But the voice descerned slowe doth indicate a sluggish person in actions and sometimes hasty And whose voice in the middle appeareth a meane as betwéene the smalnesse and grosenesse is accompted sapient a fore-séer true and iust The condition and iudgement of laughter The xxx chapter THe mind after the opinion of the Philosopher is much delighted with laughter yet the ouermuch laughter is named of most men a laughter out of course and argueth besides a small vnderstanding and simple wit Of which the common Prouerbe rise and often divulgated of the wise is that in the mouth of a foole much laughter consisteth the like reporteth Catullus that singular Poâ—t in this Sentence The laughter light moued not framed in place Be wrayeth a fooles folly in iesture and grace Héere conceiue that through the Milt formed big such a creature is procured to laugh much and otherwise is it when in the contrary manner as some report And the learned Isidore in xi ethymolagiâ—â—um vttereth that the Milt to bee so named of the supplying of the same which properly lieth on the contrary part of the liuer to the ende the same shold not consist or remaine empty The Gaule is knowâ—e to be an apt receptacle bladder in the creatâ—re which by due worke of nature sendeth or receiâ—eth into it the choller The Mylt are supposed of some to be a procurer of laughter séeing by it we 〈◊〉 especially caused to laugh By the Gaule if we mâ—y credit 〈◊〉 are all Creatures mooued vnto the by the heart to conceyue déepe matters by the 〈…〉 the quality mooued vnto loue through which 〈◊〉 elements euerie liuing creature saith he is sustained So that the persons which sufficiently laughe are denoted after the agréement of Writers to be benigne and gentle quiet beloued for theyr curteous behauiour of all persons yet lâ—â—htly endamaged or harmed althogh such are smoisy â—â—refull for any and these beside a 〈◊〉 of an apparant comlinesse saith the Phisiognomer applied vnto the Sanguine and Joâ—â—all persons The creature which reasonably laugheth is argued to bee giuen to mirth of a good quality but ioyeth much in the veneriall 〈◊〉 especially if the eies appeare smiling The ouermuch laughter exercised as Aristotle vttereth vnto king Alexander remoâ—eâ—â—â—â—reuerence and hasteth olde age in that creature for troth with such willingly saith the Phisiognomer is no societie or fellowship to be vsed in that these lacke Wit and are nothing at all secret yet these after some Writers are reported to be seruiceable and painfull in their doings Such persons which are séene seldom to laugh are indicated to be of a déepe vnderstanding and knowne faithfull as certaine report and this the Phisiognomer obserued and noted in sundrie honest and vertuous persons which he knew to bée searchers of déepe and hid secrets The cause euidently appeareth and is known to be a déep thinking and reatch which consisteth in that creature which remoueth laughter Of whom such a person that laugheth often as is aforesaid bethinketh or museth on no serious and déepe matter nor maketh any solemne or witty discourse with himselfe Certaine of the ancient report tht the creature which is hardly procured to laugh is affirmâ— to be witty a foreséer of matters vnto himselfe niggardly and very studious in the Art which he dayly exerciseth yet such a creature sayeth the Phisiognomer is prone to be a surmiser and irefull The person which is heard to laugh alowde with a certaine noise discerned in the laughter is indicated by some writers to be inuericundious and rash in actions Such a creature that without cause procured laugheth and in his laughing séemeth often to cough or gape or to draw the head awrie is indicated to be variable of purpose and minde enuious lightly or soone crediting and conuertible either vnto the good or euill as Loxius and Phylemon report The learned Conciliatore in his Rubricke of Phisiognomy saith thta the creature Coughing when he laugheth or is at the instant encombred with the hardnesse and shortnes of breath is iudged to be inuericundious fierce and a Tyraunt as the like was obserued and noted by Cocles in a certaine Prince of Lumbardy Certaine of the worthy Physiognomers report that whose Chéekes are discerned often to smile is denoted to be of euill minde of a peruerse cogitation and a liar and such persons generally are malicious and dissemblers not to bee trusted but rather to be doubted if we may credit the phisiognomer when the like especially is ioined with other accidents of the mind and that their eielids appeare wrinkled togither with the eye-browes gathered as it wer in a cloudy forme such are then shedders of bloud murderers robbers by Sea and land as hath often bin obserued in manie which were the like He that smileth vnto himselfe when he talketh is indicated to be foolish and of simple vnderstanding as the phisiognomer obserued in an Italian and such are reported to abound in the Melancholick quality The chéekes writhing in laughter as if it wer in the derision of another witnesseth such a person to be arrogant deceitfull couetous a lyar yrefull and a blabber of secrets Such as lightly laugheth saith M. Scotus is denoted to be of simple vnderstanding vnstable vain lightly crediting of dâ—l wit grosse in féeding seruiceable yet in facts or actions not secret Such as sildome laugh and soon make an end is argued according to M. Scotus to be stable wary niggardly yet of good vnderstanding secret faithfull and glorious in his actions The condition and iudgement of the bâ—â—â—â—h The 31. chap. THe much breath argueth aboundance of the spirits econuerso which procéedeth two waies the one through the lungs smalnesse the other through the straitnesse of the brest Of which the creature much breathing is of great strength and courage by reason of the heate resoluing the moisture especially that dewy moisture after the mind of the Phisiognomer The breath sent forth in due course and order that is betwéene the great and small apearing a meane doth indicate the quietnesse of hart and a man in minde well pleased as the Phylosopher reporteth That person which sigheth without cause and fetched the sighes déepe and long dooth witnesse the Melancholy to come and that mighty to perseuer in that creature The breath appeareth cut betwéene being after an order which in the end through straitnesse of the breast commeth forth with a heat and sighing argueth such a creature to be encombred with thought and the disquietnesse of mind And the same to be mixed to some euill if the head especially shake withall That person which with the sighing draweth the eyes awry is iudged after the minde of most writers that hee then bewaileth the matter come vnto mind deuising with himselfe in what manner he may aptliest bring about and compasse or atchieue the same The creature which breatheth with a certaine noise through the larger opening of the nostrilleâ— doth then indicate cruelty brutish furiousnes and
delated doe then argue a sicknesse or disease of the eyes And if these haue any flesh bearing out do denote drunkennesse especially when the eyes are bearing out and the eye-lids be dry as in many the like the Phisiognomer hath obserued and noted The vpper eye-lids couering the neather doe argue by the report of Conciliatore Albertus and others long life The corners of the Eyes dylated and large through the cause of a smiling eye doth indicate a letcherous person and this note applyed of the Philosopher to Venus The often beating or panting of the eye-lids doth argue such a person to be fearefull and vexed often with a frenzinesse as Palemon Loxius and sundry others report The eye-lids thin and in health are best commended For these declare a lawdable minde nighest approaching to God through an vpright behauiour The iudgement of the spaces betweene the eye-browes after the mind of Michael Scotus The xix chapter THe spaces betwéene the eye-browes nere ioyning together declare that person to be a niggard enuious very much desirous of beautifull things hauing a strange fortune and more rigorous then gentle in behauiour The spaces betwéene the eye-browes if they be large doth denote such a person to be of a dull capacity yet of a great boldnesse very trustie in néede of a perfit and vpright friendship these hâ—therto Michael Scotus if we may credit the agréement of these sayings The nature and iudgement of the mouings of the eyes The xx Chpter THe Phisiognomers confirme their sayinges by the signes and notes of the eyes in that the notes which are discerned in the eies be figurs and vtterers of the affections of the heart The eye is the instrumentall member of sight whose quality is moist in a round forme figured with a certaine plainnesse and formed with seuen coâ—tes and thrée humors as writeth the learned Sillanus super nono Almansoris The passions of the minde as trouble myrth loue hatred and such like are especially declared and vttered by the eyes after the agréement of all Writers The especiall colours of the eyes are knowne to be foure as the blacke whitish variable and gray as the worthy Canamusalis in libro oculorum cap. tertio reporteth and the like Iehusalis The round forme of the eyes is better moouing perfiter and vncorruptible through the lacking of corners as all the learned agrée in the fame The cornered eyes haue very often superfluous moysture standing in them as writeth the singular Constantine in libro oculorum A perfit forme and condition of the eyes doth denote an honest person as writeth Gulielmus Nurice Conciliatore Albertus and others The eies big and eminent doe argue weakenesse and a féeble courage in that these be so caused bigge thorough the much aboundance of moisture of the brain in which is coldnesse that sheddeth along by the Members and extinguisheth the bloud So thrt such a Braine is more colder and moister than it ought to bee and in such a body should bee the lacke both of naturall bloude and courage And as the spirit and store of bloude procureth boldnesse in men euen so doth the colde and moyst quallity contrarie worke and cause fearefulnesse Rasis reporteth that the Eyes béeing verie eminent and bigge doth argue such a creature to be fearefull and applied to the Hare Cunny and Frogge The eyes outward extended do denote after the mind of Rasis such a person to be foolish but the eyes déep standing doe denote such a person to be subtill and of euil conditions through the part of the wicked quality yet such be of a good sharp sight and sée further than the eminent eyes do in that the visible spirit is more gathered in the déepe eyes and the séeing vertue stronger yea the light is receiued in greater quantity as by experience is known in the Gunner which minding to shoote strait winketh with the one eye like the Carpenter in the laying of his line right Hitherto Auerroys But through the contrary cause such hauing the eies eminent be weake of sight and sée nothing so farre off The large eyes tending into a breadth of the body like to the eyes of the Parthians do indicate the moisture of bodie in that creature Such hauing the eies eleuated