naturall instincte must be the selfe-same with the temperature which we see doth diuersly gouerne in yong age middle age old age all which proceed from the temperature of the seede that begetteth it and with the descent of the horse and Mare which fashioneth the body in the womb and yet are there not two soules neither together nor successiuely neither is the vegetatiue corrupted by the arriuall of the sensitiue nor the sensitiue by the vegetatiue which being done the seminall forme vanisheth and the seede ceaseth to bee seede and that substance without shape to bee no longer seede but a Colt and when the Colt dyeth the soule
dyeth and is annihilated according vnto that rule by the corruption of the subiect the forme perisheth the matter remaineth CHAP. 37 Obseruations for better direction in breeding 1. FIrst it is to bee obserued that which most importeth generation is that the meates which the horse and Mare that are to beget and bring forth do feede vpon bee in qualitie hot and drye because the seedes and matter whereof the Colt is framed must be tarte and biting growing from the saltnesse therof so become hot and dry where through the seede vessels are stirred to generation and doe according to their weight and measure enter into the composition of the Colt and so are alwaies to endure in the mixture 2. Secondly if the braine be pure the sencible soule of the colte goeth alwaies vnited with the disposition thereof which directeth the bodie to euery action and nothing offendeth the sensitiue soule so much as to make his abode in a heauie bodie surcharged with great bones and heauy flesh and that is the reason which Plato yeeldeth that the best and finest mettle Horses are of thin bone but if the Horse be not of a iust and true proportion of temperature then vndoubtedly there is not any such perfection in that Horse 3. Thirdly the seede is meere vegetatiue and not capable of the sence but only followeth the motions of the tēperature therfore if the seed be perfect it possesseth such force that after the meate is disgested and altered it maketh them though bad and grosse to turne to his owne temperature and substance and yet cannot vtterly depriue the same of the inherent qualitie for the humors do attaine the qualitie which the meat had before it was eaten 4. Fourthly there must be great discretion vsed in feeding of the Mare vntill shee haue foaled leaste by long vse of ouerbad meates The meanes to preserue the colte in the wombe the Colte in the wombe bee impayred of that qualitie of temperature it had from the seede for otherwise it little auaileth to haue begotten a Colte of perfect seede if you make no reckoning of the meat which afterward the Mare feedeth vppon and therefore the Mare may not so far eat of contrarie meats as the Colt shall lose those good qualities which it receiueth of the seede whereof it was made And the reason heerof is cleere but neuer obserued by any for at the beginning the same being made of delicate seede and that the colte groweth euery day impayring and consuming and is to be repaired by the aliment foode it taketh it is certaine that if they be bad and of euill temperature that the continuall vse of them being in the wombe will make great alteration in nature and therfore to continue the colt in the excellency of his tēperature it behoueth that the sustenance it taketh be endowed with the same qualities as the colde doe not exceed the heat nor the moiste the dry 5. Fiftly it appeareth that colts begotten when the Horse and Mare go to grasse whereof all our practise is witnesse cannot be begotten but of colde and moist seede how excellent soeuer the horse and Mare were neither can the same colts after they are foaled by any possibilitie be restored to perfection of temperature by the best keeping in the worlde because they take the qualities of their temperature at the time of their framing Nam alteratio propria est mutatio et progressus a qualitate sensibili in aliam sensibilem qualitatem contrariorum vt albo in nigrum for a proper and true alteration is a change and going forward from one sensible qualitie into another sensible qualitie of contraries and therefore can neuer be vtterly depriued and taken from them againe no more then that which is naturally white turne naturally into blacke 6. Sixtly the meate that Horses and Mares doe eat ought specially to be regarded least their braines bee thereby distempered because the braine and the stomack are vnited and chained together with certaine sinewes whereby they enterchangeably communicate their damages and we see that some Horses are Iadish in qualitie and some good in qualitie which groweth from hauing their braine well or euill instrumentalized And if any do affirme that horses haue no braines I would haue them answere from whence he hath his sence and what is the cause of staggers in a Horse if it be not the oppression of the braine and the liuer the heart and the braine being first created and truly said the vitall spirits and arteriall blood from whence the sensitiue and motiue sinewes haue their being which go wandring thorough the whole bodie and their office is to stirre vp the powers of the horse to giue him force and vigor to worke CHAP. 