sorrowe Great Ioye doth choke the interior partes and heauines doeth extinguishe and coole them so that life can not endure where heate lacketh ¶ Wherof commeth it that Mermalade of quinces taken before the repast doeth binde and close vp the belly and taken after the repast doeth vnbinde it Through his great stiptisitie or costifnest it closeth the nether partes of the ventricle and if it be taken after repast it closeth the superior partes of the stomake which being shut the meates be constrained to auoyde by the inferior parte ¶ Wherof coÌ„meth it that the Radishe rote doth greatly ayde helpe digestion and yet of it selfe almost can not be digested The Radish is compound made of diuerse qualities The more subtill partes therof are very proper and mete to cause digestion Thother which are grosse be contrarie to heate and so let digestion ¶ Wherof commeth it that the Cholerike complexions doe sonest atteine to berdes For their great heate and bicause they haue the poores large and wide ¶ Wherof commeth it that some haue curlde heare and some other smothe and streight The curlde heares do procede of the aboundaunce of heate which euidently may be sene in Mores and Ethiopians who for the moost parte haue curled heare And playne and streight heare commeth of humiditie which through his heauines doeth draw the heare downewardes ¶ Wherof commeth it that women haue their priuie partes heary and not their visage nor breste In the nether partes is more moystnes aswel by reason of the bladder as of the Matrixe there is also great resolutions of vapours which cause heare to growe ¶ But howe commeth it that heare doth also growe in them that be hanged They be continually in the Sunne and all the humors of their bodie doe resolue into vapors which causeth the heares to encrease and growe ¶ Wherof commeth it that some haue harshe and harde heare and other softe The softe heare doeth come of the litle pooers and the stiffe and harde doeth procede of the greatnes of the pooers for this cause women haue their heare more fyne and softe bycause their naturall colde doth restreine and make their pooers lesse ¶ Wherof doeth it come that they which be bashefull and shame faced ware redde and yet they ought rather to be pale bicause shame is a kinde of feare Shame is a certeine affection mingled with angre and feare for we be angrie many times as well against our selues as against other when we see a thing discouered that we would should be kept secrete Angre then in that conflict doeth ouercome feare and so the blodde often mouing in and out stayeth at length in the vpper parte vntill the motion of the spirites be appeased ¶ Wherof commeth it that in a maner al they which in their youthe be to fatte do dye sodenly The vaines of suche people be to narrowe and they are so pressed and as it were bounde together with fatnes and greace that the ayer and the spirite cannot freely passe Wherof it commeth that the naturall heate hauing no refrigoration of the aier of very force doth mortifie extinguish ¶ What causeth yonge men sooner to haue an appetite then olde men It is bycause they be of a hotter complexion ¶ Wherfore do Phisitians forbid vs meates that be to hotte Bicause they burne the blodde and do dispose it to Leprosie ¶ Wherof commeth it that women haue no beardes Bicause that substaunce which should conuert into the bearde doeth turne into the heare of the heade ¶ Wherof commeth it that Infantes and children for the moost parte do resemble their mothers notwithstanding after the opinion of many Philosophers the action and dede of generation is not of the woman That commeth of the ymagination of women ¶ What meaneth it that Garlike and Onions although they be not in the ground do sprowte and growe That is of the great aboundaunce of the humors that they haue ¶ Wherof commeth it that studie is noysome and hurtefull after repast Natural heat can not trauel both in digestion speculation at one instant Wherof commeth it that when the stomacke is grieued all the bodie languisheth The stomacke hath certeine aliaunces with the harte the brayne and the Liuer which are the principall partes of the bodie ¶ Wherof commeth it that some do thinges beste with the right hande and other some with the lefte That procedeth of the heate that commeth from the harte which maketh that syde more apte and mete vnto labor whervnto it hath his principall accesse ¶ Howe chaunceth it that all kindes of creatures be more leane in the beginning of their youth and when they be olde then in their middle age Before olde age naturall heate is in his greatest force and strength which dissolueth the fatte Olde Creatures be neuer fatte and if they be their fatte is as nothing through their great colde and drynes for the faâ—te is sustained and nourished with moistnes and heate ¶ Whereof commeth it that they which haue the hicket by retaining their breth do ease them selues of it The blowing and breth retained doeth heate the interior partes of the bodie and the hicket procedeth of nothing els but of colde ¶ Why do olde people nese with great difficultie Because their conduictes be very straight ¶ Why doeth wine mingled with water cause vomit Mingled wine is noisome to the stomacke and doeth weaken the vertue retentiue contrarywise pure wine doth comforte it ¶ Whye be they so subiecte to sickenesse that loue to drinke stronge and mightie wines Stronge wine excessiuelye dronke doeth extinguishe naturall heate and the liuor being therewith weakened cannot engendre good bloud but doeth rather ingender a certaine aquositie and waterishnes that conuerteth it selfe into a dropsie ¶ Why be not yonge children so thirstie and drye as men of greater age The moistnes of yonge children doeth kepe them from being thirstie For thirst is nothing els but a desyre of moistnes whervpon they that be of greater age be naturally more drye and therefore more thirstie ¶ Whye doeth the dronken person thinke all thinges which he seeth do runne and tourne round That commeth bycause the spirites seruing to sighte be mingled with the vapors and fumosities of the wine the heate whereof causeth the eyes to be in a continuall motion and so the eye being round maketh al thinges to seme as though they turned round And if the eye were of other fashion then round the thinges he seeth would seme also to be of the same shape ¶ What might be the cause that Asses when they be yonge do seme nimble quicke and pleasaunt to loke vpon and as sone as they begin to waxe and growe then do they appere the contrarye The Asse is of nature melancholike youth is hotte and therfore liuely and pleasaunt which neuerthelesse afterwardes doeth moderate and decrease because the melancholike qualitie beginneth to augmente and the heate of youth to diminishe ¶ Whye do hennes keckle and make
