Middle English rimed medical treatise / [ed. Robert Max Garrett].

MIDDLE ENGLISH RIMED MEDICAL TREATISE.

Prof. Holthausen, in Anglia XVIII, 293-331, reprints two medical treatises preserved in a Stockholm manuscript which was first printed by G. Stephens in 1844 in the 30th volume of Archaeologia. The same poems are found in the Add. Ms. 17,866 in the British Museum, fol. 5a-21b, but in a text so different that it would be impossible to print merely a list of variants. The order of the poems is just reversed in the Add. Ms. from that in the Stockholm Ms., the prescriptions following the medico-botanical poem. I have numbered the two as one, as they occur in the Ms.

It is a beautiful manuscript, written on parchment with great care. There is practically no attempt at adornment, aside from the rubrications. The catalogue says it belongs to the fourteenth century, and on the inside leaf is written: 'This M. S. seems to belong to the time of the first or second Edward', i. e. 1272-1327. This, however seems at least one hundred fifty years too early. It shows many traces of northern dialect, but is not consistent.

Following is a list of the passages of more than two verses in length which are lacking in the longer poem of the Add. Ms. [The numbers refer to Prof. Holthausen's II.] : 1-6; 93-102; 169-178; 193-196; 203-6; 207-217; 240-246; 315-318; 397-406; 421-4; 435-440; 453-9; 489-494; 505-7; 510-514; 555-8; 597-604; 613-636; 647-650; 658-664; 700-734; 745-764; 783-5; 803-6; 815-8; 837-842; 850-3; 856-861; 876-9; 900-907; 942-5; 956-9; 962-5.

Following passages occur only in Add. Ms.: 1-40; 158-9; 207-8; 323-4; 414-5; 424; 427-9; 433; 519-523; 600; 607-11; 632; 636-9; 644-5; 650-5; 660-3; 690-1; 692-3; 694-5; 718-9; 721-729; 741-753.

Following are the correspondences between Prof. Holt∣hausen's I and verses 754-1123 of the Add. Ms., the first figure referring to the Stockholm Ms., the second to the Add. Ms.: 9-66 = 754-803; 67-72 = 904-9; 73-96 = 804-825; 97-116 = 830-851; 117-132 = 864-879; 142-154 = 934-941; 155-160 = 942-947; 161-6 = 1038-43; 177-184 = 895-903; 201-4 = 948-53; 205-218 = 920-933; 225-236 = 1044-1055; 237-242 = 1056-1061; 243-250 = 1062-1069; 251-5 = 1070-3; 255-8 = 1116-19; 259-262 = 1120-3; 289-296 = 1084-89; 299-302 = 1094-1097; 303-316 = 954-969; 317-320 = 970-973; 321-6 = 974-979; 327-342 = 984-999; 343-366 = 1004-1027; 445-454 = 1028-1037; 461-6 = 1104-1109.

The following occur only in the Stockholm Ms.: 1-8; 132-146; 167-176; 185-200; 219-224; 263-288; 297-8; 367-444; 455-460; 467-472; 473-6; 477-496.

The following occur only in the Add. Ms.: 826-9; 852-863; 880-895; 910-919; 980-3; 1000-3; 1074-1083; 1090-3; 1098-1103; 1110-5.

Add. Ms. 17866 ff. 5a-21b.

Hic incipiunt ‖ virtutes herbarum. [f. 5a] Moder of gresse ‖ qwo so hym sekes Says Ipocrus ere vnset lekes In lechecraft many & fele. The juse of þem to drynke is gode. [ 5] For þem þat caste or pisse blode. Etyngge of lekes gerres maydounes wilde. Thorw mannes help consaiue childe. Bityng of nedders or other beste. Þat venum beres most or lest. [ 10] Iuse of lekes menged w^t wyne Helpes & slakes þar of þe pyne Hony & lekes in plaistre made Helps a wounde depe & brade.

