replenished and wheÌ„ they haue fed themselues full of fleshe then returne they to the water from whence they came But albeit so much be graunted that this Beauer is a dogge yet it is to be noted that we recken it not in the beadrowe of Englishe dogges as we haue done the rest The sea Calfe in like maner which our country meÌ„ for brenitie sake call a Séele other more largely name a Sea Vele maketh a spoyle of fishes betwéene rockes and banckes but it is not accounted in the catalogue or nuÌ„ber of our Englishe dogges notwithstanding we call it by the name of a Sea dogge or a sea Calfe And thus much for our dogges of the second sort called in Latine Aucupatorij seruing to take fowle either by land or water ¶ A Diall pertaining to the second Section Dogges seruing the disport of fowlingâ— are diuided into Land spaniele Setters called in latine Canes Aucupatorij Water spaniels or finders called in latine Canes Aucupatorij The fisher is not of their number but seuerall The thirde Section of this abridgement NOwe followeth in due order and conuenient place our Englishe Dogges of the thirde gentle kinde what they are called to what vse they serue and what sort of people plant their pleasure in theÌ„ which because they néede no curious canuastings and nye syfting wee meane to bee so much the briefer Of the delicate neate and pretty kind of dogges called the Spaniel gentle or the comforter in Latine Melitaeus or Fotor THere is besides those which wée haue already deliuered another sort of gentle dogges in this our Englishe soyle but exempted from the order of the residue the Dogges of this kinde doth Callimachus call Melitaeos of the Iseland Melita in the sea of Sicily which at this day is named Malta an Iseland in deede famous and renoâ—med with couragious aud puisaunt souldiours valliauntly lighting vnder the banner of Christ their vnconquerable captainâ— where this kind of dogges had their principall beginning These dogges are litle preâ—ty proper and fyne and sought for to satisfie the delicatenesse of daintie dames and wanton womens wills instrumentes of folly for them to play and dally withall to tryâ—â—e away the treasure of time to withdraw their mindes from more commendable exercises and to content their corrupted concupiscences with vaine disport A selly shift to shunne yrcksome ydlnesse These puppies the smaller they be the more pleasure they prouoke as more méete play fellowes for minsing mistrisses to beare in their bosoms to kéepe company withal in their chambers to succour with sléepe in bed and nourishe with meate at bourde to lay in their lappes and licke their lippes as they ryde in their waggons and good reason it should be so for coursnesse with fynenesse hath no fellowship but featnesse with neatenesse hath neighbourhood enough That plausible prouerbe verified vpon a Tyraunt namely that he loued his sowe better then his sonne may well be applyed to these kinde of people who delight more in dogges that are depriued of all possibility of reason then they doe in children that be capeable of wisedome and iudgement But this abuse peraduenture raigneth where there hath bene long lacke of issue or elsewhere barrennes is the best blossome of bewty The vertue which remaineth in the Spainell gentle otherwise called the comforter NOtwithstanding many make much of those pretty puppies called Spaniels gentle yet if the question were demaunded what propertie in them they saye which shoulde make them so acceptable and precious in their sight I doubt their aunswere would be long a coyning But seeing it was our intent to trauaile in this treatise so that the reader might reape some benefite by his reading we will communicate vnto you such coniectures as are grounded vpon reason And though some suppose that such dogges are fyt for no seruice I dare say by their leaues they be in a wrong boxe Among all other qualities therfore of nature which be knowne for some conditions are couered with continuall and thicke clouds that the eye of our capacities can not pearse through theÌ„ we find that these litle dogs are good to asswage the sicknesse of the stomacke being oftentimes thervnto applyed as a plaster preseruatiue or borne in the bosom of the diseased and weake person which effect is performed by theyr moderate heate Moreouer the disease and sicknesse chaungeth his place and entreth though it be not precisely marcked into the dogge which to be no vntruth experience can testify for these kinde of dogges sometimes fall sicke and somtime die without any harme outwardly inforced which is an argument that the disease of the gentleman or gentlewoman or owner whatsoeuer entreth into the dogge by the operation of heate intermingled and infected And thus haue I hetherto handled dogges of a gentle kinde whom I haue comprehended in a triple diuisioÌ„ Now it remaineth that I annex in due order such dogges as be of a more homely kinde A Diall pertaining to the thirde Section In the third section is coÌ„tained one kind of dog which is called the Spaniell gentle or the coÌ„forter It is also called A chamber coÌ„panion generally called Canie delicatus A pleasaunt play fellow generally called Canie delicatus A pretty