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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A42291	Spanish letters: historical, satyrical, and moral; of the famous Don Antonio de Guevara Bishop of Mondonedo, chief minister of state, and historiographer royal to the Emperor Charles V. Written by way of essay on different subjects, and every where intermixt with both raillerie and gallantry. Recommended by Sir Roger L'Estrange, and made English from the best original by Mr. Savage.	Guevara, Antonio de, Bp., d. 1545?; Savage, John, 1673-1747.; L'Estrange, Roger, Sir, 1616-1704.	1697 (1697)	Wing G2182A; ESTC R216443	91,517	200

Archbishop of Sevill and Don Antonio Manriquez Duke of Najara upon their choosing him to Decide a Controversie between them Wherein he wittily exposes their Ignorance declares which was Numantia and which Saguntum and moreover relates both the Origin and Destruction of the Former Very Illustrious Lords DON Iohn Manriquez delivered me two different Letters from your Lordships whereby you give me to understand you have chosen me Judge in a Controversie between you and which you have not only argu'd your selves but also stifly maintain'd on both sides My Lords I admit your choice and will be Arbitrator in your Dispute upon condition neither appeal from my Judgment but shall pay Costs and a Fine In the first place I must blame and almost chide your Illustrious Lordships for being so positive and obstinate in your way of arguing for where Persons of your Rank may be allow'd to Discourse they are by no means to Wrangle Genti●ity and Wrangling are incompatible in a generous Person when Folly and Positiveness are nearly allied To a Philosopher it belongs to prove and even to be obstinate in his Assertions but a Gentleman must always defend without being positive A Man of Courage Resolution and Valour will never be passionate till he draws his Sword for he well knows that a great Talker seldom proves a brave Performer But to come to our purpose you write that all your Dispute was about deciding whether of these two Cities Siguenza or Monviedro was the great Numantia You also inform me you have not only argued but laid a good Wager about it whereupon My Lords I must tell you with due Reverence to so great Personages that if one understands no better what belongs to Praying and the other to Fighting than you are both acquainted with ancient Histories it is pity as one is Archbishop of Sevill the other should be Duke of Najara As much difference as was between Elia and Tyre Bizantium and Memphis Rome and Carthage Agrippina and Cadiz is there between Numantia and Saguntum for the ancient Numantia was built in Castile when the noble Saguntum was seated near Valencia Numantia and Saguntum were two most ancient Cities in Spain very famous and renowned of different Factions distinct Kingdoms in Places far distant disagreeing in Names and far more different in Inclinations Saguntum was built by the Greeks Numantia by the Romans Saguntum was always in Amity and Confederacy with Rome and moreover a Mortal Enemy to the Carthaginians when Numantia was neither Friend nor Confederate with either it never submitting to any but always continu'd a Sovereignty of it self Saguntum was seated four Leagues from Valencia where Monviedro now stands and whoevér says the Town of Siguenza in Castile was formerly Saguntum may perhaps have Dream't but never Read it Being Inquisitor at Valencia I went often to Monviedro as well to visit the Christians there as Baptize the Moores and considering the uncouthness of its situation antiquity of the Walls distance from the Sea the grandeur of its Buildings and stangeness of the Tombs any Man might easily perceive Monviedro was the same with Saguntum and the Noble Saguntum what is now Monviedro Among the ruinated Buildings in the Fields of that City are found many Stones with Inscriptions and Epitaphs of the Hannonians and Asdrubalians who all died at the Siege thereof and which were two famous and renowned Families in Carthage Near Monviedro also was a Town in those days call'd Turdetani now Torrestorres whose Inhabitants being Mortal Enemies to the Saguntians Hannibal join'd with 'em and by their assistance besieg'd reduc'd and burnt Saguntum to Ashes which was neither then offer'd to be reliev'd by the Romans nor ever after rebuilt Thus it is plain My Lords your Dispute was about which was Saguntum and not which Numantia for Soria and Zamora contest for Numantia whilst Monviedro and Siguenza lay claim to Saguntum To conclude then and draw an inference from what has been said after considering the Merits of your Cause and hearing what each has alledged for himself I pronounce and declare for my definitive Sentence that as the Archbishop of Sevill was not in the right so the Duke of Najara was in the wrong and therefore adjudge each of them to forfeit a good strong Mule for the use of him who shall make appear which was the great Numantia who the Founder in what place and after what manner built how long it stood and how came to be destroyed And all this