here And verily among them their Wisards Southsaiers Priests Prophets haue a religious opinion of them and attribute great holinesse to the vse thereof as being persuaded that whoeuer weare them shall be secured against all perils and dangers whatsoeuer and therefore a speciall reckoning they make of them as wel in regard of beautie as deuotion Before that it was known in what estimation Coral was with the Indians the Frenchmen adorned set out their swords targuets shields morrions and head peeces therewith But since time that there was a vent into India of this commoditie so vendible great searsitie there is of it and hardly shall a man meet with any Corall euen in that part of the world where it growes naturally The branches of Corall hanged about the neckes of infants and young children are thought to be a sufficient preseruatiue against all witheraft and sorcerie Calcined by fire and so reduced into ashes or pouder and giuen to drinke in water it helpeth those who are troubled with the wringing paines of the belly the griefe of the bladder and the disease of the stone The like effect it hath if it be drunk in wine or if the patient haue a feauer vpon him in water for to procure sleep This would be noted that Corall doth withstand the power of fire and long it is before it be burned and reduced into ashes But surely a singular medicine it is so prepared and vsed insomuch as by report if a man keepe to it still and continue it long the same will consume the hardnesse and schirrositie of the spleen The pouder of Corall is soueraign for such as reach and cast vp bloud at the mouth The ashes enter into many mixtures and medicines for the eies for astringent they be and cooling withall Hollow vlcers and fistulaes they incarnat and fill vp againe with new flesh Skars and cicatrices they do extenuat If I should speak of the repugnancie and contrariety in Nature which the Greekes call antipathie found in many creatures there is not to be seen in the whole world any thing more venomous and aduerse to plants than the Puffens or Forke fish of the sea called Pastinaca for as I heretofore noted it hath a pricke in the tail which is able to kill any trees that be pierced or wounded withall And yet a concurrent and enemie this hath which doth persecute plague it and namely the Lamprey called Galeos so eager is it and greedy of the venome and poyson of that fish There be other fishes also which it pnrsueth but those Puffins especially and no Weazill hunteth more after serpents In summe whosoeuer be hurt or wounded by the said Pussin this Galeos is a present remedy so is the Barble also and the gum Laser or Benjoin CHAP. III. ¶ Of certaine creatures which liue as well vpon the land as the sea Of Castoreum or the genetoirs of a Bever the medicinable vertues thereof and other properties obserued therein THe power and majestie of Nature is very conspicuous and visible euen in those creatures also which liue indifferently on land and in the water and namely in the Beuers which commonly the physicians call Castores like as their stones also Castorea Some hold that these Beuers when they be neer driuen and pressed by hunters and at the point to be taken bite off their owne stones But Sextius who hath written most exactly in Physicke denieth it flatly He saith moreouer that these cods be small knit short and trussed vp so as they stick close vnto the chine bone and canot possibly be taken from the beast but the life goes away withall By his saying also they are sophisticated and the kidnies of the Beuer which are big be obtruded and foisted to vs many times in stead of their stones which indeed are neuer found but very little slender Furthermore he affirmeth That they be not the right stones of a Beuer when they are seene without a twofold burse or skin which no liuing creature hath besides In these two bags there is found saith he a certain oleous liquor which ordinarily is kept preserued with salt And therefore among other marks to know false and sophisticat Castoreum is this If you see a paire of cods hanging as it were knit together by one string in one bag And yet the best may be falsified by the fraud and cunning of such as put gum therto with salt Ammoniack because the true Beuers stones ought to beare the colour of Ammoniacke to be enclosed also within their seuerall tunicles and to lie in a certaine liquor resembling cereous hony standing much vpon wax to haue a strong and rank smell a bitter hot and fiery tast and withall apt to crumble between the fingers The best Castoreum most effectuall is brought out of Pontus and Galatia next to it is that of Affrick or Barbarie The vertue of Castoreum is to prouoke sneesing if a man hold it to his nose and smell thereto If the head be annointed with Castoreum incorporat with oile of roses and Harstrang it will procure sleep so will it do alone by it selfe giuen in water to drinke in which respect proper it is for the frensie And yet the perfume or vapor thereof will raise those that lie in a sleepy lethergie like a suffumigation or pessarie put vp into the natural parts of women is soueraign for the rising of the mother in which fit they lie as it were in a trance and out of the world Costoreum giuen to the weight of two drams with Peniroyall in water to drink moueth womens monthly sicknes and forceth the afterbirth to com away It helpeth those that haue the dizzinesse or swimming of the braine bee drawne backeward with cramps tremble and shake are plucked with spasmes and convulsions diseased in their sinews troubled with the Sciatica sick of a weak and feeble stomacke that keepeth nothing which it takes and lie bed-rid of the palsie if they be annointed throughly therewith in parts conuenient Or if Castoreum be reduced into pouder