experimente and if after it bee dried you finde at all no kinde of stain or marke then is that water assuredly bothe good and holesome ▪ An other good proofe maie be if you please to boile of this water in the saied vessell and after it hath boiled to let it for a tyme to stande to settle and to coole then after when ye shall empte it if in the bottome you finde no kinde of slime or sande then is that water to be reputed for good and of these waters if ye make proofe of two that whiche hath least is to be accōpted without more the beste Farther if in these vessels or in the semblable you doe to bée boiled any kinde of pulse to make there with some potage or other meate as beanes pease or other of that sorte that water in whiche thei first seeth is beste You must consider also if certainly you will iudge of waters in what place or soile thei spring and rise if out of a sandie grounde cleare andneate or contrary out of a mirie soile foule and vnpure and whither there growe any Rushes or other herbes or weedes noisome and pestilente but for better suretie who so would drinke of a water vnknowen or of suche as he deemeth to bee indeede lesse good lette hym with a small fire firste of all boile hym and then after beyng colde drinke of hym in his neede Plinie writeth that the Emperour Nero so boiled his water and then coolyng it in the Snowe gloried that he was the father of suche an inuention The reason why water boiled should therefore be more conducible is for that it is not pure and simple in his owne nature but is all together mixt bothe with the earth and the aire notwithstandyng the parte windie as it easily resolueth by the fire into vapours so that other substaunce also terrestriall by the saied vertue or force of the fire whose qualitie is to trie and disioigne contrary natures descendeth to the bottome and lower partes of the vessell By whiche meanes this boiled water romaineth lesse vaporous all the windie substaunce thereof perfectly consumed it also again is more subtile and light beyng this purified from the grosse and stimie substaunce and so consequently more easie to be kepte and conserued compitently refreshyng and moistyng the bodie without any alteration or opilation at all Whence it is euidente that these deepe welles or tye pittes giue none so good and holesome waters as are the others principally for that the water more sauoureth of some slimie nature and that it is at no tyme purified by any shewe of the soonne as that also it more easily putrifieth then any other How bee it the more that you drawe out of any suche Welle the better and the more profitable becometh the water for that by continuall motion corruption lesse ingendereth and nothing better frō putrifaction preserueth any water then perpetuall and incessante agitation for ones corrupted it impoisoneth the newe waters in their springes theim selues as letted or lackyng frée course or passage but stil drawen newe commeth on more freshe still and sauerie For whiche cause the water of standing pondes and diches is of all other moste pestilente and venemous whiche for that it hardely springeth and hardely passeth thence againe putrifieth and ingendereth sunderie impoisoned matters and ofte tymes whiche worste is it corrupteth the aire whence the inhabitauntes there about are ordinarily infected Consider we also that these waters whiche flowe towardes the Southe are not so holesome as those that runne to the North for the aire in the Southe is more vaporous and moiste whiche hurteth of parte and impaireth the water but in the Northe more subtile and drie whēce the water is more light and more voide of ill mixtions For whiche cause that water is euer more beste whiche is moste cleare moste light moste subtile and moste purified for it is as we fore saied moste free from the mixtion of the other elementes and beyng set ouer the fire wareth also warme and boileth before any other Farther also a verie certaine and singuler proofe of waters is this if ye circumspectly consider whiche of them first or before the other boileth beyng bothe putre in like vessels ouer one fire with like consideration of tyme in them bothe also whiche of them in like maner firste retourneth to his naturall qualitie to bee that he firste was colde in taste and feelyng for these are assured argumentes of a most subtile and pearsing substaunce and for as much as the mixture of the yearth with any kinde of water forceth or canseth some alteration in waight it shall be good to chuse still that whiche you finde lighteste whiche easily you maie proue in this sorte and maner followyng You shall take twoo peces of linen clothe of one and the same weight puttyng one into one water and the other into the other vntill they be both throwe moistned and weete then hang theim in the ayre wher the Sunne shineth not on theim so long vntill thei both be perfectly drie rewaight theim then againe and the cloth whiche you finde to peise or drawe deepest argueth his water to bee vndoubtedly moste waightiest Other some haue vsed for their more expedition to waigh them in vesseles pure neate cleane in waight not differyng with out