Wherof commeth it that those Creatures which are without heades for a certeyne season do not slepe It is bicause that slepe commeth from the hedde ¶ But why is that water which is sonest hott and sonest cold better then other water Bicause it is more subtill and more lighte ¶ Wherfore is the well water better then that which passeth by the mines of Leade Water hath alwaies the nature of the place where it passeth taking then the vertue of Leade which is abstersyuâ— or skowring it fretteth and hurteth the guttes and therby must nedes endomage the bodie The like is not in waters that runne by mines of golde and syluer for they comforte the bodie ¶ Wherfore is ouer great exercise or labor euill for the sight Bicause it drieth the blodde to muche ¶ Why do some beastes bring forth many yonge ones and other not so That is according as they haue bellies and receptacles for the seede ¶ Howe commeth it that men slepe better and soner on the righte side then on the lefte Bicause beyng awake he doeth leane and rest more vpon the lefte syde then vpon the right ¶ Wherfore hath Nature made the heddes of fishes so great in comparison of the rest of their bodie Bicause they may plonge them selues more easely into the bottome of the water ¶ Wherof commeth it that a flower which is brused hath not so good a smell as otherwise Bicause the earthie parte is by that meanes mingled with the swete smell and so doeth alter it ¶ Howe chaunceth it that figges which are swete and tender do neuerthelesse cause tothe ache Bicause they cleaue to the gommes through their viscositie â—limines ¶ What meaneth it that Gotes be euermore in an Ague That procedeth of their extreame heate which is nothinge els but a very Ague ¶ Why do we esteme Gotes milke to be better for our stomacke then any other Bicause the Gote taking his nourishment rather of wodde boughes then of grasse causeth his milke to be the more thicke and lesse slimie ¶ Howe commeth it that Cowe milke is more medecinable then other milke Bicause a Cowe being a great eating beast doth feede not onely vpon grasse but also vpon all sortes of grene herbes ¶ Wherfore is the milke of Shepe sweter then other Bicause it is fatter and albeit that it doeth fatten yet it is noysome to the stomacke ¶ Why is the blod of a Bull hurtfull to them that drinke it Bicause it is very fatte and full of threddes and soone waxeth harde â—â—gendring therby hurtefulnes ¶ Why do al beastes refuse to eate of any thing that a Beare hath blowen vpon or smelt vnto â–ª Bicause the blowing or smelling of a Beare is pestiferouse ¶ Wherof commeth it that among beastes some do soner followe their dâ—mmes then other That coÌ„meth bicause some sone some late do receiue knowledge to do it ¶ Why be gardens watered eyther late in the euening or rathe in the morning That the heate of the sunne may not sodenly drie them and consume the moystnes of the herbes ¶ What is the cause that euery sound or voyce is more sharpe towardes the ende then at the beginning Bicause the voice then waxeth more fâ—oble ¶ For what respect be they fearfull that dwell in hotte countries and they strong which dwell in colde countries Colde doeth restraine and thicken the fleshe which causeth the heate to be better gathered and compact within Why do olde men when they will beholde a thinge holde it somewhat farre of from their eyes The light of olde men is small grosse and troubled and hath nede therfore to be sharpened and there must be betwene their eye and the thinge which they will beholde some light to ayde their sight which causeth that they holde a space of that which they would beholde and see ¶ Wherfore be they that haue their eies rolling and tourning and their sight sterne deceuors theues and of hotte nature Deceipt and theft procede of the subtiltie of the minde and the subtiltie of the minde commeth of the subtiltie of humors caused of heate that causeth the eies to wander and the sight to be sterne ¶ Wherof commeth it that if one be dronke with to muche grene or newe wine and afterwardes drinke swete wine vpon the same the wine doeth him the lesse hurte Grene and sharpe wine remayneth longe in the stomacke and doth trouble it and by his heat pearceth the braine wherby it doth inebriat man the soner but swâ—te wine through his viscositie doth stop y e cundites wherby the vapors fumes of the grene sharpe wine shuld ascend to the braine Howe chaunceth it that the hed is worse at ease when one hath dronke tomuch wine mingled with water then when he hath dronke to much pure wine vnmingled It commeth of this that the pure wine doth digest better and so his fumosities do not offende the head wheras the wine mingled with water penetrating the substaunce of the braine can with great difficultie be dissolued Therof also it commeth that they which trauell much drinke more and be lesse dronke then they that be Idle and if perhaps they be dronke they waxe soner sober ¶ Wherof commeth it that to muche drinking of wine doth alter the bellies of those that are melancholike They that be melancholike are drie of complexion and therfore their bellies beyng moystned with wine are more laxatiue Or els the wine fyndeth in the bodies of melancholike persons many vndigested humors whoÌ„ it resolueth and digesteth throughe his heate and beinge so resolued and digested he sendeth them to the guttes and inwarde partes ¶ Wherof commeth it that they whiche are leane do many tymes dye with to much drinking of olde and strong wines And they that are fat by reason of the wine do sone waxe leane The slender bodie hath but litle heate and substanciall moistnes in it Neuertheles it semeth straunge vnto me that those which be fatte consuming by vertue of the wine their naturall moystnes can in the ende waxe leane ¶ Wherof commeth it that the eyes of dronkardes doo still water That procedeth of the humors that the wine hath engendred in the brayne wherof feling it selfe laden it sendeth the same agayne to the eyes which of their nature are full of poores ¶ Wherof commeth it that oftentimes the heares do waxe graye by reason of sickenes and doo fall away and beyng recouered againe do become blacke as they were before They that do affirme sickenes to be a kinde of age which commeth at the appoynted time and that age is a perpetuall disease of Nature haue iudged well knowinge that in dede they bothe procede of the great superfluitie of humors whiche hinder the digestion which being corrupted through the outwarde heate causeth the heare to waxe graye but retourning to health and recouering his fyrst strength the bodie also must nedes chauâ—ge wherby the heare commeth againe to his fyrst estate ¶ Wherof commeth
them selues Loue doeth laugh at such periuries Louers therfore desirouse to serue there god do sweare continuallie Or els it procedeth of a certein lightnes caused of diuerse thoughtes which doe rise in their mindes ¶ Howe chaunceth it that men leaue not to loue a woman although through age or some other accident or chaunce she waxeth ill fauored and foule That commeth of Loue which is blind and being blind can not know or iudge the imperfections of other But howe should he take knowledge of that which he can not blame And howe can he blame that which he is constrained to embrace and wholie to pursue ¶ From whence cōmeth it that moost comenlie we be geuen feruentlie to loue not those onely of whom we neuer receiued pleasure but those also whom we neuer sawe Euerie one beareth the Image of his minde in his face and therof may bee gathered some signe or token of the witt and nature of the person by meanes wherof we maie coniecture whervnto she is most enclined which is the verie spring and beginning of naturall amitie or hatred ¶ Howe chaunceth it that diuerse men can not obteine the grace and fauour of their Ladies although they doe serue them honor them and adore them Bycause as Aristotle saithe there is nothing in them worthie to be beloued But what man is he so voide of Natures grace but hath somewhat in him worthie of Loue. ¶ But what is the cause that some Suters be better beloued of their Ladies then other some The Ladie enriched with beautie and good maners is like vnto the sonne that doth euerie where equally extend his beames which notwithstanding are receiued vnequallie of some more of some lesse after their capacitie The