because it is an Antiquity pleasing to read worthy to be known grateful to relate tho exceeding grievous to hear Of the Great City Numantia in Spain The Great Numantia was founded by Numa Pompilius second King of the Romans in the Eight and fiftieth year after the building of Rome and Eighteenth of his Reign so that from Numa the Founder it undoubtedly took its Nomination It was an usual thing in those times for Founders to give their own Names to the Cities they built so Hierusalem took hers from Salem Antiochia from Antiochus Constantinople from Constantine Alexandria from Alexander Rome from Romulus and Numantia from Numa Rome had but Seven Kings whereof the first was Romulus and last Tarquin but the best of all the Seven was this Numa Pompilius he being the first that introduced Religion into Rome enclosed the Vestals built Temples and gave Laws to his Subjects The Seat of this City was near the Banks of the River Duero and not far from the Springs thereof on an Eminence not mountainous but little rais'd It had no Towers nor Walls but only a very deep and broad Ditch to surround it The Inhabitants whereof being about 5 and 6000 two parts of which were employ'd in War and the third Till'd the Ground To be always in action was accounted with them very commendable and idleness and laziness as much condemn'd and what is yet more Praise-worthy they were not covetous of Riches but extreamly ambitious of Honour The Numantians naturally were rather Flegmatick than Cholerick Patient Subtle Crafty and given to Dissimulation so that what at one time they connived at the same they reveng'd at another In this City there was but one Tradesman and he was the Farrier for Goldsmiths Drapers Brokers Fruiterers Inn-keepers Fishmongers Bakers Butchers and the like were not permitted to live among them saying every one ought to furnish himself with those Necessaries and not be beholding to another They were so resolute and desperate in Battle they never turned their Backs or ever gave ground being always resolv'd rather to dye than fly They were not permitted to go to War without leave of their Government and such as went must serve all together on one side for where one Numantian happen'd to kill another he was infallibly put to death when he came home The Romans accounted four sorts of People in Spain hard to Subdue viz. The Meridones of Merida the Gaditani of Cadiz the Saguntini of Monviedro and Numantians being those of Soria

confirm'd the Bitch bites full as hard as the Dog Further as to Perfumes Suetonius in his Tenth Book of the Caesars tells you that Vespatian being about to confirm a benefit to one of his Courtiers and smelling a very sweet scent about him he immediately threw away his Pen and tore his Paper and with an angry Countenance thus Reprimanded him I Recall my Grant and get thee out of my Presence for by the Immortal Gods I had rather thou shouldst smell of Onyons and Garlick than of those Effeminate Unguents Plucius a Roman Lord when proscrib'd by the Triumvirate was found out in the Salernian Caves not by his Footsteps but the Train of Odours he left behind him so that having otherwise clearly escap'd his Enemies he was meerly betray'd by his Scents Hanibal the Carthaginian having been in his youth a Prince of great Courage and Conduct yet in his old Age the Ladies of Capua and Unguents of Asia weakned him so in Body and so enervated the vigour of his Mind that from thence forward he was neither able to gain a Town nor get a Battle Aulus Gellius relates that the Roman Senate being in debate what Captain to send against Pannonoa and the Vote coming to Cato the Censor he said Of the Two you propose I am against my young Kinsman Pulius because I never yet saw him come wounded from the Wars but have often seen him go smelling to a Perfum'd Handkerchief about the City Fourteen years were the Romans besieging the Great Numantia in Spain and never could take it till at length Scipio came afresh and sent great Bribes into the City to employ their Gluttony busie their Whores and burn Perfumes and then they took it in a trice and destroy'd it as quickly Licurgus in his Laws commanded the Lacedemonians under severe Penalties neither to buy or sell Perfumes of Precious Ointments except for Offerings in their Temples or Physick for their Sick From these and many more Examples might be brought it appears that Men have always been forbid Odours and Scents for speaking truth there is but little Pleasure got by 'em when on the contrary a great deal of Reputation to be lost And I must tell you moreover this is a very costly Vice for it not only occasions pains in the Head but also a Vacuum in the Purse What causes me a great deal of Mirth sometimes I might better say Disquiet is to see many vain fluttering young Fellows buy Perfum'd Gloves of 10 Ducats a Pair for their Mistresses yet have not the Heart to give a Crape Gown to a Sister or Poor Relation Whence it comes to pass that in a Mad Man's House Fancy rules the Roast whilst Reason turns the Spit If Men would be Advis'd by me I would take care they should smell well without Sweets for nothing under the Heavens has a more Odoriferous Savour than a clear and Unblemish'd Name Let me conclude therefore with this Truth That a good Christian is the Sweet Ointment a good Conscience the rich Amber and a good Life the choicest Wash-ball which I 'll assure you I would only steal or carry about me No more but that God Bless you and give me Grace to serve Him V●lladolid Decemb. 