¶ How profitable the vse of Honny is in medicines. Cap.xxviij.
Firste the white Honye is to be vsed in cooling Medicines, but the yealowe in heating medicines: also the nature and propertie of honny, is to clense and open, and to expel humors. Therefore it is profitably applyed in filthy vlcers, being boyled and annoynted vpon. It closeth also loose and gaping fleshe, through his wholenesse. Also with Liquid Alume & honny sodden togither, are Ringwormes, and cornes or swelling of the féete healed, by annoynting therewith. Against the vncertaine soundings and noyse of the eares, and grieuous pains of them, the hony grounded with that salte digged out of the earth, and dropped warme into the eares: the selfe same killeth both nits and lyce, by only annointing the heade therwith. Also the hony purgeth the eyes dimme of sight, healeth the swellings, and other defaultes and griefes of the iawes, the swellings and kernels vnder the iawes, neare to the throte, after the preparing to vse, the same be gargelled in the throate, and the mouth washed therewith. The honie eaten causeth vryne, helpeth the cough (being cleane skimmed before) and the byte of a Snake or Adder. The hony also helpeth those which haue drunke vnwares the iuyce of blacke Poppie, so that againste the same euill and daunger they drinke rosed honny warme. Also the same drunke helpeth the malice and daunger of Mushromes eaten, and the byte of a madde dogge, or otherwise melting in the mouth, after the forme of anEclegma. Yet all the sortes of rawe Honny be windie and swell the bodie, mouing a rumbling or noyse in the belly, procuring the cough, easily conuerted into euil humors, stopping the liuer and the milt through the clamminesse, and hurtfull to chollericke bodies, if so be the honny before (asDioscorideswriteth) be not throughly skimmed and clensed as the same ought to be. The honny also boyled both better nourishe than the rawe, yet lesse mouing the belly to solublenesse, and to the stoole. And the honny of it selfe, or mixed with others, helpeth the sore in the lungs, and all other diseases of the lungs. The honny is rightly ministered to such as haue the impostume in the lungs and the pluresie. And the hony in which dead Bées are, is applyed to the venemous honny. The hony drunke with wine helpeth the corruptions which are engendered of the meate fishes. But to colde and moyste bodies the honny is more profitable, therfore verie fitte for olde persons, asGalenaffirmeth. And to persons being twentie yeares of age, and of an vntemperate hotenesse, or others hote of qualitie, the honny to them is hurtefull, bycause it is soone conuerted into choller in them.Democrituswas on a time asked, by what meanes men might both continue in perfite health, and liue vnto very old yeares, to which he thus answered: if so be men annoint their bodies outwarde with Oyle, and apply their bodies inwarde with honny. Further honny profiteth weake persons, being applyed as the Mulse water, of which shal after be taught in the next chapter. To persons cold of nature, the honie may aptly be ministred in hote broth, but to hote persons ministred in warme brothe, the honie is not rightly giuen. The honny mixed withCamphora, & lying to settle thrée dayes before, with the which annointing the face, doth spéedily clense the spots in the face: the self same doth the honie, mixed with the gall of an Oxe. The pure white honie clenseth the breast, softneth Impostumes, being as well without, as within the bodie. The hony also mundifyeth, openeth the stoppings of the Liuer and Mylte, helpeth dropsie bodies, and strengthneth weake members. The Aromaticke honny much auayleth in sundrie diseases, being thus prepared, as the pure redde Rose leaues finely clipped, and after boyled in pure white honnie, being often and diligentlye skymmed. For such a Honnye doeth comforte and mundifye, dissolueth in the clensing the clammy swellings, digesteth the fleumaticke and grosse humors, and drunke also with colde water, it bindeth the bellie, but ministred with warm water it looseth the bellie.
¶ Of the drinke of Honny which they cal the Mulse water, or sweete water of the Romaines. Cap.xxix.
By the aunswere ofPolliothe Romaine vntoAugustusEmperour, we may euidently learn, that the Mulse made of hony, is healthfull drinke in strengthning the bodie. ForAugustuson a time demaunded of him by what meanes a man might liue to great yeares, and all that season frée from sickenesses, to whome he thus aunswered, that applying the Mulse water within, and annoynting Oyle without the bodye, doeth worke the like. The Mulse truly is a drinke made of water and hony mixed togither, which the Gréeks properly nameMelicrate, & someHydromel, as the drinke made with wine vnlayde, or without water, and hony, they aptly nameOenomel. Now the Mulse water drunke, doeth ease the passage of winde or breath, softneth the belly, and the long time of oldenesse changeth it into the kinde of Wine, moste agréeable and profyting the Stomacke: but the same contrary to the Synowes, yet it recouereth the appetite lost, and is a defence against the dangerous drinke of Henbane, if it be ministred with Asses milke. Thys drinke truely (Aeginetawryting therof) is thus made: let eight times so muche water be mixed vnto your Honnye prepared, whyche boyle or séeth so long, vntill no more fome aryseth to be skymmed off, then taking it from the fyre, preserue it to youre vse. But the samePaule Aeginetaaffyrmeth, that the Mulse profyteth nothing in manner the collericke, bycause the same in them is lightly conuerted into choller.
¶ Of the drinke Oenomel, which is made of pure wyne and Hony. Cap.xxx.