worme generally called Canie delicatus The fourth Section of this discourse Dogges of a course kind seruing for many necessary vses called in Latine Canes rustici and first of the shepherds dogge called in Latine Canis Pastoralis Dogges of the courser sort are These two are the principall The shepherds dogge The mastiue or Bandogge THe first kinde namely the shepherds hounde is very necessarye and profitable for the auoyding of harmes and inconueniences which may come to men by the meanes of beastes The second sort serue to succour against the snares and attemptes of mischiefous men Our shepherdes dogge is not huge vaste and bigge but of an indifferent stature and growth because it hath not to deale with the bloudthyrsty wolf sythence there be none in England which happy and fortunate benefite is to be ascribed to the puisaunt Prince Edgar who to thintent that the whole countrey myght be euacuated and quite cleered from wolfes charged commaunded the welshemeÌ„ who were pestered with these butcherly beastes aboue measure to paye him yearely tribute which was nâ—te the wisedome of the King thrée hundred Wolfes Some there be which write that Ludwall Prince of Wales paide yéerely to King Edgar three hundred wolfes in the name of an exaction as we haue sayd before And that by the meanes hereof within the compasse and tearme of foure yeares none of those noysome and pestilent Beastes were left in the coastes of England and Wales This Edgar wore the Crowne royall and bare the Scepter imperiall of this kingdome about the yeere of our Lorde nyne hundred fifty nyne Synce which time we réede that no Wolfe hath bene seene in England bred within the bounds and borders of this countrey mary there haue bene diuers brought ouer from
dogge therevpon is called a daunser and in the latine Saltator you are so farre taught as you were desirous to learne And now suppose I there remaineth nothing but that your request is fully accomplished The winding vp of this worke called the Supplement c. THus Friend Gesner you haue not only the kindes of our countrey dogges but their names also as well in latine as in Englishe their offices seruices diuersities natures properties that you can demaunde no more of me in this matter And albeit I haue not satisfied your minde peradueÌ„ture who suspectest al spéede in the performaunce of your requeste employed to be méere delayes because I stayde the setting fourth of that vnperfect pamphlet which fiue yeares ago I sent to you as to a priuate friende for your owne réeding and not to be printed and so made common yet I hope hauing like the beare lickt ouer my younge I haue waded in this worke to your contentation which delay hath made somewhat better and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after witte more meete to be perused The ende of this treatise FINIS An Alphabeticall Index declaring the whole discourse of this abridgement The number importeth the Page A. A Bridgement of Dogges 1. Abstinence from lost goods 27. Aelianus his opinion of bloodhoundes 6. Aelianus and Aelius opinion of of the beauer 19. Alfredus maintained iustice 27 An example of rebellion and the reward of the same 26 An example of loue in a dogge 31 Arcadian dogge 36 B. Bandogges bayte the Beare and the Bull. 25 Blondus opinion of a dogge 30 Blooddy and butcherlye curres 32 Beauer called a water dogge 19 Beauer wherein hee is lyke a dogge 19 Beasts preuented of succor 5 Bloodhoundes howe they are knowne 5 Bloodhounds conditions in huÌ„ting ibidem Bloodhounds whence they borrowe their names ibid. Blooâ—houndes pursue without wearinesse 6 Bloodhoundes discerne theeues from true men 6 Bloodhoundes hunte by water and by land ibid. Bloodhoundes whne they cease from hunting ibidem Bloodhoundes why they are kept close in the daye and let lose in the night ibide Bloodhounds haue not lybertye alwayes to raunge at wyll 7 Bloodhoundes are their maisters guides ibid. Borders of England pestred with pylferers ibidem Bloodhounds why â—hey are vsed in England and Scotland ibi Bloodhoundes take not the water naturally ibidem Bloodhoundes called Brache in Scottishe ibidem Bloodhounds when they barck 8 Butchers dogge 28 Butchers dogge why so called ibide C. Caius booke of dogges twyse written 1 Conny is not hunted 4 Connye caught with the ferryt ibidem Conny taken with the net ibi Continuaunce of tyme breedeth cunning 8 Castle of Flint 10 Cunnies preuented of succor 11 Callimachus 20 CoÌ„forter called Meliteus ibid. Comforters proportion described ibide Comforters condicions declared ibidem Comforters to what ende they serue ibidem Comforters the pretier the pleasaunter 21 Comforters companions of ydle dames ibidem Comforters why they are so much estemed among gentlefolkes ibidem Comforters what vertue is in them ibide Conditions natural som secrete some manifest ibide Comforters called by sundrye names ibide Cicero pro. S. Ross. 26 Countrey cotages annoyed with theeues ibidem Capitolium kept dogges at the common charge ibide Carrier why he is so called 28 Carriers seruice and properties ibidem Comeparcke a perillous place 30 CoÌ„mendation of the mastiue 32 D. Dogges for hunting two kindes generally 2 Diuerse