and standing hie out do sée from them as aboue vttered but a little way the cause is that when the eye is eminenter it is then further distant from the braine which is noted the Well-spring of the Eyes So that through the farre distance from their Spring that is the braine such eyes are hindered to sée far where otherwise the eyes standing déepe do sée sâ—â—ner and further yet such are noted to be of ill conditions Further conceiue that through the Eminency of the eies diuers matters visible are represented so that such in a short time can iudge of matters They are also bablers through the moist forepart of the fore head And thereby are noted vnshamefast and foolish the selfsame in a maner doth the learned Asculanus write in his mother tongue in libro Cerbae as followeth Gli ochij eminenti et in figura grossi Gli ochij veloci cum lo batter sermo Matri e falsi de mercedae scossi By which he concludeth that such are without discretion thorough the small discourse of vnderstanding He also saith of these that the eyes mouing fast quick procéeding of hotnes argueth irefulnesse luxury and boldnesse aplied to the Hauk and Falcon. The slow moouing of the eyes denoteth coldnes declaring sadnesse and fearfulnes in that creature Such with the eyes moue the eye-lids together are of a weake and féeble mind as Palemon writeth The eies which shut and open together denoteth a wicked and traiterous person If water shall stand in them it argueth a studious person an earnest searcher of Arts as writeth Aristotle Albertus and Phylemo Conciliatore writeth when the eyes are disformally moued that one while they run and another while cease running although by these as yet no wicked fact or mischiefe bee committed or done in cogitation notwithstanding the minde is known to be occupied with the like And such generally the Phisiognomer noted to bee of wicked conditions and prone to some violent shamefull or euill death Yea the Physiognomer hath often times obserued it in many that Rob by the high-way Ptholomy the Phylosopher Writeth that the eyes yellow so that the same procéedeth of no sicknesse doth signify such a person to be a deceyuer and cruell as the Phisiognomer Cocles obserued in sundry Bawds Murderers Further such a colour indicateth the dominion of choler with gret adustion of which occasion cannot otherwise bee caused but the dominion of malignity The eyes mouing swiftly with a sharpnesse of sight are noted théeues vnfaithfull deceyuers yea such a note hath the Phisiognomer séene many which were after hanged One of these was the sonne of M. Iulianus de Pontremulo brought vp and trained couragiously from a child vnder a valiant
and politick Captaine named Francesco Rouerso on whom hee pronounced iudgment in the year 1492. and before the presence of M. Bartholomew de S. Marino a famous Chirurgian and a most special frend of the Physiognomers And as this Cocles had afore pronounced and iudged of the young man euen so came it to passe through the lack of grace that hee was hanged in the yeare of our Lorde 1496. And this Physiognomer on another named Tadeus Guidottus pronounced a like iudgment which as he reporteth was also hangd for theft by sentence of the law For these are wel known to haue a subtle wit alwaies ready and prone to euill The like confirmeth that worthy Conciliatore saying that the eyes swiftly mouing and apearing sharpe of looke are noted crafty vnfaythfull and théeues as of nature these are vttered The cause is in that through the subtlenes of wit Theft procéedeth and the strange deceiuing For the subtle wit procéedeth through the subtlenes of humors insuing of the hotnesse of complexion as aboue vttered And the mouing procéeds through a hotnesse so that when the hotnesse is great then is the switnesse intensed The Wanne and yellow Colour doth sometimes indicate the complexion or quality of Choller adust yet the same tending vnto Melancholy If to a Whitenesse to which a Gréenenesse is admixed heate insueth which of the Physitians is properly named a leady colour as writeth Almansore lib. secundo capit 1. So that this is a Swartish colour if the same appeareth nigh vnto a rednesse or a rednesse mixed to it which demonstrateth that the grosse bloud to beare sway euen as the quantity which approached to it or as the rednesse which is mixed to it This colour by the agreement of the Physitians is as the colour of the lungs when the same is newly drawne foorth of a beast that is properly named wan of colour The same of the lunges which after the drawing forth beginneth to putrifye and swell vp and a wan or leady colour appeareth in the same Héere note that the Phisiognomer willeth a man to beware and take héeâ— of the like â—â—â—ured persons iâ— that these are very euill and wicked if so be these in habitude as Cocles reporteth be not lawdable or comely Such a colour the Phisiognomer noted in sundry Cardinals that were wicked in their déeds Yea these of like colour he noted to be drunkards luxurious and practisers of false and wicked matters without any shame as the like of experience the Phisiognomer reporteth to haue knowne He further writeth that the Melancholike adust are leacherous vnlearned and exercise Swinish conditions when as their heads be speciall or Pineaple like and hauing fat chéeks Yea when the adâ—â—â—ion is ouermuch then such incurie and fall into a frensinesse The Phisiognomer noted yea he iudged before the learned sundry of a like complexion that became foolish and of these two were Students at that time who after the increase of this Melancholy became foolish according to the iudgement of the Phisiognomer The eyes small do argue such a person to bée peruerse foolish and faint-hearted applied of the philosopher to the Ape the reason is in that when the creature is hot and dry he is then malicious of the humors and spirits and is a betraier through the hotnesse and drines procéeding of the cholerick adustion For which cause such are deceiuers and partake of the Melancholy humours of which fearfulnes foolishnes insueth through a drinesse The déepenesse of the eyes procéedeth thorough a drinesse which drieth vp the moisture of the Muscles and lygaments Or which insueth a drawing together into the inner parts and the braine to bee exhausted And the paucity of the matter of the eyes doth signifye in the moysture proportioned the dominion of drinesse and melancholy adust or a dâ—inesse adustiue and for this are fearefull and deceiuers like to the Ape as the same experience demonstrateth Rasis reporteth in secundo ad Almansorem that many spottes in the eyes appearing doe indicate an euill person the rather when the Eyes shall appeare variable of colour which signifyeth the wickeder person For the varieties of the eyes procéede not but of a great hotnesse which eleuateth the vapors vnto the eies of which how much the more the variety of the eyes is so much the more doth the same argue an intensed hotnesse By that reason howe much the more diuers the spottes are so much the more is the adustion and by the consequent declareth the varietie of humours and greater adustion and this dooth manifest the adustion of the spirit of which the varieties of conditions procéede and the mightie heape of vices So that oâ— the great variety is the honest and lawdable iudgement debased or caused the worser The looke of the eyes like to a woman causeth the same disposition as of such a complexion and is the same in conditions as the Woman as luxurious and inuericundious for which cause such men of like nature be luxurious and inuericundious Of which Rasis reporteth that when the looke is like to a childs and that his whole face and eyes séeme or appeare as he smiled this is a sight-harted person and giuen to mirth without taking care of the affaires of the world The eies appearing wholy smiling with the rest of the Face in like manner be Flatterers Luxurious and il reporters or slanderers Some of this aledge a cause and report that the mirth and length of life to procéed of a good complexion whose cause are the laudable humors and purenesse of them through his agréement So that the cause of life is hotnes and moistnesse but of death coldnesse and drinesse The complexion of young men is hot and moist but oâ— old men cold and dry and the Note of the same is that such which coeate much doe liue a short time and the gelded after nature longer then those not gelded and the aged men which haue much flesh do liue longer in that the causes of much flesh is a hotnesse and moistnes By which reason Children that are hot and moist be among other ages merry and ioy through their complexion and be without cares of the minde So that such like to children in countenance are the like in complexion not bethinking earnest or waightie matters When the eyes appeare in rednesse to the burning coale such a person is denoted to be wicked and verie obstinate the reason is in that the firy colour doth indicate a most intensed Choller by reason of the hotnesse and hee is vicious and obstinate as appeareth in the Uerses in the first place Whose eyes be in colour like to the Goates eyes is argued foolish the reason is that when a Creature resembleth to any beast such a person is of the like nature complexion and conditions as in many places afore like vttered So that such Goates eyes do indicate foolishnesse and great simplicity The Phisiognomer many times looked on such a beast and found the eyes
