stoppe and is slimie but salt doth drie and the leauen rendreth it muche lighter ¶ Why do they serue fruite after meate and not before Bicause that a full belly demaundeth swete thinges or els the heauines of the fruicte driueth downe other meates ¶ What causeth the heares of sickemen to fall Bicause the nutriment wherwith heare is nourished and enterteyned is consumed of the adust and burnt vapors ¶ Howe chaunceth it that diuerse haue neuer any beardes Bicause they haue the poores so great that the nutriment which causeth the heare is vanished before the heare hath taken roote and therfore can bring nothing forthe ¶ Wherof commeth it that in olde folke the heare of the browes groweth more then in other members Bicause in age the bones of the browes be enlarged and do open the waie to vapours ¶ Why is the water better that runneth vpon the grauell of sande or vpon the earth so that it be not stinking then that which runneth vpon the rocke or vpon stones Bicause that earth and grauell doth clense it better then eyther stone or rocke ¶ Wherof commeth it that the heare waxeth harde sharpe when one is deade Bicause the heare is no more nourished with the vapors of the bodie and bicause the powers be closed vp ¶ But wherof commeth baldenes Of corrupt â—leame ¶ Why be men sooner balke vpon the hedde then in other partes of the bodie Coldenes of the brayne is the cause ¶ Why is it that studious and learned men be so sone balde Of the great diminution and weakenes of their spirites or els of great indigestion that causeth â—â—eame to abounde ¶ Why do we sweate more sleping then waking Bicause heate in sleping is vnited and ioyned which hath more vertue to driue away all superfluouse humors ¶ Wherof commeth it that Whales Dolphines and Sea calueâ— stincke more then other beastes Bicause their seede is more moyst and waterishe and more subiect to corruption ¶ Wherof commeth it that water put into claret wine doth refreshe it more then if it be put into white wine That procedeth of the nature of the Claret wine which is colder then the white being more earthie For the white is hotter and holdeth more of the ayer ¶ Why do we counte Raine water to be the best Bicause it is better fyned and sodden in the ayer and so more proper and mete to nourishe ¶ Wherof commeth it that many are healed of a Quarteine by a soudeine feare Lyke as the quarteyne is ingendred by sodeine mutation euen so soudeine mutation doth driue it awaie for by suche soudeine accidentes our spirites be moued and all their forces awaked ¶ Wherfore are those waters better that haue their course towardes the Easte then they that runne towardes the West Bicause that by running against the Sunne they do â—yne and waxe warme and do lose of their naturall coldenes ¶ What is the cause that a beaste beyng with yonge doeth not care any more for the male Bicause that her matrix is shutte which doeth reteyne the menstruall blodde and causeth her to lese her lust of the male ¶ Wherfore do Musitians when they entend to sing and Aduocates before they pleade eate Lekes rosted in the imbres Bicause that Lekes haue a certeine slimishe moystnes that clenseth the pipe of the longes ¶ Why do women when they haue their flowers spott their glasses yf they loke very nere them That riseth of the corrupted vapours of the menstruall blodde ¶ Wherof commeth it that women haue small voyces The organes of the voice in women are smal and litle and so gathering litle ayer it must nedes cause the voyce that issueth forthe to be smale and litle ¶ Wherof commeth it that deaffe folke for the moost parte do speake through the nose The Organ of hearing hath perticipations with the Longes which is the cause that deafenes doth commonly procede of to great aboundaunce of humors which remaine and soke in the Organ of hearing and consequently about the longes And when the longs are charged with humors it cannot wel forme the voice which causeth that the deaffe person forcing and strayning his voice doth send it to the cundittes of the nose Therfore yf the deafenes procede of repletion of humours the pacient shall speake through the nose ¶ Why do Phisitians geue order that meates in winter ought to be of a grosse nourishment and in Sommer fine and lighte Bicause in winter the naturall heate flying the calde and retyring into the inward partes doeth cause better digestion But in somer heate seking for heate is disparâ—ed and is not of force to digest ¶ Why doth to long watche make the braine feble To longe watthe doeth engendre and multiplie choler the which by that meanes doeth drie and extenuate vs. ¶ Why be all swete thinges stopping Bicause we take them with to great appetitite whereby considering their viscositie and slimines and that they be not digested they stoppe the vaines through the which the nourishment of the members of the bodie should passe ¶ Why be mothers more tender ouer their childreÌ„ theÌ„ fathers Bicause they haue had more paine in nourishing them bringing theÌ„ vp ¶ But why cannot the child borne in the eight moneth liue and the child of the seuenth moneth customably doth liue Bicause the number of seuen is a perfect number If the opinion of the Pithagorians be true ¶ Wherfore be the males more higher and greater then the females Bicause they haue in them more heat then the females ¶ Howe commeth it that bruite beastes in their slepe do not corrupt nor lose their sede Bicause they slepe not lying vpright or with the belie vpwardes ¶ Wherfore is it more easie for women to beare vpon their heddes and for men to beare vpon their shoulders Bicause that women hauing a burden vpon their heddes haue their bodie right vnder the burden and do beare it more easely being as it were a piller vnder a roufe The man contrarywise hauing his head of manye peces and the bodie more harde doth beare vpon his shoulders ¶ Wherfore be stele glasses better for the sighte then other glasses Bicause stele is harder and doth represent vnto vs more substanciallye the ayre that receaueth the light ¶ Wherof commeth it that vinegre doth stoppe bloud Bicause the nature therof is binding ¶ Why do womeÌ„ make water the bodie bowing not men Bicause their bladder is placed higher then the mannes ¶ Why haue women longer heare then men Bicause they be more flematike and the substaunce which should consume to engendre the bearde is conuerted into the heare of the head ¶ Wherfore be women more tender and smothe then men Women do pourge themselues of all superfluous humors by the flowers and so all the substaunce that might ingender heare is taken away by the same reason women blede very seldome at the nose nether are they subiecte to fistulaes nor impostumes ¶ Why do those women that be
hath Loue bene estemed a godde Bycause he maketh an Idiote to speake well a coward to be bolde and hardie a melancolike man Ioyful a heauie and slouthful man prompt and readie to all enterprises be they neuer so great Or els he is made a godde for man to excuse him selfe and to cast vpon Loue all that which by the same he hath done and susteined ¶ Why be Louers so desirous of corporall bodelie beautie Bycause beautie as auncient Poetes do affirme doth please the Goddes is agreable to men is not lothesome nor heauie to him that is indued therwith but desired aboue all thinges that may be wished ¶ what is the reason and cause of Nosegaies garlandes of floures and grene bowes wherwith Louers be wont to adorne the frontes of their Ladies lodginges It is to honor them as their goddes on earth and to shewe that such Nosegaies Garlandes and Maie bowes doe serue for the spoiles and triumphes of their Ladies and for true signes of the seruice and deuotion of their louing seruantes ¶ But wherof commeth it that we dreame seldome of the thing that we loue All louers being tossed and vexed with diuerse thoughtes can not stedfastlie graue and settle any one thing in their fantasie for their houghtes be like the circles and bubblinges of the water which are dissipated the one by the other ¶ From whence commeth it that certeine Louers vpon the viewe and sight of their Ladies doo blushe It riseth of the blodde and sprites which ascend vpwardes wherof the face fullest of poores of any part of the bodie doeth charge it selfe with coulor It may be also that it procedeth of a singuler reuerence that they beare to their Paramoures ¶ But why doo they afterwardes waxe pale There is no true louer but is troubled with some disquiet or contrarietie Yf the cause then of his paine doe present it selfe before his eyes the same doeth easelie growe and increase And so Nature retiring vnto the inward partes as into her holde or forte carieth with her both the blodde and sprites leauing the superior partes without any coulor ¶ Howe chaunceth it that barren and vnfruitfull women be more hote and prompt to loue then they which are fruitefull and beare children Bycause that suche doo moore abound with seede and do purge them selues of their naturall disease lesse then other doo ¶ Why doe Louers delight to beare in their handes Nosegaies and Apples All Louers haue desire to enioye and possesse the floure and the fruicte of others age and beautie wherin they reioyce when soeuer they see the same And so be amorouse bothe of flourâ— and fruicte and of all suche beautifull thinges that they see ¶ But why be Louers for the moost part readie to wepe Poore Louers continuallie be pricked with some Naile and fele cause wherof to complaine being of Nature fearfull suspiciouse Ielouse and troubled so that it is no merueile if such and the like passions do prouoke them to teares ¶ What meaneth it that Louers be continually as it were in a fyre The affection of Loue doeth moue and trouble their sprites which doeth raise in them this heate ¶ Why be women more prone to the combat of Loue then any other creatures at all times and seasons Nature hath indued them with more delicate touchinges and with more moderate complexion then other Besides this they be of complexion whoâ—e and moiste a thing verie proper and requisite to that plaie and pastime ¶ Howe commeth it that men