any farther curiositie at all Aristotle and Plinie affirme that the greatest cause of diuers qualities in waters is and riseth onelye of sundrie substaunces or maners of their soiles by the meanes of Stones Trées Mines and Mettalles through which these springes or Riuers runne and for this cause they become some hotte some colde some swéete some salte some sauerie some lesse sauerie wherefore it is a sure and an infallible rule that these waters that haue no taste smell or sauour are continually reputed for the moste holsome and beste Al suche notwithstādyng as haue hereof writen togither affirme that these springes that passe thorowe mines of gold excell without comparison by many degrées the others for proofe whereof these riuers are accompted moste worthie of all others whiche ingender and preserue gold in their fine and small sandes but because we perticulerly some thyng haue saied of the proprietie of springes and riuers we leaue here to wearie the reader with examples Now then sith some thynges haue been spoken of fountaines and flouddes it followeth that we consequently treate of rainie waters whiche of some are reputed for verie soueraigne and medicinable but of others some accompted lesse profitable or necessarie Vitruuius and Columella with certaine other Phisitians highly commende all rainie waters but these especially that are receiued cleane pure without any kinde of grosse or terrestriall substaunce for that of them selues saie thei these waters are light and voide of all mixtion caused onely of vapours which by their onely subtilitie are taken vp into the aire leauyng as maie bee supposed all impure or slimie substaunce behinde theim Some neuerthelesse saie that this water descendyng in
of that citie Whiche neuer the lesse was restored againe by the Emperour Domitian who euery where and in all countries made diligent searche for bookes causing with the same that famous library in Grece to be trasported and brought from thēce vnto Rome whence it is euident that al Ptolomies librarie was not there consumed as we before saide it to bee with fier for that some parte of it was now cōueighed to Rome Farther Paulus Orosius geueth vs to thincke that it throwly in deede was not brunt and consumed when he saith that there were burned only four hundred thousand for that the number of bookes there as we reade in others was no lesse then seuen hundred thousande so that wee may conclude thre hundred thousand to be saued how be it diuers histories passe this in such sorte as if none had been reserued from the rage of the fier But to retourne to the library of Rome the saide Paulus Orosius saieth that in the daies of the Emperour Commodus this saide library was once againe burned and that Gordian as the others to repaire it gathered againe fiftie two thousande volumes whiche all as some reporte were geuen hym by the testamēt of Seranus Samoniquus whose thei first were as hath Iulius Capitolinus Besides these were many others both noble and riche libraries gathered by our elders as well priuate and meane menne as greate Lordes and Princes The firste library that euer was knowen among the Christians was that as recordeth Esidorus of Panphilius the Martir whose life is at large writtē by Eusebius in whose studie after his death were founde thirtie thousande diuers volumes One common vsage or custome was ordinary in the olde age to weete that they had in their secret Cabinetes or Studies the perfect Image and purtraite of all suche as had in anie sorte excelled in learnyng Plinie writeth that Marcus Varro beyng yet then liuyng merited for hys rare vertue and knowledge in good letters that hys Image shoulde haue place in the library of Asinius Polion Cicero wrote to Fabian that hee shoulde prouide hym of some purtraites the better to adorne and beautifie hys study Plinie the yonger writing to Iulius Seuerus saieth that Ere Seuerus a man verie well lettered would order in his studie among other his purtraites the Images of Cornelius and Titus Arius Of these thinges finde wee euerie where sufficient and good proofe whose libraries as also those of other learned men and greate Princes whiche after in successe and processe of tyme followed were destroied and defaced by the Gothee and Vandales vntill now that in our tyme by the greate bounty of God infinite are founde both studious and learned that haue gathered together houge heapes of bookes though not in deede the tenth parte of these aboue remembred by our ancestours And assuredly a greate nōber of those whiche from their tyme vntill now haue been carefully preserued founde neuer the lesse ill written lesse perfect and incorrected in suche sorte that had it not been for the grerte paines of certaine worthy personages hardlie had they euer been brought to any kinde of perfection ¶ Of the amitie and enmitie of sundrie thinges issuyng by priuie hidden and secrete proprieties Chap. 4. THe aunciente philosopher Heraclitus as also others some after hym helde and maintained in their disputations this opinion that eche thyng had his firste cause or beginnyng by concorde and discorde by peace and enmitie whiche is in all