somwhat variable with a certaine troubled matter about the ring sight of the eye which declared after his iudgement a complexion very flegmatick and watry of which fearfulnesse and foolishnesse insueth The eyes which are like to the Cowes eyes doth portend a madnesse to succéede in that Creature seeing the eyes like to Cowes eyes in Men do argue a like complexion For the complexion of such a beast is cold and moist of which the eyes are great so that through a coldnesse and moystnesse is the slownesse and dulnesse of vnderstanding caused of which a madnesse and simplicitie ensueth The eyes gray of colour to the sky dry seeming and dimmy such a person willeth the Philosopher that a man to eschew so nigh as he may for that this gray colour in dry eyes is a note of wicâ—ed persons The colour of the eyes which representeth the colour of Oyle doth witnesse a strong person The yellowish colour of the eies doth indicate a strong and stout person The eies appearing much blacke of colour is denoted to bee of a hard nature and fraudulent The déepnesse of the eies is through a drinesse drying the muscles and ligaments of which ensueth a gathering into the inner partes as afore vttered and the braine exâ—austed The eminency of the eies representeth many obiects of which a péeuish discourse ensueth through a confusion of the obiects If the eies shall be small and prominent out like to the Creauis eyne doe denote the lewdnesse of conditions and foolishnesse The reason is in that the smalnesse of the eyes dooth witnesse the paucity or littlenesse of matter but the eminencie of them doth indicate the ouer-much moysture in the foâ—e ventricle where the Spirites are letted and of this lacketh iudgement The eminency also of the eies is the cause of the representing of many obiects in so much that such a one canot discerne the congruent from the incongruent of which dooth the pieuish and beastly discourse ensue through the confusion of the obiects The eyes tending vpward as the Oxe eyne which and with this appeare red and are most great do indicate a most wicked person lende of conditions a Foole a Bibber and a Drunkard The reason of this effect is in that the same signifieth the weaknesse of braine for as much as such a forme procéedeth of a moyst braine And of the weaknesse of braine is the drunkennesse caused through the vapors ascending which togither disturbe the braine The same eleuation of the eyes procéedeth by accidence in that this is caused through the ouermuch hotnes whose note is the red colour or the red colour indicateth For of an ouermuch hotnesse is the disturbance of the rationall spirit caused as the like we daily sée in the fiery irefulnesse of men Such eies the Phisiognomer noted in the Citty of Vâ—teberge by one Nicholas a Barbier which in a manner was customably or daily drunke The eyes directed with the looke vpward quiuering and with a palenesse of countenance infected do denote such a person to be of a fierce and an inhumaine wit of an enuious nature and sometimes a murderer If any by nature hath the eyes appearing turned vpward such a one of nature is libidinous applyed to the manner appearing in the dead Bodies And in persons at the instant coating as writeth Aristotle in his Problemes For the eleuating of the eyes is by accidence in that the same is caused through the ouermuch hotnesse whose note is the rednesse of colour of which is a troubling of the rationall spirit caused as we daily sée in the intensed irefulnesse of men The eyes appearing retort if they tend to the right side do denote foolishnesse but if these tend to the left side then they pronounce incontinency as the learned Palemone in his phisiognomy vttereth The extensed eyes with the extension of the countenance doth denote such persons to be malicious and wicked the reason is for that the same extension is procured of drinesse and hotnesse through which the hot Spirit is caused euill He which hath the eies like to the Asse is noted foolish and dull of Nature the reason is in that they be of a cold and dry quality of which the impression of kindes is hard to enter so that by the same reason such are foolish referred after the maner to the slow Asse The eyes appearing as they were hidde in the head that is standing hollow inward do further sée and such a person these argue to be suspitious malicious of a wicked yre and peruerse condition yet very mindfull especially of iniuries bold cruell deceitfull a lyar enuious leacherous c. as that Michael Scotus reporteth The ancient Rasis vttereth that many spottes appearing about the sight of the eyes do witnesse an euill person and the worser are those spotted eyne knowne if they be variable of colour The varieties of the eyes do no otherwise procéed then of the heat eleuating the vapours vnto the eyes and how much the more variety there appeareth of the eyes so much the more doth this argue the inward hotnesse to be How much the more variable or diuers in forme the spots are so much the more and greater is the adustion of the spirits eleuated of which both the varieties of conditions and the great heape of vices procéedeth So that of the great variety is the honest and lawdable iudgement procured the worser of all likelihood Such persons which haue the eyes shining are noted to be libidinous and for the forme applied of the Philosopher Aristotle vnto the Cocke and Rauen. The eyes in rednesse appearing vnto the burning coale doe indicate a most wicked and obstinate person and the cause is for that the fiery colour doth witnesse a most intensed choller by reason of the hotnesse as afore vttered of the Phisiognomer Cocles He which hath meane eyes decltning vnto the Celestiall colour or to the colour of the sky or vnto a blackishnesse such a person is noted to be of fit vnderstanding faithfull and seruiceable The conditioned eyes the philosopher Aristotle commended highly vnto King Alexander And the same seemeth the learned Auicen to vtter primo canticorum de varietate oculorum which argue a temperament if so be the eies appeare to the colour of Antimony for these denote a sharpenesse and readinesse of wit The worthy Almanser reporteth that those the learned name the better eies which appeare as betweene the blacke and variable a meane if with this these are not much shining nor that a rednesse nor Cytrinesse appeareth in them for such eies do demonstrate a good nature discretion and wit The reason is for that these are priuate and frée from the adustion of choller and the adust Melancholy The colour of the eyes celestiall or vnto the sky blacke or a darke yellow whereas no spots in any maner appeare and are caused of moist humors temperate without any adustion of which a spirit like to nature is represented yea a readinesse of wit and
necke hée was besides couetous and fearefull which is contrarie vnto magnanimitie or boldnesse in that the same procéedeth of a hot quality Yet hadde this person a ready wit through the comely forme of the head forasmuch as the knitting and conioyning of the spirits was lawdable by which the descent Organe aptly serued vnto reason especially for the eminencie of the fore-heade in breadth But the breast the Ribbes the Héeles and the necke were founde all effeminate which as aboue vttered bée contrarie vnto magnanimitie the Aquiline or hawked Nose indicated as the Phisiognomer reporteth his Couetousnesse that so mightily by his report bare sway in him Thus saith he a man must proportionate all the Members togither for otherwise it shall be in vaine to iudge or pronounce any matter at all after the minde of the Phisiognomer on any subiect The nose séene flat doth signifie such a person to be luxurious hasty in wrath and faint-harted for the dominion of the moysture and Flegme in that creature as the learned Conciliatore reporteth Héere conceiue saith the Phisiognomer Cocles that when the nose appeareth flat then is a hotnesse and moysture indicated in that person for as much as the hotnes of the Aqualine or hauked nose is caused with a drynesse So that the flat noses are procured through a hotnesse moysture in that the moysture causeth the inlarging of the nose of which such are knowne hot and moyst that properly cause the luxury in them When any report such persons that they are hasty in wrath the same procéedeth as the Phisiognomer reporteth of an ouer-much hotnesse and the inflamation of spirits mooued and procured through the aboundance of matter and of that inflamation by the report of Cocles is the yrefulnesse caused in such Another cause shall héere be vttered in that the inflamation of the spirit cannot soone or spéedily be cooled through the narrow passage as shal appeare in the matter following Of which the singuler Philosopher Asculanus in the mother tongue wrote these worthy verses following EL concauato è anchora il naso simo ciascun di lora a la luxuria acosta Piu del secundo dico che del primo chi la subtile è ne lextremo agozo Ouero rotundo cum obtusa posta mouesi ad ira el primo come cuzo Laltro e magnanimo e dae graue stile The person which hath a short Nose and the same flat is iudged after the mind of the Phisiognomer to be lasciuious and as some write to be a Théefe The nose séene short the mouth formed small and the téeth found short and big do denote after the mind of the worthy Conciliatore a moist and cold complexion The sharpenesse of the Nose séene the Necke found long the voyce heard small and comly are apparant notes of a temperate chollericke quality as the learned Rasis the worthy Albertus Ptholomeus paruus and other report and Cocles with them The Phisiognomer Cocles reporteth that hée hath many times noted of experience in infinite subiects and in all his life time he neuer saw any which were not possessed with a heape of vices especially for lying or for their imagining lyes and this caused by the Chollericknesse consisting in them for which cause this Cocles willeth a man to take héed of the fellowship of such as of all which saith he experience in short time will instruct thée perfit The nose formed sharpe of the end doth indicate such a person to bee a lyar contentions and yrefull the reason is as the Phisiognomer reporteth in that such are of a chollerick quality for as much as the leannesse and sharpenesse of the nose doth for the most part happen through the aboundance of choller The same end also hath narrow passages in which the ayre cannot passe to coole the heart so that of this it long remaineth inflamed which is the cause of contending and quarrelling in that person The like Creature by report of the Phisiognomer was that Antonius a learned scribe and notary yea he noted many other Countrey-men of his to be like among the number of which Cocles obserued and knew a iolly Fellow of the like Nature named Vandinus de Fauentia which was a betrayer of his courteous Lorde and a principall aider Son vnto the Noble Astorgius Fauentia by whose meanes and other mighty deceiuers about him was this gentle Lorde by commaundement conueyed vnto the prison in Rome and shut vppe as close prisoner in that strong Castle named Saâ—cti Angeli where not many monthes abiding was lamentably murdred of a most cruell Bastard by a headlong fall as the Phisiognomer learned and vnderstood which wicked Creature after the fact committed miserably pined away euen like an Image of Waxe standing in the hottest Sunne When the Nose shall be meanely small a little dry vpward and at the end raised vp and the neather part or end turned again vpward or that his cleft be procéeded from beneath vnto the part turned vpward toward the Cone of the Nose doth then indicate luxury or such an abuse of the bodie not héere decent to be vttered as the learned Conciliatore in his Rubrick of Phisiognomy reporteth The like of this the Phisiognomer Cocles obserued and noted sundry times especially in one of the Senate-house of the Noble Citty of Bononie which for reuerence vnto the noble-house and honesty sake he refuseth to name The cause is for as much as such are of a moist and sanguine quality tending vnto choller and these vniuersally by report of the Phisiognomer are luxurious in both the kinds euen as the same through the pricking forward of choller which daily inflameth the blood And the regitiue Nature of the whole body mooueth or stirreth forward the expulsiue vertue vnto the sending forth of the noious matter superfluous and expelleth the same vnto the congruenter places by the apt passages and sendeth the same forth vnto the 2rd1y in that it is the cause of the erection of it So that such helpe forward themselues by a proper industry not decent for honesty sake to be he vttered when as the desired subiect is not at hand And the apparant notes of these persons are that such haue the nose bigge and blunt especially at the end and the Nostrils wide and large through the grossenesse of bignesse of the nose The singuler Aristotle in Methraphoricis vttereth that such hauing the nose bigge at the end are of an earnest and ready minde vnto the concupiscence of the desired act such also are known to bée base and of no reputation applyed for the forme vnto the Oxe in that such especially in the venereall act are so prone and easily mooued that they couet in minde what person soeuer they sée which especially in knowne to be true for the actiue coeating as with Women for such after the sight of women séeme in a manner to mourn vnto themselues as the Bull doth after the Cow and such Asculanus reporteth are irefull Rasis vttereth