take no pleasure in the plaie and game of Loue when they haue lust to make water Bycause euen then the Conduictes are full and that which is full of moistnes cannot receue other humor It maie be also that the heauines and weight of the vrine doeth restraine and stoppe the conduicte from whence the seede doeth issue and come ¶ Wherfore is the pleasure of Loue greater then all other pleasures that may be ymagined That commeth of the Sperme which passeth through all the partes of the bodie yelding vnspeakable pleasures to thother members ¶ How chaunceth it that men of melancholike complexion be more liuelie then other in combat of Loue The windie passions wherof they be full be causes of the same which make them more wakefull and disposed thervnto ¶ Why doe Phisitians praise mediocritie or seldome vse of Loues game Bycause the same doeth lighten the bodie reioyce the spretes comfort the braine recreate the senses and expelleth from them all accidentes proceding of melancholike humor Excesse also is to be blamed because it doeth weaken the bodie and is hurtefull to the sight ¶ Why doeth Nature geue to Loue so great pleasure For preseruation of mankind which through the same is continued ¶ Why doe they soone grow to graie heares which be much geuen to Loue Bycause they expell from them their naturall heate wherby life is conserued and mainteined ¶ Why doeth the beare of the hedde and eyebrowes of those that be fornicators and lecherouse soonest fall The game of Loue doeth marueilouslie coole the superior parts which being made bare and voide of blodde and sprete can not digest that which doeth nourishe the same And so the vapors proceding of digestion be not sufficient and able to ingendre heare of the hedde and eyebrowes ¶ What maketh a man after he hath committed the acte of Venus to be soudenlie melancholike and angrie Because in the doing of the same we lose and skatter the moost part of our vitall spirites which maketh vs heauie and sadde ¶ What is the cause that a man doeth sooner dispatche that acte fasting then when his bellie is full The Conduictes wherby the seede doeth passe be more open fasting then after meate ¶ Wherof commeth it that Louers care not to spend the whole night in Loue. Euery vehement passion doeth holy drawe a man thervnto and suffreth him not to geue himself to any thing els but to that wherof he thinketh and whervpon he bendeth his fantasie ¶ Why be Louers so carefull of the sight and amorouse lookes of their Ladies All Louers be wont to suffer them selues to be fedd with such allurementes and there is no part of the bodie that doeth so well manifest and declare the interior passions of the minde as the eyes Also we saie that the eyes are the true harboroughes of the harte And therof it commeth that when one kisseth the eyes affectuously as a thing desired It semeth that he kisseth the thought and the soule it selfe Wherof certeine Poetes with good reason haue written that Loue boroweth his arrowes from the eyes of Louers to serue him selfe agaynst them selues ¶ What doeth moue the Poetes to faine Venus to be of Massiue golde That may be by reason of her rare and excellent beautie or els bycause she is so much desired as golde some assigne the cause vpon the great some of golde that Louers doe consume and spend vpon Loue. ¶ What is the cause that Louers doe vse so to forsweare
it moueth the humors of the brayne and cannot afterwardes resolue them ¶ Why do some dye by to much Ioye Bicause the spirites do abandon and forsake the harte ¶ Why should men beware of tomuch fasting Bicause longe fasting ingendreth a heape of ill humors and causeth feblenes and lothesomnes ¶ Why is vineger very good for Cholerike persons and hurtefull to them that be melancholike Bicause it refresheth Choler and drieth melancholie ¶ What causeth the eyes to shedde forth teares Coldenes is thoccasion which naturally doeth make thicke and restraine wherby teares do procede ¶ Why haue thinges that be very swete and odoriferouse a certeine spice of bitternes Swete smelles do alwaies serche hotte places which commonly are somewhat bitter ¶ Wherof commeth it that thinges that nourishe and encrease milke do warme moderately without drying Bicause suche thinges do engendre blodde wherof milke commeth ¶ Why he all nourishing thinges perticipant with swetenes Bicause all swete thinges be very temperate ¶ Whereof commeth it that wyne in processe of tyme is of greater heate Bicause the waterishe partes do vanishe and auoyde ¶ Wherof commeth it that some wines waxe sower so sone Bicause in the vintage tyme they were replenished with superfluouse humours ¶ Why do men rather vse Sorrell then vineger against the inflamations of the intestines and Bowels Bicause that Sorrell is more moderate then vineger And whosoeuer is diseased therwithall should not vse any medecine that is sharpe or violent but rather pleasaunt ¶ Wherof commeth it that yealowe Choller is alwaies bytter and the blacke agre and sharpe Heate causeth bitternes and colde causeth sharpenes ¶ Why is the Catarre or Rewine sometime swete somtimes sharpe and sometimes salte Of a certeine mixture of the humours ¶ Why doeth the wilde Bore pisse before he doeth runne or flye awaye To dispatche him selfe of the heauines of his vrine the more swiftlye to runne ¶ Wherfore do Phisitians geue to infantes and yonge children a herbe called Abrotonum in english Sothernwood Bicause it killeth wormes ¶ How chaunceth it that scorpions do smite hurt sidewise Bicause their pricke and stinge is croked ¶ Why do men waxe pale when they be afraide Bicause the bloud flieth away and retireth to the vitall partes ¶ Why doth the sea called Mare mortuâ—m bringe forth nether plante nor fishe Through the great bitternes of the same ¶ What is the cause that a salte thing beinge heated againe waxeth bitter Bitternes commeth of adustion ¶ Why hath the Scorpion venime in her taile Bicause venime is the excrement of the Scorpion ¶ Wherfore did nature make mens eares so eminent standing out and of gristles To be more quicke of hering and to be lesse grieued when they be hurt ¶ Why cannot milke creame or curde beinge incorporated with hony Bicause hony with his vertue incisiue and abstersiue doeth let it ¶ Why doth not an arter or sinewe being cut growe againe as fleshe doeth Bicause they be spermaticke members ¶ Wherfore do the leaues of a Seruace tree fall together at one instant Bicause he hath no viscous or slimie humor ¶ Wherfore is a Baye tree alwaies grene Bicause the heate of that tree is alwaies tempered with humiditie and viscositie ¶ Wherfore is the female more imperfecte then the male Bicause she is more colde ¶ What caused Hipocrates to suffer those that had hotte and sharpe feuers to drinke wine To aide and helpe digestion and to strengthen the pacient ¶ Wherof commeth the Cotidian feuer Of the great haboundaunce of the fleame ¶ Why do the herbes called Penerâ—ial ditton and Nil cause women to haue their flowers Bicause their vertue and propertie is to open ¶ Wherfore is the meale of beanes good for y e spots in y e face Bycause it is meruailouse abstersiue and clensing ¶ Wherfore do we slepe better when we haue traueled then otherwise Bicause the spirites haue then more nede to be refreshed ¶ Wherof commeth it that sometimes we be laxatiue and sometimes to much costiue It is because of the feblenes of the vertue retentiue or through sharpe humor that vexeth and troubleth vs and the cause why we be bound procedeth of contrarie occasions ¶ Wherof commeth the Tertian agues Of yealowe choller corrupted ¶ Wherof procedeth the falling sickenes Of grosse fleame or rather of a melancholike humor which is retayned in the ventricles of the braine ¶ Wherfore did nature make the scull of the heade grosse thicke and hollowe The sâ—ul is grosse and thicke to defend the braine the better and holowe that the vapoures of the braine might issue out of the same more easelye for the head is a way through the which all the vapors of the body do passe ¶ Wherfore is not wine good for them that be growing still in greatnes Wine doth straight go into the head and children in there infansie haue the head grosser after the proportion of the reste of the body then in anye other age ¶ Why do melons cowcumbers cause men to make water That commeth of their great humiditie ¶ Wherfore is it not good to slepe with the face vpwardes Bicause it heateth the raines inflameth the bloud and not onelye the blud but the spirits also which are in the hollow vaine in y e gret arterie ¶ Howe commeth it that trees are more hard and stronge of the Northside then they are of the South and West side Bicause the North wind doth better harden ¶ Wherfore doo not those litle beastes or serpents that of the Latinists are called Cerastes brede nether in Cipres trees nor boxe trees In Cipres trees bitternes sharpnes in boxe trees hardnes is y e cause ¶ Wherof coÌ„meth the disease which PhisitiaÌ„s do cal Diabethe It is a disease in the raines and commeth of the feblenes of the same ¶ Wherof procedeth the swetenes of fruictes Of moderate heate ¶ Why do olde men doate so much Through the great colde that is in them ¶ Wherof procedeth y e lasque flux of y e bely called Dissenteria Of biting and sharpe humors ¶ Why do hearinges in so great multitudes leaue the Northerne and go to the Westerne Sea To enioie the temperature of that climate ¶ Why doth eating of y e brain of some beastes prouoke vomit Bicause y e brain is oilie swimmeth vpoÌ„ y e orifice mouth of y e stomake ¶ Why is grossest meat geuen â—uer at supper Bicause with slepe they make good digestion ¶ What is the cause that the pulse commonly called chichâ— peason doeth prouoke Lecherie By reason of the saltenes wherof the hul is participant ¶ Wherof commeth it that men to see the better do close one of their eyes Bicause the effecte and spirites of the one may helpe the other ¶ Wherof doeth it come that the higher the Sunne is the lesser is the shadowe Bicause the sunne beames do then reuerberate directly downewardes ¶ Why doth the force of wine make some to be