6. 1520. LETTER II. To Doctor Melgar a Physician in which are handled the Good and Harm occasioned by his Profession together with the Progress and several Interruptions of that Art as also the Author's Thoughts of it from its first Original Honour'd Doctor and Imperial Physician YOurs I Receiv'd together with the Recipe enclos'd and you may hereby satisfie your self or be inform'd by your Boy that I have dispatch'd your business with the President according to desire So that as you have dealt by me like a Physician I have treated you as a Friend Now which of us has done better you in Physicking me or I in Soliciting your Assair all good Men may judge for I 'll assure you at the very same time I got your Order Signed I was very sensibly Afflicted with the Gout Sir I procur'd the Herbs and Roots and bruiz'd and drank 'em according to Order but better regard may God have to your Soul than they brought relief to my pains for they not only fir'd my Liver but also benum'd my Stomach And I must tell you plainly in this Distemper you have been so far from performing a Cure that you have done me a great deal of injury and every time the Cold of my Stomach ob●iges me to Be●ch I presently resolve never to have any more to do with Doctor Melgar since he cou●d no● distinguish a Malady above from one below for I did not desire you to purge the Humours but rid me of my Pains not being able to Guess why you should Punish my Stomach when all the Pain lay in my great Toe I once consulted Doctor Soto about a Sciatica in my Hip and he prescrib'd a Blister on my Ears but which only occasion'd all the Court to laugh and my poor Souses to suffer Another time I had recourse to Doctor Carthagena in Alcala about the same Distemper and he order'd me Cow-turds Rats-dung Nettle-leaves Rose-buds and fri'd Scorpions to make a Plaister and apply to the part afflicted but all the good I got was that it did not suffer me to sleep one wink in Three Nights and yet I paid the Apothecary above Six Reals for making it Whereupon for the future I utterly renounce any Man's Friendship that shall advise me to the Aphorisms of Hypocrates Maxims of Avicenna Experiments of Ficinus Treatises of Racis and Recipes of Erophilus providing in any of their Writings there be the least mention made of this Cursed Plaister which as it suffer'd me not to sleep or be at rest so I not only tore it off immediately but also instantly buried it for as on the the one hand it burnt me on the other it almost struck me down with its stench I remember in Burgos about 20 years since Doctor Soto cur'd me of an intermitting Feaver but withal made me eat so much Sellery and Barley and drink so great quantity of Endive Water that for a time I was quite depriv'd of the use of my Pallat nay more could scarce smell Some few Years afterwards happening to visit the same Doctor when sick at Tordesillas I observ'd he Eat an Orange and Drank a cup of good Canary at the very time his hot fit came upon him which I not only wondered but was very much offended at since he treated me after another-guess manner Whereupon forcing a smile I thus accosted him Tell me I beseech you good Doctor What is the reason you Cure your self of your Feaver with Wine of St. Martin and me of mine by Endive Water To which he readily replied with a great deal of Assurance You must know Mr. Guevara our great Master Hypocrates under penalty of his displeasure Commanded us his Successors to recover our own healths with the Iuice of the Grape when he

The difference between which was that the Meridones were hardy Gaditani resolute Saguntini fortunate but the Numantians both hardy resolute and fortunate all together None of the Roman Generals who waged War in Spain for a Hundred and eighty years could ever subdue the Numantians or so much as cared to fall out with them Of all the Cities in the Worlds this only never acknowledged Superior nor admitted Lord. Numantia stood somewhat high and was but half fortified had no Towers was not very populous and had no riches yet none durst make her their Enemy but all rather chose her for their Friend and the reason was because the Fortune of the Numantians was still superior to the Power or Policy ôf the Romans During the Wars between Rome and Carthage and the Factions of Rome among themselves there was no King or Kingdom but ingaged on one side or other except the haughty Numantia only which always answer'd those that solicited her Assistance That she was not to be made a Party under any Head but rather they to follow her as Supream In the first Punick Wars the Numantians could never be brought to follow the Carthaginians or assist the Romans for which