and together with the seed of Agnus Castus be incorporat with vineger or oile rosat and so reduced to the consistence of hony which being taken as an electuarie is singular not only for the former maladies but also for the falling sicknes and if the same be giuen in drink it discusseth ventosities appeaseth the wrings and torments of the belly yea and represseth the malice of any poisons But in this case of poisons it ought to be prepared mixed and vsed diuersly according to the sundry kinds thereof for against the venome of scorpions it would be drunk in meere wine to withstand the danger of the Phalangia and such venomous spiders it ought to be giuen in honied wine especially if the intention bee to cast vp the said poysons by vomit or with Rue if the drift and purpose be to hold and retain all still To preuent the perill of the Lizards or venomous wormes Chalcidicae
ciuill wars Yet Pompey the great deserues honour more iustly for scouring the seas and taking from the rouers 846 saile of ships But to return again to Caesar ouer and aboue the qualities of worth before rehearsed an especiall property of his owne he had for clemency and mercy wherein he so far forth surmounted all other men that hee repented therof in the end As for his magnanimity it was incomparable and he left such a president behind him as I forbid all men to match or second it For to speake of his sumptuosities of his largesses of the magnificent shewes exhibited to the people the exceeding cost charges therein bestowed with all the stately furniture thereto belonging were a point of him that fauored such lauish expence and superfluities But herein appeared his true hautinesse of mind indeed and that vnmatchable spirit of his that when vpon the battel at Pharsalia as wel the cofers caskets with letters other writings of Pompey as also those of Scipio's before Thapsus came into his hands he was most true to them and burnt all without reading one scrip or scrol CHAP. XXVI ¶ The commendation of Pompey the great AS concerning all the titles and victorious triumphs of Pompey the great wherein hee was equall in renowne and glory not onely to the acts of Alexander the great but also of Hercules in a manner and god Bacchus if I should make mention therof in this place it would redound not to the honour onely of that one man but also to the grandeur and Maiestie of the Roman empire In the first place then after he had recouered Sicily and reduced it vnder obeisance where his first rising was and where hee began to shew himselfe in the quarrell of the Common weale and to side with Sylla hauing also conquered and subdued Africke and raunged it vnder the obedience of Rome where he acquired the surname of Magnus by reason of the great booty and pillage which he brought from thence being no higher of birth and calling than a Roman gentleman or man of armes entred with triumphant chariot into Rome a thing that was neuer seene before in a man of that place and qualitie Immediatly after this he made a voiage into the West and hauing brought vnder obeisance of the Romans 876 great townes which he forced by assault betweene the Alpes and the marches of Spaine he erected trophies and triumphant columnes vpon the mountain Pyrenaeus with the title and inscription of these victorious exploits and neuer made one word of his victorie ouer Sertorius so braue a mind he carried with him And after the ciuill troubles and broiles appeased quenched which drew after them all forreine wars he triumphed againe the second time being as yet but a knight of Rome so oftentimes a generall of command conduct before he euer serued as soldier in the field These famous deeds atchieued sent out he was in another expedition to scoure cleere all the seas and so forward into the East parts From whence he returned with more titles stil of honor to his country after the manner of those that winne victories at the solemne festiuall * Games for as the victors vse not themselues to accept the chaplets and guirlands in their own names but to be crowned therwith in the behalf of their natiue countries euen so Pompeius in that temple which he caused to be built of the bootie and pillage woon from the enemies and dedicated to Minerva entituled the citie with the whole honour and attributed all to them in an inscription or table engrauen in this manner Pompeius the Great Lord Generall hauing finished the warres which continued thirtie yeares during which he had discomfited put to flight slaine or receiued to mercie vpon submission 2183000 men sunke or taken 846 saile woon and brought to his deuotion of cities townes and castles to the number of 1538 subdued and put vnder subiection all lands and Nations betweene the lake Maeotis and the red sea hath dedicated of right and good desert this temple to Minerva This is the briefe and summarie of his seruice in the East As for the triumph wherin he rode the third day before the Calends of October in the yeare wherein M. Messala and M. Piso were Consuls the tenure and title ran in this form Whereas Cn. Pompeius hath cleared all the sea coasts from Pyrats and rouers and thereby recouered vnto the people of Rome the lordship and soueraignetie of the seas and withall subdued Pontus Armenia Paphlagonia Cappadocia Cilicia Syria the Scythians Iudaea and the Albanois the Island Creta and the Bastarnians hath triumphed ouer them all as also for the vanquishing of the 2 kings Mithridates and Tigranes But the greatest glorie of all glories in him was this as himselfe deliuered openly in a ful assembly at what time as he discoursed of his owne exploits That whereas Asia when he receiued it was the vtmost frontier prouince and limit of the Roman Empire hee left the same in the very heart mids therof and so deliuered