to thende to drawe more commodiously the menstruall blodde from all partes of the body ¶ Wherof commeth it that some women bring forthe longe and leane children and other some fatte and short The Childe is fashioned according to the forme of the matrix whether it be longe or shorte ¶ Wherof commeth it that sometimes the childe is bothe male and female The matrix hath as it were seuen purses or receptacles to receiue the sede and a woman may haue as many children as she hath receptables but yf she should haue mo that were a miracle She hath as it were .iii. purses on the right syde where the male children are engendred and .iii. on the lefte syde where the females are engendred there remayneth one in the middest where the Hermaphrodites is engendred that is to say suche a one as is bothe man and woman ¶ Wherof commeth it that Twinnes are not so strong as other children Bicause the seede which should serue to the generation of one is parted into two ¶ Wherof commeth it that our priuie partes are more subiect to catche hurte then the other partes of our bodie That commeth of the heat and moystnes vnited together which are the cause of all corruption ¶ Wherfore is it taken for an ill signe when the childe crieth in the belly of his mother The crying is a token of some passion and therfore yf the childe were well he would not crye ¶ Wherof commeth it that women with childe which vse to eate noughty meates as mouldy fleshe and suche like are in daunger to be deliuered before their time To eate noughtie meate corrupteth the seede and the Matrix can not kepe within it any thing which is against the stomicke and therfore it causeth it to issue forth as a thing vnworthie for the sustentation of the spirits ¶ Wherfore do yong women abhorre and lothe sundrie kindes of meâ—te soner then they that be more aged Bicause that the bodies of yong women are more tender and delicate more open ful of poores and slender and therfore they do the soner take occasion of lothesomnes Wheras the bodies of aged women are more solide and toughe and are not so sone infected as the bodies of yong women ¶ Howe chaunceth it that women sometimes through tomuch ioye are deliuered before their time Tomuche ioye cooleth the Matrix the which by that meanes can not reteyne that which it hath within it ¶ Why mâ—y we see in the water and not heare We may see in the water bicause it is a pearsing and bright substaunce but we can not heare bicause it hath no poores ¶ Why do aigre and tarte thinges cause appetite Bicause they drye and so consequently make the stomake more sharpe and close which causeth appetite ¶ Howe commeth it that we waxe drie in eating Bicause meate draweth vnto it the moystnes of the bodie as it were a sponge the bodie then being dried becommeth thirsty ¶ Wherof commeth it that vineger quencheth thirst That commeth of the coldenes of vineger which quencheth the heate of the bodie and so consequently the thirsâ—e ¶ Wherfore is there no fatnes in the tongue If the tonge were fatte and not spongie it could not so well tast ¶ Wherfore do we heare better in the night then in the day time Bicause the day time is full of bustling and noyse yea euen through the beames of the sonne which moue the ayer but the night is quiet stil. ¶ Howe hapneth it that if the vaynes be cut which are behinde the temples the partie becommeth barren The Sperme or seede commeth from the brayne through the vaynes which are about the temples which being cutte the waye also is cutte so that the seede can not descend into the genitorie partes which remayning voyde of seede causeth barennes ¶ What is the cause that the Bee dyeth by pricking with her stinge It is bicause she can not drawe backe agayne the poynt without hurting her selfe or bursting her belly ¶ Wherof commeth it that fasting spittle is good to take away spottes of the bodie and not spittle after meate Bicause the spittle after meate is full of great moystnes and is partely grosse by reason of the meat which is mingled with it in such sort that it can not so well clense as the other ¶ Why doth the smoke of brimstone make the heare white Bicause it drieth vp and purifieth the grosse matter which is disparsed among the heare ¶ Why be not children nor suche as be gelded hearie Bicause humiditie aboundeth in them and choketh vp the naturall heate not suffering it to caste forth any vapours which mighte engender eyther heare or bearde ¶ Howe hapneth it that man onely doeth become balde Bicause he is of a more rare composition and matter lesse fleshie and consequently more mete and apte to be dried ¶ Why doeth a man waxe balde first vpon the heade The hedde is a member more moyst then al the rest wherin are vnited a great number of flegmatike superfluities and therfore the same sooner waxeth haâ—de ¶ Why be the waters of Marishes and of pondes vnholsome Bicause they be continually corrupted with modde and fylthines and hauing no maner of mocion do sone putrifie ¶ Why do girles in their mothers wombes growe no faster and being brought forthe doe growe and become great sooner then boyes That procedeth of the heate in the male and of the coldenes in the female ¶ Wherfore be women more heauye when they be yonge with childe then when they be great and haue gone the moost parte of their time Bicause that the woman can not then so easely nor so well consume the humors wherof she is full as when the childe is formed which aydeth her to consume them ¶ Wherof commeth it that blodde shedde or powred vpon the grounde doeth so sone waxe thicke That commeth of his great aquositie and waterishnes ¶ wherof commeth it that he which slepeth soundely dreameth very lytle Bicause that then all the sences do accorde to do their duetie and do not wander hither and thither for to prouoke dreames ¶ Why is the Southwest winde so swete and pleasaunt Bicause it is temperate neither to hote nor to colde ¶ Wherfore hath the winde called Cecias East and by North the power to drawe the clowdes vnto him Bicause that his mocions are rounde ¶ Howe commeth it that wine dronken after a rotten or perished apple semeth bitter Bicause that all rottennes is bitter ¶ Wherfore do men blede so often at the noâ—e Bicause the nose hath more participation with the brayne then anie other member ¶ Wherof commeth it that neyther the blodde of a hart nor of a Camell doth commonly waxe thicke Bicause it is more grosse and more earthie then any other blodde ¶ Wherfore is it that neyther birdes nor wilde beastes doo at any time feede vpon any empoysoned bodies Nature hath shewed them the force of poyson which is to corrupte those that do eate it ¶
DELECTABLE demaundes and pleasaunt Questions with their seuerall Aunswers in matters of Loue Naturall causes with Morall and politique deuises Newely translated out of Frenche into Englishe this present yere of our Lorde God 1566. Imprinted at London in Paules Churchyarde by Iohn Cawood for Nicholas Englande Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum To the Studiouse and vvell disposed youthe of Englande THE learned Poete Horace myndinge to bestowe the trewe prise of wisedome vpon him that is most worthy saieth that he by good right doeth deserue the same which can best skil how to knitte and ioyne profite and pleasure together For those two thinges be as it were vncoupleable forsamuch as the gods as Hesiodus doth witnes would that profitte were dailie accompanied with sweate and trauell and that commonlie thend of pleasure is sower and bitter He therfore of good righte is to bee tearmed a passinge good workeman which can with such â—astnes of coÌ„sent incorporate vnite them as thone maie stil interchaungeably ensue and rise of thother To which entent notwithstanding their diuersitie of opinions thauncient Philosophers altogether endeuored sieking euery one after his veyne in suche sorte to pollishe and beautifie that most excellent porcion of vs the minde as prepared the better to receaue the print of vertues seale we mought in this race of frailtie climbe to some degree at least of trewe happines and sound felicitie But bicause the name of vertue is of suche maiestie as at the firste vewe it would dashe and dismaie her firste and feble beholders certaine Philosophers castinge asyde their frostie beardes and other such ceremonies of Philosophicall showe with louing care to cherishe and mainteine those soft and gentle minds that could not yet wel broke the pain full bruntes of scollerlike customes haue deuised certein pleasant confections as it were wherwith to sauce and sweten the studie of Philosophie handling eche parte therof so familiarlie that the most wild and haggard heades were oftetimes reclaimed to harken follow their holsome Lessons And so the phrigian fabler Aesope geuing fained speche and conference of talke to creatures vnreasonable vnder cloke and color therof lefte vnto the reasonable most necessary preceptes of all humanitie and morall dewtie â–ª The like hath bene from time done by a number of noble Poetes who in their fabled forgeries yf they be well marked haue vttered all maner of most depe and profound learning I speake not of the Comike writers who pretending but sport by pretie contriuement of partes and persons teache howe to beare our selues towardes all sortes and specially to shonne the cosining trappes of those that are numbred amonges the vilest kynde of people Which selfe same fruite is also to be gathered of these our common plaies and showes which grounded after a sort vpon the rules of Philosophie do whet and sharpen the wittes of the lokers on euen as the Barriers Tilte Torney wrestling leaping or running do by vse streÌ„gthen the â—â—mmes and frame the bodie better and more abâ—e to discharge when neede shall earnestly require their office of armes In respect wherof hauing fallen into my handes of late a certeine Frenche booke the woorke sure of some learned and Skilfull writer driuing principallie to the like good purpose deemed it could not bee but labour worth to spende some vacaunt daies in teaching it to speake our mother english tonge Especiallie for that in full