And hee that thinketh to be strangled and to hang himselfe signifyeth after tribulations sorrowes for that to them that are strangeld we se the lyke to happen And if the dead seeme meerye and gentle they signifye good that he shal passe the present tyme luckely But if not then contrarywyse And if the deade seemeth to take away such thing which he enioyed in his lyfe tyme promiseth euil to follow But most daungerous of all others are these whiche seeme to take awaye garmentes money or meate For they eyther signifye death to the dreamer or to some of hys kyndred or acquaintance Besides if the deade seeme to giue somwhat do also signify euill vnlesse they sâ—me to geue meate siluer or garmentes And if any thinketh to digge vp treasure findinge there litle stoare of money dooth signifye the lesser harme or euill to ensue but seeminge a treasure of muche money doth signifye sorrowes and cares and foresheweth death for that Treasure is not founde wythout the digging vp of the earth nor the dead layed into it without the openinge of the earthe And this for a trueth hath bene obserued that when a certayne personne was sometymes in heauines thought in flepe that hee saw himselfe to haue very small moneye in a litle basket and that hee entered into a certaine shop wher thought he lost the same coine conueyed by thefte After whiche followed that certayne lucky tydinges came to him the same daye followinge of matters which he toke great care for and through the same was delyuered and became meerye agayne And an other whiche sent his sonne somtimes out of his countreye to gather vp money and beyng then not come home thought in sleepe that he was returned and sayde to him I haue brought thee home three Thousande and 80. Crownes who awakyng shewed this dreame vnto â—n interpreter whoe answeared that his Sonne shoulde shortlye returne with losse of hys money which the lyke happened to him To mary a mayden signifyeth death to the sick parson for that lyke things be vsed in mariage as happely in the Burial yet the same signifyeth good to him which purposeth to go a newe iourney message for that it signifyeth he shall attayne his purpose And to that person hopynge after any thing of commodity shal after attaine the same For that some profit doth alwayes ensue at the newe marrâ—ing of a wife And yet to some parsons this dreame signifieth troubles shame for that maryages are not perfourmed without trouble And if anye thinketh to marye a wydowe shall after compasse no neâ—e but some olde busines wythoute care and trouble But if any shall thinck to see hys wyfe maried to another man doth after signifye the alteration of actions or seperation And if a woman hauinge a husbande seemeth to be marryed vnto another man lyke as many wryte doth after signify that she shal eyther bury her husbaÌ„d or other wyse in some maner shal be seperated liue froÌ„ him Yet this not alwayes happeneth true Certain briefe Dreames gathered out of the Pamphlettes of the wyse Salomon holye Joseph and Daniell the Prophet with others now newlye added IF a Prynce or his wyfe shal seeme to haue ringes on the fingers declare after so manye parsons sonnes as ther appeared ringes To talke with the earth signifieth to Princes victory If it seme to a Prince to haue receyued poysoned drinke or meate that his heares seme to fal of shal after ouercome ennemyes by pollicie If it seeme to a Prince to plucke vp anye trees by the roote that he shall subdewe some of his nobles But if those trees fal of their owne accorde then those nobles shall dye without trespasse or facte of the Prince If from the foote of Trees shippes seeme to aryse then the Princes people shal encrease If a Prince seemeth to haue the Sunne in his hande signifyeth that he shall haue a Prince captyue If this semeth to a noble parson that he shal be a rebell if to a priuate parson that hee shal bee deliuered from the heauines of cares To worship the starres or before theym to wepe sygnifyeth a good turne or grace to be had at the Princes hands If to a Prince seeme Tapestrye clothes to be banged abroade signifyeth a glad tydinges or message But if they seme decayed and torne then a shorte lyfe and if but olde then that hee shal retayne a good ende only of the matter hoped after To a priuate sicke parsoÌ„ good sauours Musicke signifye health but to a Prince death A riche pompe or tryumph to a Prince sick declareth death but to a priuate man the deliuerye frome that sickenesse To a person in dignity to sit in the Clowds declareth a hasti ruine to follow to be whipped or scourged of a Maiestrate not of a Bedell or other officer withoute cryme signifyeth that the sentence of law shal be geueÌ„ against hym to his hinderance And if the same bee a frende then this shal be profitable with â—ut damage And if any seemeth to raygne declareth to hym a publick death but to a seruaunt it is good for it signifyeth libertye To see the Prince ireful is euil to al parsoÌ„s but especiallye to subiectes To worship the kinge is to worshippe Religion and god To take a cloake Crowne or sword of a Prince signifyeth good to contende wyth a kynge or some parson in Authoritye that hee shall acoÌ„plishe all his businesses that hee woulde wyth either of them And the lyke whaÌ„ he ouercommeth them in cause of the lawe To minister meate to a kynge receyueth a gift according to the maner of the meate To bee kissed of an Emperour or kyng or to talke wyth him signifyeth gayne with ioy to seeme to put on golden garmentes declareth enuye or heauines If any seeth an Eagle or done sittinge on him signifyeth honour If any seemeth to breake downe altars in sleape signifyeth death to followe If any thinketh to see or fight with Bees signifyeth ire If any thinketh to cary armoure declareth safegardes or honour To loose or breake Armoure signifyeth damage To seek Tree with fruit in sleape signifyeth gain To thinke hymselfe to be a tre signifyeth a sickness To clyme trees signifyeth good tydings or some promotion To fall out of a tree signifyeth to fal froÌ„ a greate hope To see trees grow in thy house signifyeth strangers to dwell kepe felowship with thee The leaues of plantes to fall on the sleaper declareth deceytes wyles to be forged agaynst hym And to see plaÌ„tes without roote signifyeth vaine thoughtes men of small trust vtility If a woman seemeth to bringe foorthe a peach tree shal after bring foorth a sonne of worthy maners but of shorte lyfe To bende a bowe or shoote arrowes signifyeth sorrowe or labour To loose or breake a bowe signifyeth honoure To gather to gether arrowes signifyeth wicked deceates to be intended vnto some one To finde a howe signifyeth to take a iourney If any
but rather when suche errors doe happen let vs returne them on the parson and not on the Art. For if through the mysuage of some men good thinges should be condemned what Art so good should not be misliked of what doctrine so wholsome for the people so profitable for the common wealth and so necessarye for mans vse should not be cleane banished Then should Phisicke because vnder som mens handes their pacientes prosper not be reiected Law for that sometymes iudgment is giueÌ„ amisse be abolished and the vse of Surgery because the ChirurgiaÌ„ doth often kepe the wounded in longer paynes then he nedes be cast out of a Common wealth But as these knowledges are neuer a whyt the less esteemed thought the vnskilfulnes and rashenes of the practisers put ofteÌ„tymes the patients and clyents in great hasard peril and mischiefe no more oughte thys Act of diuination to be eschewed whereby daungers may be foreseene and yet it selfe voyde of all daunger perill What hazâ—rde of life what losse of substaunce or what dauÌ„ger of lim caÌ„ a dreame put the dreamer vnto eneÌ„ so much as wheÌ„ he awaketh he wondereth how such imagination or fancy crept into his minde Be his dreame neuer so terrible or fearefull as falling into the haÌ„ds of theues werewouÌ„ded by theÌ„ fightinge in bloudy battailes or on euerye syde beset wyth enemyes in suche maner as it would make a stout maÌ„ to quake yet when he awaketh no skinne is brokeÌ„ he hath no ache in his bones he is stil in his quiet bedde as whole and as safe as when he went to rest nothinge so nor so it was onlye a dreame If now he haue his knowledge of diuination what a coÌ„fort wil it be to hym that examining the cyrcumstances in their due tyme order shal prognosticate what such things portende And thereby may solace himself with good happes and labour to preuent or hinder the imminent mysfortune or at the least arme hymselfe so stronglye wyth patience as quietly to beare theim for a mischiefe knowne of before and diligeÌ„tly loked for is not so greuous as wheÌ„ it commeth on a sodayne It is a wonderful thing and almost incredible that dreames should haue such vertu in them were it not that God hath reuealed it vnto vs When he himselfe as a meane often vsed them to open vnto his people of Israell his secrete wil and pleasure Were it not that we haue red of the wonderful chauÌ„ces in olde time foretolde by them and were it not agayn that we dayly se the effect of dreames But alas our ignorance maketh vs so blynde that we know them not vntil they be paste For a man beholdinge in his sleape the toppe or ende of an house fallinge downe hearyng a dogge to barke or houle seeynge a hare to chase a hound or a byrd to flye withoute winges will seeke no further but esteeme it as a vayne dreame laughinge at his own conceate hauing more regard to the present spectacle then to the cyrcumstaunces to come making no more accompte of them then of thinges casual natural or impossible For a house to fall doune is casuall a dogge to barcke naturall the hare to persecute the hound is agaynst nature a foule to flye withoute winges soundeth impossible Yet al these by cyrcumstances signifie such eueÌ„tes as may be for the profitte or hinderance of the dreamer It seemeth a thing against nature a thing moste straunge for a woman to be deliuered of a firebrande yf Hecuba had lefte here and sought no further then had she not knowen howe her sonne Paris wyth