it vp to his countrey Now if a man would set Caesar on the other side against him likewise rehearse his noble acts who indeed of the two seemed greater in the sight of the world he had need verily to fetch a circuit about the world and comprehend the whole globe thereof which were an infinit piece of work and in all reason impossible CHAP. XXVII ¶ The praise of Cato the first of that name IN sundry other kindes of vertues many men haue diuersly excelled But Cato the first of the Porcian house was thought to be the only person who was able to perform three things in the highest degree that are most commendable in a man For first and formost he was a singular good Oratour secondly a most braue captaine and renowned commander in the field and last of all a right worthy Senatour and approued counsellor And yet in my conceit all these excellent parts seeme to haue shined more bright although he came after the other in Scipio Aemylianus To say nothing of this blessed gift besides that he was not hated and spighted of so many men as Cato was But if you will seeke for one especiall thing in Cato by himselfe this is reported of him That he was judicially called to his answer 44 times and neuer was there man accused oftner than he yet went he euer cleare away and was acquit CHAP. XXVIII ¶ Of Valour and Fortitude AN endlesse peece of worke it were to know and set downe who bare the prize for valiancy namely if we admit the fabulous tales of poets As for the poet Ennius he had in greatest admiration T. Caecilius Teucer and especially his brother and in regard of those two he compiled the sixt booke of his Annales to the rest But L. Siccius Dentatus a Tribune of the Commons not long after the banishment of the kings when Sp. Tarpetus and A. Aeterinus were
tie them together and so leaue them in the woods for the male tygres howbeit they rere neither the first nor second litter of them supposing that the dogs thus bred will be too fierce and eger but the third they nourish and bring vp Semblably thus doe the Gaules by their dogges that are ingendred of wolues and in euerie chace and forrest there be whole flockes of them thus ingendred that haue for their guide leader and captain one dogge or other him they accompanie when they hunt him they obey and are directed by for surely they keepe an order among themselues of gouernment and mastership This is knowne for certaine that the dogges which be neere vnto Nilus lap of the riuer running still and neuer stay while they are drinking because they will giue no vantage at all to be a prey vnto the greedie Crocodiles In the voiage that Alexander the Great made into India the king of Albania gaue him a dogge of an huge and extraordinarie bignesse And Alexander taking great delight and contentment to see so goodly and so faire a dogge let loose vnto him first Beares afterwards wild Bores and last of all fallow Deere But this dog making no reckoning of all this game lay still couchant and neuer stirred nor made at them This great Commander Alexander a man of mighty spirit and high mind offended at the lazinesse and cowardise of so great a bodie commanded that he should be killed and so he was Newes hereof went presently to the king of Albanie Wherupon he sent vnto him a second dog with this message That he should not make triall of this too against such little beasts but either set a Lion or an Elephant at him saying moreouer that hee had in all but those two of his kinde and if hee were killed likewise hee were like to haue no more of that race and breed Alexander made no stay but presently put out a Lion and immediately he saw his backe broken and all to rent and torne by the dog Afterwards he commanded to bring forth an Elephant and in no sight tooke he greater pleasure than in this For the dog at the first with his long rough shagged haire that ouerspread his whole bodie came with ful mouth thundering as it were and barking terribly against the Elephant Soon after he leapeth and flieth vpon him rising and mounting against the great beast now of one side then of another maintaining combate right artificially one while assailing another while auoiding his enemie and so nimbly he bestirreth him from side to side that with continuall turning about to and fro the Elephant grew giddie in the head insomuch as he came tumbling downe and made the ground to shake vnder him with his fal Bitches breed and beare young euery yeere lightly once and the due time for them to be with whelpes is when they are full a yeere old They goe with young threescore daies Their puppies come blinde into the world and the more milke they sucke the later it is ere they receiue their sight but as it is neuer aboue twenty daies ere they see so they open not their eies vnder seuen daies old Some say that if a bitch bring but one at a litter it will see by nine daies if twaine it will be ten daies first and the more puppies she hath the more daies it will be in that proportion ere they see Moreouer that the bitch-whelpe that commeth of the first litter see strange bugs and goblins The best of the whole litter is that whelpe that is last ere it begin to see or else that which the bitch carries first into her kennell The biting of mad dogs are most dangerous to a man as we haue said before especially during the dog-daies while the dog star Syrius is so hot for they that are so bitten lightly are affraid of water which is a deadly signe To preuent therefore that dogs fall not mad it is good for thirtie or fortie daies space to mingle hens or pullins dung especially with their meat againe if they be growing into that rage or tainted already to giue them Ellebor with their meat CHAP. XLI ¶ Against the biting of a mad Dog THe sure and soueraigne remedy for them that are