very narrow round formed and as they were confusedly shut together doe witnesse after the opinion of the learned Conciliatore in his Rubricke of Phisiognomy foolishnesse and vnaptnesse to learn and the feeblenesse of courage in that creature The auncient Rasis and Alâ—â—rtus report that the largenesse of the nostrils and the much quantity of flesh on the Jawes and the little quantitie of baires on the chéekes doe signifie a moist complexion The Nostthrilles appearing very blunt doe argue such a person to be foolish but the Nostrils ioyned small indicateth a peruerse mind and peeuish conditions The haires growing within the Nosthrils if these be many thicke growing and big apearing argueth vnstablenesse of minde and a grosse wit as Conciliatore reports and the Phisiognomer Cocles affirmeth the same by experience If the haires within the Nosthrils are fonnde few and soft do witnesse after the mind of the phisiognomer a ready wit apt to learne and honest conditioned The iudgement of the forme and condition of the eares The xxiii Chapter THe eares declare the temperament and proportion of the principall members and especially the brain which experience certifieth vs. For that the braine doth sometimes send forth a noysome matter behinde the eares of which there is ingendred and caused many times an impostuâ—â— and the same according to the diuersity of the humours Of which the Physitians name these the clensing places of the members and superâ—tâ—â—ties The ears great are ingendred and caused 〈◊〉 rough the multitude of matter in the beginning of generation of the strong vertue And all such in a manner which haue great eares as the Physiognomer hath noted are knowne to haue a short necke and head sufficient comely and are Sanguine and such for the more part tending vnto choller or vnto grosse bloud somwhat adust Such also are vnpatient and lightly angry For which cause the Philosopher reporteth that such are foolish this being excepted that they are of a good mind and intention that is â—â—ter the departure of the inflamation and kindlâ—â—â— about the heart forasmuch as this declareth â— hotnes of the heart through the vains and arteries as in the Anathomy may well be discerned And sâ—ch are of a good memory in that they haue a â—â—emely necke being an expresser of the braine and demonstrating a good disposition and perhaps through the chollericke quality is the retention of kinds and thorough the quality of the sinnewes which are of a dry nature After the quailing and abating of iniuries such are of a good intention in that these cause a good discourse and noted to be long liued forasmuch as in them is a good proportioÌ„ between the heat and moisture And such a person which possesseth a mean is moderate in his actions The selfesame is confirmed of the Philosopher in lib. 1. Animalium cap. 11. where he reporteth that those which are most apt and ready in hearing be well nurtered and conditioned Such saith hée haue a note of the best manners which possesse meane eares The eares great and directed aboue measure are notes of foolishnesse or that such to bee Bablers as Aristotle the Phylosopher saith The selfe-same reporteth Auicen pri de Anamalibus that when the first pulpe that is of the eares is ioyned with the flesh of the iaw signifieth a foolish vaine person The Philosopher saith in Methaphoricis that such as haue small eares like to an Ape haue of that reason Apish conditions Such as haue big eares are noted to be dullards applied to the Asse If any person shall haue eares formed like a dogs they are noted to haue the best to be in a meane manner Hitherto Auicen So that such hauing the eares ouer small are noted Apish that is Apish conditions wher one may sée that malignity and deceit to haue dominion in them Such as haue the eares ouer-great in respect of the body argueth foolishnesse and dull of vnderstanding as Aristotle reporteth primo de Animalibus Such hauing the eares meane in quantity is a good note for that the same proueth by the similitude of the disposition in good Dogs Rasis reports that whose eares are bigge is a foole yet long liued after nature the eares erected vp and very great indicateth the multitude of matter and the same inobedient as to the due forme and the Dominion of drinesse indicated which is the onely cause of the erection or standing vpright The eares flexible or bending demonstrateth the proportirn of heat and moisture and the moisture is cause of the bending as appeareth in a skin and wood which when they are crooked or winded inward are moist otherwise if they bee drie their parts are broken Euen so Ptholomy the Phylosopher reporteth that the eares great and bended downward do denote riches When the eares are very small the paucitie of matter and weake vertue of the braine is signified and the Chollericke matter argued of which the subtle spirits caused so that such haue a wit or be ingenious in euill Workes and are Theeues Foolish and so couetous that they desire all things And thorough that coueting such are luxurious and vnderstood perhaps of the immoderate appetites and not of the power or force of the matter The learned Palemon vttereth that when the eares shall be prominient and verie great foolishnesse and garrulitie is signified in that creature and such are knowne to be couetous But the eares which are as they were cut and very shorte and parted dooth Loxius report to attempt and commit a deceit The eares formed semicircularly and creastes connexed in the middle somewhat flat toward the Centre and of a meane bignesse which decently stand to the head do witnesse a goodnes of nature But the eares that are ouer-round signifye such a person to bée vnapâ— to learne The eares long and narrowe are reported to bee the notes of enuie The eares lying or standing close with the head are reported to signifie dulnesse and sluggishnes as Albertus saith the reason and cause of the signification is for that the Vertue formatiue when the Organes are directly formed or that the Instrument of heate and the kind quaileth or wanteth causeth that the mallice of the matter doth so inlarge the eares out of measure or through the drinesse or scarsity of the same causeth them to draw together and be narrow in respect of the due proportion and of this cannot gouerne the workes of the spirit but that the eares like inâ—ue according to the plenty and scarsity of matter forasmuch as they thus procéede of the indiuâ—â—ions of nature These hitherto Albertus I saith the Physiognomer haue noted many olde men and found them to haue great eares and not smal in that age So that the small eares after the agréement of most Writers do denote short life in this agrâ—â—th Ptholomy the Phylosopher where hee reporteth that the eares small bee a note of shorâ—e 〈◊〉 and if the eares be hayry doe indicate long life The reason is that the smalnesse vttereth
members are knowne of the Phisiognomers to be hot Of which reason how much intentiuer the heat is so much the greter will the resolution of partes be For where a great resolution consisteth there of necessity must insue that a restauration aptly be procured which otherwise cannot be caused but through the benefit and help of meates that ought to be a sufficient quantity of which the spirits are actiuely ingendred and these in great quantity which properlie cause in that Creature ire boldnesse yea quarrelling and fighting Of which it succéedeth that the worthy Philemon Palemon Albertus Conciliatore report that the Creature which hath a great and wide mouth is a gluttonous féeder yet hardy and prone to fight Rasis vttereth the like that the person which hath a great mouth is known to be a gluttonous féeder and bold The mouth formed small is noted to bee of a Feminine nature But the mouth discerned great and wide doth witnesse yre boldnesse quarrelling and fighting such also are knowne by experience to be gluttonons feeders The mouth hauing a small closing and opening doth denote such a creature to be peaceable yet many times found vnfaithfull and faint harted the reason of this contrarie is the same which was aboue vttered of the Phisiognomer The mouth in the proper sight or being hauing a séemly quantity in the greatnesse with the lips thinne and appearing small in the closing and to these the eies shewing smilingly with the rest of the face agréeable answering doth indicate a libidinous person a Cynede or an effeminate Creature and a lyar as the worthy Conciliatore in his Rubrike of Phisiognomy vttereth A small mouth in forme appearing prominent outward doth denote wicked conditions in that person to be false in promise and a betrayer The mouth discerned small hauing thin lippes doth witnesse a féeble mind and courage but this person is deceitfull and malicious Where or in whom the mouth shall appeare very farre bearing out and round with a thicknes of â—he lips and that the vpper lip foldeth outward is or the forme applied of the Philosopher vnto the Hog and signifieth by the agréement of Authors that such a creature is nasty péeuish cruel and a foole as the Phisiognomer hath often times noted The best conditioned mouth after the agréement of the Phisiognomers is when the same appeareth not ouer moist in that the moysture of the mouth and lips doth argue fearefulnesse and malignity in that Creature as the worthy Albertus reporteth and the same the Phisiognomer Cocles affirmeth The mouth that sauoureth sweâ—â—e especiallie in the breathing doth indicate an honest person witty both in the giuing and retaining warie seâ—ret coueting faiâ—e thinges and faithfull yet easily led eyther vnto the good or euill through his light â—eléeuing if wee may credite Michaell Scotus The mouth that sauoureth ill in the breathing doth denote such a Creature to be diseased in the Liuer besides of a grosse vnderstanding lightlie crediting of a base wit a coueter of other mens goodes lasciuious deceitfull a lyar a teller of vaine matters and newes if Michaell Scotus may be beléeued Whose mouth in the speaking is drawn awry is noted of experience to be diseased with a rewine distending from the head yet is the same eyther stronger or weaker procured euen as in the doubling vnto the other proportions and this of obseruation doth the Phisiognomer Cocles witnesse The iudgement of the forme and condition of the lips