perusing thesame I founde he had so handsomlye by waie of question couched together the moste behoueable pointes of all Philosophie as to the diligent reader mought nedesly bring with it exceding riche encrease bothe of profitte and pleasure The rather truely bicause in order of his treatise not intermedling with the particuler dewtie of any calling or estate he generallie concludeth of matter not impertinent to all degrees So that leauing the rawenes of thinfant and childishe yeres to the care and correction of their nourses and scholemasters beginneth to shape his fyrste preceptes to the best aduauntage of that age which as it is most disposed to the vanities of loue so moste likelie to be abused miscaried by thesame may here in some part lerne to knowe and eschewe the tempting deceiptes of that Boy she godde and his blinde disciples From thence leadeth he vs into the darke storehouse of natures secretes where with open eies perusing the weke condition of the world and worldely thinges yea and of vs our selues for whose sake they were principallie ordeined maie remaine therof both more mindefull and thankefull to our creatour Lastely he bringeth vs to the fountaines of good nurture teaching not onely in priuate cases of our owne liues and houses but in common welthe matters also to geue suche verdict of thinges incident as amonges the wise and sagest gouernors shal make vs estemed not altogether ignoraunt or emptie of good vnderstanding All which thinges although it is not vnknowen maie by the lerned be picked out of the works of thold autentike Clarkes yet for so much as falleth not to al men such opportunitie as wherby to rake vp their so huge infinite volumes it is to be hoped the greatest number those specially whose good spirite moueth rather to geue their leasured howres to some vertuouse exercise then to ydle and for the mooste parte dispraisable games will with suche equitie vse and constre this englishing of these brief collections as of a labour louingly vndertaken bothe for their delectable recreation of minde and profytable helpe of studie wherevnto bee wished vniuersallie moost happie successe tyll for the further benefite of them that fauour the reading of the Scriptures which truthe to saye all men aboue all thinges ought to fauour shall herevnto also be annexed the like Questions of diuinitie ryght pleasaunte familier and moost necessarie QVESTIONS OF LOVE AND THE Ansvvers WHEROF doeth it come that Ruffians Iesters and common Dauncers be lesse subiecte to Loue then other That may come by the continuall familiaritie that suche men haue with women in whom they haue no pleasure for respect of loue or whose familiaritie doeth make Loue lothesome or out of taste ¶ What is the cause that he that loueth feruently is soone angrie Because the sprites and humors of Louers be verie hote and boyle continuallie ¶ How commeth it to passe that an amorouse woman is so curious to be finely appareled and decked She doeth it to increase and set foorth her beautie therby to subdue and drawe those vnto her that be moost beautifull and desirous to Loue. ¶ But why be rough and hearie men more prone and disposed to the amorouse battell of Loue then other Bycause they abound and be more full of humors then other ¶ What hath moued certeine Greke Poetes to saie that Loue is the moost excellent amongest all the heauenly goddes It is perchaunce because there is no Philosopher that doeth teache the maner of mans life â—o well as he or maketh man more practique or quicke sprited ¶ But why
he is clogged with a double chaine To loue and to be loued be two chaines although that the one be voluntarie and the other by necessitie ¶ Doe you thinke that a woman without the preiudice and hurte of her honor maie satisfie one that hath serued her a longe tyme and season I dare not saie without preiudice But yet I wil affirme that she is to be excused yf she geue him some â—ase that hath long faithfullie serued her ¶ Whiche is the greatest ingratitude that may chaunce in loue Not to rewarde at all his seruices ¶ Why is the seruice of Loue worthie of greater rewarde then other Bycause the longer one continueth therin the greater bitternes he endureth and suffreth ¶ Thinke ye that Loue hath placed his principall treasure in women I beleue so because it hath geuen them the soueraintie aboue all men ¶ Who is the moost fortunate in loue the Attendant or the possessor The possessor hath one contentacion but the attendaunt hath more then a thousand ¶ Is loue the cause of good or euill Of good seing he maketh fooles wise ¶ Why doe men saie that loue is a perfect musitian Bycause he tuneth the sprites and affections which before hadde no agreement ¶ Why doe men saie that a faier woman is a monster in beautie Bicause it is a rare thing as monsters be ¶ Doe Courtyzans loue or doe they faine to loue There be manie reasons to saie that they loue not but experience teacheth the contrarie for I knowe them that be madde for loue and other that die for the same ¶ Wherfore doe Louers many tymes take vpon them longe Iourneis to ridde them selues from Loue Bicause dailie trauel in Iourneis do cause new and straunge thinges to appeare able to cause a man to forget loue I speake nothing of the paines men haue nor yet of the newe loues that maye chaunce which as one nayle doeth driue out an other so they make and cause them to forget their fyrste ¶ Wherof commeth it that many Louers the more they be ill intreted of their Ladies the more they be inflamed in their louâ— That commeth of a certeine constancie of Nature Or we maie well saie that all Louers be not masters ouer them selues ¶ Wherof doeth it come that the woman is more Ialouse then the man Bicause she is more fearefull and suspiciouse or elles bicause she loueth with lesse discretion then the man ¶ whether is it more difficulte to flye loue or to dissemble it when one is entangled with the same He that loueth not at al nor is ouercome with any affections can without great payne dissemble loue but where loue ruleth and mastereth it hath suche force that in despite of vs he doeth manifest and shew himselfe ¶ How chaunceth it that dyuers great amities frendships are vpon smal occasion turned into great hatred and malice That commeth through the lightnes and inconstancie of Louers ¶ Howe commeth it that he whiche is soone taken with Loue doeth soone forget it He is like to them that ryde a great gallop and by and by waxe wery ¶ Why be some more geuen to their kinne and of them take more pleasure then of other For the conformitie of bloode ¶ What meaneth it that although diuerse women beyng of Nature couetouse and holde fast yet cannot geue them selues to loue those that be riche They doe that to shewe that they will not sell their good grace but be willing to geue it liberally as beyng of a noble and gentle spirite but howe many shall ye fynde of that mynde ¶ Why doe they esteme it daungerouse to loue a man that is fayre Because that suche be moost desired or they be of Nature more proude then other For Beautie is the mother of pride ¶ Wherof commeth it that women do greatly hate those that haue forsaken them and with greater malice yf they carrie awaye any thing of theirs The double losse which they receiue is the cause ¶ Why should we not ground our loue vpon those that be to yonge Bicause they be inconstant very bolde and euer more curiouse of new seruauntes and louers ¶ Howe chaunceth it that moost commonly the beautifull desire to haue seruauntes and Louers that be faier And that the vertuous those that be vertuous Similitude and likenes doeth engendre and breade loue ¶ Howe is it that they which haue a short or dimme sight are more geuen to loue then other It maie be bicause they se not the foulnes imperfectioÌ„s so wel as others ¶ Wherof commeth it that the Contrie people do loue paiesantes better then Citizens Bicause they be more affectioned to their lyke ¶ Why doe women appeare fayrer by candle light then in the cleare daye Bicause their painting or beautie doeth glister more by candle light then otherwise euen as our body and fleshe doeth shine more beyng in the sunne then in the shadowe ¶ Which of these were it beste to serue a mayde a maried woman or a wydowe The loue of the mayde is moost constant of the widowe muche more pleasaunt and of the wedded woman more sclaunderouse and hurtefull ¶ Wherof commeth it that such as loue Religiouse men can scantly and with great payne retyre them selues The Religiouse for the most part be learned and consequently they can perswade and make the simple woman vnderstand a thousand tales and ioyes causing them to beleue that they will do them pleasure that they shal triumphe in Paradise and be placed set in the ranke and companye of Angelles ¶ Whereof commeth it that manye be so amorouse of Nunnes Bicause the hidden beautie is moost desired and because they he attired and colored with ten thousand toyes and it semeth that al their words be so swete as Suger and Rose water ¶ Wherof commeth it that those which be yonge are more amorouse then other Bycause they truste to receiue greater pleasure ¶ Wherfore is loue painted to be placed betwene slouthfulnes and hatred and that Idlenes goeth before and hatred foloweth with winges Bicause Idlenes doth engendre loue of loue many times riseth hatred ¶ Whereof commeth it that women which of nature be timerouse be neuerthelesse stronge and hardy in amorouse enterprises Bicause Loue doeth darken their vnderstanding and in thinges wherin they should be moost fearefull doeth harden and encorage them ¶ Wherof doth it come that olde women for the moost part are embraced of yong men and that sometimes old men do sooner enioye yonge women Olde women through experience be very bolde and hardie and without any regarde imploye them selues vpon yong men Olde men bicause they be not â—o be feared and that without suspicion they may speake familierlie by good aucthoritie by reason of their age â–ª doe come for the mooste parte where yonge men for nothing that they be able to doo can come ¶ What meaneth it that women geuen to Loue be more disposed to charmes and enchauntmentes then men Of their follie and fonde