Juse of lekes w^t wommannys mylke [ 15] Drynke for host is none swilke For stoppyng of wynde has many ane [f. 5b] Þe self drynke helpes if it be tane. Wheyer so it so (sic) be in lunges or brest It shall hym opyne and be his leche [ 20] Iuse of lekes w^t gaytes galle. For miked heryng help it schalle. Two partes Iuse & thridde partt galle Melled samen and wermod w^t alle. In nose or eres wheþer of two [ 25] For gret hedwerke wil it slo. Iuse of lekes & wynn samen Anger & thought it turnes to game. Men saies also þ^t eyen has sore It may þem helpe & couer of cor [ 30] Broken bones will it knytte And angri sores will it flytte. Lekes & salt same done. Helpes a wounde to close sone. Dronken men of wynn or alle. [ 35] A raw leke ete he sale. It schal hym conforth in is brayne. And make hym sone sobere agayn. To tell of betayne I haue gret mynde [Betayne.] And sithen of other herbes als I fynde. [ 40] But furst at betayne I will be gynne. Þat many vertues beres w^t inne. Betayne says þese leches be dene. Soule & body it kepes clene. And qwo so on hym will it bere. [ 45] Fro the fende it will hym were. In þe monthe of August on alle wise It schal be gadered or þe sone rise. And qwo so drynkes betayne & hase þ^e stone. By his vrenne it shall out gone [ 50] Betayne bulyd and drunkyn w^t hony. Is gode agayne all dropcy. [f. 6a] A plaister made of betayne. Is gode to lay be sith e of e (sic)

Iuse of betayne w^t water of rose clere. [ 55] Co[n] forthes well þe heryng of ere. And al so þe pouder of betayne is gode. Melled w^t hony for violent blode. Agayn þe host w^t outen lacke. It conforteth well þ^e brest & þ^e stomake. [ 60] The leues of betayne w^t salt made nesche Is gode for woundes in hede fre[s]che. And also betayne drunkyn or eten The materyng off eyen it will letyn. And also betayne þ^e soith tyll sayne. [ 65] Is gode for the bolnynge of þ^e eyn twayn And if it w^t rew be soden & dith It dos a way þe merknes of syth. And ȝet dos betayne sekirly. He wastes þe venum in mannes body. [ 70] Betayne sothen in wyne clene. Purges þ^e stomake & þe splene. Fowre lyues of betayne fyne. And thre sponefull of rede wyne And graynes of pepere .xx. ti & seuyn. [ 75] Alle to gedere grounden ewen. And make a drynke þer of clenelyke Betayne & plantayne to geder þu take. Þe Iuse w^t hote water menge & make Als sais maister Ipocras opynlyke. [ 80] It couers þ^e feuere cotidyann nobellyke. If þ^u of vomate will haue bote Make þ^e a pouder of betayne rote. And drynke yt w^t leuke water clene. It schall delyuere of filthe be dene. [ 85] Four leues of betayne drunkyn w^t wyn Purges þ^e glet wel and fyn [f. 6b] The seid of betayne takyn in tyme Is gode for alle manere of venyme. The poudir of betayne w^t wynn I wene. [ 90] Makes a wommanes matrice clene. And qwo so takes a bene wyght. Of poudir of betayne well ditht And ete it sone after þe soper ryfe.