sterres also therin doe beare some rule so that after the saying of Diogenes the Stoique the signes comune to two persons that is to saie vnder which the one and the other shalbe borne and those signes agreing do cause the willes of the same two persons to be ioyned vnited ¶ Why be these little and pretie angers and fallinges out which chaunce amonges Louers the refreshing and renewinge of Loue That shall euer be bycause Loue is like a flame that will goe out and dye yf it be not blowen and oftentimes moued Or els we may well saie that the more the thing which we desire is denied the more we desire it ¶ Wherof commeth it that we be ashamed to comunicate to other our desire and lust to the combat of Loue and of other appetites and desires as to drinke eate slepe and such like we be not ashamed Bycause that the same carnall affection is not so necessarie nor so profitable for this life as the other appetites be ¶ Wherof commeth the diuersitie of weapons wherwith Loue is wont to wounde men and women fishes birdes and other foure foted beastes Of the diuerse nature of thinges that he assayleth ¶ You will say that beautie fayling loue decreaseth I wold say yea bycause Loue is no other thing but a desire of beautie ¶ Wherof commeth it that a man being touched with loue can not ridde him selfe of that passion by any dexteritie policie or witte Loue is a certeine estate and plight that doeth wrappe and folde the minde of man and with a certeine swete mocion doeth transport him into the thing by him desired This affection riseth by the contemplation and iudgement that he hath of beautie which causeth him to conceiue in his sprite and minde suche admiracion and desire that whether he will or no he is caught in the Ginnes and nettes of Loue. ¶ Why doe the newe maried vse roquet and muske when they go to bed with their new maried wiues Bycause such thinges doe prouoke luste and engendre seede ¶ What reason haue certeine people of the North partes to seeth with water a certeine stone called Gagates causing their spouses before they lye with them to drinke therof That is to knowe whether they haue made any faulte or not before For the propertie of that Stone is soudenlie to force them to make water that haue indured and suffred the act of man ¶ Howe commeth it that yf a man geue him selfe to much to the sporte and plaie of Loue the same doeth diminishe the pleasure therof Bycause the seede being sore diminished is but a certeine waterishe matter of no great heate which can not yelde any great pleasure ¶ What is the cause that women which be of verie hote Nature cannot conceiue Great and vehement heate doeth distroie and corrupt the seede and therfore they which be verie hote are comenlie fructeles and barren ¶ Why doe some women loue men that be blacke and some other those that be faier and well collored Women of feble sight loue them that be blacke because blackenes doeth ioyne and vnite the sight to much disparcled and by this meanes doeth comforte the same Or els we may well saie that euerie thing doeth loue and desire his like They therfore which be hote of nature loue them that be blacke bycause they be more prone to heate Other which be of colder nature doe loue them that be white because they be of colde complexion the mother of whitenes ¶ Wherfore haue the auncient compared Loue to dronkennes For nothing elles but bycause it maketh men which before were colde heauie and couetous iustie and liberall ¶ Why were Oysters consecrated by the auncient to Venus Bycause Oysters doe prouoke lecherie ¶ Wherfore doe not common harlotes conceiue or yf they doe it is verie seldome The diuersitie of the seedes doeth lette conception and causeth that the same can not be reteined ¶ What meaneth it that the purse of Cupido is tyed with a Leke This prouerbe doeth declare that Loue is liberall and fyndeth no let to put his hand in his purse ¶ Which is greatest the hurt or profite that commeth of loue He that doeth not loue of him selfe estemeth the losse to be greater then the proffet ¶ Thinke ye that Loue hath iudgement or no Howe can he with iudgement cause Louers daylie as euerie man may see to fall into suche enormities ¶ Wherof commeth it that for the moste part the children which maried women doe borrowe or which be nor lawfullie begotten commonlie called Bastardes do resemble more their husbandes then those that be legitimate or lawfullie by them begotten The reason commeth of an Imagination that they haue to be soudenlie taken or espied of their husbandes And so their husbandes be alwaies in their fantasie for it semeth to them that they be continuallie before their eyes and that they saie vnto them what doest thou thou shameles whore Is this thy assured promis made vnto me at the mariage daie ¶ Wherfore be Bastardes for the moost part of better corage and more lyuelie then lawfull children That procedeth of a more ardent force and vertue of him that doeth beget them for man is more earnest in that acte when it is secretlie committed and done in
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
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
of riches had made it to licenceous ¶ Wherof came it y e Marius Viriatus Ventidius Bassus wer so excellent in armes did suffer so paciently y e labors of y e warres The one was a laborer the other a sheperd the third was a horskeper wherby all thre were vsed to gret trauel to paine to heat and cold and to sparenes of life ¶ Why would the Capadocians neuer be without a prince â–ª Experience did teache them howe profitable it was to be vnder the gouernaunce of an other ¶ For what cause was Solon estemed a foole Bicause being pursued of Pifistratus the tyraunt he loued rather to begge throughout the worlde then to tarrie with Cresus kinge of Lidia who would haue geuen him part of his Realme to the intent he mighte iustely and vertuousely gouerne which by his aduise he thought that he might atteine ¶ Why would the Aetheniens neuer become subiect to any Prince Bicause from their childehode they were accustomed to liue at libertie ¶ With what goodnes ought he to be indued that doth reigne and gouerne He ought to excede his subiectes in bountifulnes so muche the more as he doeth surpasse them in degree and honor ¶ What is the true duetie of a Prince To make his subiectes to liue quietly and godly which thing he can not doe yf he him selfe be not good iuste and vertuouse ¶ What difference is there betwene the equall and iuste Prince and the Tyraunt The one vseth thoffice of a man the other of a beaste The Prince serueth as a father to his subiectes the Tyraunt deuoureth them ¶ Howe may a Tyraunt assure him selfe in his Tyrannie By putting to deathe those that are the chiefest and moost noble Such was the councell of Thrasibulus to Periander Tarquinius superbus to his sonne ¶ Why be men naturally afraide to rebell or encounter with a Prince Bicause that after the minde of Hesiodus the Prince is established by God ¶ Thinke you that God hath any regarde of thinges to come There is nothing more certaine Romulus testifieth the same being rescued from the water and nourished with the milke of a wolfe Abidus nourished with the milke of a Hynde and Cyrus of a Goate ¶ Is it any meruell then although the Persians did worshippe them as goddes No truely Moreouer Homer and Hesiodus do affirme that principalitie and gouernement is a gifte proceding from aboue geuen vnto men therby to knowe the power of God ¶ What is the nature of a liberall man It is not onely to geue for the reliefe of the necessities of others but