digestion through being to much distracte hither and thither and plonged in affections of Loue. ¶ Why did the auncientes painte Loue with a window or a gate in his stomacke wherin were written these two wordes Farre of and at hand To show y t he which is a Louer must loue aswel in absence as in preseÌ„ce ¶ But why was he painted bare hedded To shew that betwene Louers ther should be nothing couered or hidden ¶ Wherfore do some paint Loue with the face of a man and not of an Infant To shew that a louer ought to be constant as very men be and not like the brutishe ¶ I desire to knowe wherfore the notable painter Zeuxis did painte him with a grene robe Bycause Louers lyue in continuall hope and grene doeth signifie no other thing then hope ¶ But why doeth he sett vpon the borders of his Robe these wordes Deathe and Lyfe Bycause that true Loue dureth both in lyfe and also after deathe and breaketh neuâ—r for any accident that may happen ¶ And wherfore did Appelles painte him with these wordes written in his forhedde Springe time and Sommer To showe that in Loue there is both prosperitie and aduersitie which are represented by those two seasons ¶ Wherfore do they geue him winges Bicause the desires of Louers do tend alwaies to highe thinges ¶ Wherfore do they make him a childe Bycause that whosoeuer doeth geue him selfe to loue hath no vnderstanding for moost commonlye he loseth for a thing of nought matters weightie and of great Importaunce ¶ What moued thinhabitauntes of Cipres to paint Loue hauing a Turkie bowe behind his backe and his Arrowes before It was because that loue hath a custome to wounde all them that he meteth And bycause that he secretly doth the same they place the Turkie bowe behinde his backe ¶ Wherfore be his arrowes neuer blunt but sharpe Bicause they should wound the better and enter more depely for they make him sore to feele that is wounded with them ¶ Howe commeth it that women howe dissolute or whorishe soeuer they be their bodies being vncouered do hide their priuie partes That commeth of a naturall shamefastnes or it is bicause that suche partes are filthy yll fauored to looke vpon and without any proportion Howe commeth it that one loke is more hurtefull to Louers and woundeth them more then any touching or talke That is because loue taketh his beginning of loking ¶ Why doe Louers waxe so soone pale and leane The passions of the minde doe bringe the bodie to a poore estate ¶ What is the cause that the game of Loue doeth prouoke man sometimes to slepe and sometimes to watche If it be vsed excessiuelie it hindreth slepe for the partie euacuated and made foeble by suche excesse his spirites be diminished and moued by disquieting of the brayne whervpon slepe is interupted but when the spirites be quiet and at rest then the braine is cooled and therof riseth slepe the nourice of Nature ¶ Wherof commeth it that this pastime and play doeth often times expel from vs al melancolie and heauines of minde I will shewe you with the seede there is extruded certeine adust and burning vapors which bredeth in vs heauines and melancholie Afterwardes man beginneth to waxe pensife because he hath loste and seperated from his bodie the thing that nourished his members ¶ Wherof commeth it that Postes Ryders weuers and generally they which be accustomed to great agitation of the body be more lecherouse then other Mouing doeth heate the reynes and the vessels of generation Trauell also doeth open the conduictes where the seede doeth passe and is not to be doubted but colde doeth cause the humors to be in a maner vnmoueable letting the seede from comming to the generatife partes ¶ Wherof commeth it that men of hotte stronge and good complexion absteining from copulation with women do commonly fall into the fluxe or haue the yealowe Iaundesse or be troubled with immoderate colere Men with their seede do auoyde certeine corrupt humors the which remayning in the bodie be conuerted eyther into colere or elles into the yealowe Iaundesse ¶ What is the cause that Harlottes and whores doe stincke so rammishe Bicause they seldome reteine their seede which beyng out of the Matrice doeth corrupt and stincke ¶ Is it lawfull for a louer to take his pleasure with any other besides his owne Ladie I answere no. Neuerthelesse his Ladie beyng absent and can not inioye her he may haue libertie to vse another yf she resemble his owne in suche perfection as she may be tearmed a seconde Ladie but not in any wise to fyxe his harte vpon her He then I say that vseth suche a one in his Ladies absence is the rather to be excused but neither of them is to be admitted in my iudgement yf he meane to deserue the tytle of a true Louer ¶ Tell me then what thing is Loue It is a passion that doth blind the sprites remoueth the vnderstanding taketh all the memorie awaie causeth ruine and losse of goodes maketh a man weake and is the enemie of youthe and the deathe of olde age the mother of all vices the receptacle of peâ—sife mindes a thing without â—eason without order and stabilitie and the whirlepoole of mannes libertie ¶ What is a woman of her selfe A beaste vnperfecte geuen to ten thousand passions and pleasures abhominable to be thought wel of So that yf men would doe as they ought to do they wold not follow them nor pursue them with other desire or appetite but as things ineuitable which necessitie doth constrein theÌ„ to vse ¶ Wherfore be there so fewe women that can content them selues to loue one Bicause a woman is nothing but Lecherie inâ—aciable And for this cause she careth neyther for number nor for any thing that is honest so that he be able to couer her skinne he is welcome ¶ What is the cause that Loue beyng discouered commeth seldome to perâ—ection For the lettes that commeth therby ¶ Why haue olde men the repulse of yonge women Bicause they haue not wherwithal to ease them where it Itcheth ¶ Why do women counte them beastes that be ouer curious and diligent to serue them Bycause they knowe themselues vnworthie of suche seruice ¶ Is it true that men saye when one kisseth two mouthes one of them must nedes stincke I beleue so yf he loue perfectly ¶ Howe commeth it that Louers are more suspiciouse then other Bycause their mindes be continually troubled ¶ Why is it so noysome for a riche woman to suffer trouble Riches ingendreth pride and insolencie ¶ Where do noble mindes commonly mete together Where the fayrest Ladies be ¶ What is required in a perfect Louer To feare and reuerence aboue all thinges the mighty power of Loue and to referre or reporte to him of all his thoughtes and desires ¶ Howe do men come to the fruicte of Loue By hope and perseueraunce ¶ What thinges are contrary to the kingdome
bellie of a Harte Bycause the gall of a Harte is sometimes in the tayle and sometimes in the bellie ¶ What is the cause that fatte people haue litle blodde Bycause the greace and the fatnes doe consume it ¶ Wherof commeth the saying of the Auncientes that he who is wont to eate a kinde of pulse called Lentilles is for the moost part pleasaunt and amiable It is bicause that Lentilles do cause colde humors ¶ Howe commeth it that we be more gredie to eate when the North or Northeast winde doeth blowe then at other tunes That commeth of the colde of the foresaide windes which doeth vnite and holde the naturall heate together ¶ Wherof commeth it that the Florentines when they be disposed to quenche their thirste doe drinke water mingled with Uineger I will tell you Uineger beyng of his nature colde remoueth the inflamation and heate of the stomake which prouoketh thirst and so by remouing the cause the affection also is taken awaie ¶ Wherof commeth it that the Sheperds of Nuceria in Campania within the region of Italie when they meane to geld their cattell doo laie vpon their coddes thinges stupefactiue that is to saie that properly do mortifie Things stupefactiue doe thicken the vitall spirites of the membre and do alter the complexion therof so that they let the naturall heate and stop the conduictes wherby the sperme doeth descend ¶ What meane the Shepherdes of Calabria when they liste that the Ramme shal engendre a wether lambe to tye the lefte codd and when they will that it be a female to tye vp the right â–ª The male lambe is hotter then the female and therfore moost commonlye he is engendred of the right syde and the female on the lefte Binding then the left codde the sede and likewise the generatife sprite entreth the right Codd wherby he taketh heate and force which doeth soner bring forthe a male then a female ¶ What causeth the Ethiopians and Mores when they entende to gelde their cattell to cutt their vaines which be vnder the Temples The sperme and seede for the moost parte doeth descende by the vaines aboue the Temples which beyng cutt there can no maner of humors descend from the braine and so all meanes of generation are cut awaye ¶ Wherof commeth it that to gett a stomake men vse egre and sharpe thinges That is bicause all egre thinges do drie and open the stomacke which causeth the appetite ¶ What causeth that they which haue a feminine voyce be not in any great estimation or opinion among the wise Whosoeuer hath vpon him eyther member or marke or maner of doing which is proper to any other creature whatsoeuer it be he is suerly participant of the nature of the sayde creature And bycause the woman is of small practice whosoeuer hath the voyce lyke a woman is estemed of the wise to haue litle vnderstanding or knowledge ¶ What causeth the people of Boetia to haue a grosse voyce and yet lowe and seble The Boetians be slouthfull and geuen to the bellie whiche causeth the voyce to be so lowe the reason is euident bycause their vigor and strengthe is more feble receuing and gathering lesse ayer Wherfore they cannot very well moue the muscules of the stomacke and so they are the more heauie and lesse apt to labor ¶ Wherof commeth it that they which be hastie of speach are of small constancie yll conditioned and extremely