whoÌ„ she then went should be the destruction of his owne countrye Troye It is monstrous for a Uyne to springe out of a womans bowels and for the Braunches to couer or shadow the greate country of Asia yet this foreshewes Astiages that of his daughter should bee borne suche a child as should grow to a mighty Prince and vnnaturallye should driue him out of his kingdome For a Cignet to hane feethers sone growen out and flyinge into the element fil-filing there the ayre with most sweet tunes and sound seemeth incredible and bâ—yonde mans expectation But hauing â— further eye it may well signifye some excelleÌ„t learned maÌ„ for his learning wisedome and vertue These fewe examples gentle Reader of an infinite nomber I haue set forth to shew thee what notable destinies chauÌ„ges of fortune notable â—llucke and notable good lucke what honour what shame what singularitye in learninge and wysedome haue beene it aunciente times by dreams signifyed and foreshewed And in this my treatice smalâ— in comparison to the number I could seâ—forth I will manifest suche straunge happes as haue chauÌ„ced in later yeares and also teach the further how thou maist vsâ— and behaue thy selfe in expounding sucâ— as hereafter are to come And hear Iâ— craue at thy handes gentle Reader to vsâ— good descretion to beleeue nothing rashlye nor to pronounce anye thinge without good iudgment but first to practise iâ— wythe thy selfe secretlye and then if thy iudgementes fall out ryghte thou maisâ— the bolder communicate it wythe other â—f not coÌ„demn it not but leaue it to their â—udgementes whose learning beyng moâ—e profounde or knowledge more parfitte can better and more sincerelye interpret the same Thou knowest well enoughe that if one stringe be oute of tune it causeth aâ— vnpleasaÌ„t sound of all the rest or if the Physition preparinge remedies ageynste poysons makinge rough thinges gentle medecines do myxe theÌ„ vntoward â—y and out of season shall rather further the disease then cure the sick euen so it is wyth dreames If they beyng somtymes obscure and harde shall not be applied in their due order but shal bee negligentlye waighed ouer curious in some thing and rashe in other nothinge is by theym knowen nothinge can be by them preuented and helped Thus gentle Reader I take my leaue of thee at this time ceassinge to trouble thee anye loÌ„ger I trust I haue spoken sufficientlye to vtter my meaninge and to giue thee warning howe to deale If thou canst attayne to the knowledge ther of I wil be glad of it if thou caÌ„st not yet blame not me that wisheth it with al myâ— hart I can do no more but teache thynâ— it is to learne farewell and God prospethy doinges Qui bene coÌ„iectat vates 〈◊〉 hic optimus extat The distinction of Dreames THe cause why Auerrois dothe rather attribute this passion of Dreamyng to the Imaginatiue parte is that lyke as the motion of wakynge beginneth from the outwarde senses and endeth at the memoratiue euen so dothe the motion of sleepe contrarye begynne from this and Endeth at the outwarde motions Wherefore seeyng the same â—s a passion of the inner partes and not of â—he memoratiue nor cogitatiue For that as hee wryteth the woorkynge of â—hese is not manifested in the sleepe therefore the same shal be of the Imaginatiue whiche onelye consisteth in the mouinge â—nd continual dooyng and maye also
recyue formes of the Memoratiue when â—s the dreame is of insensible matters coÌ„â—eiued And of both the like when as the Dreame is mixâ—â—â— and of the outewarde â—oinge also lyke as of the hearinge or of â—â—e vnderstaÌ„ding And he further wryteth that when they happen trewe the same then dothe somwhat declare of that which was in the hower of knowledge and yet this for the more part not present beyng for if this woulde happen in the presente and instaunte doynge that then the same shoulde not forshewe thynges to come but rather matters presente In that alâ— thinges to come moue and woorke accordinge to their causes But how so euer the same bee yet Aristotle affirmeth that dreames may be caused by the sheadinge of formes whiche proceade frome those thinges workinge in the acte Yet hee perhappes meaneth that the same signification of the dreame is not caused in the mouing of it Wherefore howe soeuer be doubted that the vnderstandinge abstracted maye minister Imaginatiuelye theâ— knowledge of the perticuler indiuiduate wheÌ„ as the same is of the generall things by the whiche it doth manifestlye appear that certaine are indiuiduates of the simple substances and certaine of the mixte So that either they be â—uinge and as thâ— mineralles or haue lyfe woorking as thâ— plantes or otherwyse sensitiue as thâ— Beastes or of vnderstandinge as men And of the accidentes also certaine are in the Symples certayne in the Myxte and certayne in Beastes and of these besides certaine are of nature and certayne by Arte and of it selfe also or of happe So that these not otherwyse mente but onelye by accidente Wherefore al the indiuiduates of the simple and compâ—â—be by substaunces and of all other Accidenâ—es by theymselues haue terminate causes whiche althoughe they maye bee vnderstanded by our conceiuinge of theym yet â—â—n they not be vnderstanden of theymsâ—lues in that these happen not vnder the seÌ„â—es nor as thinges to come But to be briefe lyke as the Phisition by twooe propositions of whiche the one generall intelligible conceiued by arte and that other particuler and sensible inuented of some what maye prognosticâ—â—e vppon sicknesses and health euen so the knowledge or dreames may proceade of two causes the one of the vniuersail that is by the vndersâ—â—â—dinge whiche doth illuminat the Imaginatiue and the other of the particuler vnder that In that dreames for the more parte are caused of those matters whiche bee knowen to the dreamer And of this he concludeth that y knowledge of the imaginatiue is rather ended at the similitude or kynde of the indiuiduate then at the indiuiduate it selfe Because that if the same bee illuminated by the vnderstandinge then is that continually procured to bee caused like it with the kynde whithe is more spirituall then the indiuiduat And a man also doth more comprehend in his dreame then wakinge in the daye tyme because in a dreame iâ— more resolued theÌ„ that in the daye whichâ— is troubled throughe the doinges of the outwarde senses And hee concludeth also that a dreame is none other then a fantastical appearaunce whiche the persone sleapynge conceiueth For if they are of those affections which bee in vs theâ— is the same either of the part of the spiritâ— and in suche sort are they rather causes oâ— the parte of the bodye and are signes buâ— those whiche are causes of theim beynge without vs seeing by no maner they maâ— be in our power therefore are they name â— accidentes And a like example may herâ— â—e applyed of the Eclipse of the Sunne whose cause is the Moone which runneth â—etwene But the signe is a starre appeaâ—inge in the day tyme running vnder the â—ight of the Sunne or as the roughnes of â—he tongue which declareth the signe of a â—euer So that a dream is the onely cause â—n that whiche imagineth the venerall act â—n so much as fantasy doth moue the dreaâ—er to that act which afterward he exerâ—iseth wakinge Also the signe may onely â—e as when we be moued and led vnto the â—nowledge of any matter as the like exaÌ„â—â—le is written of a certain person whiche â—reamed that himself was throwen into a â—ost boate fat of pitche in the whiche he â—hought himselfe to be scalded wakinge â—pon the feare thereof did after vomit vp much a dust or brent choller So that this â—ream was theÌ„ a signe of the matter preâ—ent and not the accideÌ„t or cause why this â—ente before And euen the like example â—s he which dreameth these matters that â—re not in our power like as those which â—re caused in the East grauÌ„ting that they may happen yet was not the dreame the cause nor the signe like as he whiche speaketh of anye matter wakinge and in the day tyme although that maye after happen in the dreame the same ensued not altogether of the talke in that not allwayes nor oftentymes happeneth the diuisions but those whiche are caused of the others And for a further knowledge to be vnderstanded that althoughe dreames forshewe rather matters to com-Yet be many of them paste whiche helpe to the remembringe of those wroughte in the day and to the vnderstanding of the others and perhappes to giue warninge of harmes that maye happen And yet these after the mynde of Aristotle doe not of necessitye happen because if anye hathe dreamed to bee sicke and hathe in hym selfe the cause of a sicknesse yet may the sicknesse bee stayed by an other stronger motion of nature For that in the ayre dooe often times appeare signes of rayne whiche after enseweth not and muche lyke to this dooe certen conclude that there are such whiche before the execution doo chaâ—nge their determination Also dreames are muche varied whiche do happen through the doynges wrought before in the day tyme in that not al are sollicited nor delighted in those nor the vapoures doo moue in the same sexe nor the wayes of the common sence to the Imaginatiue and memorie are caried the lyke in one as in another nor there is not the selfe same maner disposed in one time as in an other Also to sicke personnes do some fearfull dreames happen when as the spirits cariynge the vertues of life be aflicted by some euill vapour And the lyke when anye fearing is moued to crye out then is sicknesses prognosticated to ensewe But of the interpreter of dreames bee ought to be suche a one whâ—che hathe perfict knowledge to distinguish the simitude of al matters and to be skilfull in the manners and condicions of the moste people Besides it isirequisite that he bee a personne whiche leadethe an honeste lyfe For although he may happelye touche euerye kynde of cause yette is the same difficill to make apparaunte howe so euer the same maye be reduced to the Acte Whiche is the chiefe principal purpose And further headde the of the interpreter that hee ought to bee a moste arteficiall iudger which well knoweth similitudes in that all dreams fall not out right for in