thynges of what kinde soeuer whence also issued the generation and corruption of them on whiche poinct of Philosophie I lesse mynde here to dwell of parte for that it is bothe intricate and difficill of parte also for that the reader in my phantasie shall thence reape as little fruicte as he shall conceiue pleasure Notwithstādyng we shall some what saie of the secrete loue and hatered whiche naturally is in many thynges whiche whence or how it cometh no manne directly knoweth and is therefore assuredly no lesse straunge then marueilous As first of all the enmitie betwixte the Dogge and the Catte betwixte Oile and Pitche the Harte and the Serpente with many suche others whiche in suche sorte malice and enuie eche the other this secrete rancor of no parte proceading from th'elementes for the difference or contrarietie in thynges mixte or compounde is to all men aperte and euident as wee sée The water first disaccordeth as of nature contrary with the fire for that the fire is hotte and drie but the water contrary these elementeseche to other opposite and repugnaunte The water and the yearth accorde well together but in this respect onely that thei bothe bee colde in the other that one beyng moiste that other drie eche here leaueth the other as his auncient enemie Betwixt the fire and the yearth there is a conformitie to wéete in that thei bothe be drie a contrarietie againe euen betwene theim bothe dwelleth the fire hoate that other colde So that as these elementes of parte agrée together so also disagrée thei of parte as is euidente All thynges then what so euer are caused of these elementes must be subiecte of necessitieto these contrary qualities whiche bee in these elementes whence thei mixte are and compounded Wherfore that thyng in whiche ruleth moste some elementarie qualitie boroweth his name of the saied qualitie and so wée saie it to bée either hoate colde moiste or drie some in more high degrée then others accordyng to the predominant force in any these elementes And this these bodies contrary either to other are the onely and sole causes of contrary effectes so that whence this discrepante or different nature in thynges is is now manifeste and nedeth no farther explication But this other enmitie that proceadeth not from any the elementes but rather from some hidden proprietie or secrete influence to find the true cause and occasion thereof would aske more earneste studie and longer contremplation The Dogge and Catte as is aboue saied eche hateth other neither knowe we the cause why Other creatures also sée wée that mutually are affectioned either to other neither issueth this their loue from any the elementes whereof thei are composed The Asse eateth Fenell gyante or otherwise Sagapene whiche in Latine maie also be called ferula and findeth it bothe good and toothsome whiche to all other beastes of Horse kinde is a very starcke and plain poison The Fox ioieth and liketh of the Serpent whiche neuer the lesse enuieth all other beastes what so euer Neither is this lesse to be meruailed emong men then also emong any other creatures for that man neither knowyng why ne yet for what cause eftsones at the firste sighte when he shall méete an other neuer hauyng before or seen or knowen hym will notwithstandyng disdaine and hate hym and immediatly findyng againe the second no lesse straunge to hym then the first will well conceiue of hym loue and like hym and that whiche more is sometyme will bothe honour and reuerence hym yea though he
commodities thence take theire beginninge By Laboure the sterill soyle becommeth fruitefull and plentuous to sutche as are drie and withered it conueigheth streames of Water opening the bowels of the earthe whence Springes issue abundantly it aduaunceth the grounde where so it is behouefull ouerthrowinge Hilles and Mountaines that any where annoye vs it altereth the course of great Riuers to moyste therewith drye Countries it also helpeth and aydeth Nature forcinge her to geue foorthe that of her selfe shée woulde not it tameth and maketh gentle the Sauage and Wilde beaste it fineth mannes witte and sharpeneth his memorie as also the other partes are thence onely quicke and ready To conclude who so acquainteth him selfe with painefull Labours reapeth thence pleasinge fruites sutche as him selfe desireth God wil not that his electe possesse Heauen by sléepinge If the pompous sumptuous buildinges which thou eche where beholdest if the ritche Castles and Palaices of Princes if famous Cities well peopled séeme to thée greate matters knowe it to be the Sweatte and toyle of thine Auncesters If in manner semblable the Artes and Sciences contente thée knowe that they first sprange of the Diuine Labour of sutche as here liued in the forepassed Ages When so thou beholdest the gréene and pleasaunte Fieldes daintie Gardens and well ordered Vineyardes accoumpte that they be all the sole fruites of Labour For the Ideler knoweth not how to frame any thinge but rather disordereth what so he findeth any where perfected By buste industry men attaine to immortall renowme That was it that commended these Sages to the Posteritie Plato Aristotle