TheOenomel, which is a swéete wine made with Honny,Aeginetateacheth the same, not only for the preseruation of helth, but also to expel the torment of sicknesses, through this most wholesome drinke, as that whiche giueth, not onely strength of body and courage, but the long race of yeares. Also it expelleth an olde griefe of the Reines, being often drunke with Parcely séedes. But the besteOenomellis that which is made of olde and tarte wine, and the beste purified hony, for the same doth lesse swell. The same also harmeth drunke after meales, but before taken, doeth procure an appetite.Dioscoridesteacheth that maner of making theOenomellin this order: first he willeth to take one gallon and a quarte of Wine, and mixing it with halfe a gallon, and a pinte of the beste hony, to prepare the same orderly. But some prepare or make the drinke spéedilier to vse after this manner, as the hony they boyle with Wine, and after poure foorth the same into other vesselles.
¶ Of the singular water of Hony gotten by order of distillation. Cap.xxxj.
The Hony of Bées méete to distillation, ought especially to be white of coloure, which before the distilling muste bee mixed with pure and white and well washed sande, but not drie in any case, after that, putte the same either into a common Rose Limbecke of Tinne, setting a hearie siue close vppon it, that it may touch the Hony in the distilling, or else into a body of Glasse, sette into a potte of fine sifted ashes or sande, making at the firste a softe fire vnder it, vntill the first water bée come, whiche is white, and after the yelow water appeareth, then put vnder another receiuer, setting aside the white, and so long distill vntill the redde beginneth to shewe: at the appearaunce of whiche, put vnder another receiuer, letting that remaine vntill no more will come. Which red water being the last, serueth for sundrie vses, as to die womens haire yellow, by often wetting the haire with a Spunge, and drying the same in the hote Sunne. Also it causeth fayre and long haire, and stayeth the sheading of haire: besides (this thirde water) doeth clense the foule corruption and matter being in filthye woundes, and olde vlcers, if they be washed twice a daye with the same, causing also newe flesh to grow in those places, if you dayly washe them with the sayd water, or otherwise dip linnen clouts in it, laying them aptly on the sores. The selfe-same healeth places grieuously burned, without appearaunce of anye scarre afterwarde, by often applying lynnen cloutes dropped in it. And the seconde water being of a golden coloure dipped into the eyes, doeth not onely helpe swollen and bleared eyes, but the pinne and webbe in them, by the dayly and often dropping of the same into the eyes. But as touching the white and firste water, there is no worthy matter mentioned in thys place by any of the old Practisers.
¶ Another manner of distilling the Honie, more at large taught. Cap.xxxij.
Take a pinte, or as much as you wil, of the pure rosed hony, which put it into a bodie of glasse close couered & luted about, setting the same after into hote horse dung with a square stone on the head, & couering it ouer with the horse dung for 14. dayes, after which time, take the body forth, setting it into a fornace of fine sifted ashes, well a finger bredth or more aboue the hony, presupposing on your part, that little péeces of flint stones be put into the hony, & then distilled with a soft fire into a receiuer well luted at the mouth, for doubt of the ayre breathing forth. When the same beginneth to distil, then draw forth part of the fire (vnlesse you can otherwise gouerne your fire by the help of the fornace) whiche comming forthe white, let so long distill, vntill there appeare yealow droppes like to gold. Vpon the sight of this, set vnder another receyuer, kéeping diligently this firste water by it selfe, and increasing the fire, let that long distil, vntill certain white smoakes appeare, running into the receiuer: that spéedily take away, putting to another receiuer, which let so long distill, vntil no more will droppe forth, and this laste, is of a rubie colour in rednesse, so that if a woman often wetteth the heares of hyr head with this thirde water, setting then in the hote Sunne, both to drie and wette them againe, wearing in the meane whiles a large strawne hatte with an open crowne, to spreade the heares vpon, for the spéedier drying of them, whiche so ordering, doeth not onely cause the heares to grow long and very fayre, but dyeth them in time so yealowe as gold. Also to diuerse other vses, doth this red water serue, as afore is taught in the other Chapter. The white water (which commeth firste) by washing the face orderlye with it, doeth cause it to become cleare and fayre, and keepeth the skinne from loking olde, for a long time, as the same hath ben experienced often by the worthy dames ofRome,Naples, andVenice. And the yealow lyke golde being the second water, doth especially serue to this vse, that if any person happeneth to be infected with the plague or Pestilence, then to take two ounces of this yealow water, ofAloesEpaticke, of redde Myrre, and of the east saffron, of each ten graines, and a leafe of the best gold, all which grinde into fine pouder, mixing the same with this water: after that giue it vnto the sicke to drinke, whiche no doubt wil both helpe this & many other diseases.
¶ The manner of distilling a water of Hony named the Quintessence. Cap.xxxiij.
To make this singular and precious water, you must take two poundes of the purest white honie, being both cleare and pleasaunt in taste, whiche put into a body of glasse, being so bigge, that foure of the fiue partes of it maye remayne emptie, the same lute stronglye aboute, letting the heade after on it, and a receyuer aptelye to the nose of the Still.