this case euerye one maye easelye indge those dreames as the same happneth of the notes For that lyke as one beholding a farre of twoo sundrye thynges of like distaunce and the one of theym hee well knoweth then throughe this be commeth the better and easelyer vnto the vnderstandinge and knowledge of the other Also he ought to know how to discusse from like to like For like as the poetes which also are named naturall prophetes do further passe by a small similitude of any matter vnto another lyke as in speakyng of the nature of Venus do thereby proceade to discusse the caulmnes of the ayre so like in many others Yet that personne is apter to interprete dreames whiche otherwyse is not occupyed about other matters And that men sumtimes do dreame in the one they apply with the other so that the one for the other they sometyme declare And it is also written of Hercules that hee dreamed such dreames at the first whiche no persone coulde expounde but dreaminge afterwarde the like was then declared to him as it after succeded Also it behouethe the expounder not to be ignorant howe that the doinges busines of meÌ„ doe daylye alter through the one and throughe the other by the disposition of the bloude and spirits For these when they bee many and cleare doo dispose the persone vnto mirth And the same is named a signe because men beecome sad beyng in the darke vnto whiche the humor verye subtill and distemperate doth theÌ„ dispose them For otherwyse beynge cleare they dispose the personne to beholde and see hydde matters But the subtile bumors ouer heated doe dispose the person vnto Ire in that these bee engendred of the burning and great heate of the bloud easely and apte to bee inâ—amed But the grosse and cleare vnto sports and the bodilye actes of myrth And often those personnes in whome theese are mulâ—iplyed seeme to laughe withoute cause â—nd yett as the common prouerbe is that â—othinge vnder heauen but reioyseth alâ—hough the same somtime may be couered 〈◊〉 vs And the same also they declare by the motion of theym For when they bee moued vehemently from the hart toward the outwarde parte of the breaste then doo they cause Ire and towarde the part downewarde shamefastnes but when the mocion succedeth outwarde then dothe it cause ioye and myrthe And throughe the lacke also of them eyther in the quantitye or qualitye are the sensitiue powers forced to woorke eyther corruptly or dimynishedlye euen in the dreame especialye when the wayes and passages betwene the Imaginatiue and Cogitatiue by whiche they passe bee hiunred or trowbled for then the powers are often deceyued Also the disposition of bloude throughe whoos 's subtiller parte the spyrites are engendred dooth alter the workings both wakyng and a slepe For wheÌ„ the bloude is cleare not grosse nor subtyle then doth it ingendre y lyke spirites whyche dispose vnto ioye and myrthe eueÌ„ lyke as the distempered bloude woorketh vn to that kynd of Ice whiche longe lasteth contrary wyse the thin hot doth worke vnto that which is sone kindled sone qualifyed the waterye in contrarye maner doth woorke vnto feare But the grosse bloude distempered in heat doth worke vnto the sturdimâ—sse of wil sadnes wherfore it behoueth the expounder of dreams to inquite orderlye whether the dreame appeared pleasaunt or otherwyse vnpleasante for the knowledge of those dothe geue greate vnderstandinge to hym And it shal be necessarye for the interpretoure to consider and knowe what the persone tradeth or occupyeth of what birth hee is what possessioÌ„s he hath what state he is in for the healthe of bodye of what age he is also which seeth y dream Also a dreaâ—e ought exactly to be told as eyther withoute anye addinge to of matter or takynge fro For that these doo cause great error vnto the vnderstanding of a truth Also if any shal doubt or be deceiued in that tellinge of his dream then must the interpreter nedes be deceyued in the declaring of the true meanynge thereof And in all dreames also which haue not a manifeste cause it behoueth diligenty to mark whether they be sene ether in the night or day time so that we may not think to mak differeÌ„t of the night afore froÌ„ the daye or the night euening from the morning spring if so be hee hath moderatly eaten before sleape For that immoderate feedinge dothe not permit matters to be trulye decerned vnto the morninge Of them which interprete dreames by the colours of the Stars by other accidentes ANd nowe some affirminge the arte of deuining by dreams do teach that things whiche appeare in the proper nature dooe forshe we good like as dreaming to see the earthe whiche of her nature is colde and drye and of this sheweth the dominion of the Melancolie humor in that person And the lyke whereas they wryte that to see drye trees or cleft doth after signify perill of lyfe which if that should be true theÌ„ many husbandmeÌ„ and fellers of trees shoulde die because they often dreame of suche businesses which they earnestlye go about and busy them selues in And in the like sort this is not true that to see in the sleepe deformed thynges that the same foresheweth a sicknesse to come neyther is this also true if that a thinge deformed of nature doth then appeare farre to the dreamer that the farrenes doth forshewe an euill for that some do thinke to see artificial garments should signifie a deceit in that vnder these is the truethe often couered Nor it disagreeth not that to se filthye thynges in the sleepe that the same doth declare corrupt humors because the stincke maye proceeade of the outwarde meanes or bee represented by the kyndes reserued and then shoulde it rather argue the goodnes of smelling And althoughe the body greeued maye be sayde to argue many humors yet maye it declare that the expulsiue matter is shed forth to the caryringe downe of the groundes or that the sinewes or mouinge powers of the spirite are hindered stopped throughe some vapour or humor greuing wherof it faileth not vnder the propre working that it may be attributed to one cause with dependeth of many But well consideringe that the â—ayre is the outward cause of dreames because in the first it receiueth the impressioÌ„ of the starres and after touchethe the bodies of men and beastes whiche are altâ—red of it yea in the daye tyme like as appearethe in the nighte Rauen and Owle whiche as moste men affirme by his synginge ouer the chamber of the sicke is prognosticated shortlye after deathe because as men say these lyke as many other beastes are more easelye chaunged in the respecâ—e of men for that those are not occupyed with earnest cares but that the ayre in this case doth not onely touch outwardlye but by the passages or poores the sence enterethe And where that others say that to see in the sleepe cleare and brighte
doth not take awaye sleepe lyke as otherwyse of matters to come The reason is for if the same shoulde bee true and bothe laborious yet of that to come by reason of the feare annexed is the same wythe carefulnes soo that thys letteth him to slepe whereas of the knowen it troubleth hym litle or nothing at all Why do some sometymes declare to see or to haue seene in their slepe Deuils and somtimes saints or Angels The reason is for that althoughe deuils of their propper nature haue no coloure at all yet because by this especialye as bye the black they are manifested to the people therefore whan it so happeneth that the adust humoure or fume doth occupye the spirites and and passages then the cogitatyue ruled by theÌ„ doth cause the dreamers to belene y y similitudes or black kyndes to be very diuils in that they are then caused corruptlye to decerne And al though there can not bee caused one only dreame of all the kyndes whiche are reserued in the remembrauÌ„ce yet are there ymagined many diuills in that they are comprehended vnder a certayne vnicye of blackenes imagined And euen lyke when the foresayd similitudes and ways are affected wythe the redde couloure of bloudde mixed wythe flewme whiche for that the same is white and the other redd therfore through the worthines of the colours they think theÌ„ those to be ether Angels or saints in that both these wer woÌ„t to bee so painted And that y bloud also doth dispose the sicke to gladnes appeareth in the swan whiche drawinge nere to death singeth because her subtil bloude is then dispersed in the ventricles of the harte Yet sometymes those bee trewe deuilles whiche shewe themselues sodeinlye beefore the soule departethe out of the mans bodye vnto a greater payne or rather parhappes that God will that suche call to remembraunce their wicked dedes and that the sick in conscience may therof repente and amend before death Of the opinions of phisitions iu dreames THe phisicions also dooe obserue that dreames in a maner doo declare y disposicion of our bodies as eyther to helth or sicknes whiche parhappes oughte rather to bee searched out and learned by Arte. Yet say they that when sleapynge men see blacke visiones lyke as the drye earthe obscure or deade men these they and such like do forshewe customed sickenesses to be caused of the melancholy humoure and they also warne vs then to consider whether that visione towched the whole body in that the sickenes foloweth vniuersall lyke as of the agewe or leaprye for if in any part alone the partyculer shal bee that it hath nothinge touched that it signifyeth vppon the indisposition of the spyrites throughe whiche some sadnes is wonte to happen in the spirite and the selfe same they declare of the bloud For when it doth offende in the lyke or in asmuche then doth he thinke to see redde and ayeryal matters and what soeuer is pleasaunte to beholde so that a hote and moist qualitye is prognosticated vppon the motion or indisposition of the same and then doth it in lyke sorte either touche the whole body or but parte And the lyke is to be sayde of choller when as it semeth to hym to see cytrene or fyerye matters or contentions And the flewme in lyke sorte when as it seemeth to him to