38. Obiections against the former propositions IT is saide that the good qualitie of the meat that the Horse and Mare eate before the action is the cause of the good or bad temperature of the seede that the good or bad temperature of the seed maketh the goodnesse or badnesse of the Colte which beeing admitted then it is demaunded wherefore Horses and Mares that are Iades beeing so dyeted and kept should not haue a perfect temperate seede aswell as the best Horses and by consequent of the proposition as perfect and as good coltes if the perfection of generation consist onely in the temperature I answere that Iades by good direction and order with continuance therein may greatly amend better their seede but they neuer can haue a true perfect and temperate seede as the excellent Horse and Mare haue of whome my proposition is and the reason is apparant for the seede whereof the Iade was sormed was originally bad and vnperfect in temperature otherwise he had not bene a Iade and the nature of all seed is of such force that what meat soeuer the Horse and Mare eat and disgest although the naturall qualitie therof be most excellent to increase a perfect seed yet it incorporateth that substance of seed which commeth of that perfect seede into the substance of their seede and naturall qualitie thereof which neuer was of perfect temperature and then pertaking of the naturall qualitie of the iades seede it is tainted with the corruption of the intemperature thereof and so remaineth still vnperfect seede and yet the naturall qualitie of the goodnes of the meat which the Iades cat is not vtterly depriued or taken away although the predominate qualitie as to the action and operation of goodnes is carryed and transported by the seede of the Iades whose qualitie and power cannot be taken from it no more then Art out of an Artificer therfore such wil be the qualitie of the iades colt that is begotten also of vnperfect shape because that the vegetatiue sensible soule are material and corporall in the seede with the discent of the Sires which fashioneth the colte in the wombe and the perfection of shape concerneth onely the vertue of the bodie that begetteth
the equalitie of excesse therefore the heat being the sole actiue of nutrition must haue dominion ouer the moisture the subiect matter of that facultie how then can M. Lopez limit the dominion of blood onely to three moneths 7. Seauenthly it is a generall approoued truth that eury Horse other creature is framd in the womb of the foure humors and that he that hath the one hath the other but not of equall proportion for euery Horse most vsually hath more of the one humor then of the other for it doth not keepe vniformitie but very few sithence their first primary creation from God by whome they were created in true proportion of temperate mixture but sithence the defiled condition of mans nature they haue bene and so wil remain iarring and out of order from the hower of their creation vnto their death but euery slight change of the foure qualities proportion changeth not his temperature who for the short indurance of the distemperatures the bodie returneth to his former constitution but the variation of their originall constitution is the true proper cause of the diuersitie and difference of the worke which proceedeth from that inward ingendred cause of destruction the disagreement of the elements and thereupon I conclude that the goodnes or badnes for begetting of Horses cannot truly be appropriate to any season month or time of the yeare CHAP. 43. How to know vppon view if a Horse be compounded of a true temperature of the elements and when otherwise and thereupon haue a true iudgement of his naturall qualities THe true and iust proportion of the temperature of the elements in the humors when the colt is compounded in the wombe frameth him in a most perfect shape and excellent for action and long life and in reason vnpossible that a Horse of true and perfect shape can be naturally bad but contrarywise most excellent in action for there neuer was or euer shal be a perfect shaped Horse without a true proportion of the temperature of the elements and it apeareth that if the humors at the time of framing the colt in the wombe hath not any iarring or discord of temperature then do the same frame a most absolute perfect shape the truth thereof appeareth in those horses the were immediatly created by god being cōpoūded of the elements as al other creatures were of the most only absolute perfect shape because at that time man had not transgressed and vntil then there was not any iarre or discorde in the elements as all diuine and humane witnesses confesse soas it appeareth without gainesaying that the true and equall proportion of the temperature of the elements in the seede and the humors whereof the colte is cōpounded bringeth forth without some contrary accidentall meanes which is not naturall the most absolute perfect shaped Horse and of the most excellent and temperate action and what a perfect shape is I haue heerin largely set forth so as it onely remaineth to shew how you shall infallibly iudge vppon the view of any Horse whether hee was composed of an equall temperature wherby as also I haue formerly