also to giue liberally and with a free harte ¶ Howe did the auncientes by figure and painting represent the good successe and ende of all thinges They made an Image holding in the right hande a cuppe and in the lefte hande an eare of wheate with a poppiâ—â— signifying thereby that he is well satisfied that contenteth him selfe with the fructes of the earth ¶ Wherfore was the gratitude and good remembrance that Eschines had towards his scolemaster Socrates so well coÌ„mended Bicause he gaue him selfe to serue him and a greater pleasure he could not do him ¶ Wherof commeth it that Crassus being in the beginning verie couetouse became in the ende so liberall Through the gret importunitie of beggers that neuer suffred him in quiet ¶ Why was it said that Alexandre had conquâ—red kingdomes and that Anaxarcus kept them Bicause that Alexander desperately for the sorrowe that he had slaine Clitus his great frende would haue killed him self and so haue lost at one instant the glorie of so many victories had it not bene for the great admonishions that Anaxarcus the Philosopher gaue him which preserued him from killing him selfe ¶ Why did Alexandre vse alwaies to carrie the Iliades of Homere about him Bicause by reding the factes of armes of the Auncientes he lerned the pollicies of the warres which encoraged him the more to y e desire of wars ¶ Of what disposition ought a sufficient Ambassadour to be Braue eloquente and wise For it is commonly saide that the prince is knowen by the Ambassador ¶ Why did the Romanes call their Ambassadours which went to treat of peace with the nauie Caduceatores Of the Caduceum of Mercurie which was a rodde that he helde in his hande signifying therby that the same rodde was a meane betwene them that fought and the aucthor bothe of peace and warre ¶ What was the cause that Nicomedes kinge of Bithynia instituted the Romanes to be his heyers In token of remembraunce of gratefulnes to be towardes them being by their ayde after he was chased from his estate by Mithridates king of Pontas restablished in the same againe ¶ What is that which maketh a Prince wicked To thinke that it is laweful for him to do all thinges and that all wickednes is sufferable hauing power to do what he liste His great welth and aboundaunce may be also the occasion and flatterers euill ministers and cruell men of warre suche as attende about his person ¶ Which is the hardest thing for him to do Dioclesian the Emperour saide to knowe perfectly howe to vse himselfe in his kingdome ¶ Why are Ciuile warres so greately to be contempned Bicause he that hath the vpper hande doeth not onely what he listeâ— but also they which take his parte do the same ¶ Why be Princes estemed like vnto God As God considereth the affection of man euen so the liberall and magnanimouse Prince ought to consider the hart and power of him that doeth him seruice ¶ Why was the liberalitie of Zeuxis reprehended of the Auncientes Bicause he gaue to receiue twise the valour ¶ Why did the Auncientes saie that it was no nede to offer eyther golde or siluer to Sainctes Bicause Sainctes are not couetouse and aâ—ericiouse as men be ¶ Why would not certaine of the Auncientes haue the ymaâ—es of their goddes to be in Marble or other stone Bicause they are tractable and plyant to our praiers and requestes wherfore they demed it blasphemie to iudge them to be harde harted ¶ Wherof proceded the custome that the kinges of Persia had to geue golde and syluer to all women that they met and to men dartes and arrowes Gold and syluer is conuenable to women and weapons to men ¶ Why did Plato in his lawes forbid that any god should be made eyther of golde or siluer Bicause he demed those mettalles to be the verie poyson of the world ¶ Why did the kinges of Persia vse to rewarde women that brought forthe many male children Bicause they filled the cuntrie with souldiers which serued for the preseruation of the same ¶ Howe was Caesâ—r healed of the falling euill By sobrietie and abstinence from wine ¶ Why haue many wise men studied to be obscure in these writinges To astoyne dul wittes at the first sight therby to encorage the studiouse to serche the mysteries and secretes of the same ¶ Wherof commeth it that the moost
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
loueth ¶ Why doe louers so often breake their faith and promis one to an other Youth aboundeth in heate and is subiect to diuerse and many thinges and can not staie it selfe in one thought wherby it procedeth that the auncientes haue made Uenus the mother of Loue whom many Louers do followe ¶ Doe ye thinke that by Magique arte the heart of an obstinate woman maie be mitigated to condiscend to the pleasure of a Louer All they that haue written of Naturall thinges affyrme the same The Diuines saie contrarie And I in the diuersitie of opinions in so great men dare not declare mine owne ¶ Is it possible that a couetouse man may become amorouse The forces of Loue haue alwaies beene more braue and fine then those of couetousnes So I beleue that Loue can not onelie make the Couetouse liberall but also prodigall for as the couetouse haue had no measure to get goodes so they may haue as litle to spend them yf they thinke that by money they maie inioye the thing that they loue ¶ Wherfore haue men more libertie then women to loue in moe places then one Take modestie shamefastnes and feare from women and ye take awaie their life which chaunceth not to man ¶ Wherfore be Louers continuallie readie to demaund the hartie good will of them that they loue The harte is the feate of desire and of all knowledge all which be readie to obey the thing that it loueth the ymage wherof representing it selfe pleasant before the eyes of Louers doeth rauishe from them both the hart and the principall partes And therof it commeth that being as it were robbed of them selues and oppressed with intollerable bondage they require with all importunitie to be restored and placed in their intire and former estate ¶ Wherof commeth it that commonlie we suffer our selues to be allured to loue thinges wherof there is no hope to atteine vnto That is for lacke of knowledge of the beginninges of Loue the which are light and litle And although that all hope is cut of and taken from vs to inioye the swete embracementes which Loue doeth promis Neuertheles the beautie of the thing beloued doeth delight vs and the remembraunce therof doeth occupie the braine Suche passions haue bene called of our elders domâ—ne desires bycause they doe still and stealinglie possesse the hart vnware and by litle and litle take increase And our reason should not be hindred yf it were susteined by hope ¶ Wherfore be all the ioyes of Louers vncerteine Bycause in loue there doe dailie chaunce diuerse casualties as suspicion Ialousie feare angre Peace refuse disdaine ¶ Why is Loue compared to a Darke laberinth or Maso Bycause the entrie and comming in is easie and the goyng out impossible ¶ Wherfore doe men compare loue to a Crocodill The nature of a Crocodill after the mind of those that haue written of natural thinges is to followe those that flye from him and to flye from them that doe followe him And so is it with Loue. Therfore I geue councell that who soeuer will inioy theffecte of his desires that he be not to sharpe and egre to pursue and followe his Ladie ¶ Beleue ye that Loue good iudgement maie be together I beleue no for then the foule and deformed should neuer be beloued But we see not onelie the contrarie to happen but which is worst those that be the vilest indewed with moost