see the whyte watrye glasse or clammye and other lyke proportioned matters to that humoure wyth the foresayde consideration And allthoughe these maye perhappes yelde to the place of the signes yet by them may not the bodely or inwarde nor premitiue causes bee founde oute of these as by the same appeareth in that they do depend of the gouermente of the sixe naturall thinges by which they be knowne without the dreames and of the first also in that seldome when wee doo dreame wee dooe then see those touched excepte that when they do foreshew the harde expressions or properly the nightmare by whiche are wonte to bee prognosticated the sicknes named Apoplexiae And many also of these which as they say do coÌ„monly happen to health full parsons withoute sicknes folowing Neither do the sayings declare the cause for somuche as it is manifest that the subtill vapour of bloude or flewme euer heated by laboure or sicknes may cause dreames to shew of choller with in dede beareth not sway in the body or els is sone resolued or fumeth away But if you demaund why they do foreshewe choller when as a man in sleepe feareth to fall or thinketh to haue falleÌ„ The reason is for that when the same is subtill and of a swift motion doth then in dispose the spirites and letteth the motiue spirites to proporcionate the space betwene the bounde from whiche and vnto whiche But the falling either is a discoÌ„tinuation or not without these for that wakinge a man dothe not onelye fal but throwe himselfe headlong downe which regardeth not to discende by the ordinarye steppes Also other phisicions do reduce mens dreames vnto the inward or bodily cause but these rather do happen of the effectes or cares of the spirite begon in the daye tyme and they are besydes diuers in diuers persones because not al personnes occupyed aboute the same lyke as y occupyer idle person the smith or husâ—andman whereof the selfe same forme dothe shewe one thinge to one person as to the couetouse man an other thinge to the lyberal person or Musician another thing to the healthfull an other thinge to the sick Wherfore if it should be so grauÌ„ted that the phisition by the argument of the humour rulyng may argu the temperatnes or disteÌ„peratenes of nature and vnto the more whiche eyther trouble or helpe but these contrary of beastes in y by time do diuers desires aryse of which caÌ„ no firme or certayne rule bee giueÌ„ but are woÌ„t as it is said to be aplied vnto those which eyther we are by nature or custome or by immoderat desire inclined but if those shoulde haue an outewarde cause then might they signifye many matters vpon the yssue of the busines of the hap to come but the signe of this is as wheÌ„ dreaming he remayneth after wandringe amased because the significations theÌ„ do not lack which also may be applied to the hauing inward cause of humours But the cause of the admiration is either proceedinge through the newe accesse of the outwarde kynde because they happen not customably or els when the humour ouer muche ruleth or excedeth in the bodye Of the cause of Dreames THe causes of all dreames bee on this wyse firste those whiche are caused of meates and drinckes as in surfeytes are wont to be is the cause of the mocion whiche properlye is caused of the vapoures breathing out of the foâ—e But the sleepe is the reste of the spyrites and the wakinge the vehemente motione of theym â–ª and the vayne dreame is a certayne tremblinge and vnperfit motion of theym Therfore al are vayne dreames caused through
the spirites lightlye moued Wherof whyles we soundly sleepe we then dreame nothinge at all So that all kyndes of vayne dreames in this point do agree wyth the light motioÌ„ of the spirites all do agree in the matter for y the matter of ach is the remembrauÌ„ce of y sene or heard for no vain dreames are caused but through them As y lyke for example when a man in his slepe thinketh to se a monster with thre heads which hee either hearde of by the discription of some or sawe paynted in the lyke sorte whiche heades he remembred to be on this wyse as the one lyke a Lyon the other a serpente or Dragon the other a Goat That if anye other straunge matter also a man shall see in his sleepe or some vnknowen thinge or deformed Plant then are those none other then vnparfite thinges or transposed For an vnknowen man is none other then when a man is vnparfitlye founde And the knowledge of this is that all men yea the moste knowen beeyng seene far of are vnknowen Therfore through the vnperfite knowledge and traÌ„sposing and mixinge of sightes are all dreames caused So that it appeareth that al dreames to agre booth in the efficiente cause and in the matter for the efficyente cause is the moderate motion of the spirites but the matter is the memorye of things seene eyther whole or vnparfit For as it is manifest that there be diuers kyndes of dreames euen so it behoueth y the causes bee diuers for that throughe them those are alwais caused This moderate motion oughte not alwayes to be thoughte so perfit that this moderation is exquisitely an indiuiduat But if the mocion be vehementer and troublesomer althoughe it maye bee moderated in the kynde yet are they called vayne dreames troubled vnperfite and confused And in this maner doo twoo kyndes of them aryse the one whiche is of meate and is the more confused and vnperfyte yet more fayntly For that from the meate and drinke the vapours are not soo parfytelye caried as from the humours whiche so cause dreames more vnperfite lame yea and more obscure in that the vapour is fatter if the parson drinketh wyne then of humours Yet are the kyndes not so stable doe moue wyth suche a force as those whiche are caused by the humors Wherfore the dreames caused of meate are lesse parfyte lesse agreeynge and in order so that they appeare more troubled confused and diuers then those whiche are caused of the humors as are contrary those which are caused of the humors be more stable in order agreeing yet lesser troubled and diuers with lesse force then those which are caused of meate And those which are caused wyth a lesser troublinge and bee clearer but caused as they were compounde throughe many remembraunces conioyned do affecte more by the sleepe through that whiche agreeth that by wakyng in the day time litle Also they agre for the more parte to those thinges eyther seen or harde or imagined the day before or but a fewe dayes before or els a longe tyme before And theÌ„ do they shew y order as it were of the whole matter But those whiche are in an order and bee wythe the leaste motyon of the spyrites caused gentle and that without anye agitacion of the vpper causes procured doe yet more affecte the soule that wakynge bee maye then bee holden wythe a certayne admiration And seeynge a man may throughe the effectes proceede vnto ech causes therfore oughte a trauÌ„ce to be ineche kyndes For if dreames by a greate mocion maye appeare troubled dyuers obscure and vnperfite and that they seeme a litle to agree then shall wee sâ—ye that eyther meate or drincke or suche lyke matter was the causer of these Of the deuision of Dreames and order of interpretyng of theÌ„ IT muste needes ensue that some causes of effecte to bee true of all dreames of the others whiche are caused therfore those causes are eyther bodilye or not bodilye and hoth also eyther newe or before wrought So that it must uedes ensew that ther be foure kyndes of dreames Now the new and bodelye causes are meate and drincke lyke as the heades of Garlike the Coleworts the Onyones the Beanes and what soeuer ascend to the head and especiallye those whiche engender melancholye Further yealowe choller doothe cause to appeare in sleepe bothe fyers fightynge and Melancholye causethe to appeare in sleepe claye myer or dirte Burialles graues imprisonmente and feare and bloude causethe to appeare sporâ—es fayre places bloude and purple coloure and the flewme causethe to appeare waters showers of rayne and snowe for that the same is a moyste colde qualitye But the vncorporate causes precedent are cares cogitations matter as committed to memorye feare hope gladnes heauines or sadnes of mynde hatred and loue But the new are those whiche frame the superior cause come vnto the soule For of all the other members al the causes of the diuisions doo so agree that many endeuour to place this laste vnder some of the three foresayd And it behoueth first â—o seke out whiche may be of euery kynde therfore whiche true and which false for that none do shewe matters to come but those whiche are sente frome the superioure cause and those also whiche are caused of humours And hereof why those maye bee true it behouethe to shewe and what truth also may be found in al the kindes And after that which bee formes that maye bee interpreted And to coâ—clude the whole tretise as it euidentelye appeareth doothe eyther consiste of the difference of thinges seene or of the maner of seeynge or difference of the dreaminges For that by nature men see true dreames whiche dreame but seldome and false dreames whiche dayelye dreame Also suche as be occupyed in greate actions and businesses and greately abstayne from meate and drinke nor are troubled wyth feare nor sadnes doo see and haue true dreames but suche affected in the contrary manner doo see false dreames And for that cause the dreames of Princes are commonlie true And suche of honeste manners trewe faythfull and godlye haue for the more parte trewe dreames And suche whiche are not so godlye but cruell yet no deceiuers see commonlye trewe dreames and the supersticious parsons do see very fewe true dreames Also he whiche is accustomed to see true dreames to his dreames is more credyte to bee giuen then to those whiche are of a contrary manner And men haue truer dreames in the Sommer and the Wynter then in the Springe and the Harueste for that in those tymes they often alter Also quiet seasons dooe cause true dreames but the wynde and boystrouse weather dooe worke contrarye and the more boysterouse the rather falser Besydes shorte dreames and in order are truer and moore euydente and of a cause more constante are caused And dreames moued or cansed in the rysinge of the Sonne and before or after vnto the thirde hower bee for the more