bitten with a mad dog was reuealed lately by way of Oracle to wit the root of a wild rose called the sweet brier or Eglantine Columella writeth That when a whelpe is iust fortie daies old if his taile be bitten off at the nethermost joint and the sinew or string that commeth after be likewise taken away neither the taile will grow any more nor the dog fall euer to be mad I haue my selfe obserued that among the prodigies it is reported how a dog sometime spake as also that a serpent barked that yeere when Tarquine the prowd was deposed and driuen out of Rome CHAP. XLII ¶ Of Horses and their nature THe same Alexander the Great of whom ere-while we spake had a very strange and rare horse whom men called Bucephalus either for his crabbed and grim looke or else of the marke or brand of a buls head which was imprinted vpon his shoulder It is reported that Alexander being but a child seeing this faire horse was in loue with him and bought out of the breed and race of Philonicus the Pharsalian and for him paied sixteene talents He would suffer no man to sit him nor come vpon his backe but Alexander and namely when he had the kings saddle on and was also trapped with roiall furniture for otherwise he would admit any whomsoeuer The same horse was of a passing good and memorable seruice in the warres and namely being wounded vpon a time at the assault of Thebes he would not suffer Alexander to alight from his back and mount vpon another Many other strange and wonderfull things hee did in regard whereof when he was dead the king solemnized his funerals most sumptuously erected a tombe for him and about it built a city that bare his name Bucephalia Caesar Dictator likwise had another horse that would suffer no man to ride him but his maister the same horse had his forefeet resembling those of a man and in that manner he stands pourtraied before the temple of Venus Mother Moreouer Augustus Caesar late Emperour of famous memory made a sumptuous tombe for an horse that he had wherof Germanicus Caesar compiled a poeme At Agrigentum there be seen Pyramides ouer many places were horses were entombed Iuba reporteth That queene Semiramis loued a great horse that she had so far forth that she was content he should doe his kind with her The Scythians verily take a great pride and glorie much in the goodnes of their horses and Cauallerie A king of theirs happened in combat and single fight vpon a challenge to be slain by his enemie and when he came to despoile him of his armes and roiall habit the kings horse came vpon him with such furie flinging and laying about him with
time of dead Winter so soone as the weather beginnes to be more warme and temperate they discharge both fruit and tree of their dung which being thus let out again as it were where they seemed buried and now comming to light they no sooner find the fresh aire another kind of nourishment differing from that whereby they liued but doe embrace and receine the comfort of the new Sun most greedily as if they were new born and reuiued in such sort as that in Moesia notwithstanding it be a most cold region ye shall haue the figs of these trees to ripen when others begin to blossom and by this means become early and hasty figs in another yeare Now forasmuch as we are fallen to mention the figs in Africk which were in so great request in the time of Cato I am put in mind to speake somewhat of that notable opportunity and occasion which by the means of that fruit he took for to root out the Carthaginians rase their very city For as he was a man who hated deadly that city and was otherwise carefull to prouide for the quiet and securitie of his posteritie he gaue not ouer at euery sitting of the Senat to importune the Senators of Rome and to cry out in their eares That they would resolue and take order to destroy Carthage and in very truth one day aboue the rest he brought with him into the Senat house an early or hasty fig which came out of that country and shewing it before all the lords of the Senat I would demand of you quoth he how long ago it is as you think since this fig was gathered from the tree And when none of them could deny but that it was fresh and new gotten Lo quoth he my masters all this I do you to wit It is not yet ful three daies past since this fig was gathered at Carthage see how neere to the walls of our citie we haue a mortall enemie Vpon which remonstrance of his presently they concluded to begin the third and last Punick war wherein Carthage was vtterly subuerted and ouerthrown Howbeit Cato suruiued not the rasing and saccage of Carthage for he died the yeare immediately following this resolution But what shall we say of this man whether was more admirable in this act his prouident care and promptnesse of spirit or the occasion presented by the sudden obiect of the fig was the present resolution and forward expedition of the Senat or the vehement earnestnesse of Cato more effectuall to this enterprise Certes somewhat there is aboue all nothing in mine opinion more wonderful that so great a signiory and state as Carthage which had contended for the Empire of the world for the space of 120 yeres and that with the great conquerours the Romanes should thus be ruined and brought vtterly to nought by occasion of one fig. A designe that neither the fields lost at Trebia and Thrasymenus nor the disgrace receiued at the battell of Canna wherein so many braue Romans lost their liues and left their dead bodies on the ground to be interred could effect nay not the disdain that they took to see the Carthaginians incamped and fortified with in 3 miles of Rome ne yet the brauadoes of Annibal in person riding before the gate Collina euen to dare them could euer bring to passe See how Cato by the means of one poore fig