dogges diuerse vses 4 Deceipt is th' instrument of the Tumbler 12 Dogges for the faulcon the phesaunt aud the partridge 15 Dogs are houshold seruants 16 Ducks deceaue both dogge and maister 17 Ducks subtyle of nature ibi Ducks disseÌ„ble weaknesse ibi Ducks prudent and prouident ibidem Ducks regarde them selues and their broode ibid. Dogges of a course kind ibi Dissembling theeues 27 Dissembling dogges 30 Defending dogges stick to their maisters to the death ibide Defending dogges greedy of reuengement ibidem Diuersitie of mastiues 32 Daungerous dogges ibid. Daunsers qualities 35 Daunsers begge for their meate ibidem Daunsers vsed for lucre and gaine ibid. Dogges wonderfullye ingendred ibidem E. England is not without Scottish dogges 2 Election in a gase hound 8 England and VVales are cleare from wolues 24 Edgar what tyme king of England ibidem Espirus a countrey in Graecia 28 F. Foxe hunted by the gasehound 8 Flight preuenteth peryl 9 Froisart historiographer 10 Flint Castle ibide French dogges bowe their skins be speckled 15 Fisher dogge none in Englande 18 Fisher dogge doubtfull if there be any such ibidem Faulcon and an Eagle fight 26 Faulcon kylled for fighting with an Eagle ibid. Fire betraied by a dogge 30 Fire raked vp by a dogge 31. Farmars keepe dogges ibid. Feareful dogges barke sorest 32 Foxes kept for sundrye causes 36 Foxes holsome in houses ibid. G. Gesner desirous of knowledge 1 Gesner earnest in experimentes ibi Gasehounde whence he hath his name 9 Gasehoundes vsed in the North. ibidem Gasehound somtimes loseth his waye ibidem Grehound light footed ibid. Grehounds special seruice ibi Grehoundes strong and swifte ibidem Grehounds game 10. Grehounds spare of body ibi Grehounds nature wonderfull ibid. Grehound of King Richarde ibid. Gentle dogge 14 Gratius Poet his opinion 37 Getulian dogge 38 H. Hunting wherin it consisteth 2 Hunting and fowleing doo differ 3 Hunting dogges fiue speciall kinds ibid. Harryer excelleth in smelling ibidem Harryer how he is known ibi Hare hunted by the gasehound 8 Henry Duke of Lancaster 10 Hole of the Conny their hauen of health 11 Hare daunsing in measure 16 Hare beating and thumping a dogge ibidem Heare a hinderaunce to the water Spaniell in swymming 17 Heare an vnprofitable burthen ibi Hector Boethus 18 Henrie the seuenth 26 Henries commaundement to hang all bandogges ibid. Henries Faulconer and his Faulcon ibi Hippocrates 38 I. Iustice mayntained by Alfred â—7 Ingulphus Croyladensis historiographer 28 Ianus watching 31 Indian dogges 37 Iseland curres rough and rugged ibid. Iselande curres mutch sette by ibidem K. King Richarde of England 10 King Edgars trybute out of VVales 23 King Henrie the seuenth 26 King of all beasts the Lyon. ibi King of all Birds the Eagle ibi Keepers seruice 28 Kingston oâ— Kingstoune verye famous in olde time 30 Kinges crowned at Kingstoune to the number of eyght theyr names are these Edward the first Athelstan Edmunde Aldred Edwin Edgar Edeldred Edwarde syrnamed Yron rybbes ibid. L. Leuiner quicke of smelling and swyft in running 10 Leuiner why so called ibi Leuiner foloweth the game eagerly ibi Leuiner taketh his pray speedilie ibid. Lyon king of all beasts 26 Lust of the flesh reconcileth enemies 36 M. Maisters becke a direction to the gasehound 9 Melita or Malta 20 Mastiues proportioÌ„ described 20 Mastiue why he is called Villaticus ibi Mastiues vse and seruice ibi Mastiues are mankind ibi Mastiues of great might 26 Molossia 28 Mooner why so termed 29 Mooner watchfull ibi Mungâ—ellesl 24 Maisâ—erles men carrie Apes about 35 Man in the moone 37 N. Nature hath
declared already The Dogge called the Setter in Latine Index ANother sort of Dogges be there seruiceable for fowling making no noise either with foote or with tounge whiles they followe the game These attend diligently vpon theyr Master and frame their conditions to such beckes motions and gestures as it shall please him to exhibite and make either going forward drawing backeward inclining to the right hand or yealding toward the lest In making mencion of fowles my meaning is of the Partridge the Quaile when he hath founde the byrde he kéepeth sure and fast silence he stayeth his steppes and wil procéede no further and with a close couert watching eye layeth his belly to the grounde and so créepeth forward like a worme When he approcheth néere to the place where the birde is he layes him downe and with a marcke of his pawes betrayeth the place of the byrdes last abode whereby it is supposed that this kinde of dogge is called Index Setter being in déede a name most consonant and agreable to his quality The place being knowne by the meanes of the dogge the fowler immediatly openeth and spreedeth his net intending to take them which being done the dogge at the accustomed becke or vsuall signe of his Master ryseth vp by and by and draweth néerer to the fowle that by his presence they might be the authors of their owne insnaring and be ready intangled in the prepared net which conning and artificiall indeuour in a dogge being a creature domesticall or housholde seruaunt brought vp at home with offalls of the trencher fragments of victualls is not much so be maruailed