parte trewe But those dreames at the noone tyme of the daye and at the settynge of the Sonne bee not so true For that the sonne is the authour of the true and constante thinges So that when he shal be nere the angels be doth then cause the truer dreames And the terrour or feare of thinges mouynge a man oute of bedde do often follow true as the lyke happened to Caesar the daye before he was slayne And the coÌ„dition also whiche is fullfylled by and by of the slepe when it shal be without cogitation doth the reason shewe trewe and most certaine dreames be much before or after the rysing of the Sunne it shall then signifye the cause to deginne or els shal then be accomplished or discouered Therefore that space shal bee referred vnto the whole dreame as vnto the whole yeare And nowe as to the qualityes of thinges seene it is manifest that whatsoeuer are presentlye begone are spâ—dylier accomplished yea and that verye swiftlye those which presently through y proper course are neare the ende but those contrarye do slowly ensue So that a man must coÌ„sider the nature of the dreamer the age and the reste needfull lyke as the wealthye persons and men in aucthority And whosoeuer also haue a constitute tyme as Magistrates for a yeare lyke as the selfe samh custome is vsed in London by the yearely chosinge of the Mayre And to be briefe the tymes of dreames are either presente or shortly after or a longe tyme after to come or paste or els a tyme appointed for that no man can number the yeares monethes nor dayes exept that when the words or peculiar signes declaringe the nombers shall come And besides these whatsoeuer dreames shal be caused in the Kalendes of Januarye or on Christmas daye come to passe wythin a yeare after And if in the KaleÌ„des of any moneth or in the entrance of y Sonne into anye signe then within a moneth And if in the same day of the Sunnes enteraunce eyther into the Solstice or Equinoctiall then shall the effecte ensue within three monethes And if in the houre of the full Moone or Chaunge theÌ„ within xv dayes after And if at the Sunrysinge on the Sondaye then within seuen dayes after And if at the new enterance of an office of gouernmente or enterance of a newe house or of the newe dwellinge in an other countrey or newe enteringe of a shippe or in any other beginninge to speake generally before the ende of that busâ—â—â—sse shall the effecte be accomplished Also dreames happeninge on Christmas day and on the day of the salutation of the virgin Marye shewe maruelous matters to follow do also extend their good happes vnto the returne of the next yeare And the daye of that resurrection for that the same is a mouable feast doth signify the lyke yet chaunginge the forme of thinges as that the parson shall passe out of one condicion of lyfe into an other or els it declareth that mutation to come in the same yere And that no new happe besydes of encrease for the present lyfe is after promised of the same And seeyng in all matters some one may be better worse and whiche profiteth and harmeth euen so must it happen in the lyke wherefore whatsoeuer do remoue impedimentes do cause dreames the truer for some impediments are of the mynde others of the bodye and others whiche hinder and trouble dreames For the dreames art troubled of these which declare dreames of an other kinde like as meates and wyne and the veneral acte excessiuely vsed and troubles of y mind sorrow of which a maÌ„ must beware Of the Authors proper opmioÌ„ about the maner of interpreting Dreames which come by an outward cause AND to eschewe the longe circumstances and prolizites of cerayne and that the readers of these may not bee wearied aboute so dyuers as vayne practices which be written and declared by many about the interpretation of Dreames Therefore wee will follow and vse a surer and easyer way into these whiche shall bringe with it some wonted reason of others happeninge to come by the which maner many haue bene inuented For manye truelye wyth these coÌ„ceyue to direct of the particuler doinges in the day tyme For how much y kindes moued altered be in the cause of remembraunce and oftentymes also wyth similitudes perceyued in the sleepe or rather wyth the experience of them whiche after followed we saw to declare much And many also wheÌ„ they see or perceiue that it hath otherwyse happened or come to passe then as it is wonte oftentymes to them to succeade and followe as to some good And contrariwyse when it so meeteth that it hath otherwyse hurted then they be striken with a feate which is the expectation of the euill And semblably wheÌ„the imaginatiue in a dreame of himselfe or rather with the helâ—e of another inwarde vertue doth perceiue some what from the outward that he thinketh to adioyne and apply like and the dreamer also hathe experienced to haue otherwyse come to passe then it moueth againe the similitudes or formes of those matters which in the lyke or in some haue happened wyth the which prosperous dreames hee caused And contrarywyse when hee is myndfull that it hurted then hee prouoketh them againe of which otherwise hee receiued harme For not by one haâ— or hurte onely a man may conclude thaâ— it may like succede lyke as not one spring alon worketh and multiplyeth the swallow but by the often comming of him â— that also somwhat contrarying the migâ—tyer shall not hinder as the Philosophe sayth which is that oftentymes present signes of rayue be at hand which succede nor fall not after So that not al thinges are to be sought out by the causes For it is truly as Aristotle sayth that the learned to earnestlye enquire and searche out that which commeth to passe or perfourmed in euery kynde and how muche the nature of that matter worketh and geeueth also a similitude whiche appeareth by the Mathemathicane perswading to proue by the orator to demonstrate Wherefore those are not to be denyed which by a long tyme haue bene obserued and founde true forasmuche as in their kynde they be neare to the termes of the first principles And if therfore deuining by this arte a man sometymes may be deceiued it is noo maruayle because that no man hitherto hath affirmed that assuritye that of dreames he may haue suche certayntye which he hath of the sciences and others which we worke wakyng in the day time in the which also errour happeneth For both the Gramarian doth sometymes harberouslye wryte and the Phisition also harmeth in his cures Of the obseruation of the Autentiks in deuining or pronouncinge by similitudes ANd they witnesse to this opynion whiche the auncietne menne did obserue in deuininge or pronouncinge by them for when as they saw and marked a certaine animall lyke to flye to go oute of certeyn appels they pronosticated theÌ„ battaile to
ensue takynge paraduenture theyr knowledge or perseueraÌ„ce by this forasmuche as flyes be in continuall motion and moue or stirre too and fro and be also of a deceytfull and importunate nature like as to meÌ„ of warre Also they pronounced rayne to ensue of the eger bytynge of them for that through the eleâ—ation of the vapoure one high they lacked the fode wyth the which before they were nourished whereof they recurre to hard matters which when they sucke by a greater inforcemente and myght they thenne byte But those beastes which cannot sucke or byte lyke as be frogges and such lyke the which do sing or chirpe that they maye the better drawe the ayre to them for asmuche as they maye not otherwyse bee nourished and liue And others besydes seeyng wormes very whyâ— to come oute of the earthe pronosticated plentye of corne to ensue for asmuche as the whitenesse of them proceded not but of the fatnesse of the earth And others also markinge litle spyders to go oute of certayne fruetes did pronouÌ„ce pestilence to ensue paraduenture the reason was because the spider is an animal of the nature of Saturne whiche oftentymes is y cause of the death of beasts or els because shee spinnethe or weauethe her webbes which be in a manner like to that matter in whiche the dead bodyes to bee buried is inuolued And further by y similitude of a Serpent they pronounced a secretâ— enemye and by that similitude also of a wolfe they pronounced a tyrant And albeit nowe that this place is not the selfe same wyth that afore by effecte because that eyther is of the latter and for that cause in procedyng of the better knowen to vs it swarued not muche from the matter to prosecute this waye the whiche althoughe that in manye it may be attayned by knowledge yet hee maye haue or come to it by the instinct or inwarde mouing of nature for according to this trulye the lambe â—yethe the wolfe and the byrde also the hauke follow their dammes For in the ende life and the continuance be not reserued wythoute the prosecuâ—ion of the conferences and esâ—hewing also of them which may hurte and harme Of those Dreamess whiche were reported to haue bene proued COnsideringe there is no other credite to be geuen to dreames farther than theyr nature requireth yet being requested or rather enforced by my freÌ„des I will therefor recyte certayne of those which we haue taken knowen as true For although that many of them for the most part especially those whiche be caused by an outwarde maner the reason or cause of them cannot be assigned or geuen yet had we rather satisâ—ye the requestes of our frendes then by wrytinge nothinge to avoide the slaunders of malicious persons And first to dream that he seeth â–ª water altered in colour and substaunce albeit it maye declare the euil disposition of the eyes either presente or to come yet if the coulour chauÌ„gethe to rednes or darknes argueth very whot humours And when the coloure is diuers and variable argueth the diuersity of the humours and that spyrites troubled disquieted much and outwarde sorrowes also For these geue or imprinte sometyme into oure myndes some similitude or sadnes but yet in a secrete maner when as we be not intentiue or