preuailed to bring and present the forces of Rome to the very walls of Carthage There is a fig tree called Navia honoured with great reuerence in the common Forum and publique place of justice at Rome euen where the solemne assemblies are held for election of Magistrats neere to the Curia vnder the old shops called Veteres as if the gods had consecrated it for that purpose neere I say it is to the Tribunal named Puteal Libonis there planted by Actius Navius the Augur where the sacred reliques of his miracle to wit the Rasor and the Whetstone were solemnely interred as if it came of the owne accord from the said Curia into the Comitium and had not bin set by Navius This tree if it begin at any time to wither there is another replanted by the priests who that way are very carefull and ceremonious But a greater respect is had of another in remembrance of the first fig tree named Ruminalis as it were the nurse of Romulus and Remus the two yong princes fondlings and founders also of the city of Rome for that vnder it was found a she wolfe giuing to those little babes the teat in Latine called Rumen and for a memoriall hereof there is a monument of brasse erected neere vnto it representing that strange and wonderfull story There grew also a third fig tree before the temple of Saturne which in the yeare 260 after the foundation of the city of Rome was taken away at what time as a chappell was builded there by the Vestal nuns and an expiatory sacrifice offered for that it ouerthrew the image of Sylvanus There is a tree of the same kind yet liuing which came to grow of it self no man knows how in the midst of the Forum Romanum and in that very place where was the deepe chinke and gaping of the ground that menaced the ruine of the Roman empire which fatall and portentuous gulfe the renowned knight Curtius filled vp with the best things that were to be found in the city to wit his Vertue and Piety incompatable testified by a most braue glorious death In the very same place likewise there is an Oliue and a Vine which came thither by as meere a chance but afterwards well looked and trimmed by the whole people for to inioy the pleasure and shade thereof And there also stood an altar which afterward was taken away by occasion of the solemne shew of sword-fencers which Iulius Caesar late Emperor exhibited to do the people pleasure which were the last that plaied their prizes and fought at the sharp in the said Forum To conclude wonderfull it is to see how the fruit of this tree maketh hast to ripe a man would say that Nature therein sheweth all her skill and force to ripen figs altogether at once CHAP. XIX ¶ Of the wilde Fig trees and of caprification THere is a kind of wild Fig trees which the Latines call Caprificus that neuer brings any fruit to maturitie but that which it selfe hath not it procureth to others and causeth them to ripen For such is the interchangeable course passage of causes in nature that as this thing putrifieth that ingendreth and the corruption of one is the generation of another By this it comes to passe that the wild fig tree breedeth certaine flies or gnats within the fruit thereof which wanting nourishment and not hauing to feed vpon in those figs because they become rotten and putrified as they hang vpon the tree they flie vnto the other kinde of gentle and tame fig-trees where they settle vpon the figs and
it selfe by carrying too great a burden Also another burgen there is close to him bearing out like a knob of the bignesse of a wart called he is Furunculus who must serue the turne and make supply if peraduenture the foresaid Watch or Keeper faile Moreouer a vine if it be suffered to beare before the seuenth yeare after it was first set of a cutting or sion decaieth sensibly and soon dieth neither is it thought good to let the old wood run on still in length vpon the frame as far as to the fourth forke that vnderproppeth it such old crooked branches some call Dracones others Iuniculos to make thereof huge and great trailes of vines termed Masculeta But worst of all it is to seeme for to propagate or draw in a long traile within the ground vines in a vineyard when they be growne hard with age When the vine is fiue yeares old a man may boldly wind and twine the very branches so as out of euerie one there be a twig let to grow at liberty thus he may proceed forward to the next cutting away the wood as he goeth that bare before The surer way euermore is supposed to leaue the Watch or Keeper behinâ—… marie he must be next vnto the vines maine bodie and nearest the root and no longer than is before set downe Now in case the branches prooue ouer ranke they must be writhed and twisted in maner aforesaid so as the vine stock may put forth no more than foure boughs at the most or twaine if so be it rest vpon one chanter or range of perches If you would order a vine so as it may stand alone without any props at the beginning it would desire and haue some supporter or other it makes no matter what to rest vpon vntill it haue learned to stand of it selfe rise vpright afterwards it is to be vsed in manner of all other vines when this training is past This regard would be had in pruning and cutting the twigs of these vines called Pollices That a man well guide and ballance his hand and go euen withall in euery part indifferently for feare lest one side be charged with fruit or branch more than the other where by the way he must also remember to keepe downe the head and not suffer it in any wise to run vp in height for if this kind of vine be aboue three foot high it wil hang the head downward As for others they may well grow to fiue foot and vpward so that they passe not in any case the full height of a man To come now vnto the other vines that creepe along