When you haue thus done, then make a gentle fyre at the firste vnder it, but after increase the fire or heate more and more, vntill certaine white smoakes appeare in the head of the glasse bodye, which do you workemanlye coole and turne into water, by the wettyng of lynnen clothes in colde water, and layed on the heade and nose, towarde the receiuer, for that turneth into a water so red as bloud: and being all come, putte it into another glasse, stopping the mouth close, whiche let stande so long, vntil the water become verye cleare, and in coloure to the Rubie.
Now being on this wise, distill the same againe inBalneo Mariæ, and so often repeate this, vntill you haue distilled it sixe or seauen times ouer, that the coloure be chaunged, and in the ende, to the coloure of golde. Whiche then is moste pleasaunt of sauoure, and so swéete, that nothing maye be compared like to it, in flagrantnesse of smell. The Quintessence doeth dissolue golde, prepareth it apte to be drunke, and any Iewell put into the water, it doth also dissolue the same. Also this is named the Blessed Water, in that giuing to any two or thrée drams to drinke, being at the point of death, doth so sodainely recouer the person againe, as doeth the Quintessence of wine. And washing any grieuous wounde or stripe with the water, doeth in shorte time heale the same. Also this pretious water doth maruellously help the cough, the Rheume, the disease of the Splen, and many other diseases, whiche woulde scarcely be beléeued. The water also ministred daily vnto a person sicke of the Palsey, for the space of .xlvj. daies, he was by the mightie helpe of God, & this miraculous water, throughly healed of the disease. Also this Quintessence doth helpe the falling sicknesse, and preserueth the bodye from putrifying, so that by al those we maye learne, that thys is rather a diuine water from Heauen (and sente from God) to serue vnto all ages.
¶ The manner of drawing and making Waxe of the Honny combes. Cap.xxxiiij.
The Honny being drawen from the combes, although some Bées hang on them deade, yet putte all togither into a fayre panne or cauldron, into whiche poure so muche water or more, as the quantitie of the combes be. This set ouer a softe fire, vntill the same what it be, is throughly heated and molten in the panne, and in the melting continually sturre the same aboute, with a bigge splatter or some staffe, leaste the Waxe cleaue to the panne sides, throughe the flame or heate of fire, and appeare burned: after poure the whole substaunce into a course hairen bagge, pressing it forth into a troughe or other like vessell, made for the only purpose, on which poure twoo or thrée kettles full of hote water, that no dregs hang after on the Waxe, and by that means shall you haue the Waxe both pure and cleane. But if you wil haue it caste into faire round cakes, and to be cleaner and purer, then melte the Waxe againe, and being molten, poure it into a cleane vessell, which washed likewise with warme water (as aboue was taught) set after in the Sunne, by which meanes, the cake will continue verye long faire of couloure.
¶ What Waxe is beste allowed and commended. Cap.xxxv.
Waxe being the foode of lighte, and seruing vnto innumerable vses of men, of all the kindes, the same is beste allowed and commended, whiche is bothe newe made, meanelye redde of coloure, somewhat fattie, smelling swéete, hauyng some sauoure in it of the Honny, and cleare. Of the Waxe also in sundrie Counties, that in the countrie ofPontusis well commended, and the same in the Isle ofCreta: nexte to these is the Waxe in the Isle ofCorsica, which is made of the Boxe trée, and supposed to haue some good effectes in it for Medicine.
¶ Of the great commoditie and benefite of Waxe in Medicines. Cap.xxxvj.
Waxe hath a meane among heating things, both in the cooling, drying, and moistning, as writethGalenin the seauenth booke of Simples, and .22. Chapiter, whiche properly helpeth the roughnesse of the breaste, when it is ioyned or mixed with the oyle of Violets, for that bothe mollifyeth or softneth the sinewes, ripeneth and resolueth vlcers. The quantitie of a pease in waxe swallowed downe of Nurses, or such women as giue sucke, both dissolue the milke courded in the pappes. And tenne little péeces of pure newe waxe, vnto the biggenesse of a hempséede, drunke downe at one time, doeth cause the milke not to courde in the womans stomacke and breastes. If the priuie place or thereabout, of either man or woman, happeneth to swell, then by applying an ointment made of white waxe, it shortly assuageth and healeth the same. If anye also happeneth to be diseased with the bloudy flixe, by stuffing a yong Pigeon with newe waxe, after rosting the same, and eating the fleshe thereof, doeth in shorte time after staye the same. Also, if a Quince made hollowe and filled with pure newe waxe, be after rosted vnder hote embers, vntill the same be tender, and eaten fasting without drinking after it, doth in like sorte staye and helpe the perillous flixe, and scouring of bloude. The waxe besides serueth to all maner of plaisters, ointments, suppositories, and such like.
¶ Of that whych is a stay of the combes, and made for a defence of Bees from colde. Cap.xxxvij.
The same made of Bées at the entrie of the mouth of hiues, oughte to be yelowe of coloure, and swéete smelling, like toStorax, and drawne into a length, like toMastike. Yet that is rather chosen, bycause in heating and drawing it is principallest. For of itselfe, this draweth forth thornes or splents of wood run déepe into the flesh by applying it plaisterwise on the grief, it helpeth an olde coughe by making a smoake thereof, and holding the mouth ouer it, and applyed in the forme of an ointment on ringwormes, doeth spéedily heale them. Nowe this matter (as aboue was taught) is the stay of the hony combes, by whiche Bées stoppe and kéepe forth al manner of colde and other annoyances which might endamage them, the same also being of so strong a sauor, that some vse it in the stéede ofGalbanum.M. Varronameth it a refuge of Bées, withoute their cottages, bicause Bées make the same at the entry of the hiue.