at seing that a Hare being a wilde and skippishe beast was séene in England to the astonishment of the beholders in the yeare of our Lorde God 1564. not onely dauncing in measure but playing with his former feete vppon a tabberet and obseruing iust number of strokes as a practicioner in that arte besides that nipping pinching a dogge with his téeth and clawes cruelly thumping him with the force of his feete This is no trumpery tale nor trifling toye as I imagine and therefore not vnworthy to bee reported for I recken it a requitall of my trauaile not to drowne in the seas of silence any speciall thing wherin the prouidence and effectuall working of nature is to be pondered Of the Dogge called the water Spaniell or finder in Latine Aquaticus sâ—u Inquisitor THat kinde of Dogge whose seruice is required in fowling vpon the water partly through a naturall towardnesse and partly by diligent teaching is indued with that property This sort is somewhat bigge and of a measurable greatnesse hauing long rough and curled heare not obtayned by extraordinary trades but giuen by natures appointment yet neuerthelesse friend Gesner I haue described and set him out in this maner namely powlde and notted from the shoulders to the hinder most legges and to the end of his tayle which I did for vse and customs cause that beyng as it were made somewhat bare and naked by shearing of such superfluitie of heare they might atchiue the more lightnesse and swiftnesse and be lesse hindered in swymming so troublesome and needelesse a burthen being shaken of This kinde of dogge is properly called Aquaticus a water spaniel because he frequenteth and hath vsuall recourse to the water where all his game exercise lyeth namely waterfowles which are taken by the helpe seruice of them in their kind And principally duckes and drakes whervpon he is lykewise named a dogge for the ducke because in that quallitie he is excellent With those dogges also we fetche out of the water such fowle as he stounge to death by any venemous worme we vse them also to bring vs our boultes arrowes out of the water missing our marcke wherat we directed our leuell which otherwise we should hardly recouer and oftentimes they restore to vs our shaftes which we thought neuer to sée touche or handle againe after they were lost for which circumstaunces they are called Inquisitores searchers and finders Although the ducke other whiles notably deceaueth both the dogge and the master by dyuing vnder the water and also by naturall subtilty for if any man shall approche to the place where they builde bréede and syt the hennes go out of their neastes offering themselues voluntarily to the haÌ„ds as it were of such as draw nie their neasts And a certaine weaknesse of their winges pretended and infirmitie of their féete dissembled they go so slowely and so leasurely that to a mans thinking it were no masteryes to take them By which deceiptfull tricke they doe as it were entyse and allure men to follow them till they be drawne a long distaunce from theyr neastes which being compassed by their prouident conning or conning prouidence they cut of all inconueniences which might growe of their returne by vsing many carefull and curious caueates least theyr often haunting bewray the place where the young ducklings be hatched Great therfore is theyr desire earnest is theyr study to take héede not only to theyr broode but also to themselues For when they haue an ynckling that they are espied they hide themselues vnder turfes or sedges wherwith they couer and shrowde themselues so closely and so craftely that notwithstanding the place where they lurcke be found and perfectly perceaued there they will harbour without harme except the water spaniell by quicke smelling discouer theyr deceiptes Of the Dogge called the Fishers in Latine Canis Piscator THe Dogge called the fisher wherof Hector Boethus writeth which séeketh for fishe by smelling among rockes stones assuredly I knowe none of that kinde in England neither haue I receaued by reporte that there is any suche albeit I haue bene diligent busie in demaunding the question as well of fishermen as also of huntesmen in that behalfe being carefull and earnest to learne and vnderstand of them if any such were except you holde opinion that the beauer or Otter is a fishe as many haue beléeued according to their beliefe affirmed and as the birde Pupine is thought to be a fishe and so accounted But that kinde of dogge which followeth the fishe to apprehend and take it if there bee any of that disposition and property whether they do this for the game of hunting or for the heate of hunger as other Dogges do which rather then they wil be famished for want of foode couet the carckases of carrion and putrifyed fleshe When I am fully resolued and disburthened of this doubt I wil send you certificate in writing In the meane season I am not ignorant of that both Aelianus and Aelius call the Beauer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a water dogge or a dogge fishe I know likewise thus much more that the Beauer doth participate this propertie with the dogge namely that when fishes be scarse they leaue the water and raunge vp and downe the lande making an insatiable slaughter of young lambes vntil theyr paunches be