The xxvii chapter AT the end of the Jawes are the Lippes formed which are compouned of a soft flesh in that these by a double motion are aptly moued as in the one by a proper manner vpward and in the other by the motion downeward and these caused by motion of the iawes from one to the other both in the closing and opening which is the cause why the lips are named to haue a good and perfit motion The vtility of them by the agréement of all the Phisiognomers is and seruech for the furthering and helping of speech and that these may through the help of the Jawes aptly well close together for the better beséeming of the countenance The colour of the lips toward the opening of the mouth is red thorough many veines of bloud deriued vnto that place the note of which is in that these often and much in quantity bléede and are of a light cause broken and quickly cut off The common hurts there hapning are especially cured after the minde of the Phisiognomer with the same named the Practitioners Mel Rosatum for he reporteth that he hath often experienced the same in many subiects There may Notes also bee gathered in conceiued by the colour of the Lippes for that the naturall colour in the edges of the Lippes after the minde of Constantine ought to bee redde through the thinnesse of skinne which lightly of the heat or colour of the blood receiueth a Rosâ—e quality Of which the worthy Constantine reporteth that the rednesse of the lippes indicateth the purenesse of complexion and the vnmixing together of troubled blood and the note both of good strong vertue in that Creature The wannesse of the lips argueth the contrary to the same aboue in that the vertue of blood and naturall heate is lacking in that creature so that such hauing the like lips are noted to be sicke as the worthy Rasis reporteth When the lips are formed big these do represent the multitude of matter drawne vnto them through heat and the grossenesse or bignesse of them is caused through the grosse humours and spirits of which the dulnesse of wit and foolishnes ensueth procured by reason of the hotnesse except the neather lip be discerned loose hanging and watry running But if the lip be discerned vpright and thicke in forme that is compact or stiffe in such a person doth the Phisiognomer of experience apply there the Planet Mars A like reason the Phisiognomer vttered that when the mouth is formed great if that the lippes appeare loose and hanging in that part of the Creature is the Moone of him and others aptly applyed The neather lippe decerned loose hanging and that the same appeareth very red in colour dooth argue hapning in the woman to bee a most sure note of the great desire vnto the veneriall act and shamefastnesse in that Creature as the same the Phisiognomer Cocles noted in a famous Curtizane of Rome named Isabella di Luna The like note séene in Children signifyeth the Creature in time to grow and become a Cynede or effeminate person especially if the countenance and eies appeare smiling and the creature growne vnto a ripe age as Cocles reporteth that hee noted in a certaine Noble-man of the like condition In briefe all the other members according to the nature and property of them are each attributed vnto his proper Planet as shall after appeare in the third Booke of the Physiognomers to come forth intituled the Phisiognomy of the Planets The worthy Loxius Philemon Plato Aristotle
as the saâ—e the Phisiognomer Cocles obserued in many subiects For which cause this Cocles warneth a man especially to eschew the fellowship company of such which of nature are wry necked and haue a drawing in or narrownesse to be decerned betwéene the shoulder poyntes in that these are knowne to be wicked persons enuious fraudulent and hypocrites as the same the Phisiognomer Cocles obserued in sundry of the obseruant brothers in his time and in many Melancholicke persons The necke formed in a mean manner both in the bignesse and length doth demonstrate such a person to be strong of nature apt to learne and of a singuler wit but these oftentimes are known to haue a subtill or crafty wit and to be deceitfull The condition and iudgement of the shoulder points The xxxvi Chapter HEre conceiue saith the Phisiognomer that such persons hauing the shoulder paints sufficiently distant from the knottinesse or spondile of the neck which first appeareth aboue the sholders where the sholder points or neck are continuated and not to neare ioyned to it are of a good nature and hauing ripe or good senses and by the consequent of a good vnderstanding The Philosopher in Methaphoricis vttereth a reason of this saying that the shoulder points being sufficiently soluble that is sufficiently distant from the spondile or knottinesse in such manner that the space betwéene them be equall do denote that such indiuiduates readily receiue that is easily the sensitiue motion For these haue the note or sensitiue power easily moueable that is lightly reducible from the power vnto the act of perceiuing But such which about the spondiles of the necke appeare hidden are noted to be persons lacking wit forasmuch as these hardly being soluble which about the knottinesse are decerned weake to receiue the motion of the senses The Shoulder pointes decerned sufficiently distaunt-asunder doe denote such a Creature to bee liberall after Nature applied for the same vnto the decent apparancy and forme for that liberality aunswereth and agreeth to such a forms and the like formed are the Shoulder-points of the Lion by the report of the Phisiognomer The shoulder points néere adioyning togither do contrariwise signify niggardship and vncourtesie to rest in that person The shoulder points appearing sufficiently distant asunder and decently spaced from the knot or ioynt of the neck argueth such a person to be of a simple perseuerance and vnderstanding and by the consequent knowne to be a dullard as the lerned Aristotle writeth The Shoulder-points after the minde of the Phylosopher well brawned with an eminencie or bearing out of the fleshe and these strong formed are applyed after Nature vnto the Male-kind Forasmuch as the nature of the muscle is to possesse the ingendred hotnes strong and of the reason of the heate is thus procured to encrease the forme of the members according to euery Diameter The shoulder-points discerned bigge and large in forme doe indicate a hotnesse to consist in that creature The strength of euery person consisteth in the sinnewes and bones for which cause when the muscles are sufficiently formed Fleshy then must néeds insâ—â— a mighty strength to consist both in the sinnewes and bones of which the spirit combyned in 〈◊〉 an habitudeâ—â— body may well exercise and attâ—mpt or do strange actions if néede reâ—uireth Of which Rasis reporteth that the Shoulder-points discerned large do indicate a strong person of an honest mind oâ— good conditions and perfect vnderstanding The reason of this is in that through the bredth of the shoulder points the muscles are indicated to be large and strong proceeding from a strong beginning that is in the brain wher the beginning consisteth of the sinewes and the seate of the spirits So that of necessity the forme of the 〈◊〉 must be â—apeable to the retaining of the goodnes of the senses as the Phisiognomer saith The muscles weak of strength so as the shoulder-points appeare flat and as it were couâ—â—ed with a softnes of flesh argueth a flegmatick quality of the contrary nature to rest in that creatuâ—â— and if these appear without a softnes they import the like quality as saith the Phisiognomer Rasis reporteth that the shoulder-points formed thin indicateth the smalnesse of wit and vnderstanding Cocles reports that he knew and saw sundry women in his time which drew by Art through their bestiall inâ—â—â—ents the shoulder-pointes so neare together that they formed in a manner the like vnto Os vontris in the part behind and they garnished or beautified these with Cosmeticall waters This Cocles also noted sundry Italians and fond French men which he aptly nameth by that by-word Hermaphroditi that exercised the like practise with their shoulder-points A matter which séemeth in my opinion incredible to be exercised of any faithfull Christian but the Phisiognomer séemeth truly to vtter what hee saw and knew in sundry places The bearing of the heads â—f the shoulder points very faire out doe denote â—oolishnesse to consist in that creature which manner Aristotle reporteth vnto King Alexander to be a note of rigorousnes and vnfaithfulnesse to dwell in that person The Phisiognomer Cocles vttereth of experience knowne that hee sildome saw any person beeing crooke backed which were of a good nature but that these hauing the like bearing out or bunche on the shoulders were rather Trayterous and verie wicked in their actions And such saith the Phisiognomer were knowne in his time to bee the founders of all wicked deceits yea wily vn deminers and gropers of the people and had a déepe retching wit and wylie fetches in wicked actions So that it seemeth impossible after Nature that such deformed persons should possesse in them lawdable actions forasmuch as the spirite connexed in such an habitude dooth yéelde a retrograde forme and property which saith the Phisiognomer is knowne for the most part to bee Melancholicke For which cause a man ought carefully to beware and take héede of fellowshipping or kéeping Company with such vnfortunate personnes for the abouesaide reason and Worke of Nature For these sayeth the Physiognomer are the like to bée eschewed as a man of skill would refuse and shun the companie of a person lacking any chéef or principall Member of the Bodie And the like Aristotle in secretis secretorum saith that a man ought verie diligently and carefully to beware of such an vnfortunate person lacking any speciall member as much as he would of his most dangerous Enemies The Prouerbe also warneth vs to beware of the creatures marked and in another place of the persons marked in any member that a man trust not them The reason is for that the Spirits like insue vnto the forme of the body so that out of an euill shaped body can no lawdable actions proceed or be caused as afore vttered and this of him vttered Phisiognomically The Philosopher also vttereth that the great number of Children liuing is cause many tymes of the ill hap of Parents For these lacking prouision for their