reason or rather without any the Romans resolv'd to make War upon Numantia and that not through any fear of their Power but meer envy of their Fortune The Romans besieged Numantia the space of Fourteen years without intermission during which the Numantians sustain'd great damage and the Romans lost several brave Commanders such as Caius Crispus Trebellius Pindarus Rufus Venustus Escaurus Paulus Pilius Cincinnatus and Drusus Nine Consuls of very great Note as also Experienc'd Generals These Nine and many other Romans being slain it happen'd the Twelfth year after this Siege that Anneus Fabricius a Roman General concluded a League and Amity with 'em and agreed upon a Truce till the Articles could be Ratified from Rome But the Senate perceiving this Capitulation tended altogether to the Honour of their Enemies and was a perpetual Disgrace to them caused the Prudent Consul to be immediately put to Death and the War as instantly continued The next year which was the Thirteenth of the Siege they sent Scipio their Consul with a fresh Army against Numantia The first thing he did was to banish the Camp all useless Men and debauch'd Women saying That Pleasures allow'd are more dangerous to a great Army than known Enemies Scipio besieg'd this City a year and seven months in all which time he never gave any assault or made the least attack but only busied himself to cut off their Relief and Provisions One of Scipio's Officers one day asking him Why he never attack'd them within the Town nor fell upon those that came out he answered Numantia is so fortunate and the Numantians so very successful that we may well hope to tire out but must never expect to conquer their Fortune The Numantians made frequent Sallies on the new-come Romans and one day of all the rest the Fight continued so long and bloody it might well have been term'd a pitch'd Battle and the Romans were so hard put to it that had not the Fortune and Conduct of Scipio been on their side that day the Glory and Power of Rome had undoubtedly ended in Spain Scipio therefore perceiving the Numantians grew bold and the Romans slackned drew back about a mile and half from the Town to the end that he might not be so subject to surprize so that the distance being greater he might thereby receive the less damage The Numantians thus having lost many of their Men and Provisions growing short at length unanimously made a Vow to their Gods never to break Fast unless on Roman Flesh nor drink Wine or Water till they had tasted of their Blood It was monstrous then to see as it is still to hear how they every day sallied to hunt Romans as if they had been going to shoot Rabbets and how they did afterwards as savourily eat and drink their Flesh and Blood as if it had been Beef or Mutton Then it was the Consul Scipio daily sustained very great Losses for besides that the Numantians prey'd on the Romans like Wild Beasts they likewise fought no longer like Enemies but as Men in despair No Numantian ever gave Roman Quarter nor so much as suffer'd 'em to be Buried but as soon as any were kill'd they immediately carried 'em where they were flea'd quarter'd and weighed out in the Market so that with them a Dead Roman was then more worth than a Live one Scipio was often perswaded intreated and importuned by his Officers to raise the Siege and return home but he was always so far from consenting that he would not so much as endure to hear it propos'd And this because as he came from Rome a Priest had bid him not be discouraged or desist tho' he should run great hazards for that the Gods had decreed the end of the fortunate Numantia should be the beginning of his Glory How Scipio took Numantia Scipio perceiving he could neither gain the Numantians by fair means nor subdue 'em by force caused a vast Trench to be made round the Town which was seven Fathom deep and five in breadth so that no Relief could possibly come to 'em neither could they make any Sallies He often courted 'em to try the Clemency of the Romans and rely upon his Word But they always answered That having lived free Three Hundred Thirty three Years they were resolv'd not to die Slaves The Clamours of the Women in the City were sent up to Heaven the Priests called upon their Gods and all the Men cried out to the Consul Scipio to suffer them to come out and fight like Men and not to be shut up and starved like Beasts Also the more to move him they said Is it becoming you O Noble Scipio who are a Roman Youth Brave and Resolute to keep us here pen'd up like Sheep which is only a Stratagem of Policy when it would rather redound to your immortal Glory if you let us come out and overcame us in Fight When the Numantians saw themselves thus miserably inclosed and their Provisions daily consuming The ablest among 'em met and Killed all the old Men Women and Children then gather'd the Wealth of the Town and Temples into one great heap in the Market-place and having themselves first taken Poison immediately fired every corner of the City so that the Riches Houses Temples and Inhabitants of Numantia perished altogether in one Day Prodigious were the Actions of the Numantians in their Lives and no less wonderful at their Deaths for they left not Scipio any Riches to Plunder nor so much as a Man or Woman to Triumph over During all the time this Famous City was Besieged no Numantian was ever made Prisoner by the Romans for they all chose rather to die than take quarter Now when Scipio saw the City on Fire and entring it found all the Inhabitants Dead