It conforthes þⁱ stomake & vertues gestife [ 95] Qwo so will do a serpent tene. Make he a garlond of betayne grene. And make a serkile rounde aboute. And he schal neuere on lyue come oute. But he schal w^t is tayle hyme schende. [ 100] Or w^t is teithe hym self rende. Beter gres may none be founde In all this worlde a pon þ^e grounde. Then betayne & mynte ere for þ^e stomake. And also for pyne and warke in bake [ 105] A plaister of betayne for soith till say. Is gode on þe thonewanges for to lay. of hed werke it brynges a way þ^e biternesse And castes to þe eyen gret brythnesse If it be falle tille holde or ȝynge. [ 110] Newely till lese hijs heryng. Iuse of betayne in his ere be layn. It brynges his herynge sone agayn. And if a man haue þe toith ake Betayne sothen in wyn he take. [ 115] kepe it in his mouth euen & morwe. And it schal dryuenn a way hys sorwe. Quo so for trauell or gret swynke Vses erly or late to drynke. Fastande he vse betayne I say. [ 120] He schal nouȝt be drunke þ^t ilke day. For alle manere of euelys he is þ^e grounde. [f. 7a] The whiles he may in erthe be founde. Centory sodyn in wynn clere And drunkyn .xv. dayes comande. [ 125] So þ^t it be maide clere & fyne. What manere of venum be man w^t Inne. It schal distroye it & breke þ^e flesche. And dryue out þe venum nesche. Ley nothyng elles be þ^t wounde. [ 130] Till it be made bothe holle & sounde. Saue in case if it be tyde. That þe wounde be holle & wyde. Than entreyt þer on do layne.

To drawe þe hide to geder agayne. [ 135] The odour of centory & þ^e smelle. Confortes mannes braynes wonderly well. It dryues þe werke out of þe hede. Betwixe þe armes & þe shede. His floure ys rede his smell ys swoitt. [ 140] To euerilke sore it may do bote. Marigoulde has abettir sauore In tyme of ȝere ȝalow is his floure. For eyen þ^t bene nouȝt bright nor clene. On þ^e floure is gode to sene [ 145] He dryues a way wikkede humore. Out of þe eyen w^t is coloure. God is þe lef so is þe sede. To grynde & drynke at gret nede. It wolde be dronkyn w^t whay or ale. [ 150] Or w^t rede wynn þ^t is ful stale. Alle manere of venyme it wil a bate. In mannys body erly or late. Qwo so marigoulde sees erly at morwen. That day fro feueres it wil hym borwe. [ 155] The sauore of marigoulde is gode to smelle Als maister Ipocras in boke vse telle. [f. 7b] If þis gres be gracious His vertu is wounder precious. If it be gaderid in someres tyde [ 160] When he spredes his floures wyde In þe monethe of august it most be Qwhen þe mone is on the signe of vergine. In þat tyme be the gaderere ware. Þat þ^e planet regne nouth of iubiter. [ 165] For in þ^t tyme renes he. He distroies þ^t otheres poste. He þ^t schal marigoulde be gaderande. Of mete & drynke most be fastande. Ande out of dedly synne he schuld be clene [ 170] W^t thre pater noster & Aues sayde be dene. And þis marigoulde be gadrede þus. In leues of lorere it most be bounde. And done þer to wolues toith þ^t stounde.

And if þ^u it on þe sythen bere. [ 175] Fro euer ilke perile it wil þ^e were. Man nor womman schal haue no myght To speke agayn þe nothyng but ryght. And frend and foo bothe schal þe grete. W^t wordes faire and eke swete. [ 180] And if fro þ^e ought be stolne. And þe theues will nouth be knowne. Take þis goulde woundynn and layde. To geder als it is before sayde. And hange aboute þⁱ neke on nyght. [ 185] And of þ^e theues þ^u schall haue syght. Þ^u schalt þem bothe knawen & sene. And what þ^t þeire condicioun bene. Celydoyne is a gres to say. That growes in ȝerdes & in way. [ 190] It is gode to drynke I wise. For gulsought and the Jaundise. [f. 8a] And qwo will on lammesse day. Erly at morwe gadere I say. This gres selydoyne w^t þe rote [ 195] After it may do ful gret bote. So fastyng stomake þ^t he be. And say pater noster & Aues . thre. And he selydoyne on hym wil bere. No persounn schal hym holde nore dere. [ 200] He schal ouercomme alle his enemyes. And scape þaire strife & þair malys. If it be takyn als it is sayde. And vndire a sek mannys hede be layde. If he schal dy loude schal he synge. [ 205] If he schal leue teres schal he wrynge. Off pympernole . to speke. I thenke ȝitte On englishe is called the burnette. He hath in hym vertues many. When he is mengede w^t clene hony. [ 210] W^t thre pater noster in the monnthe of may. he schulde be gadered in spryng of day. This gres alon þus gadered clene Ful redely he clenses þe splene.