treason and least loyaltie and faith howe foule so euer they be are moost commonlie best beloued Wherof commeth it that diuerse which loued feruentlie to haue some comfort did soudenlie lose that great heate of loue All vehement loue doeth not longe continewe for within a while the spirite hath leasure to examine it selfe and to retourne to due vnderstanding thinking vpon all thinges that might violate and corrupt the same wherby the sensuall appetites be by this meanes restrained ¶ Why doe men call loue bothe flame and fyre It is not possible better to expresse howe insupportable a thing it is considering the heate of the desires which it ingendreth in the hartes of his seruantes and the tirannie that he vseth towardes those whiche are vnder his power whom he bringeth to ruine and consumeth like fyre without any pitie ¶ What is the cause that Louers take pleasure to retourne so often to those places where they haue had ioye and solace of their loue Bycause in so doing they conceiue Ioye and the memorie of that which they moost loue doeth refreshe them And yt semeth then that this remembraunce doeth double the pleasure alreadie receiued ¶ Why are men rather amorouse then women For that they are of hoter complexion and their spirites more quicke and prompte ¶ Why be wemen more firme and stedfast in loue then men Bycause thinges which of them selues be colde be lesse subiect to mobilitie and inconstancie then those that be hotte ¶ Wherof commeth it that women be more easelie perswaded to be loued then men Bycause they esteme them selues muche more then there is cause ¶ But why be they angrie or why doe they frowne and lower when men saie they be foule or olde Foulenes moost commonlie commeth of age and age is the high waie to death which naturallie doeth anoye and displease all persons ¶ Wherfore is it saide that the coughe and the passion of Loue can not be kept secret They be two thinges of great force for the coughe troubling the bodie can scantlie be concealed or hidden Loue is a passion proceding of a certeine fyer which by the eyes is discouered and manifesteth it selfe by the coulor of the face and by all the actes of a Louer it maie be comprehended and knowen so that without great paine and difficultie it can not be hidden ¶ From whence do the amorouse send forth so many sighes Their continuall thoughtes sende all the heate to the harte wherof it commeth that necessarilie it is conuenient for them to respire and breath of which respiration sighinges be forced wherby the coldnes of the ayer is drawen to temper the inwarde heate That maie also ryse of the consideration of the time lost of the detestation that commeth of lecherie of the vâ—â—inision of honor reputacion and finallie that the successe of dishonest loue is tragicall noysome furiouse and miserable ¶ Wherfore haue the auncient painted loue holding floures in one hande and fyshe in thother To shewe that Loue is a lorde bothe of Sea and lande ¶ Thinke you that loue doeth yelde greater force corage and strength to him that doeth combat and fight in the presence of his Ladie There is nothing more certeine And for this cause was brought in and ordeined the braue and lustie companie of the errant and wandering knightes to geue pleasure to Ladies by Iustes and turneis ¶ Who receiueth moste contentacion the victoriouse and louing knight or the gentlewoman for whom he hath fought The knight as I suppose ought to be best contented as hauing cause to
commeth the custome that the Grekes do eate a confection made of Quinces commonly called Marmalade the first night of their mariage Bicause they feare to disease and werie their spouses at the first recountre and meting ¶ Whereof commeth it that manye be in loue with Gardâ—ners Their simplicitie perchaunce is the cause Or els because gardens be dedicated to Venus and those that be continually within them do sauour of Rosemarye Margerome or of some other swete herbe ¶ Howe chaunceth it that the newe maried women the first night of their mariage go so vnwillingly to bedde and do rise the next day so lustie and ioyfull That commeth of the perfection that they haue receiued of the man for then they knowe that they be women in dede ¶ Wherfore doeth agrement in loue cause thinges to please vs which otherwise should not so doe Loue of necessitie doth enflame For we seing many to pursue the thing we loue the opinion which we haue of her beautie doeth increase in vs. ¶ Why doeth a woorde many tymes more allure the harte then longe seruice Bicause seruice was not inployed to the purpose and the worde was spoken to effecte ¶ Howe commeth it that women touched vpon the Nauell be incontinent prouoked with a desire to enter the fielde There be certaine vaines in the mawe wherof the Nauell is made and the mawe is the very seate of voluptuousnes It is no meruaile then if they be moued therevnto when they be touched vpon the same ¶ What is the cause that some louers be better pleased with the Melancholike then with the liuely and lustie Louers be easelie induced to beleue that they be beloued and perceiuing their Ladies to be Melancholike and heuie they esteme that to come of the care that they do take of them and of their affaires but it maye be that it commeth of the agrement and similitude of complexion ¶ Why be riche women more geuen to loue then the poore Idlenes is the cause who is the mother of all superfluitie I leaue to speake of the delicate meates and the good wines that the riche doeth vse without hauing any griefe or vexation which troubleth their braine ¶ Why is loue most commonly painted with his eyes bound vp Bicause he blindeth poore Louers and maketh them so like vnto beastes that they cannot at all deserne the imperfections of their Ladies ¶ Whye do Louers delighte to heare amorouse histories of Loue discribed aswell by aunciente writers as the histories written by aucthours of our time By the conformitie of their passions and likelihode of their affections ¶ Why be women well content when they be told that other women be in loue as well as they Bycause theyr faulte semeth the lesse not beyng alone spotted with that vice ¶ Wherfore do stepmothers loue their sonnes in lawe and hate their doughters in lawe They hate their doughters in Lawe because they drawe all the substaunce from their sonnes and they loue their sonnes in lawe as the principall goodnes and solace of their owne doughters ¶ Why is loue better liked in the Cuntrie then in the Toâ—â— Bycause in villages there is not so great respect and for that all commodities and thinges are not to be founde there Louers be constrained to applye themselues one to another Moreouer the pleasure of gardines of hunting fyshing and other Cuntrie delightes doe moost commonly cause men to kepe themselues at home and to forgett the toyes and follies of Townes and Cities ¶ Wherof commeth it that amourouse women be more ticklishe then other Women prone to loue be delicate for the moost parte whose skinnes be lose and softe more easie to be tickled ¶ Why do women loue them moste earnestly that had their Maydenhede and men cleane contrary hate those women whoÌ„ fyrst of all they embrased Women by the coniunction of the man doe gayne perfection and the man therby maketh him selfe vnperfect bicause the woman is a creature vnperfect and as the Philosophers say a creature caused not complete ¶ Why be some hard to be perswaded that they be beloued Bicause they perceiue not themselues amiable and because they know that in them there is nothing that may incite other to loue them ¶ Wherfore do