and Burnt he was very sensibly griev'd and the Tears falling fast from his Eyes he said O happy Numantia which the Gods have indeed suffer'd to Perish but never to be overcome The Prosperity of Numantia lasted 466 Years for that was the interval between the building of it by Numa Pompilius and its destruction by the great Scipio Africanus In these Ages there were Three Cities that gave most trouble to the Romans Elia in Asia Carthage in Africk and Numantia in Europe All which were at length totally subverted but never Conquer'd by them Prince Iugurtha being then but Twenty two Years of Age came out of Africk to the assistance of Scipio and behaved himself with so great Bravery that he was extreamly valued by the Consul and afterwards highly honour'd at Rome All who have writ of this Siege say the Romans never sustained greater losses had so many Men destroyed spent so much Money nor suffer'd so great disgrace as there and the reason they gave was because their other Wars were always grounded upon some wrong received when this against Numantia was meerly raised through envy To say the City Zamora was ever Numantia is both false and ridiculous for unless all Histories deceive us from the building of Numantia till Zamora was founded there were 733 Years Did Pliny Pomponius Ptolemy and Strabo say that Numantia was near the River Duero it would be dubious whether Soria or Zamora were it But on the contrary these Authors affirm it was built near the Springs of Duero whence may be concluded that Zamora being Thirty Leagues from these Springs and Soria but Five it must be Soria and not Zamora Yet there are three different opinions concerning its Scituation some saying it stood where Soria does now others that it was on the other side of the River on a Hill and others that it was a League from thence where is now a Town called Garray And in my Judgment by what I have seen of the three places this last is the most probable Assertion many pieces of Antiquity being there found and many Ruins of Stately buildings there to be seen Those who have writ concerning Numantia are Pliny Strabo Ptolemy Trogus Pompeius Pollio Trebellius Vulpitius Isidorus Iustin and Marcus Ancius LETTER XIV To Don Alonso de Albornoz shewing it sign of ill breeding not to answer a Letter Also laying down the dangers of Matrimony and likewise containing some pleasant News from Court The whole embellish'd with biting Railleries and serious Reflections SIR IF the Lady Donna Maria to whom you are contracted admires your Person as much as I blame your laziness you may safely Marry without danger of repenting and yet I think I am not a little bold when I say you will not repent Marrying for in Truth I could wish I were as sincerely sorrowful for my Sins as some are penitent after entring into that State To Marry a Woman is very easie but to hold out to the last in my opinion very difficult and from thence it comes that those who Marry for Love commonly live in Sorrow For considering the frequent distasts that happen in a Family the burden of the Wife care of Children wants of the House charge of Servants importunities of Relations and adoration which Fathers-in-Law commonly expect if all these things will not oblige a Maried Man to repent at least I 'm sure they must needs tire him The Philosopher Mirtus being asked Why he did not Marry Answered Because when I take a Wife if she be good I shall not care to lose her if bad must endure her if poor maintain her if rich bear with her if ugly shall hate her and if beautiful must watch her But what is yet worst of all I must then resign my liberty to one that will never thank me for it Riches produce Care Poverty Afflictions the Sea Dangers Eating too much Surfeits and Travels Weariness But nevertheless these Troubles are divided among many when Married people have them altogether for the Married Man is commonly full of Care Sad Weary Surfeited nay and Frighted to Boot I say Frighted at the imagination of what may befall him or his Wife attempt He who meets with a Wife that is Foolish Wild Talkative Loose Licke●ish Mutinous Lazy given to Ramble Incorrigible Jealous Imperious or Lewd that Wretch had much better been a Slave to a good Man than Husband to such a Woman It is hard 't is true to humour some Men but much more difficult to know any Woman The reason is because they have neither measure in their Love nor bounds in their H●te I will not perhaps I dare not say more as to this particular for should I set about it and let my Pen run at liberty I might want time but never matter to write upon It is not without cause I have said I was offended at your laziness for it is now about