mentioned will appeare his perfection or imperfection of action which canot be truly vnderstood without the true cause therof be vnderstood for Mens Philosophi non acquescit nisi in causa rerum the vnderstanding man euermore laboureth vntill he finde out the true cause of the action he vndergoeth Aristotle the Prince of Philosophers in the first of his Metaphisickes saith that Omne ens naturaliter appetit suam perfectionem All men desire naturally to know the cause is for that all things that haue beeing do naturally desire their owne perfection and asmuch as in them is to be restored to their first perfection to conserue themselues in the excellencye thereof which cannot be attained without the true knowledge of the nature of the thing desired to beknowne how much the more honorable or beneficiall the same is to the King or common weale by so much ought the same to be in the highest superlatiue esteeme the true knowledge thereof first and aboue others to be preferred Now forasmuch as the true knowledge of this subiect euen from the time of mans transgression hath in all succeeding ages bene laboured to a restitution of his primarie perfection and yet not any thing extant to establish mans iudgement heerein let me now in so waightie a matter entreat your fauourable eares and I doubt not to giue good contentment to the iudicious and vnderstanding Reader It cannot be denyed but that the Horse and euerie other creature is compounded of the foure Elements viz. Fire Aire Water and Earth and that the iust and true proportion of the temperature of those Elements was in all those creatures which were first and originally created by God in all perfection without any manner of predominate qualitie or iarring and that the harmony thereof was the true cause of their perfectiō but at the instant of time when man trāsgressed those elements in all creatures did iarre and rebel each against the other for predominate qualitie so will continue vnto the end and consummation of all creatures the which as I haue said are now become hom-bred enemies to all creatures and the onelye cause of sicknesse and death of all creatures yet the Sympathie of nature in all creatures is such as it laboureth and so continueth to bee restored to the first and true temperature and to suppresse the iarring not onelye for their preseruation but also for restitution to their primarie creation from whence there cannot bee any truth more apparant then the nearer the Colt doth attaine the true and iust proportion of the temperature of the elements in the creation the nearer it attaineth to the primarie perfection from whence also it followeth to knowe how to chuse and to gouerne the horse and Mare that shall beget and bring foorth that their seede and substance of humors wherof euerie Colt is compounded may at the time of their action be of a true and iust proportion of temperature and that the Colt begotten may whiles it remaineth in the wombe by the nutriment it taketh be preserved in the same temperature and after the foaling so continually maintained as the true ground of all knowledge in this subiect Wherefore omitting any farther discourse I will proceed to set forth how all men vpon the onely viewe of anye horse be he olde or yong may know whether hee bee compounded of true temperature of the elements viz. Euerie perfect shaped horse hath a broad forehead and great eye to expresse his naturall boldnesse and loue vnto man leane head thinne slender leane Iawes to expresse his refyned mettell courage and quicke spirit long high reared necke to expresse the perfection of his reyne and perfect sight of the way to keepe him sure footed high reared withers to set foorth the easie going by keeping the bodye of his Rider very vpright broade
are ioynt pattentees with practise without which it is impossible to attaine to perfection in either so must hee also abandon the studye and practise of apish toies and violent helpes I knowe Non omnis fert omnia tellus Euerie ground is not fitte for euerie seede nor euerie man for euerie action nor euerie Horse for the saddle sand dooth not makegood cables neither hempe good morter Let me without offence putyou in minde of that famous and worthy ryder M. Fredericke Grison and others whose workes of ryding if without affection they be read and digested there will apeare therein a perfect picture of ignorance in the true knowledge of naturall causes or at least the reiecting of the force thereof which no doubt caused him and them to publish so many needeles forced fond and friuolous helpes for the perfection of riding and to set foorth in number Fifty seuerall formes and fashions of bits thereby to perswade that art can perfect the imperfections of Nature wherein there is not any truth more manifest then his and their imperfection in true iudgement And yet who seeth not that the Byas of mens consent hath drawne the same to be applauded and practised of all horsemen in all nations and beleeued as an Oracle from a deuine power I do entertaine reuerently esteeme the most of his grounds and rules of riding and account not any to haue written better but to set foorth so many infinite helpes and corrections onely proper and peculier for Iades whome