and soft of flesh doe argue a leacherous person of a weake capacitie weake of bodie very suspicious and craftilye malicious as wryteth Michael Scotus The armes very naked of heare do denote that person to bee of a weake capacitie long angrie lightly crediting vaine lasciuious a lyar lightly deceyuing warie in the euill and but weake of bodie as affirmeth Scotus The forme and iudgement of the handes The xxxviii Chapter THe Regityue nature of the whole bodye formed the hande with the paulme long and the fingers in séemely length through the goodnesse of the matter regulated as the like in many creatures appeareth in such manner that the same is sufficientlie prepared and formed vnto the doing of all workes that is to be wrought and in expressing the mightie force of the members and singularity of the Wit the Jests and other skils in euery creature This also formed of Nature as a most strong helper to reatch and take vnto it all such thinges which are needefull so that this necessarilie and aptlye serueth both to take and doe Isidore learnedly writeth that this part is named the hand for that the same is the officer and presenter vnto the whole Bodie and is the same which presenteth and Ministereth Meat vnto the Mouth which thus ministred is after caried into all the parts of the body This Authour nameth the Paulme to bee the hand with the fingers stretched out and the hand séemely drawne together to be the fist of the creature Those branches of both the hands are properly named the Fingers which in number are known to be ten and decently matched or ioyned togither For these we see saith the Phisiognomer that they both haue a perfect number and a most decent order in their standing The proper names of these and their Offices shall heere briefly be touched as first the same so named the thumb in that this among the others reâ—dreth or giueth a vertue and power the second 〈◊〉 named the shewing or pointing finger and the saluting for that with the same we in a manner salute all personnes and expresse with it most matters The third properly named the infame or middle Finger being the longest which is much occupied about the lowe and clensing place The fourth aptly named the ring Finger for that on the same the wedding Ring is most commonly worne The fiâ—t rightly named the Eare-finger for that with the same we daily empty and clense the eares as is to most men knowne and exercised at this day The learned Formica writeth and by diuers of skill well knowne that it first behooueth a man to learne and know the quantity of the hand and afterwards the quality substance and condition of the same inasmuch as the accident doth note and giue to euery skilfull person a great perseueraunce and vnderstanding both to know and pronounce what these tende vnto as reporteth Aristotle in primo de Aâ—ima The bignesse and shortnesse of the Fingers argueth the paucity or smalnesse of matter and a flegmaticke quality and that nature could not dispose and guide of which the spirits then be like to that nature And of this such are noted foolish and of the same minde is Rasis Conciliatour and Ptolomie the Phylosopher Formica writeth that verie necessarie it is to knowe that the bignesse of the Hand doth sometymes procéede of great labour and for that cause such which labour much haue bigge handes Yet these sometimes are bigge of nature and then caused through the bignesse of the bones and sinewes Such a person whether the same be man or woman is naturally strong The same sometymes procéedeth through the grossenesse of flesh and then such are drunkards leacherous 〈◊〉 naturally proude vile persons If any hath the handes bigge and fingers about the endes of the nayles sharpe â— doe denote such a person to be deceytfull and couetous Forasmuch as the Phisiognomer hath exâ—â—â—sed in this hande here vnder placed the most 〈◊〉 knowne and giuen names to them in the Latâ—â— tongue with letters added to each for a beâ—â—â— conceyuing and knowing of them at any 〈◊〉 I of this occasion thought good whereby this â—â—ligent trauaile of the Authour might not appeâ—â— frustrate vnto our natiue Countrie men 〈◊〉 english all the lyues there séene and placed 〈◊〉 in the forme of a briefe Table with the letters 〈◊〉 the Alphabet annexed to each lyne that they 〈◊〉 readier be founde and knowne in the saide 〈◊〉 liuely figured to the eye A vitae linea signifieth the life lyne B Soror vitalis seu Martia is the sister of 〈◊〉 life lyne on the mont of the Thombe C. Cerebri linea representeth the head line D. Soror Cerebralis is that which stretcheth néer in the Palme of the hand E. Veneris genitalium linea is that which is named of some the table line or the line of generation and strength of the body F. Saturnia appeareth to be a Sister line comming from the wrist and retching in many handes vnto the Mont of the middle finger This also is of some named the line of felicity G. Iecoraria is the Liuer line that commeth from the life line which retching vp in the hollow of the Hande performeth the Triangle in most hands H. Via lactea is a line many times founde on the Mont of the hand reatching vnto the Mont of the eare finger named of some the taile of the Dragon I. Cingulum Veneris is a line which beginning betwéene the ring and eare finger is extended betwéene the middle and fore-finger after the forme of a halfe circle K. Carpus vel restricta representeth the Wrist of the hande which separateth it selfe from the arme L. Hypothenar representeth the Breast of the hande applied for the néere effects vnto the Moone M. Solaris linea Via â—olis is that lyne which comming from the Mensall or Table lyne reacheth vnto the Roote of the Ring finger straight déepe and whole The accidentall lynes which eyther encrease or diminishe the significations of the principall lynes with all other lynes and notes that happen in the hande shall shortly be vttered in the great worke of Paâ—lmestrie to come forth Of which is to be noted after the minde of the Phisiognomer that the fore finger middle finâ—er ring finger and eare finger haue three ioyntes a péece which if in euery ioynt happen but one line suche a person shall sodensy die as Actours write But if there shall be two lynes equally distant then is it a good note for that these signifie an honest and faithfull perâ—on If in the middle ioynt of each finger shall bée onely one lyne and in the other two ioyntes two lynes doe denote that such a person shall leese one of his eyes These hitherto Formica Ptholomie the Philosophâ—r wryteth that the handes bigge and thicke skinned doe denote a person not contented in mynde The learned Rasis vttereth that the handes nymble and slender doe demonstrate a singular witte a good vnderstanding and the
are appearing from thence vnto the breast are iudged to be weake of body and short liued The condition and iudgement of the inner partes which are consisting from the nauill vpwarde vnto the beginning of the stomack The xlvi chapter IF the Hypocondria or inward partes so named shall be decerned harde in the féeling and sufficiently or well compowned with bones doe witnesse the Masculynity and that such persons to be fierce cruell and quarrellers or fighters as the auncient Palemon Albertus and the learned Conciliatore vtter Such Hypocondria doe certaine report that the worthy Plato possessed yea the like creatures as Albertus and Conciliatore report are applyed vnto the fierce Lyon But if these partes named Hypocondria shall be decerned to be couered with a soft fleshe these then saith the Phisiognomer Cocles doe denote an effeminate minde and womanly courage to dwell or consist in that creature and the lyke affirmeth Conciliatore in his Rubrick of Phisiognomy Such which shall haue these partes weake boned and wrinckled and compassed with a thinnesse of fleshe like vnto the Hypocondria of the Ape are of the Philosopher iudged wicked of behauiour and full of shrewde or euill turnes applyed for the like condition and forme vnto the Ape The signification and iudgement by the notes of the belly The xlvii chapter THe Philosopher Aristotle doth héere instruct how a man may Phisiognomate by the habitude of the belly in that the belly is knowne to be the same which receiuing the meate as Isidore reporteth doth throughly digest it and conueieth the excrements forth that be superfluous for which cause this of nature formed bearing and appearing outward Such which are sufficient fatte about the belly that is well brawned and that the belly beare not to much outwarde are denoted strong after nature applyed for the forme vnto the male kind And such a condition of it is reported to be naturall so that the composition of the belly after the minde of Constantine is formed fleshlie after nature yea hotte and moiste and this through the occasion of digestion properly Of which Rasis vttereth that such creatures which possesse bigge bellies after nature are noted to be libidinous great féeders and that spéedily digest meates Such creatures which are decerned in a contrary condition to this as hauing flat bellies not sufficient brawned and these found soft are denoted and iudged to be weake of body and for the forme applyed vnto the apparant congruency In that we commonly see saith the Phisiognomer that such possessing leane bellies proceeding of any accident as eyther of too much fasting or of a sicknesse caused oâ— procured otherwise of any accidentall cause are argued to be vnapt to learne and to conceiue déepe matters yea weake of body and courage And how long soeuer such continue in the like passion and so long they tend or leane vnto the womanly condicions and courage after the agréement of Aristotle Albertus Conciliaâ—ore and others The learned Aristotle doth vtter also in secretis secretorum that he which possesseth a big belly is denoted and iudged to be an vndiscreete person proud foolish and often desiring to coeate for the hotnesse resting in him A meane proportion and forme of the Belley discerned with a narrownesse of the breast dooth indicate such a Creature to bee of a déepe vnderstanding of a good discretion and witte of an honest conuersation and trusty For a meannesse of the belly saith the Phisiognomer is procured of a hotnes proportioned in that Creature of which lawdable spirits ensue Where the Philosopher vttereth with a straightnest of the breast this is heere meant to be formed with a proportion of the same breast for if this shold be compounded with an ouer-much largenesse it would indicate a hotnesse of the heart in that Creature to hinder vnderstanding Of the same minde and iudgement by the report of the Phisiognomer is the learned Loxius where he witnesseth that such a forme of the belly is knowne to be soft Conciliatore reporteth that the bignesse of the belly doth denote an ouermuch desire vnto the veneriall act Whose stomacke and belley are discerned fleshier are reported to be strong He also affirmeth that the belly soft in youth doth witnesse that the same in many to become flat and drawne together in old age econtra of which this like doth indicate a heauinesse in old age The learned Aristotle vttered vnto the mighty K. Alexander that the person hauing a great belly to be vndiscréet foolish proud and desiring to coeate A meanesse of the belly descerned as aboue taught with a decent narrownesse of the breast witnesseth a déepenesse of vnderstanding and ready counsaile in that Creature These hitherto of Conciliatore The bignesse of the Belley procéedeth of the great heate reuerberating in the empetnesse of the same especially vnto the Region of the Genitors In that as it is saide the vertue Morrall or intellectiue is not scituated in a body ouer hote and of this such are procured to be vndiscréete and foolish Such also are noted to be