¶ Howe to make Waxe white. Cap.xxxviij.
Waxe is made white in this manner, firste that kinde of waxe (fit for this purpose) ought to be whiter and purer, and broken into little péeces, putte after into a newe earthen panne, pouring vppon it sufficient salt or sea water, and a lyttle Nitre brused, which séeth altogither. When the same bath boiled twice or thrice vp, remoue the panne from the fire: the waxe being throughly colde, take forth of the panne, and scraping off the filth, if any suche hang on, putte againe into newe salte water, séething it againe. And when the waxe hathe so often boyled (as aboue was taughte) then take off the panne from the fire, and taking the bottome of a newe earthen panne, melt it with colde water, whiche dippe by little and little into the waxe, drowning it a little, and that the water be aboue the waxe, whereby the waxe maye become verye thinne, and be the sooner cooled it selfe. And taking by and by oute the moulde or bottome, drawe firste the rounde cake off, and wetting againe the bottome in colde water, dip it into the waxe, and the same so long doe, vntill you haue drawne off all that waxe into cakes of like sorte, whiche after stitche throughe with thréede, hanging the cakes on a rope one from another, and that in the daye time often wetting them in the Sunne, but in the nighte time, in the Moone light: and so long doe this, vntill the waxe be white. And if anye desireth to haue waxe whiter than this, then let him do the like, as abouesaide, but boyle the waxe oftner. Some in stéede of the salte seawater, take strong Brine water, in whiche they boyle the waxe in the same manner twice or thrice, as aboue was taughte. AndPaulus Euerdusin his booke of Confections, teacheth the making of waxe white two manner of wayes.
¶ Howe you may make redde Waxe. Cap.xxxix.
That you maye colour and make Waxe redde, take to one pounde of waxe, thrée ounces of verye cleare Turpentine, if it be in sommer, but if it be in winter, then take foure ounces. Now these disolue and melt togither ouer a soft fire, and taking it from the fire, let it coole a little, after which put in your Vermillian finely ground on a Marble stone, and of swéete Salet Oyle, of eache one ounce, mixing these well, stirre al togither, diligently. But some in stéede of Vermilion, doe take the reede leade, which is little commended, except there be thrée times so muche of the redde leade, as of the Vermilion putte in. And in the like sorte may you make the gréene Waxe, if instéede of the Vermillian, you take so much of the gréene Coporas finely ground, as you did of the Vermilian.
¶ Howe to drawe a profitable Oyle out of Waxe, for sundrie vses. Cap.xl.
The Oile of Waxe, is myraculous and diuine in workyng, bycause it serueth in a manner vnto all griefes.Reymond Lullygreatly commendeth this Oyle, approuing it rather as a celestiall and diuine remedie, and that this in woundes, doeth worke moste miraculously, which for his maruellous commoditie, not so well to be allowed of the common Chirurgions, bycause this pretious Oyle healeth a wounde, be the same neuer so wide and bigge, being before wide stitched vppe, in the space of tenne or twelue dayes at the moste. But those whiche are small, this Oyle healeth in thrée dayes, by annoynting onely on the cuttes or woundes, and laying after linnen cloutes, wette in the saide Oyle, vpon the woundes. For inward diseases the saide Oyle worketh myraculouslye (if that you minister or gyue a dramme at a time in white Wine to drinke) and stayeth also the sheading of haire, either on the head or beard, by annointing the places with this Oyle. Besides these, it is miraculous in the procuring of vrine, being mightily stopped, and helpeth also stitches and paine in the loynes, by drinking the like quantitie of the Oyle aboue taughte in white wine.
Now the making and drawing of this oyle, is on this wise: firste take a body of glasse, named a Retort, which stronglye lute aboute with clay and flocks, diligently tempered togither with salte water: after the body is thus fenced and thoroughe drie, putte in a pounde or more of pure newe waxe, so that the saide waxe filleth not aboue halfe youre body, and to euerye pounde of Waxe, poure in foure ounces, of the pouder of redde bricke, finely brused, whiche after set into an earthen potte, filling it rounde aboute with fine sifted ashes or sande. After this, set the potte with the bodye in it, on a fornace, making a softe fire at the firste vnder it, and after encreasing a little more your fire, distil them so long, vntill all youre Oyle be come, whiche after a while wyll congeale in the receiuer: but it maketh no greate matter, although the oyle so doe, for it is neuerthelesse in his perfection. Bycause that if you shoulde distill it so often ouer, vntil it will congeale or stiffen no more in the receiuer, then shall you make it ouer hotte, and so quicke in the mouth, that it is not possible by anye meanes to drinke it downe. But being once distilled, you maye either giue it in Wine to drinke, or annoint with the Oyle on any place of the bodye where you will, whiche will always doe good, and hurte in no manner.
And in consideration of these aboue taught, you maye evidently learne and perceiue, that this myraculous Oyle oughte to be hadde in greate veneration of the common sorte.