Louers many tymes write to their Louers with the Ioyse of Onions or of Leamondes Bicause the thing which is written with suche ioyse should not appeare manifest except it be neare the fyre and they do so to kepe their loue secrete ¶ Why do not Louers subscribe their letters which they write to their Ladies and Paramoures The reason and cause is aboue mentioned beyng assured that yf their Loue â—ere disciphred they should haue lesse pleasure Besides this away shuld be opened for false tonges to impeach lett their mindes purposes ¶ Why do Louers write one to another amorouse sonnets in ryme rather then in prose Poetrie is the frend of Loue. And all the praise belonging to loue was alwaies more swetely songe and celebrated by Poetes then by Orators ¶ Wherfore do women so willingly beholde them selues in Glasses To contemplate and beholde their beautie to esteme the same as it is worthie Or els it procedeth of a certeine lightnes that is in them ¶ But wherfore vse they more willingly glasses of Stele then of Christall Stele is of a more sounde substaunce conforting with his glimse or reuerberation the sight more then Christall doeth ¶ Wherfore doe we present women with glasses gloues ringes chaines Iewels and pretie fannes to coole their faces or defende the same from the fyre Glasses do serue them to see their beautie fannes refresh and cole them cheynes to signifie that they be foles and had nede to be cheyned gloues to lett their handes from snatching still ready and proper to the spoyle Ringes that they may consider thende with the beginning and to thinke vpon the tyme present and to come ¶ What is thoccasion that many women haue liued chastely in their youthe and approching to age haue geuen them selues ouer to wantonnes It may be that in their youth they laboured muche for trauell is enemie to loue Or els they were so well loked vnto that they had no leasure or tyme to attempt that enterprise ¶ Wherof doeth it câ—me that louing and amorouse women be geuen to bable and prate more then other If loue be not to excessife it rendreth and maketh folkes ioyfull lustie and well speaking And commonlie it semeth that heauines stoppeth the Orgaines and conduictes of the voyce contrariewise Ioye and gladnes of the harte doeth open and vnlose them ¶ What is the cause that many rapt with loue doe vpon the soudein lose this loue All they which be of hote complexion be subiect to soudeine mutations and chaunges and runne hither and thither without any reste ¶ Wherof coÌ„meth it that Louers lose their eating or appetite The amorouse passions doeth disparse their hartes into sundrie parts and their liuely and vitall spirites be vnproper to
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
such a noyse after they haue layed Bicause the place where the egge laye nowe being voide is incontinently filled with ayer which coleth the belie The like happeneth to women incontinently after they be deliuered and to the yarde of a man after he hath pissed It might also be answered that the henne crieth out so for feare that some will take awaye the thing she hath layed ¶ Wherof commeth it that the bottome of a cawdron or kettle is colde although scalding water do remaine in it It is because of the hotte vapours which mount on highe wherby the vpper partes beyng made hotte the bottome is cold through the continuall water that is in it ¶ Howe chaunceth it that the graine which the Antes do lay vp in the ground is euermore bitten on the one syde Nature hath taught them to do so to take awaye the growing thereof for their owne better sustentation For corne in the earth doeth naturally growe which if it should the pore beast should be defrauâ—ed of his liuing ¶ Wherefore do the Phisitians saye that it is daungerouse to let one bloud that is fatte The vaines of grosse men be hidden and small and besides that they haue litle bloud ¶ Why doeth the Camelion chaunge colors so often That commeth of ouermuche feare and for that he estemeth his blodde so deare ¶ Why be riche men more subiect to the goute then the poore Bicause they stuffe them selues with many and diuerse meates or that they be to much ydle or els bicause they vse not conuenient excercise The same may also come through to much companye with women for there is nothing that corrupteth more the vertue digestiue then such excesse ¶ Wherfore is it not good to speake when one eateth Bicause speache doeth muche lette and hinder the chawing of meate or els it is for feare of entring or failing into some coughe and strangling ¶ Why be they that haue fewe tethe of a short lyfe They that lacke tethe can not chawe well and by that meanes they do not make suche digestion as is conuenient We see also that they whiche haue their tethe thinne sette are of weake complexion euen from their generation For yf they had bene of good and strong complexion in their beginning and generation and that the substance had bene according they should not haue had such scarsitie of tethe ¶ Wherof doeth it come that the birdes and foule which be fatte in this cuntrie yf they take their flighte into the Southe partes or into Ethiopia they retorne leaner then when they departed The southe partes be hote and drie and doeth drie that which dwelleth in them Or we maie saie that in all places that be hote and colde bothe in Somer and in Autumne there be found fructes and seedes and the daies are more longer ¶ What is the cause that birdes doe brede in the spring when they be leane and in Autumne when they are fatt and in good lyking they doo not brede The springtyde is a moderate season and all liuing thinges at that tyme be moost temperate and by that meanes are more apte to generation Contrarywise Autumne is colde and drye and by that meanes lesse fitte to that matter ¶ Wherfore do we soner vomit vpon the Seas then when we trauell on foote or horsebacke Bycause to sayle vpon the Seas is a motion the which is not after our nature but to runne is To saile is a mouing vnaccustomable and all extraordinarie thinges doe trouble man ¶ Wherof commeth it that the first fructes aswell of beastes as of trees yf they come in their season be fairer then those that come after At the first bearinges Nature is freshe and lustie in the other she is somewhat weake and impotent ¶ What is the cause that a deade corps is more heauie then a liuing bodie A liuing body is replenished with ayer and fyer which doeth kepe it tight vp for their nature is alwaies to mount on high ¶ Why doth the excessiue vse of women make vs weake Bicause it taketh away from vs our naturall heate ¶ Whye do the Phisitians commaunde salte to be caste amonges the cloutes of litle Infantes when they be swadled To harden the skinne ¶ Why did Democrites forbid his scollers whom he desired to be chaste to eate rapes Bicause rapes through the great ventositie wherwith they fill our bodies prouoke lecherie ¶ Wherfore do women with childe forbeare to eate rue For that it causeth them to be deliuered before their time ¶ Wherof doth it come that all oylie thinges do take awaye the appetite The thinges which are oylie do swimme at the mouth of the stomacke where the appetite is ingendred euen as the digestion is made in the bottome of the stomake ¶ Wherof commeth it that by to much vse of egre and sowre thinges men waxe olde before their time All thinges that consume naturall humiditie doeth cause age ¶ What is the cause that thinges whiche are salte be noysome for the sight Bicause they perce to much ¶ Wherof commeth it that women if they chaunce to fall do fall most willingly backewarde