great drinkers gluttonous féeders and delighted in sluggishnesse and giuing their minds much to luxury As hath béene noted in sundry persons which ledde an easie life A hearinesse decereed on the belly doth argue such a person to be full of wordes applyed for the forme vnto the kinde of birdes in that it is knowne that the property of such which are thus heary on the bellye to be talkatiue and full of words and this note onely conceiued and taken of the chattering of birdes which through their light spirits are thus mooued to chatter and the lesser birdes are knowne much louder to sing and to haue many more notes as the Nightingale and such like which are so procured and caused through the subtilnenesse of their bloud and lightnesse of the spiriâ—s in that these are of an ayrefull nature through which they are so lightly mooued vnto mirth and diuers desires which in their many songs and chaunging of notes endeuour to expresse And the Cockes of those kinde more exercise long then the Hennes doe forasmuch as they are formed hotter and by the consequent haue subtiller bloud and lighter spirites than the Hennes And that hearinesse or many more feathers appearing on their bellies procéedeth through the abundance of the heate vaporatiue in that the same more aboundeth in this place through the digestion there bearing greater sway whose note is that the flesh of their bellies is found farre swéeter and more sauerie in taste than any part of their bodies besides so that of the like causes sundry men are knowne to be very heary on the belly Of which to conclude in that these possesse a subtill bloud and light spirits through the light motion of bloud and the spirites For that cause are diuers fantasies in those subiectes lightly procured and conceiued in minde which of them vttered in their spéech and talke So that of these a certaine reason of the cause appeareth why the
which are of a cold and moist complexion arâ— perfit that is apt vnto the performing although the Bloud and spirit in these are moued vnto the heart spéedily for the smalnesse of space yet neuerthelesse caused vnmooueable by reason of the complexion or coldnesse in that moysture restrayneth the dryth and heate and thus of the short and swift motion of those Spirites by reason of the space and in a slow manner by reason of the moisture of those Spirits shall the motion bee caused commensurated and both a meane and temperate apt vnto the performing In the fourth he Phisiognomateth by the greatnesse of body by a comparison vnto the hot and dry complexion in that such are perfit and quicke in conceiuing Although in those the space of the motion be great yet the blood and Spirit in them are very swift mouing by reason of the great heate and on such wise in these is a temperament of motion caused and are apt vnto the performing Here is to be conceiued that although the hot and dry and generally the chollerioâ— are of a difficill or hard conceiuing and of a dull wit by reason of the dryth which hardly receiueth neuerthelesse the chollericke bigge in body are more perfit and apter to conceiue then the small in quantitie of body For when these giue and apply their wit vnto the conceiuing and attaining of any thing they long retaine the same with them and although they haue the Spirit and blood moueable yet for that the space of the motion is great for that cause before any other thing or matter occurreth they first conceiue and take and strongly retaine For a more drynesse then moysture consisteth in the hinder part of the braine of this creature So that drinesse hath the property to attain and receiue with difficulty and when this hath receiued a forme the same purchased it retaineth for a long time which contrary is of the moysture For the moysture or moist braine behind doth lightly receiue a forme and soone looseth the same in that the formes which are imprinted in the moysture are not preserued any long time but soone vanish away And for as much as the chollerick small in body do not so long consist in any maner that any forme in their spirit can be fixed yet are these neuerthelesse noted perfite as is afore vttered For the learned Aristotle héere meaneth that the more chollericke in body are perfit simply but this vnderstood in the comparison vnto the chollericke small of body The Sanguine of complexion and big in body are very perfit in that they be of a temperate moyst quality and of a good receiuing or retaining In the excéeding the Philosopher dooth Phisiognomate by the quantity of the body betwéene a very small and very big as vnderstanding of a meane Of which such hauing bodies ouer-much excéeding in greatnesse and height or ouer-much lacking in the smalnesse of body and stature are perfit by hap in that these sometimeâ— are on such wise and sometimes in a contrary manner according to the same as they are diuerâ—â—â— complexioned So that by the consequent such ouer smal and ouer big are vnperfit in as much as vnto the extending which may be on such wise and otehrwise in the ouer small forme so that the vnperfit is â—as euery variable continguent or happening For that cause in stature and quantity of bodie a meane which are nâ—â—â—her ouer small nor ouer-bigge vnto sense 〈◊〉 the aptest to perceiue and know The Phisiognomer further vttereth that the person which is not of length and largenesse alike is noted to be one not in a due form proportioned Indagines breefely writing of the stature of man alleageth 〈◊〉 example out of the Histories of one Maximinus the Emperour who for his notable and monstrous talnesse was of this found and iudged to be of a dull capacity and foolish And of the same arose the Prouerbe which is Climacis Aegiptia â—â— Caliga Maximini And that applyed now to men of a great and huge stature hauing euill properties conditions and had in contempt for their rude manners Sundry others the like might heere be vttered which for breuitie saith Indagines I omit yet is it well knowne to all men that such which bee of a monstruous talenesse are euermore of a dull capacity simply witted and in manners rude especially if they be leane and very long of Bodie with the neck reaching forward like the Storkes necke In the Court of Frederick the third Charles Emperors did the worthy Indagines note certain persons very tall and maruellous leane who in conditions were knowne to be very froward and foolish And from these persons do not such much differ which go crooked or stouping Heere a man might aptly apply the olde Prouerb which affirmeth that sildome any séeth the long and tall person wittie nor the short person méeke and patient yet the person short of body is noted to be of a ready wit apt to attaine thinges and in the end very skilfull in many matters And this onely meant by the quantity of the body and not of the quality in that the same often falleth out the contrary The person decerned meane of stature and reasonably fat and in the other members and partes decently formed is noted to be ingenious prudent and doth his busines with expedition These hitherto Iohn Indagines Michaell Scotus writeth that somewhat may be declared by the stature of man First the stature long and sufficient vpright and rather leane than fat doth argue that person to be bold high minded presumptuous vaine-glorious to much of a will long angry somtimes lying and in many things malicious The stature long and sufficient fat dooth signifie a strong person yet lightly vnfaithfull deceitfull of a dull wit selfe-willed a surmiser vngratefull â—nd circumspect in his doings The stature very long leane and slender doth denote a foolish person much selfe-willed weake to labour slowe a great féeder lightly crediting thinges to be compassed as he wisheth them and often lying The stature short and bigge is a note of a flegmaticke quality enuious suspitious more simple than wise easily perswaded to beléeue long angry vaiue and well contented to serue The stature short and slender and sufficient vpright is a note of a chollericke quality and that such a person to be naturally circumspect of that he doth ingenious hold high minded vaine-glorious of good memory and vnderstanding secret a great surmiser The stature which bendeth naturally forward and not caused of age denotes a wary person vnto himselfe a niggard laborious a grosse feeder long angry not lightly crediting secret of dull Witte and seuere or cruell The stature or personage bending backward doth signifie a foolish person of a small vnderstanding of ill memory vain a grosse féeder and easily perswaded to good or euill Hitherto M. Scotus A perfect instruction in the manner of iudging FIrst consider that a man may not hastily pronounce iudgement of any one note
subtilnesse of humors The handes flender and very long doe argue tyrany and foolishnesse in that person The Philosopher Ptholomy affirmeth that the hands of diuers colours do demonstrate such a person to be leacherous and cruell and the like do the slender fingers more then is decent denote foolishnesse The skilfull Formica reporteth and the same a truth that such a person which hath the fingers ends broad is iudged faithfull and a good companion Such a person which hath the Table in the hand large and the fingers slender and long is iudged to be subtill in a naturall faculty and apt or giuen to play on Instruments Such a creature which hath the Table in the hand narrow and the fingers bigge is aptly disposed and giuen to write well and shall die of an impostume Such a person which hath the hands not ouer-bigge nor ouer small but well proportioned to the bodie do denote such a person to be wel contented and quieted in all his accidents If any hath the hands small the same creature is reported to be of a womanly nature in his déeds vnsatiable and hatefull after the kind as now louing and now hating so that seldome there is any assured trust to be had in him If any woman hath manly hands such a creature hath a big midriffe and big belly port intumescent and such a one may lightly conceiue yet bring forth no perfect childe If any haue big hands and fat do argue such a person to be of a dull capacity and wit Such a woman hauing the like hands doth ernestly desire the lâ—â—rened aâ—t If any hath the hands slender is denoted to be a person nimble and ready in his â—â—ings and that he much delighteth in womens compâ—â—y If any hath hollow Fingers and those euill fashioned and no well ioyning together is iudged to be a person prone to pouerty and vnconstant in his words so that hee performeth little in deeds as the same Physiognomer often times noted in one named Sâ—raphâ—â—us de Pâ—â—is a Physition Such a one who hath not his fingers standing close together or not straight ouâ— lying doth signifie a miserable life and pouerty to succéed The reason of this is thorough the euill proportion which formeth not ther a good vnderstanding but an euill and inoromate The fingers formed little denoteth such a one to be dull enuious and a fool after the agréement of Authors The learned Morbeâ—h the Cardinall in his paulmestry writeth that the fingers long and