beyonde the seas for gréedynesse of gaine and to make money for gasing and gaping staring and standing to sée them being a straunge beast rare and seldom séene in England But to returne to our shepherds dogge This dogge either at the hearing of his masters voyce or at the wagging and whisteling in his fist or at his shrill and horse hissing bringeth the wandring weathers and straying shéepe into the selfe same place where his masters will and wishe is to haue theÌ„ wherby the shepherd reapeth this benefite namely that with litle labour and no toyle or mouing of his féete he may rule and guide his flocke according to his owne desire either to haue them go forward or to stand still or to drawe backward or to turne this way or to take that way For it is not in Englande as it is in Fraunce as it is in Flaunders as it is in Syria as it is in Tartaria where the shéepe follow the shepherd for héere in our country the shéepherd followeth the sheepe And somtimes the straying shéepe when no dogge runneth before them nor goeth about beside them gather themselues together in a flocke when they héere the shéepherd whistle in his fist for feare of the Dogge as I imagine remembring this if vnreasonable creatures may be reported to haue memory that the Dogge commonly runneth out at his masters warrant which is his whistle This haue we oftentimes diligently marcked in taking our iourney from towne to towne when wée haue hard a shéepherd whistle we haue rayned in our horse and stoode styll a space to see the proofe and triall of this matter Furthermore with this dogge doth the shéepherd take sheepe for the slaughter and to be healed if they be sicke no hurt or harme in the world done to the simple creature Of the mastiue or Bandogge called in Latine Vâ—llaticus or Cathenarius THis kinde of Dogge called a masâ—yue or Bandogge is vaste huge stubborne ougly and eager of a heuy and hurthenous body and therfore but of litle swiftnesse terrible and frightfull to beholde and more fearce and fell then any Arcadian curre notwithstaÌ„ding they are sayd to haue their generation of the violent Lyon. They are called Vâ—llatici because they are appoynted to watche and kéepe farme places and couÌ„try cotages sequestred from commoÌ„ recourse and not abutting vpon other houses by reason of distaunce when there is any feare conceaued of théefes robbers spoylers and nightwanderers They are seruiceable against the Foxe and the Badger to driue wilde and tame swyne out of Medowes pastures glebelandes and places planted with fruite to bayte and take the bull by the eare when occasion so requireth One dogge or two at the vttermost sufficient for that purpose be the bull neuer so monsterous neuer so fearce neuer so furious neuer so sâ—earne neuer so vntameable For it is a kinde of dogge capeable of courage violent and valiaunt striking could feaâ—e into the harts of men but standing in feare of no man in so much that no weapons will make him shrincke nor abridge his boldnes Our Englishe men to th'intent intent that theyr dogges might be the more fell and fearâ—e assist nature with arte vse and custome for they teach theyr dogges to baite the Beare to baite the Bull and other such like cruell and bloudy beastes appointing an ouerseer of the game without any collar to defend theyr throtes and oftentimes they traine them vp in fighting and wrestling with a man hauing for the safegarde of his lyfe eyther a Pikestaffe a clubbe or a sworde and by vsing them to â—uch exercises as these thoyâ— dogges become more sturdy and strong The force which is in them surmounteth all beleefe the fast holde which they take with their téeth excéedeth all credit three of them against a Beare fowre against a Lyon are sufficient both to try masteryes with them and vtterly to ouermatch them Which thing Henry the seuenth of that name King of England a Prince both politique warlâ—ke perceauing on a certaine time as the report runneth commaunded all such dogges how many soeuer they were in number should be hanged beyng deepely displeased and conceauing great disdaine that an yll fauoured rascall curre should with such violent villany assault the valiaunt Lyon king of all beastes An example for all subiectes worthy remembraunce to admonishe them that it is no aduantage to them to rebell against the regiment of their ruler but to kéepe them within the limits of Loyaltie I réede an history aunswerable to this of the selso same Henry who hauing a notable and an excellent fayre Falcon it fortuned that the kings Falconâ—rs in the presence and hearing of his grace highly commended his Maiesties Falcon saying that it feared not to intermeddle with an Eagle it was so venturous a byrde and so mighty which when the King harde he charged that the Falcon should be killed without delay for the selfe same reason as it may seeme which was rehersed in the coÌ„clusion of the former history concerning the same king This dogge is called in like maner Cathenarius a Cathena of the chaine wherwith he is tyed at the gates in the day time least beyng lose he should doe much mischiefe and yet might