¶ Another waye of drawing the Oyle of Waxe moste noble, and doth maruelously help the cold Goute, the Sciaticke, the swelling of the legs, and al other griefes proceeding of a colde cause. Cap.xlj.
Take of pure newe waxe so muche as you please, which put into a panne ouer the fire to melte, and being molten, haue by you in a readinesse another panne well glased, and cleane within, filled with verie good and perfecte wine, into whiche poure youre molten waxe, letting it soake and drinke in well, and washe often in the saide wine. After this take the waxe forth, melting it againe ouer the fire, and molten, washe the same againe in the beste wine, so that euerie time melting the waxe, poure it into freshe new wine, washing and soaking it in the same diligently, after wringing it very wet with the hands. And vsed on this wise, both melt and washe againe in the abouesaide manner, and this also do for eighte times togither. Then set the same forth, being a cleare season and ayre, all the nighte throughe, after which put the waxe into a Retorte with a little ofMumia, and oyle ofYpericonor Saint Iohns wort, and a little olde Oyle: and although without these it maye doe good, yet mixed with these it worketh farre better, than vsed alone.
Nowe to retourne to the former matter this crooked bodye or Retorte set in fine sifted ashes, and a gentle fire made vnder it, vntill all the oyle do runne forth, and in this comming forth of the oile, shall appeare all the foure Elements, as Ayre, Water, Earth and Fyre, whiche will orderly appeare in the receiuer, right maruellous to sée. And the Oyle being thus fullye drawne, worketh miraculouslye in all diseases which procéed of a colde cause, like as we haue aboue taught.
¶ The conclusion to the Reader.
¶ The conclusion to the Reader.
¶ The conclusion to the Reader.
Thus (gentle Reader) I haue (I truste) fullye satisfied thy desire in as manye things as are needefull to be knowen. And I committe this my little Booke to thy gentle iudgement: if thou mayste receiue any profite or commoditie thereby, I shal be gladde of it, and if not, yet fauourably let it passe from thee to others, whose knowledge and experience is lesse than thine herein, that they may gather suche things as to them are strange, though to thee wel known before. And thus brieflye I committe thee to God.
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¶ Certaine Husbandly Coniecturesof Dearth and Plentie for euer.
¶ Certaine Husbandly Coniecturesof Dearth and Plentie for euer.
¶ Certaine Husbandly Coniectures
of Dearth and Plentie for euer.
The first Chapter.
And first consider and marke, that howe the weather is a daye before the day presente, and the daye after the Sunnes entraunce into the signe Aries, and suche like shall the weather be (for the moste parte) in these thrée moneths, as in September, October, and Nouember.
And looke howe the weather shal be at the Sunnes entrance into the signe of Leo, as at the day of the entrance the daye before, and the daye after, and such commonlye shall be in the moneths of December, Ianuarie, and Februarie, for if the winde shall then blowe oute of the North, or Easte, and those daies drie, then shall followe a verye colde season in those thrée moneths: but if the winde blowe out of the South or Weast, and that it raineth in those thrée dayes, then yse to followe in those thrée moneths. And if the weather in these thrée daies shal be neither wholy drie, nor wholy moiste, then shall folowe an vnstedfaste Winter.
And like as the weather shall be at the Sunnes entraunce into the signe Libra, as at the daye of the entraunce, the daye before, and the daye after, suche for the more parte shall be the Spring, as in the moneth of Marche, Aprill, and May.
And looke howe the weather shal be at the Sunnes entrance into the signe Aquarius, at the daye of the entraunce, the daye before, and the daye after, (suche for the more parte) shall the weather be in the moneths of Iune, Iuly, and August.
And manye auntient men affyrme, that like as the weather shall be whiles the Sunne is running by the signe Libra, and vnto the .20. degrée of Scorpio, which time is from the daye named (the Exaltation of the crosse) vnto the day of al Saints, such for the more parte shall the yeare following be, as in diuiding that foresaide time into twelue moneths, and that foure daies doe aunswere to eche moneth, of the whiche foure dayes, that eache one of the foure, doeth declare the condition of the quarter following, and beginning also to recken November as the first moneth of the yeare.
And the generall signes of the dearth and plentie after the minds of the auncient husband men be these, as the ouermuch coldenesse drying, the ouermuch moysture softning, the ouermuche heate greatly burning, and the ouermuch drinesse putrifying and working into dust.
For when any of these qualities shall excéede in the proper time, but especially in that time, which to the corne and fruites do not agrée, then shall dearth and scarcitie both of fruites and corne ensue.
As for example, when the moneth of March shal be ouer moyst and wet, which rather ought to be drie, and that the moneth of April shal be drie, which then ought to be moyst, doth after pronounce the penurie of the fruites of the earth.
And if that part also of sommer shal be weat, in which the corne doth then fall vnto ripenesse, that rather ought to be drie, doth after signifie the scarcitie both of corne and other fruites of the earth.
And the like may be saide of the other constitutions, which when the Elementall qualities shal be in such a condition as do best agrée, then doe they promise both fruitfulnesse and plentifulnesse.
And if in the Spring be signes of colde and drought, and that in the ende of the spring neare the full moone be frostes, then shall follow very small yéelde of the fruites of the earth, and little wine that yere following.