slender and well proportioned together do argue an apt and ready wit especially in handie crafts yet do these demonstrate an euill gouernement through which ensueth that such are miserable poore Vt in politicis patet If the Fingers shal be much or wide standing assunder do denote pouerty and misery to insue to that person as the same Physiognomer often noted in such persons which begged from doore to doore Certaine report that the fingers very short and little doe denote such a person to bee strong and witty which reason seemeth not to the Phisiognomer simply to be allowed The hands bigge if the fingers bâ—e ouer short do argue such a person to be an ouerthwarter deceitfull a theefe after the agréement of writers The hands crooked and slender doe denote such a person to be a gluttonous feeder and ful of words Certaine report that the fingers euill proportâ—oned as bigge and small with the Paulme of the hands crooked doe indicate an enuious person a wretch couetous and a foole The reason oâ— this is forasmuch as the grossenesse doth indicate much quantity of the matter and a little of the Naturall heate not mightie to stretche out through which the creature is denoted to bee an earthly dry person and rude by reason of the ouermuch drinesse and he is iudged to bee a foole through the lucke of naturall heate and moysture proportionable and by the consequent the same argueth him to be couetous through the crooking of the hands Morbeth in his Paulmestry vttereth that the woman hauing small handes and bigge fingers at the ends is iudged prone to luxury and of a dul capacity A certaine Authour of a small Palmestrie reporteth that the Woman which haue a shorte paulme of the hand in respect of the Bodie shall be grieued with the harde deliuery of childe and this onely caused thorough the straitnesse of her 23u3rp2c1lp which length is answerable to that length which is on the backe of the middle finger nigh the first ioynt comming by the Paulme euen vnto Raâ—cetta or the wrist Or thus plamer the length of this 2c1lp is aunswerable to the iust space which is from the roote behinde the middle finger vnto the wreast of the hande and this do4bl2d is the iust measure of r3h2toof vt dicunt recte A certaine writer whose name the Physiognomer knewe not reporteth that the handes short bunching out and slender doe denote such a person 〈…〉 and a gluttonous feeder The cause oâ— which matter is the end of the sinewes which â—â—rough a drinesse is drawn togither and bowâ—â— inwarde and thereof crooked or bunched out Of which men crooked at the endâ— of parts through the dayly excesse about fire or by a sicknesse these well and true reported yea these well drinke and eâ—te When the end of the little finger shall not reach vnto the vpper ioynt of the ring finger vnlesse the same bee otherwise shortned of some accident is then thought a perfect note of a Bastard as the same Physiognomer hath noted in many but this warily to be iudged If the Fingers bend at the Toppes do denote such a person to be enuious and couetous and such are crafty and false of promise applied to the Ape But when these bend inward then the contrarie iudge If the Thombe bendeth toward the Fingers and likewise the Fingers inclined towardes the Thum do argue such a person to be couetous and malicious And this disposition of the members proceedeth from the spring vnto which it ensueth as is aforesaid The Creature which of a Custome vseth to hold the hand straite out and the fingers at length stretched is iudged to bee a person fearefull full of words and vaine If any vseth to hold the hand most commonlie shut together betokeneth such a person to be yrefull and hasty The fingers small and slender in a man doe denote him to be a foole as certain of knowledge report If the Fingers be short and big doe argue such a person to be bold and enuious as Formica writeth When the fingers are well proportioned of a comely forme and length do indicate honest conditions in that person He which in talking moueth much clappeth the hands and hath many iestuees besides is noted to be a faire speaker enuious and a deceiuer Certaine report as that auncient Hermes that the shaking or quiuering of the handes in a healthfull yong man doth demonstrate such a person to be soone angry For this procéedeth of abundance of heat
and mouing forward of the spirites If this shaking or quiuering of the hands shall be very strong the same is a note of a corrupt quality and such a person is lightly angry Melancholicke desirous of many and diuers things and malicious The hands hollow in the Paulmes with a goodnesse and eminency of the Montes and proportion of the lines is an assured note of long liâ—e But if contrary to this you finde the hande then iudge the contrary The Fingers of what forme so euer they bee with the ioynts grosse or bigge doe indicate miserie and misfortune as the Physiognomer hath many times noted Héere conceiue that by the forme of the Fingers a man may lâ—ke distinguish three Ages in euery creature as the Physiognomer taughâ— vs before in thâ— Physiognomy of the lines séene in the forhead In holding the handes vpright and close together against the light marke where anie open place appeareth and at that age the misfortune of the creature shal happen This maner of accounting must begin from the first ioynt of the fore middle finger in proceeding like vnto the ends of the fingers and on such wise consider along from Finger to Finger where any open place is for at that age where the space signifyeth shall the misfortune come and on such wise may the fortune misâ—ortune of the thrée ages be known and found If the closing or shutting together of the Fingers be whole with a most comely forme of the ioynts doâ—h denote a singuler fortune to that person especially if the annexed do answere the like The learned Albertus and Conciliatore write that when the Fingers be so full and rounde that lifted vppe before the eye a man cannot see betweene them doe indicate a couetous person and malicious If the Fingers stretched out these bende toward the backe of the hand do argue such a person to bee vniust subtill and witty especially if the Fingers be slender If any whiles he walketh dooth of a custome shut the thumbe within the fingers is noted to be a couetous person as the like the Physiognomer obserued in a certaine Lumbard The Fingers long do like argue the length of the eares of the Liuer and the bignesse of the Fingers do like denote the largenesse of the eares of the liuer But the smalnesse of them as Albeâ—tus reporteth doth like signify the eares of the Liuer to be little the selfsame vttereth Auicen and Galen in libâ—o regâ—â— If any shall haue red hands whither the same be man or woman is of nature noted Sanguine and Luxurious as writeth the learned Formica and the same a truth knowne Ptholomie the Phylosopher vttereth that the creature which hath the vpper ioynts of the Fingers grosse or bigge and turning backewarde doth denote that if he shall then be rich within a period and a certaine time after to become poore or else by some misfortune shall be short liued The hands crooked in the length is a note as some Authors write of sodain death and this in sundry hath bin noted Forasmuch as some are found to haue six fingers on one hand as the two last toward the eare Finger in like maner lined yet in the greatnes diuers the ioynts and Nayles séemely formed and proportioned through the goodnesse of the matter And the first person which I saw and considered before the presence of M. Iulius Vitalis was a Jew named Helias After him many others whose names for breuitie the Physiognomer omitteth and this person hee beheld in the City of Bononie Thus briefely the Physiognomer Cocles endeth this Chapter of the hande and Fingers crauing pardon of the Reader if the same be vnperfectly or superfluously handled The forme and iudgement of the nailes of the Fingers The xxxix Chapter THe Prince of the laters Writers both of Phisiognomy and Paulmestry affirmeth that the Nayles and the same a trueth are produced or do proceed of the superfluities of the heart in that the heart is found the nobler member of action so that by them is somewhat to be vttered Hee also reporteth in differentia 54. that the naile is a body extensed thinne produced and caused of the superfluities and hardned on the fingers ends for a speciall helpe to them being there scituated and groweth on the Fingers ends Toes â— as the heares vttermost of the skin do occupy on the body Also Auicen vttereth that the nayles both on the Fingers and toes were ordained in the endes of theâ—e members the better to strengthen for to take and holde thinges firmely and to couer the flesh at the ends which ioyntly being well matched giue a more strength This well appeareth in thâ—t if any of the small bones be lacking at the ends of any of the toes or fingers then like doe the nailes lacke at the endes of those members as the same may euidently appeare in any large scarre in the flesh where after groweth no haires to be seene The manner also of the Originall and cause of those nailes is proportionall to the production of the haires through the grosser superfluities not so much adust The nailes plaine white soft and thin reddish and sufficient cleare do indicate a singular wit in that person and this is one of the Notes which very seldome faileth forasmuch as such nailes do procéed of the best quality as Albertus reporteth so that the spirites which produce the Nailes declared from the heart are cleare and thinne thorough whose superfluity are the Nails engendred The nailes rough and hard doe denote such a person to be prone to the veneriall act as the learned Morbeth reporteth The nailes ouer short do argue wickednesse in that creature And the blacke small and bending nailes do argue impudency compared to the greedy catching fowles These also after the minde of the Physitians with a leannesse of the Fingers do witnesse a consumption of the body When the nailes fall off without cause doe threaten the Leapry to come or neere at hand as the learned Conciliatore vttereth The Childe borne without Nayles or hauing them but weak doth witnesse the mother to haue vsed the ouermuch eating of Salt as witnesseth the Philosopher Aristotle in septimo de natuta animalium cap. 4. The nailes in the middle déep grosse or big and thicke do denote a rude person and knowing little especially if the flesh about the Fingers endeâ— be high and grosse Ptholomy the Phylosopher reporteth that thâ— Nayles long do signifye pouertie to that Person and to liue in bare estate or Beggeâ—ie all his lifâ— time The same is confirmed of Pontius Gallicus Certaine Authors affirme that whose nayle of the fingers of the left hand grow faster then thâ— right witnesseth pouerty the like if the nailes 〈◊〉 without colour I much maruell sayth the Physiognomeâ— that all the legitimate authours doe affirme thâ—â— the white prickes in the Nailes to signify happâ—â—nesse and friends which as it should séeme hatâ— many times bin obserued and noted and iudgâ— of the Physiognomer