half a year since I writ to you and yet you never answer'd me one line and Iohn de Ocana came afterwards and then you did not write so that on the one hand you may well be term'd Lazy and on the other negligent Take it for a Rule never to neglect answering him that took the pains to write to you for to answer our Superiors is an act of necessity our equals demonstration of good will but to write to our Inferiours is no ordinary Virtue Alexander the Great was wont to write to Pulio his Farrier Iulius Caesar to Rufus his Gardner Augustus to Pamplilus his Smith Tiberius to Scaurus his Miller Tullius to Myrrhus his Taylor and Seneca to Gyphus his Baily whence we may infer it is no disgrace either to write to or answer mean Persons Paulus Emilius writing to his Plowman uses these Words I received your Message by Argeus and my answer is that I send you an Ox to Yoak with the other and the Cart new mended therefore Plow the Land well Prune the Vine handsomly clear the Trees from Caterpillars and always remember the Goddess Ceres Curius Dentatus being in the Army against Pyrrhus King of Epirus writ to a Carpenter after this manner Cneius Patroclus told me you were at work on my House take care the Timber be well seasoned make the lights towards the South let not the Roof be high but Rooms light the Bath close and Chimney not smoaky make two Windows and but one Door Alexander the Great writing to his Farrier said I sent you a Horse that was presented me by the Athenians he and I were Wounded in the same Fight walk him well every day dress his Wound carefully pare his Feet sparingly and have a care of nailing him slit his Nostrils wash his Tail and let him not grow over fat for no Horse that is foul can endure me in the Field We read of the famous Tyrant Phalaris that never Man did him service which he did not requite nor sent him Letter which he did not answer Historians do not relate as a

his Judgment for in all he Writ or said he made it his Chief business to lessen Hypocrates and cry up himself insomuch that he was the first that wrested Physick from t●e Protection of Reason and plac'd it in Custody of Opinion This Physician dying there grew great contentions amongst the Grecians which of the two Methods was best that of Hippocrates or the other of Chrysippus But at length they agreed in this that they would neither follow one nor admit the other affirming that Honour and Life ought never to become matter of dispute Thus the Grecians continued another hundred Years without Physicians till Aristrato Nephew to the great Aristo●le arose and Rescued Physick from Oblivion and this not that he was more Learned than his Predecessors but rather more Fortunate This Man recover'd the Credit of Physick by curing A●tiochus the first of an Infirmity in his Lungs in return of which the King gave him his Daughter 1000 Talents of Silver and a Gold Cup So that he not only hereby gain'd great repute thro' all Europe but also considerably enrich'd his Family But nevertheless he first brought a Scandal upon this Profession it having been never before known that any Cur'd for Hire or set a price upon their Art all before him contenting themselves either with Friendship or Charity This Man Dying his Disciples soon became more Covetous than Wise and had greater skill in draining Purses than relieving Maladies insomuch that the Senate of Athens was once more set at work to forbid any Physick being Read or for the future Practis'd among ' em What other Interruptions Physick underwent Another hundred Years was Physick exploded in Europe till the Philosopher Euperices restor'd it in the Kingdom of Trinacria Sicily But he and a Quack happening to quarrel about curing K. Chrysippus who then Reigned in that Island it was Universally agreed that for the future no mixt Potions should be us'd but only Simples Prescrib'd A long while was Sicily and the greatest part of the World without knowledge of the Art of Physick till Herophilus a Man of great skill both in that Art and Astrology started up in Rhodes Many affirm this Person was Master to Ptolemy and others that he was but his Scholar However 't is certain he left many learned Astrogical Treatises and Educated a great number of Famous Pupils This Physician was of opinion the Pulse was not to be consulted in in the Arm but Temples saying it never failed to shew it self there when it was sometimes conceal'd in the Wrist This Secret was so Sacred among the Rhodians that they maintain'd and Practis'd it always as long as their Doctor and his Disciples liv'd yet at length it came to be neglected altho' the Physician was never forgot For after his and his Scholars Deaths they would neither suffer themselves to be cur'd nor admit any Practisers among 'em and this for fear they might vary from their great Masters Authority or out of an aversion they had to new Opinions After all these Physick lay dead for almost 800 Years as well in Europe as Asia till the great Philosopher and Physician Asclepiades appear'd in the Island Mitilene formerly Lesbos a Man Learned enough but withal extreamly