Pythagoras with all the Learned crue whiche neuer ceaste to payne their bodyes and mindes studying writinge readinge and disputinge not mindinge at all when they mighte at their pleasure eate or sléepe or curiously as most doo couer their carion to the vse of these thinges notwithstanding when necessitie forced them it was a thousande times to them then more pleasinge and sauery then to any of these idle and delicious gluttons Whence commeth it that Hercules lyueth to the Posteritie so famous if not by the meane of his twelue Labours Whence grewe Alexander so renowmed throughe the worlde Iulius Caesar also with infinite excellente Kinges and Capitaines if not by theire vigilante and incessante Trauaile And on the other side Sardanapalus with sutche others effeminate as was he by their carelesse securitie fell into ruine and destruction and in the ende died infamous and miserable wretches By meanes whereof it lieth euidente of al menne to be perceiued that if Idlenesse by painefull care be not donne to exile then all Offices muste flide and comme assuredly to nothinge Mecanicall Artes the studie of Learninge and good Letters all polices and Ciuill Gouernement Iustice her selfe the Lawes and in fine the Nourses of Wealthe and Peace muste all without Labour and Payne be subuerted By her eche where Vertue florisheth and raigneth and without her withereth without grace or verdure for who so in the Common Weale woulde minister Iustice muste continually be busied to order thinges rightly To be shorte no Vertue maie any where be put in execution without the assistance of carefull Payne and Diligence Thence commeth it that Hesiodus saide That Vertue was onely by Sweatte acquired Aduisedly if wée will and exactly consider all what so euer God hathe in the worlde created wée shal finde that those thinges surpasse the others in perfection wherein he hathe bestowed moste payne and trauaile Beholde wée the Heauenly bodyes voyde of immutation the Sunne moueth continually the Moone aresteth neuer the Heauens them selues the Starres and Planettes haue benne are and shall be in perpetuall motion The Elemente of Fyre resteth not voide of somme operation the Ayre without cease turneth it selfe from one place to an other From the partes beneath the litle springes and fountaines mount vp perpetually the Riuers still flote and shall doo for euer the Sea also vseth his times to comme and goe the Earthe althoughe in déede shée areste her immoueable for so is it requisite to the intente man maie passe on her to and fro indamaged reposinge him selfe at times as nature requireth yet is shée neuerthelesse either idle or vnbusied but geueth foorthe to the vse of vs Hearbes Plantes Trées and Mettalles as shée that of duetie is bounde to mainteine and nourishe sutche a number of Men Beastes as on her dwelleth So that if wee now of these things with iudgyng eie consider wée shal finde that Nature so mutche affecteth nothinge as without ceasse continually to busie her selfe in toile trauaile as to forme frame make and vnmake to produce to ouerthrowe to alter and to chaunge to perfecte and organise thinges in their kinde not reastinge or surceassing by any manner of meanes in the worlde For confirmation whereof the Olde Aunciente forepassed Philosophers neuer thought that they had spoken enough in coÌ„mendation praise of vertuous exercises Virgil saithe that incessant Labour surmounteth all thinges Horace in his Sermons that God to man hathe geuen nothing without Payne and Trauaile Euripides Trauaile is the Father of Honour and Renowme and that God assisteth him saith he that liueth in Sweate And againe That that onely is the pathe vnto Vertue without it there is no honour praise or good aduenture Menander the Poete writeth and in my fansie aduisedly that he who in healthe lyueth at any time idlely with more ieopardye hasardeth then the afflicted of an Ague Like grace also hathe in these woordes Democritus Voluntary Labour sauereth of no Payne Hermicon beinge demaunded whence he had learned his Science Of Labour saide he and of longe experience Pythagoras commaundeth that man lyue honestly and that he neuer leaue in Vertue to payne and weary him selfe for custome saithe he in the ende maketh it pleasaunte and likinge Salomon referreth the Ideler to the example of the Ante. If I shoulde here remember all the examples of those that by Payne haue possesâ—e the Chaire of Honour longer should I dwel hereon then necessity requireth It sufficeth then in fewe to saie that there was neuer man famous in Martiall affayres or Chiualrye in Learninge or els in chaste and Vertuous manners in no kinde of Science or Arte Mecanical but by continuance of Sweatte and Trauaile And further no one in the whole troupe of Loyterers was euer in any Age renowmed with Vertues Title or if any such were borne of Honourable Race or Lineage certaine is it that he either came to ruine and miserye or otherwise loste his Honour and Lyfe or at the leaste he no where coulde with warrante assure him selfe Damage shame the onely and infallible fruites of foolishe idlenesse and securitie of whiche also springe vices innumerable as is in Ecclesiasticus approued in these woordes Idlenesse ingendereth all kindes of mischiefe Ouid remembreth that Venerye is no where thought on but onely emong nice and delicate Idelers for saithe he who so he be lesse busied in Vertue imagineth vnchaste thinges