and spread ouer the ground they be inuironed all the way as they run with pretty short hollow cages as it were to rest and repose their branches in They haue need moreouer of certaine trenches or ditches round about to run in to the end that as the said branches wander too and fro they should not incounter one another and striue together And verily in most parts of the world they vse to gather their vintage of vines thus growing low by the ground as we may see the manner is in Africke Aegypt Syria throughout all Asia and in many places of Europe For the good vsage and dressing of these vines a speciall care would be had to keepe them downe close to the earth and to fortifie the root so long and in the same manner as hath beene shewed before in those that are shored or beare vpon frames with this charge and regard besides to leaue alwaies the short twigs only called Pollices with three buds a piece in case the ground be fruitfull or fiue if it be light and lean And in one word better it is without all question that they be left many than long As for those points which we haue deliuered heretofore as touching the nature of the soile they will be more effectually seen to proue either the goodnesse or the contrary in the grapes of this vine by how much nearer they lie to the ground than others Wherein consideration is to be had of the sundry sorts of vines namely that they be seuered apart and nothing is better than to sort euery one with the tract or region that agreeth best with it and therein to plant them accordingly for these mixtures of diuers kindes are neuer good but alwaies discordant naught in old wines that come to our table much worse then you may bee sure in those that be new and not yet tunned vp But if a man will intermingle plants of sundry vines together yet in any case those would be ioined together and none els which ripen their fruit at one and the same time For frames and trailes wherein vines are to run the better and more battle that the ground of the vineyard is the plainer and euener that it lieth the higher they would be from the ground likewise if the place be subiect to dews fogs and mists and nothing exposed to the winds contrariwise if the ground be leane and dry hot and open to the winds they must be the lower and nearer the earth As concerning the rafters that lie ouer reach from prop to prop they ought to be tied and fastened thereto with as streight and sure a knot as is possible whereas the Vine would be bound vnto them but slacke Of the sundry sorts of Vines as also which were to be planted in this or that soile and what coasts climats each one of them loueth we haue shewed sufficiently in the particular treatise of their nature and of the wines that come of them Touching all other points of husbandry that remaine behind much doubt and diuers questions are made for many there be that feare not all Summer long to bee digging in the vineyard about vine-roots after euery little raine Others again forbid to meddle be lusty therin in the budding time for it cannot be auoided but that the yong oilets will either bee smitten off clean or els galled or bruised one time or other with their gate that go in and out between which is the cause that they would haue all kind of cattell to bee kept out that they come not neare and especially such as beare wooll on their backs for sheep of all others soonest rub off the buds as they passe by with their shag coats Moreouer they are of opinion that all manner of raking and harrowing is an enemy to vines when they bee in their floure and putting foorth young grapes and sufficient it is say they if a vineyard be delued thrice in one yere to wit first from the spring Aequinox to the apparition of the Brood-hen star secondly at the rising of the great Dog star and thirdly when the grape beginneth to change colour and turne blacke Others set out these times after this maner if the vineyard be old they would haue it once digged betweene vintage and mid-winter howsoeuer some be of this mind That it sufficeth them to bare
singular for to cure the dysentery or bloudy flix yea though there were an eating vlcer within the guts for the Sciatica and inueterat fluxes of the stomack it is soueraign and to conclude those that dwell far from the sea in the midland parts of a country vse to bath and foment themselues with it in lieu of sea water CHAP. X. ¶ The nature of Salt and the medicinable vertues thereof SAlt by nature standeth much vpon fire yet an enemy it is and contrary vnto fire it flieth from it eating and consuming al things whatsoeuer astringent it is desiccatiue binding and knitting It keeps from putrifaction bodies that be dead and causeth them to indure so a world of yeares In physick it is held for mordant burning caustick and mundificatiue It doth subtiliat extenuat and dissolue Contrary it is to the stomack and serueth not but only to prouoke appetite With origan hony and hyssope it is singular against the sting of serpents and more particularly of the horned serpent Cerastes if it be applied with origan cedar-rosin pitch or hony Being drunk with vineger it helpeth those that be pricked with the Scolopendre and applied as a liniment with oile or vineger and a fourth part of line seed it is good against the sting of scorpions also with vineger alone for the sting of hornets or wasps such like Incorporat with calues tallow it serues much to cure the migrim skals in the head small pocks measels werts which begin to breed also for the accidents of the eies to wit the excrescence of superfluous flesh in those parts or the turning vp of skin about naile roots of fingers or toes Bu principally for the eyes and therefore it entreth into collyries and eie-salues Howbeit for these purposes aboue named it is