And if the spring be drie, then fewe shall the fruites of the trées be, yet good, and the scarcitie of corne shal be that yeare.
And if the Spring shall be colde, the fruites of the Earthe shall be late ripe.
And if the Spring and Sommer shall be ouer wette, or mistie, or colde, with cloudie weather for manye daies together, whiles all the trées haue borne their blossoms, and the fieldes their floures, and beginne to shedde their floure, then shall follow the scarcitie of fruites of the earth in that yeare, or else a verie greate rot of them, and many sicknesses in that yeare.
And if the sommer be drier than customably, then shal follow the scarcitie of corne, yet the Sommer fruites shall that yeare be sound, the fishes then die, and most sharpe sicknesses shall raine that yeare.
And if the Sommer shal be hotter than customably, then shal followe many sicknesses or diseases, yet great plentie of the Sommer fruites that yeare.
And if the Sommer shal be colder than customably, then shall follow a healthfull yere, but the fruites of the earth shal late ripe that yeare.
And here further note of the spring, that if in the same season of the spring, there shal be a more plentie of all floures and fruits toward than customably, doth after signifie a scarcitie of corne that yere, vnlesse the heate of sommer doth otherwise reforme the same.
And the wise and auncient husbandmen haue obserued, that when the winter shal send downe store of raine on the earth, so that the same excéede not or bée too much, and that the March following be drie, and the Aprill wette by often shoures, and that the same part also of Sommer bée drie in which the corne falleth to ripenesse, then doth the same promise a plentifull yeare.
And when that part of the Haruest shal be faire and drie, in which the wheat is sowen, and the parte of sommer in which corne falleth too ripenesse shal be faire and drie, the spring also meanely warme, doth then not only promise fruitefulnesse, but a plentifull yeare of corne.
And nowe the Haruest moyster than customably doth putrifie the Grapes, and causeth a small yéelde of wines that yeare, with the scarcitie of other fruites.
And if in the latter part of Haruest it be moyster, then in the yere following shal ensue the scarcitie of corne.
And if the Haruest bée drier in the first part, then in the yeare following shal Rie, and that smal graine named Mill, and suchlyke, be deare.
And if the haruest be hoter than customably, then shall followe a diseased yeare and that dangerus.
And if the Haruest be colder than customably, then shall follow the losse of the Haruest fruites both in the store and tast of them.
And the Winter colde and drie, is of all husbandmen commended, but extréeme colde, doeth then flea the trées, especially those which ioy in a warme aire, as the Pomegranade trée, the Oliue trée, the Lemmon trée, the Figge trée, the Peach trée, and such like.
And if the Winter excéede in the extremitie of coldnesse, then doth it signifie harme both vnto the Vine and the Oliue trée, the Cherie trée, and the yellow Quince trée.
And if the Winter be hote and moyst, then the same doth pronounce an vnhealthfull yeare, and daunger to séedes and fruites of the earth.
And the excesse qualitie, and distemperature of any of the foure quarters, is euill and daungerous to the fruites of the earth.
And the plentie of snowe falling in the due season of the yeare, doth batten the earth, (and if the others do helpe) then doth it signifie the plentie of corne and other fruites of the earth.
And if any washeth the handes with snowe, it doth then make them stedie, in that the snowe is ingendered of a vapour somewhat drie and earthly.
And the snowe nourisheth shéepe & other beasts in that the snow is ingendered of the moyst aire, in which life consisteth.
And the snowe increaseth the corne and other growing things on earth, in that by his coldnesse it so doth shut the poures of the earth, that the heate with the whiche the séedes of the earth be cherished, cannot then breath forth.
And the snow heateth and cherisheth the earth, by the thicke couering of it, and defendeth the gréene wheat and other séedes sowen, from the sharpe and vehement colde then of the ayre.
And the snowe may be kept all the yeare under the earth, couered with strawe, and profitable it is to mixe with the wine in hote sommer, and necessarie also to coole the ayre about sick persons.
And the vnprofitable falling of the deawe, mistes, or fogges (especially when all crescent thinges doe bud foorth, and shewe theyr floure) as in the Moneth of Aprill and May, as well on the trées, corne and grasse, which beastes then feding on be greatly harmed, through the deaw fallen, and all other thinges also much harmed by the same, as hath bene often obserued by the ancient and wise husbandmen.
And the ouermuch falling of raine, frostes or haile, especially in the spring time, and in the winter time, whilst the corne is yet as grasse, the excesse of raine also doth then threaten the scarcitie of vittailes to ensue that yeare.
And the great plentie of beanes, after the opinion of the common husbandmen, through the much raine fallen, doth fore shewe the scarcitie of corne, and especially of wheate that yeare.
And a like iudgement may be giuen of the Oke and Holly trée, which if they beare plentifully, then a fruitfull yeare followeth, and contrariwise bearing but few, then a deare yeare of corne to ensue.
And the great plentie of Grashoppers, wormes and Catterpillers appearing in their proper time more than customably, doe not only declare harme to vines and séedes sowen, but to all fruites that yeare.
And the great store of windes, not only cause little fruites, but scarcitie of corne to ensue that yeare.
And a stilnesse in a manner throughout the yeare, doth declare a likelyhode of the plague to ensue shortly after.