this sorte from aboue prutrifieth incontinently as is to bée seen in standyng pooles or diches whiche ingender infinite ordures How bee it to speake indifferently this is not to be attributed to any defaute or imperfection in this water but rather for that it is reserued in so vile a place into whiche moste commonly flowe all noisome sinckes and vnsauerie gutters with others of that sorte lesse meete to bée here remembred as also of parte by the ordure that it draweth and bryngeth with it washyng the yearth as it floweth into the aboue saied troughes or diches especially when it powreth doune or raineth aboundauntlie Wherefore the cause of this sodaine corruption of part procedeth from the extreme heate of the Sunne of part for that it is so pure and delicate but mixte now with suche contagious and lothesome impurities that it immediatly and without staie corrupteth of necessitie Notwithstandyng if this water so subtile and well purified were taken fallyng from houses voide of duste or filthe or rather before it touche any house or other thing were receiued into sonie cleane and pure vessell it maie be thought that it would proue more pure then any other as also that it longer might bee without putrifaction preserned Others some there are that plainly affirme the contrary as Plinie that writeth it to bee nought and vnholesome who also commaundeth that we neither drinke or taste of it for that these vapours whence it in the beginnyng and firste of all riseth issue and procede of diuerse thynges as also of diuerse soiles whence it also receiueth diuers and different qualities good and badde with like and with the same facilitie And againe alleagyng some farther proofe for his assertion answereth also to that that we aboue remembred lesse admitting it for comprobation sufficient as to saie that it therfore is pure or light because it is drawne into the regions of the aire whether it as is euidente not naturally mounteth but is taken by secrete force and violency of the sunne Neither are these vapours saieth he which in the middle regiō of the aire by extreme cold are altered into haile or snowe so pure and so perfecte as most men suppose them but resolued into water are rather founde in verie deede pestiferous and noisome Besides whiche defecte he this againe addeth that this rainie water by the onely euaporation and heate of the yearth becommeth infected euen in the same tyme and instante that it raineth For better proofe of whiche impuritie it onely is to bee noted how quickly and how sone it becometh putrified of whiche wee haue experience often tymes vpon the sea where it impossible is to preserue suche waters from corruption For these causes now cisternes and depe welles are of most men lesse commended How be it touchyng these differente and contrary opinions eche manne maie sentence accordyng to his phantasie as for my parte I willynglie would not prefarre a rainie water before the others although in truthe it bee in cases more fittyng and necessarie and although also Plinie whiche other wise discommendeth it letteth not to reporte that fishes in stādyng pondes and lakes quickely waxe fatte but then moste especially when it moste aboundantly raineth so as thei maie be thought still to please moste in this water Theophrastus saieth that all hearbes in the gardein wéedes or grasse what quantitie of water so euer you bestowe on theim spring thence notwithstandyng in no respecte so well as with some pleasaunte or smalle showers of raine In maner semblable writeth Plinie of the reede or bulle rushe whiche the better to growe or prospere thirsteth still for raine Suche also is Aristotles opinion and consonante to the former concernyng the fattyng or impairyng of fishes By what policie we may drawe freash water out of the Sea and why colde water in fallyng maketh greatet noyse then it woulde doe if it were warme finally why a Shippe on the salte water beareth greater weight then on the freashe Chap. 13. ARistotle writeth as also Plinie that we shoulde frame certaine vessels of waxe hollowe within so bindyng or closing theim that in theim be founde no hole or vente lettyng theim doune into the Sea fastned in some Nette or other fitte matter with long lines or cordes whence after they there haue béen the space of one whole daie if wée againe drawe theim wee shall finde in euerie of theim a certaine quantitie of freshe water suche and so good as in any spring or fountaine The reason why the salte water becometh freashe by the entraunce into these vessels is in thys sorte geuen vs of Aristotle who saieth that the waxe beyng a bodie both full of powres and swéete graunteth passage to the most pure and subtill parte of the water which as it leaueth without hys grosse and saulte substaunce so pearsing it sauereth of the waxie nature swete and pleasant In truthe if it be so I saie againe if it bee so