thought that the salt named Tattaeus of the lake Tatta is most commended as also the other lake like it called Caunites If the eies be bloud shotten or look black and blew vpon some stripe apply salt with an equal weight of Myrrh with hony or els with Hyssop hot water with this charge to foment or bath the place afterward with a kind of salt brine But aboue all Spanish salt would be chosen for this effect it is also good against cataracts and suffusions of the eies if it be ground with milke vpon some touch-stone whetstone or hard porphyrit marble More particularly it is singular for the black bloud gathered in the eies if it be folded within a little linnen cloth so applied but the same ought to be dipped eftsoons in hot water and so the place to be oft times patted withall For the cankers or sores in the mouth it is good to lay salt vpon fine lint In case the gumbs be swelled it were not amisse to rub them therewith Being beaten and reduced into small pouder it serueth for the roughnesse of the tongue Moreouer it is said That whosoeuer hold euery morning vnder his tongue while hee is fasting a little salt vntill it be melted hee shall by that meanes preserue his teeth from being worm-eaten or rotten The same incorporat in raisins without stones and in boeuf suet with a little origan leuen or bread is soueraign for the leprosie fellons tettars ringworms and the wild scab But in all thâ—…se accidents the salt of Thebais in high Egypt is most commended and of this they make choice also to kil the itch A gargarism or collution therof with hony is passing good for the inflammation of the amygdals and the uvula There is no kind of salt but it helpeth the squinancie and the rather if it be vsed inwardly with oile and vineger so as at the same time it be applied without the throat also in a liniment with tar If a cup of wine be dressed therewith it softneth the belly being costiue The same also taken in Wine chaseth out of the body all worms and any hurtful vermin besides Held vnder the tongue it inableth them that haue bin weakned with some long disease and newly recouered to indure the heate of bains or stoues the longer Singular it is for the grief of the sinues but in the practise and vse of this receit it would be obserued especially that there be applied about the shoulders and reins of the back sachels or bags full of salt and the same made hot oftentimes in seething water for so it easeth the pain Being giuen in drink or laid to exceeding hot in the said bags it asswageth the collique and other wrings in the belly yea and the sciatica Beaten small and applied in manner of a cataplasme with meale honey and oile it is soueraigne for the gout in the feet Where I may not forget the obseruation of this soueraign receit which putteth vs in mind that there is nothing better for the whole body of such especially as be subiect to the gout than salt and Sun together For thus we see That our fishers at sea ordinarily haue bodies as hard and tough as horne A principall thing this is therefore to be nominated and set downe for the gout in the feet But salt moreouer takes away cornes of the feer and kibes in the heels Being chewed in the mouth and so applied or els with oile it healeth any burn or skald and keeps the skin from rising into blisters With vineger and hyssop it cureth S. Anthonies fire and all vlcers that be corrosiue It heals likewise cankerous sores if it be applied with wild vine grapes Reduced into fine pouder and laid to with barly meale it is souerain for vlcers corrosiue such as be called Wolues and do eat deep to the very bone so there be laid ouer the same and the part affected a linnen cloath well soked and bathed in wine A proper remedy it is for the jaundise and riddeth away the itch occasioned thereby if the patient be rubbed all the bodie ouer with it oile and vineger against a good fire vntill hee doe sweat But with oile alone it serues for those that feel themselues weary Many physitians haue cured those that be in a dropsie with salt and haue ordained to rub their bodies with oil salt together who are in an ague for to auoid the extremitie of heat and they hold opinion That there is not a better thing to dispatch an old cough than to be licking euer and anon of salt They haue giuen order also by way of clistre to minister salt vp into the body for the Sciatica To apply the same also to eat away proud or dead flesh in any vlcers Being lapped within a linnen cloath and applied to the biting of Crocodiles it is souerain so that the place affected were well patted withal and pressed hard before Moreouer good it is to be taken in honied vineger against the dangerous Opium Brought into a cataplasme with honey and meale it is of great effect to rectifie any dislocation of bones which be out of joint and in that
shapes and portraits of so worthy personages against the injury of time which weareth and consumeth all things indeuoring by this means as it were in a kind of emulation striuing to do as much for them in this behalf as the gods could do not only in giuing them immortality but also by dispersing those pourtraits into all parts of the world to shew them personally in euery place to the eies of men as if they were present CHAP. III. ¶ At what time scutchions and shields with images ingrauen in them were first erected in publique place Where they beg an to be set vp in priuat houses The originall of pictures The first pourtrait that was of one single colour Of the first Painters How antient the Art of Painting was in Italy ANd this verily which Varro did namely to insert the names counterfeits of famous men in his books was to gratifie strangers only But of those who were desirous in this kinde to honour Romans I find in the Chronicles that Appius