cholerike All sodeine motions come of thexiremitie excesse of heate which engendreth in men this inconstancie and lightnes to promise without any performing through Colere most coÌ„monly consider not what they say ¶ Wherof commeth it that they which haue a shirle voyce are moost commonly enuiouse and maliciouse The sharpenes of the voyce procedeth from the sharpenes of the pipes and conduictes of the longes which riseth through drinesse and coldenes Suche be melancholike persons who beyng naturally fearefull dare neuer disclose that which they thinke ¶ Wherfore be y e Aâ—maines accustomed in their huÌ„ting to hold their breath wheÌ„ they desire to here y e noyse rustling of beasts At all times when the breth is kept in then hath the hearing greater force abrode and so consequently receiueth and comprehendeth the better that which is presented whether it be sound or noyse Moreouer blowing or breathing doth somwhat let the hearing And therfore the same being reteyned the hearing is more free ¶ But wherof commeth it that many hauing the knowledge of naturall thinges do thinke it not good to drinke after fructe and specially after Melons and Pompions Wine of it selfe is penetratife in suche sort that it easely draweth with it the vndigested fructes to the vaines where they do sone corrupt and so engender very great feuers and other lingering sicknesses ¶ ¶ What is the cause that y e gentle women of Milan to make themselues fatte doe loue and vse swete wines Swete wine doth engender grosse blood and doth easely penetrate into all the partes of the bodie and is conuerted into nourishment wherof they become so fat and of good liking Grene wine sharpe doth not the same ¶ Wherof commeth it that all they which be extreme thirstie do loue no swete wines All thinges which may ingender and enflame choler are apte to make men thirstie and suche is swete wine ¶ Wherof commeth it that diuerse religiouse persons which naturally are very zelouse of Chastitie do absteine from wine Wine is hote and full of vapours and therfore prouoketh lust his heat dissolueth seede and with his ventositie causeth the courage to ryse ¶ What is the cause that the Florentines â–ª after they haue put water into wine do let it rest a certein space before they drink it The more the water is mingled and incorporated with the wine the more the fume of the wine is quenched beyng reduced as it were into one body and nature Therfore after my iudgement it should be better when the wine is newe pressed to put in water then otherwise ¶ Why be the Arabians accustomed to slepe with their bodies bowing or folded It must nedes be that Nature or they which knowe his effectes haue taught them the same For sleping so folded together their stomackes doe waxe warme digest the better and there is no windines that can hinder their digestion The body being bowed as aforesaid causeth that the bely doth receiue al ventositie eueÌ„ like vnto an open purse Contrariwise y e body stretched forth maketh the belly to close shut in such sort that it can receiue no windines the belly being bent stretched forthe stuffed on euery side with bowels inward parts which causeth that the ventosities finding no place in the belly are forced to retire els wher to hinder digestioÌ„ ¶ Why do the Polonians eate colewortes to make them selues sober when they be dronke The propertie of coleworte is to send downe to the bowels the moost materiall and grosse parte of
the wine and that which is moost subtillest and fynest to the blader and that commeth of the participation that it hath with Nitrum of saltenes And for to vse it to this effecte the colewort must not be to muche sodden ¶ Wherfore did our forefathers make difficultie to vse at their tables diuerse meates and sortes of dishes The diuersitie of meates can not be digested with one proportion of heate And so nature being troubled with indigestion of such diuersitie of meats causeth noysomnes to the stomacke and specially when it is weake ¶ Wherof commeth it that the sea is so profitable and delectable for Lazermen and such as haue the dropsie The sea prouoketh vomit and through vomiting â—â—eame and all other superfluouse humors which cause suche diseases do auoyde And so those that be infected do loue the Sea ¶ Wherefore is the Citie of Auignion rather subiect to the plague then any other place rounde about it The subtill ayer is sone infected and soone purged of the infection contrariewise the grosse ayer is not so lightly infected nor yet so soone purged ¶ Howe may the fyne and subtill ayer be knowen from the grosse and corrupt ayer The tenuitie and subtiltie of the ayer is knowen for that at the rysing of the Sunne it is soudenly heated and waxeth colde at the goyng downe therof The contrarie doth chaunce to the grosse and vitious ayer ¶ Wherof commeth it that the winter in some countries is longer then the Somer and in other cuntries the Somer longer then the winter The cause of the Sunne in the Zodiaque doeth cause mutation of the foure seasons of the yere And where the sunne continueth longest ouer the heddes of those that dwell in that region there is Somer greatest and where it is farre of winter doeth longest continewe ¶ Why is Musike more delectable in the morning then at any other tymes Bicause that all things be then in silence the sences be more lustie and waking and the minde in great moderation and temperaunce ¶ Why be fructes commonly beloued of all men For the naturall swetenes which is in them or els bicause they be of temperature hote and moyst ¶ Wherfore is the sighte aboue all the other senses mooste estemed Bycause by the sight we see the difference of all thinges Or els we may say that it commeth by the impression of Loue which taketh his first force and strength by the sighte ¶ Wherof commeth it that they which haue a feble sight write smaller letters then other Bicause they write their eyes beyng in a maner halfe closed and shut ¶ What is the cause that all ill factes doe discouer themselues by the eyes and the harte Bycause the eye is messanger of the harte It maie also be said that the face being tender and open to all vapors the same maie easelie be iudged and discouered by the alterations that it sheweth principally froÌ„ the hart ¶ Why be they that haue litle heades naturally more cholerike and disdainfull then others Bycause that the heate comming from the harte from whence anger riseth can not well be cooled and the Choser proceding from the blodde moued and boyling about the harte causeth heauines ¶ Wherof commeth it that by and by after we haue made water that parte by the which the Sperme and seede passeth doeth immediately retyre and waxe lesse Bycause the same part beyng emptie and voyde is incontinently fylled with ayer which cooleth the membres that it replenisheth ¶ What is the cause that man of all creatures is the wisest The purenes and subtiltie of his blodde ¶ Wherof commeth it that by thinking vpon straunge and horrible thinges our fleshe doeth quake and tremble Bycause the heate doeth retyre to the inferior and inwarde partes ¶ Howe commeth it that in the harte of a Stagge there is a bone Nature hath there placed it to serue for a staye and foundation of the continuall mouing and motion of his hart both in rest and trauell ¶ What is the cause that the blodde is redde Of the affinitie that it hath with y e Liuer which is the very seate of blod ¶ Howe commeth it that women haue more thicker blodde then men That procedeth of coldenes which is naturall to women and the propertie therof is to thicken ¶ How commeth it that in Horses Mules Asses and crowes men finde no gall All they haue galles but it is not in one proper place but disparsed throughout all the vaynes ¶ Why are they commonly leane which haue great Miltes The Milte doeth drawe vnto it muche matter and substaunce which would els turne to nourishment and fatnes ¶ Howe come heares to be placed vpon the hedde The Braine bringeth them forthe discharging it selfe of grosse vapors which comming forthe by the poores of the fleshe do waxe drie and turne into heares ¶ Why do diuerse fede vpon bones and not vpon heare Bicause of the ouermuch drynes therof ¶ By howe many waies may the braine be purged The watriche humors be purged by the eyes the melancholike by the cares the cholerike by the nose and the flematike by the heare ¶ Wherfore was man created with the face vpright towarde heauen and other beastes cleane contrarie To euery thing ought to be assigned the figure that is moost proper to his mouing as to the skye roundnesse to fyre the figure Piramidale that is to saye vpright and straight To man also bicause of his two fete the figure Diamâ—trale and Piramidale is very conuenient and mete ¶ What is the cause that the harte doeth alwaies sturre and is in continuall motion The ayer and the moost subtill spirites haue chosen the harte for their seate They beyng then so pure and subtill do seake meanes to stretch and enlarge them selues so farre as they may and to fill that which they finde to be voide which causeth the harte to moue and pant It may be said also that the harte being made as it were in a triangle forme although not perfectlie doe open shut in the lesse part and therfore it continually moueth ¶ Wherfore hath nature made the longes of al creatures lyke a sponge To receiue ayer the better for the refreshing and cooling of the harte and to driue away all hurtefull vapors ¶ Wherfore hath nature placed the harte in the middest of the stomacke To geue lyfe equally to all the members euen as the sonne placed in the middle of the heauen doeth equally geue light to all thinges ¶ Wherfore doeth it decline somewhat more to the lefte syde then to the right To temper the coldenes of the milte which is the seate of melancholie and placed on the lefte syde ¶ Howe commeth it that all those creatures which haue litle hartes be more hardie then they which haue greater In litle hartes the heate is better compacte and kepte and so by consequence the more vigorouse and of greater force ¶ Wherof commeth it that some doe dye throughe ioye and some through