for that I neuer yet practised in any sorte this secrette it might well serue in sundrie our necessities whiche commonly betyde vs in infinite our affaires How be it I suppose that if thys falte water waxe freashe by the onely and sole enteraunce in to the aboue saide vessels the saied vessels in like sorte filled also full with the Sea shoulde geue vs some small quantitie or measure of freashe water for filled as is afore saide why shoulde not the purer parte passe through these porie vessels leauyng within the slimie or saulte substaunce of the Sea as beyng cast voyde into the Sea shoulde receiue there by contrarie order inwardes water pure and immixte without any droppe at all of the other The reason seemeth one as tending both to one ende vnlesse we should dwell here on some scrupulous difference arguing that by the same meane and by the same facillitie this freashe water distilleth not out of the full vessell as on the other side it entereth into the voyde and emptie for that some appearaunce is of greater force in goyng out then is as some suppose at the entraunce or comyng in how be it who so curious is may make easie proofe both of the one the other Farther for their sakes that please in these experimentes one other thynge shall I write in thys place not lesse necessarie Who so filleth at anye tyme twoo Bottles of one measure the mouth necke of like length and widnes the one with boilyng water the other all colde and straigh waies will empte theim after one sorte without gile at one tyme I meane and in one instante tegether shall finde that the colde water will as well be first out as also that in fallyng it assuredly will yelde a greater brute or noyse the boylynge water slidyng on the other side slowly and with lesse noyse The reason is that the warme water lesse poyseth then the colde whiche by heate of the fier hath loste nowe the greatest quantitie of his grosse vapours so that when firste the colde water beginneth
is another equall in coldnes with any of the aboue remembred and yet often tymes â—lames of fire haue been séen to issue out of it Plinie writeth that moste men are scrupulous in these matters and make conscience to credite them how be it assuredly the secretes of nature are in maner inscrutable though in deede more euidently séen in this elemente of water then in any other thyng And farther in the worlde so many thynges are so straunge and so meruailous that we iustly maie repute no thyng though lesse common therefore impossible especially these that are certified vs of menne of suche credite as are all those whom we here haue alledged Besides this we are truely certified euen by those that haue séen it liuyng yet in our tyme that in one of the Isles of Canaria called Ferra beyng an Isle populus and verie well inhabited in a certaine place verie nigh the middle thei haue none other water then that which distilleth as is well knowne moste aboundantly out of the leaues or braunches of a certatne trée at the foote of whiche tree neither any thyng nigh it is there to bee founde any spryng or other water neuer the lesse this tree continueth alwaies so moiste that bothe from his braunches leaues and boughes it euer distilleth in suche quantitie and aboundance that bothe nighte and daie thei fette there to serue all their necessities whiche hardly we should haue credited had wée onely founde it written Wherefore let it not seme straunge or incredible to any that whiche wée haue here tofore recited for this elemente of water is very puissaunte and meruailous whose force and hidden qualities are not to all men so familiar and well knowen As concernyng the sea also it is reported to bée in Winter more warme then in the Sommer as againe more salte in Autumne then in other tymes any Moste true it is also that in some partes of the sea to weete in those that bée farrest of from the lande no snowe falleth at any tyme what so euer Of all these thynges sundrie haue giuen sundrie good reasons of whiche the greater parte attribute it to th' onely proprietie or qualitie of the soile mines stones trees and mettalles where fountaines haue their sprynges where riuers and lakes runne For better proofe whereof that it so is in déede by daiely experience we well are instructed that vines and other fruictes of one and the same kinde are more better and more sauery in one soile then in another for that some are swete some sharpe and sower some good and profitable others againe infectious and noisome The aire also it self then corrupteth and is pestilente when it passeth ouer any countrie lesse holsome or impoisoned What meruaile then is it if the water that washeth and penetrateth the yearth stones mettalles hearbes rootes and trees with infinite suche and others the semblable receiue holsome or lesse holsome proprieties or natures be thei neuer so straunge so rare or incredible especially aided also by some influences of the starres and Planettes Of diuers straunge thinges whiche happened at the birth and death of our sauiour Christe recited by sundrie famous and learned historians besides these that are recorded by the Euangelistes in the scriptures