Fortunate This Person opposed consulting the Pulse in the Wrist as now Practised and was for those in the Temples or Nostrils which was not thought so extravagant but the Asian Physicians made frequent use of 'em a long time after During all this we do not read of any Physician in Rome or Italy for 't is well known the Romans were the last of all the World that had Clocks Buffoons Barbarians and Physicians introduc'd among ' em Four Hundred and Six Years and Six Months was the great City of Rome without either Physician or Surgeon and the first we read of was Antonius Musa a Grecian The occasion of whose coming thither was a Sciatica the Emperor Augustus had in his Thigh which he having totally Eradicated and Cur'd the Romans in Gratitude rais'd him a Porphyry Statue in the Campus Martius Prodigious Wealth might this Man have got and arriv'd to the Fame of a great Philosopher had he been contented not to go beyond his Profession his hard Fate proceeding from a pretence to Surgery where his business was Physick For it being often necessary in that Art to cut off Arms Legs Fingers sear Flesh and apply Cupping glasses the Romans not accustomed to see such Cruelties or undergo such Tortures instead of Recompencing his knowledge at length Ston'd and dragg'd him Dead thro' the City When they had thus handled this unfortunate Man they immediately resolv'd never to admit Physician or Surgeon more among 'em which continued till the Reign of Infamous Nero who in his return from Greece brought Physicians and Vices good Store along with him During whose Reign and his Successors Galba Otto and Vitellius Physick was of great esteem in Italy but after their Deaths the good Emperor Titus banish'd both Orators and Physicians his reason being the former were destroyers of good Customs as the latter Enemies of health He added farther I Banish Physicians to prevent Vice for 't is well known where they reside for the most part the people are very wicked The great Cato Uticensis was very Jealous of this Profession especially where they were like to inhabit the Roman Empire for once writing to his Son Marcellus from Greece he says thus In yours and my Case it is evident the the Love of a Father out-does the Duty of a Son for where you have forgot to write to me I not only frequently take care to send you Letters but also provide for your Necessaries If you will not converse with me as a Father pray write to me as a Friend and where you cannot respect my Gray Hairs have at least regard to my good Works You know Son Marcellus I have been now five Years successively in Greece and resided for the most part in Athens where are the most Famous Philosophers and Celebrated Academies in the World If you would know my opinion of these Grecians it is this They talk much and do little call all others Barbarous and themselves only Learned are Friends to those who will be guided by 'em but Enemies to such as will not Dissemble Injuries but never forgive 'em are constant in Hate but variable in Love Hide-bound when they give and Covetous when they get And in a Word Son Marcellus they are naturally Proud and Imperious where they Command and Slavish when th●y Ob●y This is what the Philosophers Teach and People Practise wherewith I thought fit to inform you that you might have no Inclinations to leave Rome to c●me hither for you know well the Prudence and Staidness of our Country would suit but ill with the Levity and N●velties of Greece The day our Sacred Senate shall permit th● Greek Ar●s and Sciences to enter Rome ou● whole Republick will be inevitably ruin'd for where the Romans have

Men would neither exceed in Eating or Grieving Diseases would not find wherewithal to Prey upon us nor vexations to torment us for if we observe the common cause of all our Misery proceeds either from our Appetites or our Fancy Experience teaches us every day that Madmen Fools and Blockheads are the only healthy and happy People for they neither trouble themselves with Honour nor are sensible of any affront When on the contrary the Wise and Discreet are not only concern'd for what Men say but also for what they imagine they think There are some so very conceitedly acute that they will not content themselves to put their own constructions upon Words but also think it for their Honour to guess at other Men's thoughts which only occassions them to be a plague to themselves and to deserve the Ill-will of every body else I dare affirm no Poyson can prove so pernicious to Humane Life as prosound Melancholy for then the Afflicted Heart wearies it self out with Sighing and bursts it self with Sobbing And moreover I will be positive that amongst the wisest of this World cares occasion more Distempers than Gluttony for we may every day observe the Brisk and Sprightly to be fat and well Complexion'd When the Melancholy and Heavy are for the most part Thin Lean and Consumptive I must confess to your Grace upon this occasion that the late Feaver I had proceeded rather from Thoughts than Victuals for if I had not perplext my self about a trifling assair I might now