Wherof commeth it that the milke in a womans brest soudenly decayeth yf she geue her selfe to be immoderate in luste Bicause the menstruall blodd doth not ascend to the brestes to nourishe the childe ¶ Wherof commeth it that those women that are with child of a sonne haue their right breste harder then the lefte It is because the male bredeth in the right syde and so the menstruall blodde comming to that syde to nourishe the childe maketh it more harde and styffe ¶ Wherfore hath Nature geuen vnto woman but two teates onely and vnto other Creatures mo Bicause other Creatures do bring forthe many yong ones at once and women moste commonly haue but one or two children at the moost ¶ Wherof commeth it that many times women do bringe forthe their children before their time through to muche Ioye or mirthe Great Ioye taketh away the heate of the Matrix which causeth vntimely birthe ¶ But why is the thicke and plentiful milke a token of a man childe and the milke that is cleare thin betokeneth a daughter The woman being with child with a sonne is of greater heate which thickeneth and maketh the milke to digeste contraryewise the milke of a woman being with childe of a doughter is lesse digested by hauinge of lesse heate ¶ Wherof commeth it that the milke of women whiche without respect and at all times be content to be imbrased is not good for children At that instaunt that the woman is embrased the beste and subtillest parte of the milke doeth retourne to the Matrix and to the generatiue vessâ—lles and that which is the worst remaineth in the Pappes wherby the childes fare is full slender and thinne ¶ Wherof commeth it that the milke of fayer women is not so good as of blacke women Browne women are of hotter complexion and therfore haue their milke better digested ¶ Wherof commeth the disordinate desire that women with childe haue to eate thinges that are lothesome most commonly in the firste or thirde moneth after they be conceued Suche is the appetite as the humors be which are within And bicause the humors of women with childe are corrupted it is no maruell although their appetite be without reason ¶ Wherof procede the spottes that we see many times in the Moone Of the corruptions of the earth eleuated with vapores Many learned men in Astrologie do affirme that the starres doe receiue their nourishment from the humors of the earthe ¶ Wherof commeth it that they which haue the falling sicknes do see nothing although their eyes be open That procedeth of the vnderstanding which is then as it were blind and the vnderstanding causeth the sight For the sight is no other thing â–ª but a certen power able to receiue and comprehend that which is presented vnto vs and to retourne it agayne when we will ¶ Why do they that are fatte liue but a litle while It is the want of blodde which by fatnes is consumed for the lesse blod 〈…〉 the more they are subiect to heate and colde and that is the cause 〈◊〉 why they be fructeles and barren ¶ Why do Phisitians appoint the bread for those that be sicke to be first tempered before it be geuen them The Leuaine hath a certeine corrupt heate in it which augmenteth feuers in suche sorte that it corrupteth the breade if there be to muche ¶ Wherof commeth it that the paste the more it is kneded the better it is It is bicause the licor the meale and the leuaine being well incorporated and the moystnes resolued the breade is more holsome and better ¶ Wherof commeth it that the outward partes of the bodie are more subieâ—t to colde then any other part of the same Bicause they are thinner and furder from the harte ¶ Wherof procedeth it that they whiche haue the ball of their eye great haue not so good sighte as they which haue it small Bicause the vertue of the siâ—ht filleth better and is closer in a litle ball of the eye then in a great ¶ What is the cause that strypes layed on with rodds do smart more then blowes with stickes Bicause Roddes do enter better into the bodie ¶ Wheroâ— commeth it that the herbes Pursline and Lettice do first coole and then warme the bodies of them that do vse to eate them Untill the digestion be made they do coole the bodie but the digestion made they chaunge into good blodde and so increase heate ¶ Why was the thinge callâ—d of the Italians Nimphae placed in the orifice of a womans matrix To be an Ornament or rather to kepe her matrix from colde and that it should serue the same as a couerture ¶ Why is the Capon better to be eaten then the Cocke The Capon leseth not his moistnes bicause he treadeth not the Henneâ—â—â— the Cocke doeth and therfore is better ¶ Wherof commeth it that they which haue the etique feuer or consumption do fele no paine in sickenes Euery vnequall temperature is without payne ¶ What is the cause that aâ—ter slepe we vse to stretche our selues To driue away euill vapours ¶ Why do they that haue traueled slepe better then others Bicause the spirites desire to be at reste ¶ Wherof coÌ„meth it that they which are dronke in beholding one thing do thinke that they see two or many That commeth of the continuall and souden mocion of the eyes proceding of the vapours and exhalacions of the wine ¶ Why is a Dronkard of better iudgement in thinges that are bitter egre salte and of euill taste then any other A Dronkard hath his tongue better seasoned with the licour and swetnes of the wine and hath more moystnes in his tongue then he that liueth soberly wherby he may the better iudge ¶ What difference is there betwene heauines in the hedde and dronkennes Heauines in the hede causeth oppilacions and stopping Dronkennes commeth of subtile vapours which trouble and mingle them selues with the Braine and the vitall spirites ¶ Why do men iudge him that hath a short arme to be fearfull and of euill disposition As the length and bignesse of the arme is a token of heate euen so the shorte arme doeth betoken colde for the propertie of colde is to shorten and restraine And as of heate procedeth hardenes so of colde commeth feare Being then in continuall feare lefte euill should happen vnto them it is no meruaile though they thinke alwaies of some euill ¶ Wherof commeth it that they which haue grosse chekes are of dull and harde vnderstanding Grosse fleshe commeth of grosse humors which also causeth grosse spirites and so consequently dull vnderstanding ¶ Why do they rubbe their eyes that wouldnese Nesing commeth of heate and the rubbing prouoketh heate ¶ Why do the Eagles driue away their yonge ones before they be â—ethered or fligge Bicause that without fethers they be very euill â—auored or els bicause they be very rauenouse ¶ Wherof procedeth it that most commonly a man
appetite a cupiditie insatiable a disease whiche infecteth the person making man vile and effeminate But after the opinion of the Stoiks Plato declareth that he whiche desireth to be riche muste geue ouer his appetites and heape no treasure together Other Philosophers affirme that couetousnes is a disease that poisoneth the bodie and maketh the minde effeminate and can neuer be recouered ¶ Why was Acchius the king of Lydia slaine For his extreme couetousnes which caused him to make taxes newe impostes vpon his people to gather together muche treasout Wherfore inthende his people did cast him into the riuer Pactolus which is ful of fine gold to thintent he might glut him selfe with gold after which he so much thirsted The selfe same vice of couetousnes was thoccasion of the death of Crassus who was slaine by the Persians ¶ What is liberalitie To vse richesse indifferently that is to saye to spende nether to muche nor to litle so that it is as it were a meane betwene Couetousnes and prodigalitie ¶ Why was Scopas of Thessalia so muche contempned of the wise men in his time Bicause he counted him selfe happie for that his counting house was full of those thinges that neither profited himselfe nor yet any other ¶ What is it that maketh a man happie The brideling of disordinate appetites ¶ Why did Piso reprehend the liberalitie of the Emperour Otho Bicause he gaue not his riches but threwe them away Uertue casteth nothing awaie Uertue vsurpeth nothing of any other mans Uertue hath nede of nothing ¶ Who were they that were counted infamouse in Rome They that spent their goodes vpon dishonest thinges and they which did take fines to enriche them selues by vnlawefull meanes ¶ What was the cause of the euill name of Sylla Bicause he grewe verie riche in short tyme which made him to be suspected of briberie ¶ Why did Plato saie that to liue quietlye in a Citie bothe richesse and pouertie ought to be expelled Riches maketh a man proude and pouertie induceth him to euill ¶ Wherof commeth it that Caesar was once blamed for his liberalitie Bicause being but a priuate man he vsed disorâ—inate expences vnmete for his degree And it is to be noted that that which is Prodigalitie in a priuate person is magnanimitie in a Prince ¶ Howe did Nicias obteine the fauor of the people By spending and geuing his goods liberallie although he was not very much commended of the wise Alexandre was greatly praised for despising of worldly goodes esteming his true richesse to consist in his trendes ¶ Whiche are lawefull richesse Those whiche are well gotten and suche as dâ— serue vs and not we them ¶ What is angre It is a certaine boyling blodde burning in desire to be reuenged vpon him with whoÌ„ a man is offended is alwaies accompanied with wrathe ¶ What difference is there betwene angre and wrathe The one consisteth in the will the other in the dede and the one may be without the other euen as a man may be dronke and yet notwithstanding is no dronkarde that is to saye accustomed to be ouercome with wine ¶ Why did the Romanes ordeine that when their Armies did prepare to encountre certaine bandes should make hast to geue the onset and therwithall should vtter certeine vehement cries To astoine the enemie and to encorage their owne souldiors to fighte more fiercely ¶ Of what age ought he to be that is first trained in the wars to make him perfect in the arte of warfare The yonger he is the more perfect