Chap. 16. ALthough these thynges writen by the Euangelistes whiche happened at the birth and death of our sauiour strauÌ„ge in déede and very miraculous are of all others moste certaine and worthy of credite yet it semeth to me no thyng or very little from the purpose if we remember here some other thynges perhaps not lesse meruailous fine and considred of euen of those that haue written them Paulus Orosius and Eutropius writyng of Octauian with whom also accordeth Eusebius saiyng that at the birthe of our sauiour Christe into this worlde there happened to breake vp euen at that instante a certaine spryng that ranne with oile by the space of one daie in an Inne or common Tauerne in the citee of Rome And it seemeth that this spryng no thyng els signified but the commyng of Christ to wete of the annointed by whom and in whom all christians are The publike Inne into whiche all men indifferently and without respecte are receiued and lodged signifieth our true mother the holy and true Churche the greate Inne or common lodgyng for all faithfull Christians out of whiche should passe and procede incessantly all maner of people vertuous and louyng god Eutropius to this also adioigneth that as well in sundrie places aboute Rome as in Rome it self euen in the full plaine and cleare daie was séen a circle whiche perfectly compassed the Sunne rounde about no lesse bright or cleare then the Sunne it self giuing also as muche light or rather more then it Paulus Orosius in like sorte reporteth that euen at the same tyme the Senate and people of Rome to gether offered to Octauian Augustus the title of chief prince or soueraigne lorde and siegnior whiche he refused in any wise to accept prognosticating lesse thinkyng there on that an other more greater and more puissante then he was borne to whom onely and alone this title appertained Commestor in his historie semblablie affirmeth that the Temple dedicated by the Romaines to the goddesse Peace then felle and sundred on euery side or quarter and farther saith that at the first erection of this temple the inhabitantes consulted with the Oracle of Apollo to knowe how long it should continue and stande whiche aunswered vntill a virgine should beare a childe whiche thei estemed to bée a thyng impossible and that therefore their Churche shoulde stande eternally how bee it at the deliuerie of the virgine the mother of our redemer and prince of heauen it fell doune and suered eche parte from other Whence also Lucas of Tuy in the Chronicles of Spain writeth that he some tymes founde in the aunciente Annaleis or recordes of that countrie hauyng by conference and computation founde out the tyme that in the very same night that our Sauiour was borne there appered in Spaine precisely at midnight a certaine cloude that in suche sorte gaue light to the countrie as if it had then been the middle of the daie or noone tide I also remember that S. Hierome reporteth that at the same tyme when the virgine fled into Egipte with her sonne all the Idolles and Images of their goddes there felle doune and defaste them selues vpon their aultars and other places and that the Oracles that these goddes or better to saie these deuilles to deceiue the people gaue foorthe then at tymes then ceaste neuer after giuyng them any aunswere what so euer This miracle alleaged in this sorte by sainct Hierome semeth also to be approued by that famous and moste excellente though a Panime Plutarche who without any credite that he gaue to these thynges as also that he knewe not or how or why they chaunsed hath written neuer the lesse a perticuler treatise of the defect or ende of these Oracles for euen then in his tyme
manne goeth vpright as also why fasting then when hee hath eaten he euermore is founde more weightie and poisante and why in conclusion hee poyseth more deade then liuyng with others sutche not impleasant accidents Chap. 7. fol. 15. pag. 2. Of the excellencie of the heade aboue all other members of the bodie and that it is not good to haue a little heade or straite breaste as also whence it is that we accompte it courtesie to take of the Cappe or Hatte in saluting an other Chap. 8. fol. 17. pag. 2. That mannes death is to be accompted fortunate or lesse fortunate accordyng to the estate that hymself shall die in with certaine example seruing to that purpose Chap. 9. fol. 19. pag. 2. What speach was vsed in the beginning of the world and how first began the diuersitie of languages chap. 10. fol. 21. pag. 1. Of the diuision of ages of the worlde with a briefe discourse of diuers Notable matters chaūced also in them as also in fine of the beginnyng of Realmes and Kyngdomes Chap. 11. fol. 23. pag. 1. Of the straunge life of Diogenes surnamed Cinicus as also of his Sentences Propositions and Answeres Chap. 12. fol. 28. pag. 2. Of the excellencie and commendation of trauaile as also of the domages that growe of Idlenes Chap. 13. fol. 32. pag. 1. How detestable a matter Crueltie is with some examples seruing to that purpose Chap. 14. fol. 37. pag. 2. How for the most parte cruell kinges and blouddy tyrantes are the Ministers of God and how notwithstandyng they