And the auncientHipocrateswriteth, that when in the Sommer the North winde long continueth, and in the Harvest, the South winde with store then of raine, it doeth after threaten in the Winter the headache, hoarsenesse of voice, the coughe, consumptions or impostumes to ensue.
And if after a drie Sommer (as write the auntient Phisitions) the North winde doeth long continue in the Harueste, then the bodies of women, and suche diseased with a moiste sicknesse, doe then in that season the rather recouer health, in that the drinesse of the seasons and windes is contrarie to the excesse, and to the rottennesse of the humors, by whiche the sicknesses were caused.
And if the Winter shall be hote and moiste, and the Spring colde and drie, then doth the same threaten sicknesse to men in the Sommer, and that women with childe shall haue vntimely birthes of a light occasion.
AndHypocrateswriteth, that when in the Winter be longer Northerly windes, and in the Spring longer Southerlye windes, and that raynie and wette in the Sommer following, then doeth followe Agues, and the Diseases of the eies.
And when after a colde Winter, and that South windes and raynie in the Spring, and that the Sommer be drie then in the Haruest following doe agues ensue, paines also of the bowels thoroughe the greate scouring of the bodie, and Sicknesses, with the whiche olde men, diseased persons, and children be then more pained.
And when the Southwest winde doth long blowe aboute the end of Haruest, then those persons diseased with a long sicknesse, do shortly after die.
And a further knowlege of dearth and plentie of victualles, and of sickenesse may be had on this wise.
Firste in the end of Haruest, cutte open two or thrée Oke apples, looking whether there be in them either Flyes, Worms, or Spiders.
For if in the Oke apple be founde Wormes, or Magots, then they signifie (after the opinion of auncient husbandmen) to the dearth and scarcitie in that yeare.
And if the Oke apple cut open be founde like to flies, it doth after threaten battel to ensue in that yeare.
And if in the Oke apple be founde like to Spiders, then doe they foreshewe the plague or pestilence to ensue in that yeare.
And to conclude, the onely proofe of the former taught, shal moue the Reader better to credite these.
¶An euerlasting Prognostication of thestate and condition of euerye yeare, by the only Kalends of Ianuarie: written by that antientlearnedLeopoldus Austriacus,and others, for the commoditie of the wise Husbandmen. Cap.ij.
And nowe, when the first day of Ianuary shal happen on the Sunday, then the Winter shall be temperate and good, yet windie, the Spring wet, the sommer drie, and the Haruest hurtfull throughe windes. So that victualles shall be reasonable good cheape, plentie of Wines, the good health & encrease of shéepe and other cattell, and the indifferent plentie of hony, and the like plentie also of Peason, Beanes, Vetches, and the herbes and fruites of the Gardens. Also yong men shal die that yeare, and a discorde to be feared betwéene Kings, or else some manifest perils to happen to Kings and greate Prelates in aucthoritie, and that diuers robberies shall be attempted that yeare. And if controuersies happen betwéen Princes, then a conclusion of peace to be looked for in that yeare.
And if the firste day of Ianuarie shall happen on the Monday, then shall the Winter be warme, the Spring very colde, with Snow and Frostes that season, the Sommer boisterous through winds, and haile oftentimes, and lande floudes shall be somewhere, and the Haruest very drie. So that sicknesses shall ensue, throughe which many of the simple sorte shal then die, and diuers also shall die, throughe the sodaine plague then happening. Also the likelihoode of greate alteration to ensue, & that auntient women to mourne, Kings to die, and a greate slaughter to be feared by the sword. Also small store of wines, the death of Bées, and little hony that yeare.
And if the firste beginning of the moneth of Ianuarie shal be on Tuisday, then that Winter shal be long, and much snow in that season, and the likelihoode of land floudes, throughe the muche raine then falling, the Spring windie, the Sommer verye wette, and the Haruest abounding in grosse and rotten humors (so that a moste gréeuous plague is to be feared, and especially of women, and the likelihoode of many shipwrackes, and very greate cares and troubles to happen vnto Princes, with the scarcitie of fruites of the trées: and corne shall be deare, with the sodaine death of cattel to be feared that yeare. Also wood shal that yeare be deare, and the likelihoode of fearefull fyres, and that the plague to be grieuous that yeare. And yet shal there be store of Peason, Beanes, and Vetches, & plentie of hearbes and floures. Also there shall be plentie of Hony, Oyle, and wines that yeare.
And when the firste of Ianuarie beginneth on the Wednesday, then shall the Winter be warme and calme, the Spring wette, and disposed to sicknesses, the Sommer hote, and the Haruest vnprofitable, so that long sicknesses are to be feared, & the Quarten Ague with them. Also yong men shall then be sick, and in ieopardie of death, and women the like, & in sundrie places shall happen a famine, with a greate brute of straunge newes. And there is also to be feared the grieuous passions of the hearte, the ydlenesse of minde, or rather distraught, and the diseases of the matrice in women. And yet the plentie of Oyle and Wines, but the scarcitie of corne to be doubted that yeare.