he shalbe in warfare as witnesseth Hanibal who at the age of tenne yeres followed his father Amilcar in the warres Scipio toke vpon him to be a souldior at .xvii. yeres of age ¶ Amonges the Auncientes who hath best deserued the name of a good and valiaunt Capteine I am of the opinion of Antigonus who iudged Pirrhus to be the hardiest capteine that euer serued in the warres and most happiest yf fortune had suffred him to liue out his tyme. ¶ Why was the campe of Mars at Rome appointed harde by the Riuer of Tybre To thintent after sweaâ—ing and exercise of armes the youthe to washe away their sweate and dust should entre into the Riuer not onely to bathe them selues but also to lerne to swimme a thing so necessarie in a souldior as Alexandre repented him selfe of nothing so muche as for that he neuer learned to swimme ¶ What causeth Idlenes Cato saide that by doing nothing men did learne to do euill ¶ From whence came the great hardines wherwith Horacius Cocles was indued when he susteined such a fierce assault geuen by the enemies vpon the wodden bridge of Tybre at Rome Bicause he coulde swymme And by the same meanes Ceser escaped from his enemies in the warres at Alexandria Sertorius also vsed the same passing the riuer of Rodanus ¶ Why did the Romanes erect an Image of Claelia on horsebacke and not otherwise Bicause they flying from king Porsenna she feared not to passe through the Riuer of Tyber on horsebacke Or elles as some saye bicause she being sente backe againe by the Senate of Rome to Porsenna she presented him a fayer Horse richely garnished ¶ Why did Lycurgus make the maidens of Sparta accustomablie to runne and wrastle naked To make them the stronger to abyde the trauell of childe ¶ What ought a man chiefely to aske of God according to the minde of Philosophers Good Fortune after a man is indued with vnderstanding howe to vse the same ¶ What maner of thing is it to be very iuste To haue the knowledge of diuine and humane thinges ¶ What is the most grieuouse disease that may happen vnto a Prince To loue Flatterers ¶ Why did Agammenon the king desire rather to haue in his companie tenne Nestors then tenne Aiaces Bicause the man that is wise is rather to be desired then he that is hardye For that occasion Antigonus desired alwaies to haue Zeno with him to geue him councell concerning the affaires of his Realme ¶ What bokes ought princes to reade that they might lerne to be good Those that geue them admonishment of their duetie for no manne dareth speake vnto them that thing without great feare whiche they maye finde in wryting ¶ What was the cause of the great frendship of Lisimacâ—us towardes Philippides the Comical Poete Bicause he did not flatter which is many times the propertie both of a Poete and of a courtier ¶ What is pleasure A recreation of the spirite prouoking mannes minde to thinke to inioye any thing although not grounded vpon reason and therefore it is alwayes an enemie to vertue ¶ What is Ioye or gladnes It is a motion of the spirite proceding of a certaine opinion of a thing which we hope to enioye and therefore is vnâ—emely for a manne of greate estate bicause it troubleth the minde and causeth it to passe the limittes of reason ¶ Is it requisite then to reioise with measure Yea chiefely to haue
respecte to the inconueniencie that might happen by to muche mirthe as it chaunced to those two Romane women that thought their children to haue bene dead in the iourney of Cannas which afterwardes souâ—denly retourned safe contrarye to their mothers expectations and as it happened to Chilo who died through to muche ioye ¶ To what thing oughte a manne to haue moste regarde To vertue then to his health after that to honest pleasures and finallye to richesse ¶ What is prodigallitie It is a perturbation of the minde diminishing vertue which consisteth in spending extraordinarily and without order of reason ¶ What was the cause of the death of Apisius that wrote so diligently of cokerie He killed him selfe with nothing els but gluttonie ¶ What is Ambition It is a troubling of the minde so vehement that it consumeth the hart and spirite with great desire to atteine to glorie dignitie and honor ¶ What is it that a man ought to couet in this worlde All thinges that are honest What is assuraunce It is a vertue proper to highe and lofâ—ie mindes whiche approcheth night vnto confidence And the propertie of that vertue is to make a man alwayes â—oke with a bolde and merye countenaunce not studyinge or takinge any care for ought that may chaunce and properlye it is a tranquilitie of the minde wherevnto Phocion greatlye exhorted Alexander the great but in vaine ¶ What is Magnificence It is a vertue proper onely to princes because it consisteth in greate and harde thinges and great expences ¶ Who is he that worthelye may be called liberall Aristotle saith that it is he which spendeth his reuenue in good order and vpon thinges desent ¶ Is there anye difference betwene liberalitie and magnanimitie Great difference although they seme to be but one He that is liberall oughte to haue respect howe muche he doeth spende what that thinge is worthe that he buyeth and aboue all thinges that he doe not excede in expence of his Reuenue The magnanimouse and honorable withoute anye care for publicke expence hath respecte onelye howe he may do some great and valiaunt enterpryse ¶ Amonges the Auncientes who hath bene most excellente in valiaunce Cesar And for that cause Marcus Bibulus whoe was companion with Cesar in the office of Edilis was wont to say that it chaunced vnto him as it did vnto Pollux because like as the temple dedicated to Caâ—â—or and Pollux was called onely the temple of Castor euen so all the valiance that Cesar and Bibulus vsed together in the time they were collegnes in that office redounded only to the honor of Cesar and not of Bibulus ¶ Who was the most excellent amonges the auncientes to acknowledge and recompence a good turne done vnto him Pirrhus of whom it is sayde that he was thought to haue dyed for anger that he had not time enough to succour one of his frendes ¶ What is the nature of an vnthankefull man To forget the taste of good turnes past if a man do not perseuer still in doinge him good ¶ Who loueth more either he that doeth the good tourne or he that receaueth the same He that receaueth a good tourne is debter to him that doeth it The nature of the debter is to shunne the company of his creditour and to disdaine him when he hath not wherewithall to paye him But the creditour desireth none other thing but the health of his debter whereby he maye finde meanes sometime to be payde ¶ What is Constancie It is a vertue whiche properlye resisteth sorowe and is contrarye to Inconstancye ¶ What is the propertie of Continencie To vanquishe and subdue the Fleshly lustes And although it be a harder matter to vanquishe then to fight and resist yet the Auncientes haue better estemed the continent man then the constant ¶ Amonges the constant who haue bene the most excellent Marius Cassius Sceuola Attilius Anaxarchus Zeno Citus Pomponius Leena the harlot Pirrhus and manye others whiche haue bene happie through constancie ¶ What is trust It is a sure hope and presage of a good turne that we hope for as thogh it should without all doubte happen vnto vs. ¶ Why was Chysippus disdained of all other Philosophers For his arrogancie for he boasted that he knewe all thinges ¶ Why was Hipocrates blamed of Arrogancie Bicause he wrote to Xerxes king of Persia that he woulde not vtter his knowledge vnto barbarous people ¶ And why was Zeuxes the painter also blamed of ArrogaÌ„cy Bicause when he had painted Helena he saide that Leda her mother for all that she was gotten with childe by Iupiter had not made Helena so fayre as he had painted her ¶ Howe oughte a manne to behaue himselfe towardes his frendes In suche sorte as a man must thinke that in time to come they should be enemies although that Cicero maketh a mocke at that opinion and saith that it is the poison of frendship ¶ Howe did Milâ—iades the sonne of Cimon of Athenes obteine so great renoume Bicause there was no man howe poore so euer he was but he woulde geue eare to his request ¶ Whye was Viriatus so muche estemed of the Portugalles who were wont to dispise all other Captens Bicause he was readie in fighte and knewe howe to defende himselfe ¶ Whye was Philip kynge of Macedonia so negligent and slowe in the warres Bicause he thought it better to ouercome his enemie by policie then with effusion of bloud ¶ Howe chaunced it that the Lacedemonians when they hadde obteined victorye by force of armes didde sacrifice a Cocke and when they came vpon the enemie by policie subtiltie or knowledge they sacrificed an Oxe Bicause they estemed policie better then strength ¶ What vertues apperteine vnto strength Magnanimitie confidence assuraunce valiaunce constancie stedfastnes and pacience ¶ Why was Fabius Maxi nus crowned vniuersallie throughout all Italie with Grasse Bicause that Crowne was ordeined for Captaines and Generalles that could conducte their souldiors to the warres and retourne with them againe without losse and effusion of bloud After that sorte did Antigonus escape from the furie of Pirrhus ¶ What ought a man principallie to espect in the warres Opportunitie which Pelopidas Pirrhus and Marcelâ—us knowing not howe to vse arriued very sone to the ende of their liues ¶ Why did the Lacedemonians beate their children vppon the aulter of Iupiter To vse them to be constant and to indure stripes without making complaint ¶ What was the reason of a Lawe placed in the .xii. Tables which was that the deade should not be wepte for Bicause weping and teares do witnesse a faynt and effeminate harte ¶ What meane the Poetes to bring in Princes and knightes lamenting their misfortune To mocke them secretely for without daunger they durste not do it openlie ¶ Wherof commeth it that Alcibiades was in his tyme compared to the fishe called in Italian Polpo Bicause he was of a nature so tractable that he could manne himselfe to all vses and fashions like to the