continually ende in state most wretched and extreame miserie Chap. 15. fol. 42. pag. 2. Of a straunge case which at two diuerse times chaunced after one and the same sorte vnto twoo Romaine Knightes of honorable Familie Chap. 16. fol. 44. pag. 1. Of the distinction of the age of man accordyng to the opinion of most Astrologians Chap. 17. fol. 45. pag. 1. Of certaine yeres in mans life whiche the learned in tymes paste iudged aboue the others to bee merueilous daungerous as also for what cause thei estéemed it to bee so Chap. 18. fol. 49. pag. 1. THE TABLE O◠the seconde parte WWhat daunger it is to murmer against princes as also what commendation thei gaine by clemencie Chap. 1. fol. 50. pag. 2. Of what countrie Pilate was and how he died as also of a riuer so called and of the propertie of the same and finally of a certaine caue or denne in Dalmacia Chap. 2. fol. 52. pag. 1 In what degrees and at what age a man and woman should marrie Chap. 3. fol. 54. pag. 1. Of the cordiall and hartie loue that should be in marriage with diuers examples seruyng to that purpose Chap. 4. fol. 59. pag. 1. Of the straunge customes obserued by oure elders in mariage Chap. 5. fol. 61. pag. 2 Of the excellencie of paintyng Chap. 6. fol. 64. pag. 2. Of that excellent Painter Apelles as also of Protogines another in his tyme Chap. 7. fol. 66. pag. 2. Of a straunge maner of exile vsed in Athens by meanes of whiche the moste honorable and worthiest personages were oftentimes banished without any offence or faulte at all commited Chap. 8. fol. 69 pag. 2. Of sundrie excellent personages whiche by the ingra titude of ther Countrie haue vnkindly been banished Chap. 9. fol. 72. pag. 2. Of a strauge aduenture betide a certaine prisoner and how after his weary imprisonment hée was in the ende made free and deliuered Chap. 10. fol. 75. pag. 1. That the bloodde of a Bulle causeth theim to die that drinke therof at any tyme as also who first brought the Bull to the yoke Chap. 11. fol. 76. pag. 2. Now necessary water is in all the vses of mans life of the excellencie of this element and how to finde or trie the best water from the other Chap. 12. fol. 78. pag. 1. By what policie wee may drawe freshe water out of the Sea and why colde water in fallyng maketh greater noise then it would doe if it wer warme finally why a shippe on the salte water beareth greter weight then on the freashe Chap. 13. fol. 81. pag. 2. Of the renoumed and greate Tamburlaine of the kingdomes and countries that he subdued and finally of hys practise and maner in warre Chap. 14. fol. 82. pag. 2. Of many Lakes and fountaines the waters of which haue many straunge properties Chap. 15. fol. 87. pag. 2. Of diuers straunge thinges whiche hapened at the birth and death of our Sauiour Christ recited by sundry famous and learned historians besides these that are recorded by the Euaugelistes in the scriptures Chap. 16. fol. 92. pag. 1. Of many places aleaged by sundry good authers making mention of christe and of his life Cha. 17. fol. 95. p. 1. That men borne of base condition shoulde not leaue by all meanes possible to attempte to reache and aspire vnto honour with certaine examples seruyng to that purpose Chap. 18. fol. 99. pag. 1. Of the opinion that the olde Romaines and other auncient countries had of fortune and how they plast her in the number of their Gods in what forme or figure they also depainted her and finally that there is no fortune at all among the Christians attributyng the cause of all thinges vnto god Chap. 19. fol. 102. pag. 2. That sundrie beastes by some priuie naturall instinct haue foreknowleage of thinges to come as also of many countries by the onely force of little wormes brought to be desolate and forsaken Chap. 20. fol. 106. p. 〈◊〉 THE TABLE OF the thirde parte HOw profitable a thinge the inuention of letters was who first founde or inuented theim as also how the Hebrue Characters signifie some thing of theim selues that whiche is incident to no other kind of letters of what sorte or kind so euer cha 1. fol. 104. p. 2. Where on our elders wrote before the inuention of Paper and with what kinde of instrument how Paper and Parchement were firste founde out Who firste inuented the maner or skille of Printing as also what inestimable profite thence riseth and in fine by what meane a blinde man maie write Chap. 2. fol. 111. Pag. 1. Of the firste Libraries that euer were in the worlde and how the men of that time vsed to haue the Images or purtraites of the learned in theim Cha. 3. fol. 113. pag. 2. Of the amitie and enmitie of sundrie thinges issuyng by priuie hidden and secrete proprieties C. 4. fol. 116. P. 1. By what meanes bothe amitie and enmitie procede from the Heauenly and Celestiall influence and why a man hateth or loueth an other Cha. 5. fol. 119. Pag. 2. That the memorie maie bee hurte and that it also by arte and by pollicie maie be fortified Cha. 6. fol. 121. Pa. 1. In what honour and reputation Philosophers Poetes and all others in what Arte or Science soeuer they were learned liued with Emperous Kinges and Princes in tymes past Cha. 7. fol. 123. Pag 2 That learnyng is necessarie as well