stable when wee receiue the same for then we be not veâ—ed by it eyther because wee thinke not thereon or be occupyed afore hand wyth other matters But wheÌ„ these impedimentes cease althoughe the man thinketh not on them yet the former similitude commethe agayne and representeth it selfe coÌ„fusedly because it made not an impression before Wherefore when it is feareful he sorroweth and the cause knoweth not but the same maye happen of some inwarde humour which before rested and after vexeth by it selfe or by a vapoure or fume But to come to the matter whenne wee dreame that we see the water troubled muche in quantity and permanent declareth the aboundance of many humoures If it appeareth that it runneth sygnifyeth the caterre to come or presente He whiche dreameth that he seeth missing light rayne and the firmament cleare argeweth a good disposition of the spirites with a litle humiditye of the eyes but the firmament to bee cloudye and bent to rayne signifyeth the abouÌ„dance of these and the indisposition of them And when to the sicke person in a feuer appeareth y he swimmeth in the water is then anotyce that nature contendeth againste the matter of the sicknesse and that the paciente shal escape because the resistence and fight argueth the strength of him And when one dreameth that be feeleth himselfe much greeued as he wer pressed or wronge together in the bodye is a notyce of benummynge or the nyghte mare as wee name it For it demonstrateth or declareth the quality wherewyth the sleaper is vexed rather then anye outward thinge To dreame that he seeth himselfe caryed as though he flyed declareth the subtilnes of humours like as to dreame that he seeth or toucheth snowe or hayle declareth crude and raw flewme And dreames signifye euill when the spirites and heate renewed in the sleepe transpose them vpon those euill humors whiche before rested for asmuch as then through these the lyke vapours be eleuated and stirred vppe and these by their ill nature cause men to feare And vniuersallye all thinges seene or appearynge in the sleape otherwyse tâ—en their proper nature do argue an indisposition or dystemperaunce of the powers or spirites of the organes or humours or of naturall heat Lyke as dreaminge to walke by narrow places declarethe a sicknesse to come of the lunges or lightes because he is prohibited and letted to breathe or drawe necessarye or congruente ayre and the reason wherfore is because their passages and wayes be stopped And â—ccordinge to this sence it is sayde that Physitions commonly helpe by dreames To dreame that he seeth menye Citizenes aud Townes men gathered in the Churche well apparelled wyth mearye countenaunce and smylinge cheare it is founde by experience that hee 〈◊〉 happye mariage to bee with good sucke in the ende if he myndeth the taking of a wyfe And otherwyse when they appeare sadde of countenaunce yrefull or yll faâ—oured then if that hee that so 〈◊〉 be sicke it declareth as hath bene experienced the deathe of the dreamer neare at hande especiallye when they that are of his affinitye seeme to associate or companye from others for it disagreeth not y one similitude wyth diuers cyrcuÌ„stances and respectes maye signyfie manye thinges lyke as somtime for the lacke of wordes and signifieth many thinges yet the worde or name is for y more part at pleasure of the namer but the thing it selfe is of nature And in all dremes the more good cyrcuÌ„stances there are like as wheÌ„ they seeme to be in a pleasaÌ„t fayre good lye greene and fruitâ—fuâ—â—place or in a Churche or before â— frende and so of the others so muche the certainer shal be the interpretation
feeâ—e who after was bitten of a Serpente and the byte so rotted wasted his foote that hee died thereof And one thought in his sleepe to haue a Barbours glasse to stande with the same in the streate neare to the markette place and there to occupye hymselfe as muche as he myght with the glasse and after possessinge the glasse after his mind did therein behold hymselfe and sawe al his Image filled wyth spottes who theÌ„ loued a concubyne and without good wil and agremente of frendes did after mary her by whom hee had a dishonest child not onely for the facte but for y the child had croked and ill shapen eyes So that the Barbers glasse signifyed a common woman who lightly was alured to any personne to vse her bodye wickedly and for that letted by frendes so muche as in them lay to mary her And where hee sawe his Image signifyed his sone after borne lyke to hymselfe in all partes yet irrepreheÌ„sible for that the glasse had spottes And one thought in his sleape that he broughte hys owne wyfe into the Buâ—â—hery to be killed and there to cut foorth her fleshe into peâ—es to sell and to make â— greate gayne thereof in so muche that â—e seemed to reioyce greatly thereat and â—bat he after carefullye laboured where â—t myght saflye bestowe and hyde the mâ—â—ey receyued of her fleshe solde that hee â—ight so avoyde the enuye growen therâ—boute who afterwarde caryed forth his â—ife to be dishonest with many persones â—â—d so made her a great gayne to hym by â—â—at meanes which of reason moued him â—at he should hyde the facte And one dreamed that he thought hee caryed a greate substaunce of bright gold on his shoulders whoe after fell blynde throughe the brightnesse of gold â–ª for as it is very lyke a trueth that golde darckned his sight And a certayne man dreamed that he thought he hard one say to him feare not death albeit thou canst not liue Who after lost his sight and this ryghtlye hapeninge to hym by reason And he dyed not insomuch as he liued still and yet agayne he liued not insomuch as he had loste the comforte of the lyght that is he saw not And one dreamed that he thought hee eate breade dipped in honnye whoe after attayned vnto suche eloquence and wisedome by the studye of Philosophye that hee gotte therby muche riches For the honnye signifyed the obtaynynge of eloquence and wysedome as very lyke it is â–ª and the bread the great ryches which he got A certaine woman dreamed that she thought she had her husbandes priuityes cut from the reste of the bodye in heâ— handes and that she toke great care anâ— muche foresight howe to kepe them whâ— after bare her husbande a sonne whychâ— she brought vp her selfe For the husbandes priuityes signifyed the sonne whiche was gotte by hym and that it was taken or cutte away from the rest of the bodye signifyed her brynginge vp of her sonne but her husbande was after bereft of life by death A certayne maÌ„ dreamed that he thought he saw an Oliue tree spriâ—ge out of hys heade Who after followed earnestly the studies of Philosophye and vsed consequently the doctrine and exercise thereof For the plante or tree is thought alwaye greene and lustye in it selfe thereof dedicated to Minerua whiche is fayned to be the Lady or goddesse of wysdome And on dreamed that hee thought hee fleeyd of the skin of his owne sonne and to make a bagge thereof to carye wyne or suchlike matter therein Whose sonne the next daye followinge fell into a riuer and was drowned For they make bagges with the skinnes drawen of dead flesh or carcases in the which they are wont to put wynes oyles and other lyke licours And one dreamed that he thought he sawe his louer in an earthen pitcher or potte or suche lyke vessel burning whose louer after was dead and slayne of a coÌ„moÌ„ or hyred seruauÌ„te at will. For it signifyed with good cause death to the woman because shee was seene in an earthen vessell and of a common seruaunte because it was also a coÌ„mon pitcher or potte serioâ—ge to euery body And a certayne man dreamed that hee thought he dwelt oute of his owne countrye and ther builded an hearth for fyer Who not longe after dyed out of his country where he thought he builded or made the hearth For it signifieth the place wher the fyer dissolueth wasteth to noughte the buildinge of it oute of his countrey signifyed there the ende of his lyfe And one dreamed that hee thoughte dwellinge out of his proper countrye to build an hearth and for the stones he moâ—â—red his owne bookes and then playstred together but after changinge his mynd â–ª he threw downe that he had built and sâ—ceased of buildynge Who not long after fell sicke aud was vexed with a greuous sicknes which sicknesse so handled hym that he was brought to deathes dore buâ— in the end he recouered to health agayne And the manifeste causes of these be superfluous to recyte And a certayne man dreamed that he thought he was persecuted of a woman whiche he had knowen of a longe tyme whiche did putte on clokes to knit about hym and that loose hanged in the middle withoute pleates or seames that at the last agaynst his will compelled thereto After whiche a woman louinge this man did mary hym agaynst his will and hee wythin fewe yeares after dyed for that y clokes were vnparfit and not sewed together it so signifyed And a certayne womaÌ„ beynge sicke dreamed y she thought she was with child that shortly after to labour of her child to be neare the time of her deliuerye but further she thought that a certayne woman vnexperte aboute these matters to touche her and to saye that now truly she shall not be deliuered but after 7.monethes she shal be deliuered of a fayre childe amiable or worthy to be loued who after fel into a daÌ„gerous sicknes y no man thoughte her to escape and liue and yet the sicknesse leauinge her nothinge at all whereby shee shoulde come to healthe died within seuen monethes after For by good reasone it was the discharge of the burthen and cares after the seuen monethes but the fayre childe was or signifieth deth which was worthier to be beloued and chosen afore the rest because he taketh awaye the sicknesses and sorrowes or cares of thys lyfe And a certayne man dreamed that he thought he threw out his ringe wyth the whiche he sealed all thinges and after seking it found that the stone which was in it cleft in two small partes or peeces y it coâ—lde not after serue to any purpose whereof ensued that al his busines auayled not or came to no purpose for fiue siftye dayes after And a certayne man dreamed hauing a riche sister and being also sicke that before the sisters dore was a figge tre sproÌ„g vp and that he plucked of the tree seuen