giue occasion of feare and terror by his bigge barcking And albeit Cicero in his oration had Pro. S. Ross. be of this opinion that such Dogges as barcke in the broade day light shoulde haue their legges broken yet our countrymen on this side the seas for their carelessnes of lyfe setting all at cinque and sice are of a contrary iudgement For thee fes roge vp down in euery corner no place is free from them no not the princes palla 〈…〉 time they practise pilfering picking open robbing and priuy stealing and what legerdemaâ—ne lacke theyâ— not fearing the shamefull and horrible death of hanging The cause of which inconuenience doth not onely iâ—â—he from ripping neede wringing want for all the steale are not pincheâ— with pâ—uertyâ— but som steale so maintaine their excessiue and prodigall expences in apparell their lewdnes of lyfe their hautines of hart theyr wantonnes of maners theyr wilfull ydlenes their ambitious brauery and the pryde of the sawcy Salacones 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vaine glorious and arrogant in behauiour whose delight dependeth wholly to mount nimbly on horsebacke to make them leape lustely spring and praunce galloppe and amble to runne a race to wynde in compasse and so forthe liuing all together vpon the fatnesse of the spoyle Othersom therbe which steale being therto prouoked by penury néede like masterlessâ— meÌ„ applying themselues to no honest trade but raunging vp and downe impudently begging and complayning of bodily weakenesse where is no want of abilitie But valiaunt Valentine th'emperour by holsome lawes prouided that suche as hauing no corporall 〈◊〉 solde themselues to begging pleded pouerty wyth pretended infirmitie â—leaked their ydle and slouthfull life with colourable shifts and cloudy cossâ—ning should be a
to bée as it were naturally distilled and powred into these kinde of Dogges For they wyll not pause or breath from their pursute vntill such tyme as they bée apprehended and taken which committed the facte The owners of such houndes vse to kéepe them in close and darke channells in the day time and let them lose at liberty in the night season to th' intent that they myght with more courage and boldnesse practise to follow the fellon in the euening and solitarie houres of darkenesse when such yll disposed varlots are principally purposed to play theyr impudent pageants imprudent pranckes These houndes vpon whom this present portion of our treatise runneth when they are to follow such fellowes as we haue before rehersed vse not that liberty to raunge at wil which they haue otherwise when they are in game except vpon necessary occasion wheron dependeth an vrgent and effectuall perswasion when such purloyâ—â—â—s make spéedy way in slightâ— but beyng restrained and drâ—wne backe from running at randon with the leasse the ende whereof the owner holding in his hand is led guyded and directed with such swiftnesse and slownesse whether he go on foote or whether be ryde on horsebacke as he himselfe in hart would wishe for the more easie apprehension of these venturous varlots In the borders of England Scotland the often and accustomed stealing of cattell so procuring these kinde of Dogges are very much vsed and they are taught and trayned vp first of all to hunt cattell as well of the smaller as of the greater grouth and afterwardes that qualitie relinquished and lefte they are learned to pursue such pestilent persons as plant theyr pleasure in such practises of purloyning as we haue already declared Of this kinde there is none that taketh the water naturally except it please you so to suppose of them whych follow the Otter which sometimes haunte the lande and sometime vseth the water And yet neuerthelesse all the kind of them boyling and broyling with gréedy desire of the pray which by swymming passeth through ryuer and flood plung amyds the water and passe the streame with their pawesâ— But this propertie procéedeth from an earnest desire wherwith they be inflamed rather then from any inclination issuyng from the ordinance and appoyntment of nature And albeit some of this sort in English be called Brache in Scottishe Rache the cause hereof resteth in the shée sex and not in the generall kinde For we English men call bytches belonging to the hunting kinde of Dogges by the tearme aboue mentioned To bée short it is proper to the nature of hoâ—nors some to kéepe silence in hunting vntill such tyme as there is 〈◊〉 offered Othersome so 〈◊〉 as they smell out the place where the beast â—urckâ—th so bewray it immediatly by their importunate barcking notwithstanding it be farre at many furlungs cowchyng close in his cabbyn And these Dogges the younger they be the more wantonly barke they and the more liberally yet oftimes without necessitie so that in them by reason of theyr young yeares and want of practise small certaintie is to be reposed For continaunce of tyme and experience in game ministreth to these houndes not onely cunning in running but also as in the rest an assured foresight what is to bee done principally being acquainted with their masters watch wordes eyther in reuoking â— imboldening them to serue the game Of the Dogge called