Claudius was the first him I meane who in the 259 yeare after the foundation of the city of Rome bare the Consulship with Seruilius and namely by dedicating in temples and publicke places of the city the shelds of his predecessours by themselues alone For within the chappell of Bellona hee caused to bee set vp the scutchions and shields of his ancestors taking great contentment to haue the armes of his predecessors seen on high and the same accompanied with the titles of their honorable dignities to be read A goodly shew no doubt and a magnificent in case there should be shewed withall a long descent of petty images representing a numâ—…er of children as it were the nest of a faire brood and off-spring for who would not take great joy and pleasure to see such a sight who would not fauorably behold the arms of such a race and linage After that Appius Claudius had giuen this precedent at Rome there followed M. Aemilius companion in the same Consulship with Q. Luctatius who not contented to haue the Armoires and coats of his Progenitors to be aduanced aloft in the stately hall and pallace Aemilia only tooke order that they should stand also at home in his owne house and this also was a matter of right great consequence beeing done according to the pattern and example of the martiall worthies in Homer for within these shields scutchions resembling those which were vsed in old time in the battels before Troy were represented the images of such as serued with them ingrauen therein for thereupon such shields took the name Clypei i. chased and ingrauen not of the old word in Latine Cluere which signifieth to fight or to be well reputed as our thwarting Grammarians would with their subtile sophistrie seeme to etymologize and deriue it Certes this originall of shields and coats of armours implied abraue mind and noble spirit ful of vertue and valour when euery mans shield shewed the liuely pourtrait of him that bare it in the warres The Carthaginians were wont to make their targuets of beaten gold and those likewise they caused to bee ingrauen with their own portraits carried the same with them to the wars And verily Q. Martius that worthy warriour and reuenger of the 2 Scipio's in Spain hauing defeated the Carthaginians taken many of them prisoners found among other spoils and pillage the shield of Asdrubal made in maner aforesaid Which shield was erected hung vp ouer the porch of Iupiters temple vpon Capitoll hill and remained there vnto the first fire that consumed the temple And seeing I am fallen vpon this poynt namely of erecting the armours woon from enemies in publicke place I may not passe ouer in silence the securitie and carelesse regard that our forefathers had in this behalfe which was so great that M. Aufidius who farmed and vndertook the custody or keeping of the Capitoll the temple and all therein the same yeare wherein L. Manlius and Q. Fulvius were Consuls and which was from the foundation of the city of Rome 575 yeares aduertised the Senat That those shields there which for so long together were appointed assigned thither by the Censors were not of brasse as they had been taken for but of siluer Concerning pictures and the first originall of painters art I am not able to resolue and set downe any thing for certain neither is it a question pertinent to my designe and purpose I am not ignorant that the Aegyptians do vaunt thereof auouching that it was deuised among them and practised 6000 yeres before there was any talk or knowledge therof in Greece avain brag and ostentation of theirs as all the world may see As for the Greeke writers some ascribe the inuention of painting to the Sicyonians others to the Corinthians But they do all jointly agree in this That the first pourtrait was nothing els but the bare pourâ—…ing and drawing onely the shadow of a person to his just proportion and liniments This first draught or ground they began afterwards to lay with one simple colour and no more which kind of picture after that they fell once to more curious workmanship they called Monochromaton i. a pourtrait of one colour for distinction sake from other pictures of sundry colours which notwithstanding yet this plaine manner of painting continueth at this day and is much vsed As for the linearie portraying or drawing shapes and proportions by lines alone it is said that either Philocles the Aegyptian or els Cleanthes the Corinthian was the inuentor thereof But whosoeuer deuised it certes Ardices the Corinthian and Telephanes the Sicyonian were the first that practised it howbeit colours they vsed none yet they proceeded thus far as to disperse their lines within as well as to draw the pourfle and all with a coale and nothing els And therefore their manner and order was to write also the names of such as they thus painted and alwaies to set them close to the pictures But the first that tooke vpon him to paint with colour was Cleophantus the Corinthian who as they say took no more but a piece of a red potsherd which he ground into pouder and this was all the colour that he vsed This Cleophantus or some other of that name was he who by the testimony of Cornelius Nepos as I will anon shew more at large accompanied Demaratus the father of Tarquinius Priscus king of Rome when he fled from Corinth to auoid the wrongs of Cypsellus the tyrant who persecuted and oppressed him But it cannot be so for surely before this Tarquines time the art of painting was grown to some perfection euen in Italy for proofe wherof extant there be at this day to be seen at Ardea within the temples there antique pictures and indeed more antient than the city of Rome and I assure you no pictures came euer to my sight which I wonder so much at namely that they should continue so long fresh and