shewe hee coulde scarcelye hee deliuered from sufferynge Who after feared no suche matter for that hee onelye applyed hymselfe to the studye of Philosophy yet the next day followinge when he came to reasoninge wyth another philosopher verye hotlye he was theere stricken on the head wyth a staffe and hardlye escaped death And the wyfe of Diognosta dreamed to haue halfe a bearde who after lyued seperate from her husbande so that if she had thought to haue a whole bearde then after to be a wydowe A certayne Lumbarde so often as he should wyn dreamed in the night before that he did eate whyte grapes For the whyte grapes do protende a plentifull easy encrease of labour But the blacke grapes do signify a small gayne and that wyth tedions trauayle Nowe such a custome of his endured for twelue years and after decayed A certayne learned Phisition there was who so often as he dreamed that hee saw his mother beyng deade very sadde the nexte daye followinge hee fell sicke and that by good reason for that sonne is most deare to the mother that her sadnes also signifyeth the calamityes to the child and not the lyke to the father For fathers are not like moued to mourne for the sicknesses of their sonnes except those sicknesses are deadly in that meÌ„ are stouter of mynde and stomacke then women And he was also sickly by nature so that he dreamed the lyke many yeares A certayne gentleman as Mattheus Ferrarius wrytethe that howe often hee thought that he did eate in his sleape and so often in the day following he was payned with the stone And if so be he thought that hee didd eate harde thinges of digestion then the payne continued manye dayes after So that by good reason we saye that wee so well taste of sorrowes as meates And to Valentinianus Emperour the day before he dyed beynge yet not sicke for that he dyed sodenlye appeared hys wyfe clothed in mourning apparell and standinge a farre of wythe her heare shed abroade Which well declared the former fortune that then had lefte hym in so lamentable cause And one Policrates Samius a tyraunte whyles he was in prosperitye his daughter on a tyme thought in her sleepe that she sawe her father hanginge on highe whome Iupâ—ter washed the Sunne annoynted After which followed that he beynge oueecome of Oròtes and hanged on a gibbite happened the lyke so that he was after washed with the raine fallinge and annointed of the Sunne by meltyng of his fatte whiche so seemed to anoynte him And one thought in his steape that he sawe his house on fyer whoe after receyued letters that his brother lay greuouslye sicke whyles he prepared hymselfe to iourney a messenger came declaring hym to be dead Who after counted the tyme from that hower which he saw the dreame conceiued that his brother then dyed But coÌ„monly this dreame doth threaten death eyther to the dreamer or some principaller of the house hymselfe to be with child if so be he hath bene poore hee shall after possesse muche substaunce and shal gather and keepe and heape together aboundaunce of money but if he be rych it signifieth that he shal be in torments cares or troubles of the mynde And he whiche shall haue a wyfe that he shall loose her for it signifyeth y she shal not after beare him more childreÌ„ but he whiche shal haue no wyfe that he shal after marrye suche a kynde and gentle wyfe that he may fynde in his hart to wysh to beare and suffer that payne that his wife susteneth in the traueile of child And to others this dreame doth signifye sickenesse To be wyth chyld and after to be deliuered thereof is euill for it declareth that the personne beynge sicke shall shortlye after dye For euery bodye â—earyng sendeth forth a spyrite and like as the infante by ioyninge hymselfe with the bodye is deliuered and departeth froÌ„ it euen so the soule dothe from the bodye and to a poore man hyred seruaunt or to anye whiche is in calamitye or misery it signifyethe a deliuerye of the presente euilles or mysery and that cause is manifest or apparaunte but to riche men vsurers and other occuppers and to such also as be in authoritye and power it harmeth For they whiche had before shall after lacke and loose much And to marchauntes pylottes maisters and owners of shippes it signifyeth good lucke after but to many it happeÌ„eth that also should lose by thys dreame as kinsfolke because the infant in his byrth is reiected and seperated from the bloud If any in the maner of babes dreameth that he thinketh hymselfe to bee swadled lyke a chylde and to suck of a womaÌ„ that he knoweth dothe portend after a longe sicknesse except he hath a wyfe with chyld For theÌ„ shal be borne a sonne lyke to himselfe whiche in thesame manner shall bee fedde and brought vppe But if a woman shall see this dreame it doth signyfy that she shal bee deliuered of a daughter lyke to her selfe and if anye woman thinketh in her dreame to haue milke in her breastes to a yonge woman it promiseth conception and perfecte fruite and byrth also but to an olde woman beinge poore it signifyeth riches and to a riche woman it signifyeth expenses and charges And to a mayde mariageable this dreame promisethe to her mariage for notwythout the venerall act of coactyng milke in the breastes cannot at any tyme be had but if the mayden be young that shee cannot be maried of a longe tyme for her age and making theÌ„ this dreame portendeth to her death Also to a poore and needye man this dreamepromiseth plentye bothe of monye and possessions that he may also be able to feede others And further to hym whiche is vnmaryed this dreame promiseth a wyfe and to hym hauinge a wyfe whiche lacketh or hath no children this dreame promiseth also children as hath bene found true in both For th one had after such a kynd and gentle wyfe that he did wishe to suffer al her trauailes and paines And the other had children after which he fed and brought vppe And to wrastlers warriars and suche as exercise the strength of the body it thretneth sicknesse For that effeminat bodyes haue milke and any also hauinge a wyfe and children in his dreame is depryued of his wyfe for he after bryngeth vp his children and ministrynge to them the equall vse both of the father and mother To dreame that he thinketh hymselfe to haue a greate or bigg heade signifyeth good to a ryche man whiche as yet is no Magistrate or high officer And to a pore man warriour vsurer and that kepeth a bancke of monye to them it signifyeth both good luck and the gatheryng together of much money but to a ryche man whiche is in authority And to a Rhetoritian Judge or Legate yt denounceth bothe slaunders of the people and losse of dignitye and honour And to a sicke person this dreame signifyeth beuynes and
payne of the heade and to dreame that he thinketh himselfe to haue long fayre heare and to be proude of it signifyethe good especiallye to a woman for women oftentymes vse for bewties sake to decke and sette forth their heades wyth others heare besydes this dreame signifyeth good to a Philosopher Kinge Prince Prieste and Religious and to all those also whose profession byndethe theym to weare their heare longe But to haue muche heare on the heade rufled and out of order lyke to those whiche wee name bushe naturalles signifyeth to all suche personnes heauines and losse As the lyke was experienced in one whoe dreamed that he hadde his heare snarled and rufled together muche lyke to a pycked torche and he after was depriued of his liuynge to hys greate sorrowe and heauines And further to haue bristled heere lyke a Swine doth portende violente perilles by some ill fortune But to haue horse heere signifyeth bondages painful laboures and cares of mynde with heauinesse and to iourneymen or suche like imprisonmente And to dreame also that he hath wolle growinge on his heade in the stede of heare to him that so dreameth it promiseth long sicknes both the Pâ—hisick and consumptioÌ„ of the body And besydes if any dreameth that his face to bee rouÌ„d about bare naked of heare it portendeth presentlye a mocke or gyle and an vnhappye successe But if any dreameth y the hynder part of the head to be on such wyse to hym that so dreameth it signifyeth in his ould age pouerty great mise For the hynder part of the heade is contrarywyse signifier of the time to come And agayne who that dreameth that the ryght syde of his head is balde or bare oâ— heere signifieth that hee shal loose al his male kynue that be nigh vnto hym and if he shall haue no kynne alyue then it signifyeth damage or harme to hym selfe And if the left side of the head be bare it signifyeth that he shall lose his nyghe kinswomen if he shal haue any one aliue but if not theÌ„ he shal incurre damage to himselfe For the heade hath the signifycatioÌ„ of the kindredes as the righte sydes of it the males and the left sides the females And who that dreameth that he hath eyther side of the head naked or bare of heere shall after â—ee condemned vnto an open woorke or laboure adiudged therto To dreame that hee thinketh al his whole heade to be shauen signifyeth euill for that this dreame portendeth good to none but such as be accustomed to be shauen as fryers monckes abbottes fooles aud such like to saylers and marriners on the sea â–ª thys dreame threatneth shipwracke to sicke persons to be neare deathes dore but yet not death And to dreame that he clippeth his owne heyre signifyeth sodayne bewayling or calamity threatned by great euills But to dreame that a barber clyppeth his heare doth promise a lyke to hym and to all personnes good lucke and ioye for that it hath the signification both of ioy and the exception of other causes And truly there is none beyng in any euill or wofull case or els in any calamitye that clippeth the heare of his heade but suche as be free from these and hath somewhat to take to Therefore this dreame promiseth deliuerie out of trouble to such as be in thraldome and good lucke also to all personnes To dreame