the Gasehounde in Latine Agasaeus THis kinde of Dogge which pursueth by the eye preuayleth little or neuer a whit by any benefite of the nose that is by smelling but excelleth in perspicuitie and sharpenesse of sight altogether by the vertue whereof being singuler and notable it hunteth the Foxe and in the Hare Thys Dogge will â—hâ—eâ—e and seperate any beast from among a great flocke or heaâ—de and such a one will it take by election as is not lancke leane and hollow but well spred smoothe full fatte and round it followes by the direction of the eye-sight which in déede is cléere constant and not vncertaine if a beast be wounded and gone all â—ay this Dogge â—eeketh after it by the stedfastnes of the eye if it chaunce peraduenture to returne bée mingled with the residue of the flocke this Dogge spyeth it out by the vertue of his eye leauing the rest of the cattell vntouched and after he hath set sure sight vpoÌ„ it he seperateth it from among the company and hauing so done neuer ceaseth vntill he haue wearyed the Beast to death Our countrey men call this dogge Agasaeum A gasehounde because the beames of his sight are so stedfastly setled and vnmoueably fastened These Dogges are much and vsually occupyed in the Northern partes of England more then in the Southern parts in â—caldy landes rather then in bushy and woody places horsemen vse them more then footemen to th' intent that they might prouoke their horses to a swift galloppe wherwith they are more delighted then with the pray it selfe and that they myght accustome theyr horse to leape ouer hedges ditches without stoppe or stumble without harme or hassard without doubt or daunger and so escape with safegard of lyfe And to the ende that the ryders themselues when necessitie so constrained and the feare of further mischiefe inforced myght saue themselues vndamnifyed and preuent each perilous tempest by preparing speedy flight or else by swift pursute made vpon theyr enimyes myght both ouertake them encounter with them and make a slaughter of them accordingly But if it fortune so at any time that this Dogge take a wrong way the master making some vsuall signe and familiar token he returneth forthwith and taketh the right and ready trace beginning his chase a fresh with a cleare voyce and a swift foote followeth the game with as much courage and nimblenesse as he he did at the first Of the Dogge called the Grehounde in Latine Leporarius THere is another kinde of Dogge which for his incredible swiftnesse is called Leporarius a Grehounde because the principall seruice of them dependeth and consisteth in starting and hunting the hare which Dogges likewyse are indued with no lesse strength then lightnes in maintenance of the game in seruing the chase in taking the Bucke the Harte the Dowe the Foxe and other beastes of semblable kinde ordained for the game of hunting But more or lesse each one according to the measure and proportion of theyr desire and as might and habilitie of theyr bodyes will permit and suffer For it is a spare and bare kinde of Dogge of fleshe but not of bone some are of a greater sorte and some of a lesser some are smooth skynned some are curled the bigger therfore are appoynted to hunt the bigger beasts the smaller serue to hunt the smaller accordingly The nature of these dogges I finde to be wonderful by the testimoniall of histories For as Iohn Froisart the Historyographer in his 4. lib. reporteth A Grehound of King Richard the second that wore
the Crowne and bare the Scepter of the Realme of England neuer knowing any man beside the kings person wheÌ„ Henry Duke of Lancaster came to the castle of Flinte to take King Richarde The Dogge forsaking his former Lord master came to Duke Henry fawned vpon him with such resemblaunces of goodwyll and conceaued affection as he fauoured King Richarde before he followed the Duke and vtterly left the king So that by these manifest circumstances a man myght iudge this Dogge to haue bene lightened wyth the lampe of foreknowledge vnderstaÌ„ding touchyng his olde masters miseryes to come and vnhappinesse nye at hand which King Richarde himselfe euidently perceaued accounting this deede of his Dogge a Prophecy of his ouerthrowe Of the Dogge called the Leuiner or Lyemmer in Latine Lorarius ANother sort of dogges be there in smelling singuler and in swiftnesse incomparable This is as it were a myddle kinde betwixt the Harier and the Grehounde as well for his kinde as for the frame of his body And it is called in latine Leuinarius a Leuitate of lyghtnesse and therefore may well be called a lyghthounde it is also called by this worde Lorarius a Loro wherwith it is led This Dogge for the excellency of his conditions namely smelling and swift running doth followe the game with more eagernes and taketh the pray with a iolly quicknes Of the Dogge called a Tumbler in Latine Vertagus THis sorte of Dogges which compasseth all by craftes fraudes subtelties and deceiptes we Englishe men call Tumblers because in hunting they turne and tumble winding their bodyes about in circle wise and then fearcely and violently venturing vpoÌ„ the beast doth soddenly gripe it at the very entrance and mouth of their