And if the beginning of Ianuarie be on Thursedaye, then shall the Winter be calme, & temperate, the Spring windie, the Sommer vnseasonable, and the Haruest drie, so that corne and victualles shall then be deare, yet store of Oile and Wines that yeare. And there is a likelihoode of lighte sickenesses to happen vnto the common people, but more dangerous sicknesses vnto the richer sorte. And the blearednesse of eies also is to be feared, and that yong children shall then die, battels procured, and the sedition of souldiours, and an earthquake to be doubted that yeare. Also great talke of newes shal be in Kings and Princes houses, and greate perills also be doubted to happen vnto Princes in that yeare.
And if the firste daye of Ianuarie happen on Fridaye, then shall the Winter be verie cold and drie, the Spring boysterous and wette, the Sommer temperate, the Haruest more wette than drie. So that the blearednesse, and other diseases with the filthinesse of matter running in the eies is to be feared, and the pinne or web is likewise to be doubted to happen in that yeare. And yong children shall ther die, and a likelihoode that young women shall be allured vnto a wanton loue, throughe the flatterie and great perswasions of men. Also a suspition of battels to ensue in that yeare, and the plague and robberies then to happen. Also the plentie of fruites is then promised, althoughe muche haile fall that yeare.
And if the beginning of Ianuarie happen on Saterdaye, then the Winter shall be windie and vnstable, the Spring windie, and vnconstant of weather, the sommer vnstable with manye tempestes, and the Haruest drie: So that victualls shall be deare, small store of corne, and little fruite that yeare. Also shéepe shall not well prosper that yeare, and a likelihoode then of the death of swine, and that woode shall be deare.
Also there shall be manye tertian agues, and diuers other diseases rayning among men, so that olde men shall then die, and a likelyhoode of the death of many men, by the plague. Also many fires shall be hearde of, little store of Wines, Oyle, and Hony, yet plentie of hay that yeare.
And if Neweyeares night (being the first night of Ianuarie) shall be calme and cleare, as withoute winde and raine, then doeth the same promise a prosperous yeare following.
And if in the same night the winde happen to blowe oute of the East, then doth the same signifie the death of cattell to ensue that yeare.
And if the same night the winde happen to blowe out of the West, then a likelyhood of the death of Kinges or Princes to ensue that yeare.
And if in the same night the wind happen to blow out of the South, then doth the same signifie the death of manye persons to ensue that yeare.
And if in the same night the wind happen to blow out of the North, then doth the same signifie the small yéelde of all fruites of the earth that yeare.
¶ Howe to foreknowe the state of the yeare, by the only rising of the dogge starre, out of the husbandrie of Diophanes. Cap.iij.
And about the knowledge of this, there is to be considered and noted, in what signe the Moone shall then be, at the first appearance of the dogge starre aboue the Earth in our Realme of England, which generally to be reckened is about the seauenth day of Iuly.
And nowe if the Moone runne then in the signe Aries, at the first appearance of the Dog starre, it doth after declare the death of Cattell and much raine. So that small yéelde of corne yet plentie of Oyle shal be that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Taurus, at the first appearance of the dog starre, then doth it signifie much raine, fogges and mistes that shal harme much that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Gemini, at the first appearance of the dogge starre, it doth after promise the plentie of corne and wine and all other fruites of the earth, a yet diseased yeare, and to be doubted that a King shal then die, and that rebellion also shall be moued that yeare.
And if the Moone run then in the signe Cancer at the first appearance of the dog starre, aboue the earth, it doth after threaten drought, with the great scarcitie of corne to ensue in that yere:
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Leo at the firste sight of the dogge starre, it after promiseth the plentie both of wines and Oyle, and the good cheape of corne and other victuals that yeare. And yet to bée feared the commotions of the common people, and slaughter of the same to ensue, with an erthquake, and land floudes to happen in that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Virgo, at the first appearance of the dogge star, it after signifieth the plentie of showers, and the greate store of fruites of the earth, and the cheapenesse also of cattell. And yet to be feared, that women shal be deliuered before their time in that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Libra, at the first appearance of the dogge starre, it after declareth the stirring vp of a king, and a commotion of the common people. And yet the plentie of fruites of the trées, although there be a likelyhood of the scarcitie of corne and oyle in that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then the signe Scorpio, at the first appearance of the dogge starre, it after declareth the commotion of priests, the destruction of Bées, and an infectiue aire to ensue that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Sagitarius, at the first sight of the dogge starre aboue the earth, it after signifieth a raynie yeare, yet fruitefull, and the plentie of corne, and ioy among men. And yet is to be feared the death of cattell, & the multitude of foules in that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Capricornus at the first appearance of the dogge star aboue the earth, it after declareth the commotion of souldiours, and greate store of raine, and yet the plentie of corne, wines and Oyle, and al other thinges good cheape in that yeare.
And if the Moone run then in the signe Aquarius, at the first appearance of the dog star aboue the earth, it after signifieth of a most likelyhood, the death of a king or Prince, the scarcitie of corne, and the plentie of such flyes with the long hinder legges, that burne corne by the touching of it. And yet little raine, with the plague to ensue in that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Pisces, at the first appearaunce of the dogge starre aboue the earth, it after declareth much raine, and the death of byrdes. And yet doth it promise a sufficient store, & laudable plentifulnesse, both of Wines, Oyle, and corne, but manye persons shall be diseased in that yeare.