that the foorheade is whole without crasinge or disease and sleshye is good to all personnes and signifyeth the libertye of speakinge and fortitude But to dreame that hee thinketh himselfe to haue a forhead of brasse Iron or stone signifyethire hatred and ennemyes But to ruffians and those that keepâ— brothel houses and baudes and to suche also as Iâ—ade their lyues wythoute shame it signifyeth good And to dreame that hee thinketh himselfe to haue many eares signifyeth good to him whiche woulde attayne any to bee obedient to hym as wife children or seruaunte But to a rych man this dreame signifyeth a greate name good also yf the eares shal be faire coÌ„ly but if the eares shal appear deformed out of fashion it signifyeth slauÌ„der of the people this dreame is euell to a seruaunt and to one also hauinge a cause or matter in iudgement or before a iudge for either he must sue or trouble another by action or ells be called by another into iudgemente for it signifyeth to hym obedience of a longe tyme And besydes lyke as he sueth thys man by action it so shal be done the lyke agayne by hym But if the cause or matter be called or brought into the tryall of the lawe then shall he heare many more faultes or crymes to be obiected agaynst hym theÌ„ whiche be manifest or apparauÌ„t that in a certaine maner he may nede many eares but to a handye craftes maÌ„ this dreame signifyeth good for he shall heare many persones whyche do require desyre his worke but to lease thy eares also which thou hast signifieth coÌ„trarye to those aforesayde And to purge or clense the eares of filthe or matter signifyeth y he shal heare froÌ„ some place good newes or tydinges but if any dreameth that he thinketh to beate his owne eares it portendeth the hearynge of yll newes frome some place And to dreame that hee thynketh pysmiers to creepe into hys eares signifieth good alonly to dissemblers of wysedome which wee name Sophisters And the like the pismiers signify to yong men that go to heare suche persons but to others this dreame denounced death For that they bee the daughters of the earth in whiche they harboure and dwell And if any dreameth that he thynketh to haue eares lyke an asse signifyeth good to philosophers alone for that the asse moneth not his eares lightlye or quickly But to other personnes this dreame signifyeth bondage paynufll labors or cares of the mynde with heauines And if any dreamethe that hee thinketh to haue eyes in his eares signifyethe that hee shall after be blynde shall come to knowledge oâ— those thinges by hys hearyng and eares whiche he sawe afore wyth his eyes And if anye dreameth that he hathe a quicke sharpe fyght of the eyes sygnifyeth good by ryghte to all personnes but to dreame that he thinketh hymselfe blind doth indicate neadines of money to hym whiche hath children it signyfyeth that his children shall be sicke And to dreame also that hee thinke the hymselfe blinde of both the eyes signifieth to his childreÌ„ with seeth the dreame the losse both of brethreÌ„ father mother And to the children because the eyes be lyke to them But to the brethren because the eys also in themselues be lyke brethren to the parentes because the eyes bee the cause that we see the lighte lyke as the father and mother also be Wherefore the losse of the eyes signifyeth the losse of the lyke but to hym which is in prison if he thinkethe hymselfe to be blynde it signifyeth good a notyce
in hope neuer to be Also good it is to him which hath purposed to go Westwarde for it promiseth returne to hym from thence And to hym whiche loketh for any to come froÌ„ that West it signifyeth that hee is then ready to returne and come And to others it is contrarye to euerye attempte and hope and that which we haue purposed it letteth to be done or ended And the Sunne darcke or somwhat bloudy for heate makyng a noyse is euil and harme to all personnes partelye indicating hindrances of actions and partlye to the dreamer it portendeth sicknes or otherwyse peril or els sickenes or disease in his eyes And to those whiche will hide what and to persons also fearing is obserued profitable for the twone shal well hidde and the others shall suffer or sufteyne no euil and harme For the Sunne darke doth the lesse bâ—â—ne And it is alwayes better to se the light brightnes of the Sunn entringe into the house then to see the Sunne it selfe for the light because it maketh the house the lighter it pâ—â—â—endeth the attayning of goods And further the sunne thoughte to be apparelled like a Carter is good to warriours and to those whiche couet to waÌ„der abrode to Carters but to sicke personnes it ys petillous and daungerous And the Moone signifyeth the wyfe of the dreamer the mother also for nourse shee is thought to be and both daughter and sister For when any thinketh to see his own Image or shadow in the Mone to hym trulye whiche hath no children it portendeth to him the byrth of a Sunne but to the woman so dreaminge it porteÌ„deth the byrth of a daughter For euery one perceyueth y like Image of hymselfe 〈…〉 daughter And this dreame is good to keepers of bankes of money vsurers for they shall after attayne muche gaine and profitte good it is also to them whiche woulde be seene but parsonnes hidde it reuayleth But parsonnes beinge sicke and sayling ou the sea it sleeth and those truly being vexed with a sickenesse of water runnig betweene the skinne and the fleshe for asmuch as the nature is moist but these to fal and come vnto shypwrake And what good thinges the Sunne promisethe the same also the Moone signifyeth and the like what euilles but yet the euilles alwayes lesser for that she is lesser of heate then the Sunne The starres seene all cleare and fayre signifieth good vnto such ionâ—neyinge and vnto other accions and vnto secrets For these shew not the lyke which the Sunne and Moone do for that these shewe the brighter and fayrer they beynge not aboue the earth and the dimmer darcker when eyther is aboue the earth For that euerye starre is knowen priuatelye eyther by his couloure bignes motion or forme of motion And now eche starre dothe cause lyke happe accordinge to his fortitude whiche when they appeare troubled do then signifye sorrowes and both perilles troubles to the dreamer But appearing bright fayre do then promise a happynes prosperitye and good encrease to the dreamer The starres seene to fall from heauer do threaten to riche men muche pouertye sorrowe to ensue for that heauen is applyed to the house of the dreamer and the starres to the possessions riches and men in the house But this dreame to the pore foresheweth destructioÌ„ And one thought that he saw all the starres fall from heauen after whiche ensued that he became wholly balde For lyke reason as heauen hath to al the earthe euen the same hath the head to the bodye And agayne what reason the starres haue to heauen the same haue the heares to the heade So that the starres neyther fallinge on the earth nor darcke appearinge do promise good But rather forshewe daunger and hurte to many persons And euill it is to see the starres vnder the rooffe of an house for that it signifyeth the house to become destitute vncouered and burned or els that the Maister of the house shal dye in that the starres appeared within the house The raynbowe seue of the dreamer on the ryghte syde promiseth good to hym but seeue on the left side threatneth euil But this right and lefte side is not hearement as to heauen but as to the Sunne And howsoeuer it shall appeare yet it alwayes signifyeth good to those in great pouertye or in any misfortune For that such in decaye and oppressâ—d wyth any calamitye shal after amende of their estate The white cloudes be signifyers of a happier estate and drawinge from the earth vpwarde towarde heauen do signifye for the more part a long iourney and that suche lying out of their proper couÌ„treye shal after returne home and that secretes to be reueyled But the yealowe cloudes seene do signify an vnprosperous â—uccesse of matter And darke clowdes seene do signifye sorrowes and cares to ensue but the blacke cloudes seene doe threaten a tempest or heauines to ensue To thincke hym selfe to be deade that caryed forth and buried to a seruaunte to whom the affayres and house of the Maister is not committed it sygnifieth libertie For that the deade beinge a seruaunce hath then no maister and findeth at that tyme the rest bothe of laboures seruice But to that seruaunt to whoÌ„ the goodes of the maister are coÌ„mitted death taketh away that credite And to a maÌ„ not hauinge a wyfe it forshewethe Mariage to ensue For that mariages and death be thoughte both as the endes to men and do alwayes shewe a lyke together So that to sicke personnes to marry a wyfe and to keepe the Brydale signifieth deathe to ensue For that the same happen to both in that feastes be kept as well at the Burialles as at the Marriages And to that manne dreaminge the lyke whiche hath a wyfe that he shall after dye leauinge both brethren kinsefolke For that the deade doe not after keepe company with the liuinge nor the liuinge with the deade But this dreame signifyeth good to the well learned and fathers For that to the fathers chyldren and to the learned the wrytinges Bookes of their wisedome And this hath beene obserued that to the sadde and such in feare that death signified good to them For that the deade be then free both of fear and heauines And this dreame to them which he in a coÌ„trouersie for lande and woulde buye lande signifyeth a good successe For that the Lordes of suche lande are dead But in other variances to dreame to be dead signifyeth losse and sorrow For that in causing and workynge matters the dead be then vnhable to doe besydes are fallen in the power of the liuinge But if anye beeinge sicke seemeth to be deade doth after signifye that he shal be deliuered from the sickenesse or griefe for that the deade do not then feele griefe nor be sicke And if rny thinketh to be buried aliue the same promiseth good to no body for that it signifyeth for the more yarte imprisonment or to be fettered wyth chaynes