The mane þ^t beres hyme day or nyght. [ 215] The fende of hyme schal haue no myght It puttes a way þ^e fendys power. And stroyes venyme þ^t is hyme nere. If it be drunkyne w^t betayne. And whit wormes be in mannes E. [ 220] Thorw þis drynke þei sall out dryue. On schal nought leue þer in on lyue. In somere he beres a smal reed floure. Propere to syght is his coloure. Al dey agaynes vnderoun & none. [ 225] He will hym sprede and vndonn. And agaynes þe euen tyde. [f. 8b] He lokes hym self on ilke a syde. Modirworte . has maneres thre. I will ȝow schewe wilke þei be. [ 230] The tonne it growes comunly hende. Be toune & way as men schal wende. The croppe is bitterer þan in þe rote. Till alle medecynes he may do bote. It is gode to bere day & nyght. [ 235] He puttes þe feuere fro his mygh (sic). The name of þ^t moderworte. Is in þ^e boke called þ^e cokworte. Maister betanicus kenes vs bete. If it be lewked w^t oyle rossete. [ 240] anoynte þe man thre dayes w^t alle. The passionn of þe feueres fro hym schal falle The thride manere of þe moderwort þer is þ^t beres ȝelwe floures for forth (sic) I wys. Qwo so in his hande may it bere. [ 245] Trauaile of way schal hym non dere. Lat it be layde in a hous Als sais maister Betanicus. It schal out cast þe fendes myght. And turne wykede mannys syght [ 250] In cas a womman barane were. For consayuynge no childe myght bere. And moder wort wer dryed clere. And sythen taken leues of lorere.

And sethe þem in water wele & fyne. [ 255] And þane do þis drye pouder þer Inne. Ther of a bathe þan may sche make. And w^t her awynn hande sche take. þis water lewked þ^t sche nouȝt blynne. And wash her preuyte w^t oute & Inne. [ 260] It will her helpe to consayuynge. And also a womman of childynge. [f. 9a] But moderworte most gaderyd be When þe mone is in ariete (sic). Ȝit says þe maister in his maistrye. [ 265] This gres is better grene & drye. If he be gadered & haue his kende. The wykked humore þ^t he may feynde. That man or woman has sum tyme take. And may þem self non yssu make. [ 270] He schal distroy w^t outen lesynge. w^t plaister made or water wasshynge. þu schalt moderwort gader wyde. And reed fenkill in someres tyde. In hous to hange at ilke entre. [ 275] þ^t þe fende schal haue no poste. þem nor þeire childre for to dere. And fro alle periles þem to were. Now tell Ipocras alther nixte. Qwo so has straitnes at his breste [ 280] lat hym take moder wort þ^t is greyn. And grynde harehoune þer w^t be dene. And seith hem bothe in wort clere. þat schal þ^u drynke ix dayes be for dener. It schal dryue þ^e straithede all away. [ 285] And make hym qwart als pyk I say. Moderwort ys gode to plaister & drynkyng And till many other thynge. Ueruayne is a grene gres of bitter sauor. w^t hye stalkes whit is his floure. [ 290] Comunly he growes be wayes & gate. Men may hym fynde ay grene of state. To drynkes and to plaisteres alle. His vertues ful wele þai falle.