have been able to eat a Belly full without any danger You write me Sir you have got a great Rheum by Sleeping on the ground in this hot Month of August and I am much of your opinion for where Sweating sometimes relieves it oftner occasions Coughing that does us a great deal of injury Also I understand by your Letter you would have me send you some News But I must inform you that in this Court there is little to be trusted to Paper and much to be spoken in the Ear for matters belonging to Princes and great Men may indeed be heard but withal must never be divulg'd Here and elsewhere I have often observ'd Men profit themselves by silence when others have been ruin'd by their Babling Wherefore I must needs beg your Grace's Excuse for the present and when we next meet my Tongue shall endeavour to make good the defaults of my Pen. No more but God keep your Grace always under his Sacred Protection Burgos Octob. 15. 1524. LETTER IX To Don John Parelloso That we may be serviceable to Women in their Husbands Absence but are not to Visit ' em SIR ALexander the Great being in Egypt a poor Man named Biancius came to Ask his Leave and Charity to Marry his Daughter both which the good Prince not only readily granted but also gave him moreover the Command of a very rich and populous City whereupon the frighted Egyptian thus spoke to the generous Emperor Consider mighty Prince what you give and to whom you are so bountiful for otherwise perhaps it may one day happen you 'l think your s●lf as much deceiv'd in the Person as I am supriz'd with the Gift To which the Noble Monarch instantly reply'd I am not overseen in what I proffer nor to whom I give neither am I ignorant of what you Ask Take therefore the City and be silent for where you request only like Biancius I grant as Alexander The most Serene Queen Cleopatra tho she were to be blam'd for the loosness of her Life yet the generosity of her Gifts were much more commendable for they seldom barely suffic'd to relieve a Necessity but also frequently extended to support a Noble Title I mention these two Examples Sir because in return for my News of the Emperor's coming into Spain I ask'd a Pot of Portugal Marmalade and you sent me a strong Mule in a manner that herein I might be said to represent Biancius the Egyptian as you Alexander the Great All that hereafter hear or read of this will praise my Modesty where they will surely extoll your Bounty for if I have shew'd my self little Covetous by my Demands you have been abundantly more Generous in your Gift I was some time since to see your Present and have often prov'd and approv'd of him and find him of so good size and so very gentle that in my Opinion he deserves to be bestrid not only by a Mitre but even by a Cardinal's Cap. My Servant nevertheless brings you him again and this Letter testifies my hearty Thanks for the use of him for tho Friends may be allow'd to be serviceable to one another yet they are by no means to spur a free Horse to death so that as you have been sufficiently generous in lending your Mule so long I think my self no less oblig'd to return him as soon as I have done True Friends are to be sparing of Words but prodigal of good Works and therefore I promise on the Word of a Christian when the Emperor pays me for my Services I 'll recompence you for your Civilities By yours you desire to know how Messer Angelo's Wife does and whether I have heard from her Husband since he went for Italy and this because she is your Aunt and he was formerly my Neighbour But hereupon I must tell you I have neither seen nor intend to see her unless she sends for me For tho we are oblig'd to be serviceable to Women in their Husband's absence yet we are by no means to Visit ' em Two things are neither to be lent nor trusted and they are the Sword you wear and a Wife you have Married for in Spain a Husband looks but very awkward without either a Sword by his Side or a Wife in his Bosom The Chast Lucretia's Husband Colatinus being in the Camp against the Volscians Dissolute Tarquin would needs Visit her from whence ensued his Incensing Rome the ruine of their Army the Heroine's Suicide and his own Destruction I say this Sir because where we may be allow'd to assist our Friends Wives with Money during their Husband's absence and solicit any Affair for 'em when desired we are by no means to assume a liberty of Treating and making 'em Visits and this because the Malice of Men is diligent as the Honour of Women nice therefore we must take more than ordinary care we neither give their Neighbours cause of suspicion nor Husbands of Jealousie As to what you farther desire I will speak to the Lord Chancellor with all my Heart and if he does not happen to comply with your expectations you shall soon have an account A Man that has to do with the Court must neither want Patience nor abound with Assurance for there an Ounce of Fortune is always worth more than a Hundred weight of Desert We see every day here Matters of greatest Right over-ruled when such as have the least pretence shall be almost sure to succeed in a manner that