receptacles or closets before they can recouer meanes to saue and succour themselues This dogge vseth another craft and subteltie namely when he runneth into a warren or fetteth a course about a connyburrough he huntes not after them he frayes them not by barcking he makes no countenance or shadow of hatred against them but dissembling friendship and pretending fauour passeth by with silence and quietnesse marking and noting their holes diligently wherein I warrant you he will not be ouershot nor deceaued When he commeth to the place where Connyes be of a certaintie he cowcheth downe close with his belly the grouÌ„d Prouided alwayes by his skill and polisie that the the winde bée neuer with him but against him in such an enterprise And that the Connyes spie him not where he lurcketh By which meanes he obtaineth the sent and sauour of the Connyes carryed towardes him with the wind the ayreâ— either going to their holes or coÌ„ming out eyther passing this way or running that way and so prouideth by his circumspection that the selly simple Conny is debarred quite from his hole which is the hauen of their hope and the harbour of their health and fraudulently circumuented and taken before they can get the aduantage of their hole Thus hauing caught his pray he earryeth it sâ—â—edily to his Master wayting his Dogges returne in some conuenient lurcking corner These Dogges are somewhat lesser then the houndes and they be lancker leaner beside that they be somwhat prick eared A man that shall marke the forme and fashion of their bodyes may well call them mungrell Grehoundes if they were somwhat bigger But notwithstanding they counteruaile not the Grehound in greatnes yet will he take in one dayes space as many Connyes as shall arise to as bigge a burthen and as heauy a loade as a horse can carry for deceipt and guile is the instrument wherby he maketh this spoyle which pernicious properties supply the places of more commendable qualities Of the Dogge called the theeuishe Dogge in Latine Canis furax THe like to that whom we haue rehearsed is the théeuishe Dogge which at the mandate and bydding of his master fléereth and leereth abroade in the night hunting Connyes by the ayre which is leuened with their sauour and conueyed to the sense of smelling by the meanes of the winde blowing towardes him During all which space of his hunting he will not barcke least he shoulde bee preiudiciall to his owne aduantage And thus watcheth and snatcheth vp in course as many Connyes as his Master will suffer him and beareth them to his Masters standing The farmers of the countrey and vplandishe dwellers call this kinde of Dogge a nyght curre because he hunteth in the darke But let thus much seeme sufficient for Dogges which serue the game and disport of hunting ¶ A Diall pertaining to the first Section Dogges seruing the pastime of hunting beastes are diuided into Hariers In Latine called Venatici Terrars In Latine called Venatici Bloudhounds In Latine called Venatici Gasehounds In Latine called Venatici Grehounds In Latine called Venatici Leuiners or Lyemmers In Latine called Venatici Tumblers In Latine called Venatici Stealers In Latine called Venatici The seconde Section of this discourse Of gentle Dogges seruing the hauke and first of the Spaniell called in Latine Hispaniolus SVch Dogges as serue for fowling I thinke conuenient and requisite to place in this seconde Section of this treatise These are also to bee reckoned and accounted in the number of the dogges which come of a gentle kind and of those which serue for fowling There be two sortes The first findeth game on the land The other findeth game on the water Such as delight on the land play their partes eyther by swiftnesse of foote or by often questing to search out and to spring the byrde for further hope of aduauntage or else by some secrete signe and priuy token bewray the place where they fall The first kinde of such serue The Hauke The seconde The net or traine The first kinde haue no peculier names assigned vnto them saue onely that they be denominated after the byrde which by naturall appointment he is alotted to take for the which consideration Some be called Dogges For the Falcon and such like The Phesant and such like The Partridge and such like The common sort of people call them by one generall word namely Spaniells As though these kinde of Dogges came originally and first of all out of Spaine The most part of their skynnes are white and if they be marcked with any spottes they are commonly red and somewhat great therewithall the heares not growing in such thicknesse but that the mixture of them maye easely bée perceaued Othersome of them be reddishe and blackishe but of that sorte there be but a very few There is also at this day among vs a newe kinde of dogge brought out of Fraunce for we Englishe men are maruailous gréedy gaping gluttons after nouelties and couetous coruorauntes of things that be seldom rare straunge and hard to get And they bee speckled all ouer with white and black which mingled colours incline to a marble blewe which bewtifyeth their skinnes and affoordeth a séemely show of comlynesse These are called French dogges as is aboue