all art knowledge and wisedome of man shall neuer perfect with continuance cannot but manifest a weake iudgement and palpable ignorance of nature and therefore all must acknowledge that euery man by nature is the obiect of change A tree the fruite whereof is neuer ripe but in the latter seasoÌ„ his nature cannot easily be discerned whiles it is greene you must see the bud the blossome and the fruite before you can iudge Ildi doda la sera it is the euening must comend the day saith the Italian and so must you clense and grinde the corne before you can eatit then no doubt shal our virtue grounded vpon rules of reason pursue effect that which our fate hath promised Inueniet viam aut faciet she will either finde a way or make one for God dooth nothing that concerneth vs without vs were it not then a Star of merrit for euery man to giue his thoughts a stronger wing to flie with petition to our most sacred Soueraigne for the placing and planting within euery shire and county of his kingdomes a sufficient vnderstanding ryder But alas who seeth not that the best enterprise is blasted in the blossome by a sinister and scandalous perswasion and yet I am assured Faciliuâ—est errare naturam quam dissimilem sui princeps possit rempublicam formare And therefore I do wish the sentence of Brutus deeply planted in the hearts of al Brittanes Vicit amor patria â—uida est peri culo â—â—rtus laudisque immensa cupido that one and all did thirst in husbanding the honour of their country and their owne vertue and withall ad their industry to the inuocation of diuine assistance so as great Brittaine may so flourish in Horsemanship as they may say to all Horsemen of other nations as Plato said to Dionisius Quid enim communicabit Olla adcacatum wherein can their earthen pipkin benefit our brasen pot Quem sua culpa premet deceptus omittetueri CHAP. 56. Short infallible rules to be obserued and practised by euerie Horseman 1. DOe not gallop your horse before he can stop well 2 Doe not runne him before hee can stop in his gallop 3 Doe not swiftly gallop him before he can stop aduance and turne readily 4. Doe not make him a runner before he bee sixe or seauen yeres olde 5. In all his dooinges from the beginning to the end keepe his reine true and his head steady for it is the foundation of all 6. In the morning earely when hee is emptie and before he eate any thing teach and exercise him euerie morning once vntil hee bee perfect and after twice in a weeke is sufficient 7. In all his teaching and exercise doe it moderately and temperately and leaue him alwaies after the well dooing of his lessons both in breath and with a good mouth 8. After he is perfect in his lessons exercise him not alwaies in one place neither keepe your selfe to a iust and certain instance of time viz. neither more nor lesse neither longer or shorter 9. In managing your horse doe not gallopp him swiftlye at the first but with a soft pace and seldome with a gallop 10 In correcting your horse for an error correct him euen in the instance of the time that he erreth and not otherwise and when he doth wel be sure to make much of him 11 In the time when your Horse is fit to run that is when he is of full strength and in perfect breath and emptie obserue in him fiue things viz. that he This must be after when he is perfect in all his lessons and in greatest perfection of strength for before that time it doth 1. Distemper hand and mouth 2. Diminisheth streÌ„gth 3. Maketh him ouer-reach 4. Faint-hearted yeelding 5. Performeth all things disgracefully 1 Gather roundly 2. Go smoothly 3. Beare his head steadily 4. Runne swiftly and 5. Stop lightly 12. In all his teaching and exercise 1. Begin softly 2. Goe forward more speedily 3. Performe the last couragiously 13 Lastlye exercise and performe all your actions with an vpright body your stirrops short and keepe your legs and your seate gracefully and comely and do all without feare or perturbation of minde Imperia dura tolle quid vitus erit CHAP. 57. The causes of sicknesse and death in the true knowledge whereof consisteth their preseruation WHen I had learned the double consideration of nature Frst in the incorrupt state and puritie of creation Secondlye in the degenerated condition of corruption I could not finde the least iarre and disagreement in the primarie nature of Horses though compounded of the contrarie natures of the foure elements but as an vndefiled nature tempered by proportion without the least discord but after mans pride had broached the deuils suggestion by the taste of the forbidden fruite then appeared the Rebellion of the elements in all creatures since which time there is not found a difference of any other cause of their diseases But to leaue the testimonies of long experience let vs proceede to shew the truth heere of more particular to know that the first cause of naturall diseases and death of all horses is contrarietie of the elements in the compound for all corruption presupposing alteration which is onely betwixt and by meanes of contrarie qualities contrarietie of the inherent qualities beeing the onelye cause of alteration is also cause of the compound corruption for our experience telleth vs that those things wherein are