Bicause their hinder partes are more grosse and heauie then the rest through coldnes which vnto them is naturall ¶ What is the cause that we be euermore fatter in the belie and in the guttes then in any other parte Bicause the belie is nere the stomake where digestion is made ¶ Wherof commeth it that all melancholike creatures haue longe eares The eares are made of a cold and dry matter which quickly is transposed into matter of bones because that al melancholike bestes be of a cold and dry complexion we ought not to maruaile that they haue gret eares ¶ Why haue women smaller feete then men Heate being farre greater in men then in women causeth them to grow in height ingrosing and inlarging the superior partes ¶ What causeth maÌ„ to be more enclined to laugh theÌ„ to wepe Bicause it is a pleasure to laugh and a displeasure to wepe ¶ Wherof commeth it that some men do route sleping other slepe without making any noise some do speake betwene their tethe and some aloude and clere This diuersitie doeth procede of the lette that is in the apprehensiue senses accordingly as they be stopped or free ¶ Wherfore is smoke so contrary to the sight For the grossenes and sharpenes thereof The grossenes is shewed in the fume that it engendreth The sharpenes is manifested in that it mounteth alofte vnequally and as it were like cloudes ¶ Wherof commeth it that a vine hauing ashes at the roote shall bring forth better wine then any other It is bicause y e vine of it self is meruailouse moist ful of vaines which appeareth when it is cut primed in the spring tide for it auoideth forth much licor Ashes also being at y e fote of the vine doth not only drye vp the humiâ—itie of the roote stoppeth the same from mounting but also diminisheth fineth
¶ What moued Democritus to say that the soule was made and composed of Atomi that is to saye of thinges indiuisible as those thinges be which we see in the beames of the Sunne Bicause the soule is the fountayne and spring of all our actions and those Atomi be about all other thinges moost apt to motion ¶ How commeth it that creatures bred vpon the land be straÌ„gled in the water those of the water be choked with the aier Bicause that land creatures can not breathe in the water and those of the water be â—â—uffed vp with the heate of the ayer ¶ Wherof commeth it that ouermuch fasting causeth thirst Through default and lacke of nourishment wherby natural heate doth extenuate and drie vp the bodie ¶ Why doth not fyre go out beyng couered with Ashes Bicause the same being couered hath the nourishment that it requireth ¶ What moued some of the Sages to say that death is colde and without blodde Bicause our life doeth consist of heate and blodde ¶ Wherfore is there more vnderstanding in the hedde then in any other part of the bodie Bicause the hedd is as it were the bulwarke and chief part of the body ¶ Wherof is it that among herbes and plantes some come vp and grow of the seede and other of the roote That commeth of their perfection or imparfection Wherfore do herbs trees continue loÌ„ger then other creaturs Bicause their nutritiue vertue is more lustie and do easlier find wherwith to nourishe them ¶ Why is it that the greater the creature is the longer he endureth Bicause the greater they be the hotter they be and in heate the life and strength consisteth ¶ Wherfore can not heauen be subiect to corruption Bicause it is not composed of contrary elementes ¶ Why doth feare make the harte to beate Bicause the blodde when we be afraied retireth to the inward partes and hath nede to be refrigerated and coled which thing commeth by the beating of the harte ¶ Why did nature make man high and streight of stature That procedeth of his heate which following the qualitie of fyre causeth him continually to mount and grow in height or to the ende he might with his handes applie him selfe to handie worke and hardie exploites ¶ Why can litle children neither go nor stand vpright Through the feblenes of the inferior and nether partes and by reason of the greatnes and heauines of the vpper partes ¶ Wherefore are the nightes more quiet then the daies and lesse windie The motion of the ayre is let by the coldnes of the night ¶ Wherof commeth it that men of redde complection haue more reuelations by dreames then other Bicause they be of Imagination more free and liuelye ¶ Wherefore did the auncientes vse to drinke the bloud of those that were called Gladiatores which were hurt and wounded in the combats and fence plaies Bicause they were perswaded by the Phisitians that it serued against the falling sickenes ¶ Why is breade harde of digestion Bicause it lieth longe in the stomacke besides that if it be not well baked it causeth the Liuor to fill the vaynes called by tht Phisitians Meseraiche ¶ Whereof commeth it that they which are drowned at the beginning do sinke to the bottome and afterwardes when they beginne to corrupte do rise aboue the water The bodie being partly corrupted hath many open places called vents to receiue the ayer which breaking the powers the bodie becommeth verye light ¶ What is the cause that round egges do bring forth males and they which be longe females Bicause in the round egges all the vertue is equallie deuided throughout all the extremities and in the longe egge the vertue is much extended and lesse closed and so lesse hote then the other ¶ Why is not wine good fasting Bicause it engendreth the crampe and maketh a man dull and heauie ¶ Why do Phisitians vse to touche the poulse of the right arme Bicause it is the parte that is moost hott ¶ But wherfore wil they not that the pacient holde his hand harde closed nor yet stretched forthe Bicause the Synewes and Arteries be streined the hand beyng eyther stretched or closed ¶ Wherof commeth it that Hares haue so feble sight Bicause the hare is a beaste very slepie and to much slepe hurteth the sight Or els it is of to much swiftnes for ouermuche swiftnes is hurtefull to the eyes ¶ Howe chaunceth it that the pawes of a Beare are better veneson then any other part of his bodie That commeth of their continuall agitation and stirring for the Beare doeth continually walke and beate with his fete ¶ Why do Phisitians cal a disordinate appetite fames Canina the hungre of a Dogge Bicause Dogges are without measure in the appetite of eating ¶ Why do Dogges skommer with so great payne Bicause their bowell and receuing gutte is larger at that parte wher it ioyneth with the belly then it is at the place where it endeth ¶ Why are they more slepie that haue gret heds then others The greater the hedde is the more vapors it comprehendeth ¶ Why do Dwarfes loue to slepe muche Bicause great plenty of humors get forthwith into their heddes which engender in them a desire to slepe ¶ Wherfore are they moost hungrie that haue large and grosse vaynes Bicause they be of nature drye and aduâ—t ¶ What causeth them that dwell towardes the South to be lesse subiect to the falling sicknes then other people Bicause they be sound within and full of heate ¶ Wherof commeth it that the oyle of Lentils doeth heale the inflamation of the gummes Bicause it is good to take away all hotte and burning humors ¶ Why doeth the edge of a knyfe turne when one doeth cut waxe Bicause that euery agent in his accion is also pacient that is subiecte to contraries ¶ Howe commeth the humor in the eye called Glauconia which is like Cristall and hurteth the sight Eyes infected with that humor be lyke the eyes of a Ciuet and doeth come of the aboundaunce of the Christallin humor ¶ Why doeth Licorise take away thirste Bicause of his moystnes ¶ Why is the Liuer of a Wolfe medecinable for them that be diseased in the Lyuer By reason of a certeine secrete vertue in the same ¶ Why be they more hardie thaÌ„ other that haue hearie brestes Bicause they haue a boyling harte ¶ Wherfore is milke euell for the tethe and gommes Bycause of the immoderate coldenes ¶ Why doeth Lettis prouoke slepe Bicause it engendreth grosse humours ¶ Wherof commeth it that Lentilles and Colewortes be hurtefull to the sight That commeth of their crassitude and thicknes ¶ Wherof commeth it that by to much eating of Lentilles are ingendred Cankers That commeth of the melancholike blodd which Lentils do ingender ¶ Howe chaunceth it that Lions haue no marie in their bones Through thextreme heate of the saide beaste ¶ But why doeth the shining and brightnes of the moone hurte the hedde Bicause
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
eloquent and some to be dombe other astonied and other freshe and lustie That commeth of the diuersitie of their complections ¶ Wherof commeth it that the leaues of certaine trees in some part of ScotlaÌ„d falling into the sea be turned into duckes and malardes By the secret vertue of the Occean Sea ¶ Wherfore do men make collers of Aumbre for children Bicause aumbre is good against the sqinance which is a swelling in the iawes throte and it is good also against a disease called of y e Phisitians Tansille ¶ Wherof commeth the Dropsie Of a great colde in the Liuer ¶ Howe happeneth it that we become balde vpon the foreparte of the hedde Bicause that part is drie and of drines commeth baldenes ¶ But why be the heares of the temples graye sooner then of any other partes Bicause the Temples are very moyst and full of muscles ¶ Wherfore do Phisitians thinke them to be of small capacitie that haue sharpe heddes Bicause the spirites fynd not the conduictes so free and open ¶ Why be there no Serpentes in Ireland Bicause that region is nothing waterishe ¶ What causeth those that haue the Iaundis to thinke hony to be bitter Bicause of the great câ—ller wherwith they haue the tongue and pallat infected ¶ Wherof coÌ„meth it that the meates oftentimes waxe sower in the ventricle That procedeth of the coldenes of the Stomacke ¶ Why is not that ayer good which is both hote and moyst Bicause it is very subiect to be corrupted ¶ Wherof commeth it that the Aethiopians haue curld heare Of the great siccitie and drynes of their humors ¶ Why be dronken persons commonly colde Bicause wine immoderately dronken doeth cause colde effectes ¶ Wherfore is veneson more estemed and praysed of the learned Phisitians then other fleshe Bicause it is of good nourishment and engendreth good blodde ¶ Why is the white of an egge harde of digestion Through the great coldenes therof ¶ How commeth it that such beastes as haue no tethe aboue haue a double ventricle To digest the better and to supplie the default that they haue by the wante of tethe ¶ Wherfore do men drinke water and yet it nourisheth not Water causeth the nutriment to spredde throughout all the body ¶ Why is not the hande hearie within Bicause the skinne is thicke and harde ¶ Why is Autumpne so vnholsome and full of diseases Through the inequalitie of his temperature ¶ Why be the eares vnmoueable Bicause they haue no Muscles ¶ Why be no remedies conuenient to be receued in the greatest extremitie of sicknes Bicause nature should be letted ¶ Wherfore are bathes of swete water estemed Bicause they do heate and moysten and are good against tercian ague◠¶ Why doeth the Northern winde preserue thinges from putrifying Bicause it drieth muche ¶ Wherof commeth it that Buglosse tempered and dipte in wine reioyseth him that doeth eate it Bicause it augmenteth the blodde and restoreth the forces of the hart ¶ Wherof commeth it that Peone hanged about ones neckâ— doeth heale the falling sickenes That herbe sendeth certeine vapors to the hed which do drie the braine ¶ Why be stockdoues better then pigions of the douehouse Bicause they haue lesse donge and excrementes ¶ Wherof commeth it that Asur colour is pleasant to the eye Bicause in that colour is a meane of all other colours para Howe chaunceth it that although Infantes be naturally moyst are not for all that graye hedded Bicause that with their moistnes heate is conioyned ¶ Why doeth a Boare fome at the mouth when he bremeth Bicause his cundittes and generatiâ—e partes be narrowe ¶ Why doth a tame Sowe bring forthe mo Pigges then a wilde Sowe That commeth of the aboundaunce of meate and of the warmenes of the places where they liue ¶ But why can not Sowes geue milke without groning or grunting Sowes haue litle milke and the same is spred in diuerse tetes and therfore there must nedes be great force to drawe it ¶ Wherfore do we sweate more in the vpper partes of our bodie then in the lower partes The propertie of heate is to ascend and not to discende ¶ Why doeth not the dunge of wilde beastes stincke so much as other Bicause they be drie of nature ¶ Wherfore hath nature shaped a braine in liuing creatures Bicause they might easely receue and comprehend the impressions and imaginations of the thinges that they smell and vnderstand ¶ Why made nature the brayne rather colde then hotte To temper and moderate the heate of the hart for the confort and refreshing of the same ¶ Why be our eyes greater in our Infancie then when we be of more age Through the gret humiditie moistnes Wherof in like maner it coÌ„meth that we are more desirouse of slepe in our Infancie then in any other age ¶ How commeth it that mens eyes do differ so much in culler one from another Of the diuersitie of the humors wherof they be composed ¶ Wherfore is sodden water better then the colde Boild and sodden water hath lesse ventosities and is more â—lighte and subtill because the earth and heauie substaunce is separated from it ¶ Wherfore hath nature ordeined nesing in man To purge the superfluitie of the braine euen as by the cogh the milte is purged ¶ Whye doo we nese soner in the Sunne then when we be nere the fire Bicause the heate of the sunne resolueth the humor and consumeth it not but the fyre resolueth and consumeth it ¶ Wherof coÌ„meth it that the eares of all creatures do moue except the eares of a man That procedeth of a certaine muscle which is in the Iawes and doeth let and hinder the mouing of the eares ¶ Wherof commeth it that asses do soner lift vp their eares when it will raine then at any other time Their melancholike nature causeth it the like happeneth to many other melancholike beastes to pronosticate of raine as frogs dolphines crowes and Cuckoes ¶ Why haue birdes no eares Bicause they would hinder their flying for which cause they are created and made as man is made to trauell ¶ Wherfore are the waters of marishes and pondes so euel Bicause they are so flematike in sommer they do corrupt In so much as y e finest of y e water is conuerted into vapors y e erthines doth remain ¶ Wherof commeth it that they which haue hollow eies doe see better then those whose eies do stand more outward Hollowe eies haue their vertue more faste and better compacte and so they see the better and further of ¶ Why do the eies of Wolues and Cattes shine in the night and not in the day The greater clerenes doth obâ—uscate and darken the lesser ¶ Wherof commeth it that when we loke and behold our self in a glasse we do imediatly after forget our fauor The Image sene in a glasse doth represent it self to our visible sight very slenderly and by a certaine reflection and therfore can not long be