Als maistres vs telles he gadered schalbe. [ 295] w^t pater nosters. And aues thre. ffastande if the weder be grill. [f. 9b] Be twix midde marche & mydde Aprill. þ^e gaderer moste be war and sle. þ^e mone be nought in ariete. [ 300] And whene veruayne is gadered þus clere. w^t fyue granes of pyane all off aȝere. And it be donn a clene cloth w^t Inne. And keped clene w^t outen synne. Als says maister Iprocras openly. [ 305] It coueres þ^e fallende euell perfitely. If it be on hym day or nyght. And he hyme kepe fro synne aryght. The fende of hell schal haue no myght. To done hym nother fray nor frith. [ 310] And qwo so will maistries make. Pouder of veruayne he schal take þis veruayne in þe mounthe of may. he schal be gadered in þ^e spryng of day. And sithen brent in pouder clene. [ 315] And cast a man or womman betwene. Ȝif ayther of þem lofe oþer wele. They schal bothe stryfe & flyte ilke dele. And ȝit says maister macrobius If yt be cast in a dowehous [ 320] Alle other doves þ^t are aboute. Schal gader þeder in a route. Veruayne and varwile both is one. The Iuse ther of þe ryngworme wil slone. This gres veruayne sodynn in wynn. [ 325] When yt is dronken distroith venymm. And postemes þ^t waxen on man smarte. It dryues þem sone fro is herte. God is þe cropþ gode is þe rote. To drynkes & plaisteres he may do bote. [ 330] Portulaca and Montagone. Off this two herbys name is one. [f. 10a] The leues be more þan fynger on leynth. And haues mekell of shapp & of streyngth.

And also the leues bene thike & grene. [ 335] And haues outwarde þe leues whit vaynes clene. The waynes bene whit so any mylke. Tho þ^t gres knaw I non swilke. Qwo so myght that gres feynde. I schal ȝow telle what is his kynde. [ 340] Als bokes says euerilkone. Agaynn þe water he schal gone. If it in tyme gadered be. That no planet lett is poste. Take þanne ys leues w^t out outen mete (sic) [ 345] And chewe be twix a mannes teith. And lay a strong loke hyme apone. The loke schal schoit & be vndone. If remowes of iren be made ful wele. þei go in sundre euerilke dele [ 350] Pervynke . is a gres of grene colour In tyme of mey he beres his flour. A gode porcione þ^u gader þat sele. And dry it & make in pouder wele. And take a worme twyangle be name. [ 355] And make þer of pouder al in same. If husbande or wyf in drynke & mete. It vse of and nought for gete. What discorde betwix þem be. It schal þem brynge in vnite. [ 360] Take of þ^t pouder a litill also. And do a lytill brynn þer to. And in a ponde w^t fysch it caste. The fysche schal briste ful sone a none. Ȝit wil pervynke do wel more. [ 365] If a man blede of wounde ful sore. Lat hym take leues tway. [fol. 10b] And halde yt be twix his teith. I say. It will drye ful merweylislyke. And staunche the blode redylike. [ 370] Wherer so he blede & in what place. The blode schal staunche thorw godes grace. This is proued w^t outen fabille. Therfore sothely I holde it stabille.

Rede rose gadered in someres day. [ 375] and kendely dryed for soithe to say It is gode and in boke sette. To grynde & do to suker rosett. And rede or white if þai be drye. þei may to plaister & other maistrye [ 380] Whenne þei ar fresch gadered als þe stode. To stille water for eyen þei ere gode. This water is called eweros be name. W^t other gres made al in same. This oþer gres ere þes to sayne. [ 385] Celydoyne & rewe fenkyll reed & veruayne. If aman hadede at his herte. Glet þ^t greued hyme sore & smerte. A plaistre of þes leues þer to layde wele. Will alegge his payne ilke dele. [ 390] And þer after a draught of reynysh wynn. Wolde clere is bowell wel & fyne. Ȝit telles þe boke in latyne. Lat a grayne of mustard sede wele. And grynd w^t þ^e fete of a mussele. [ 395] And hang it þan in a tre. In what place so euere it be. The tre schal neuer fruyt bere. Wills þ^t confeccounne hanges þer. And in a nette kast in þe se. [ 400] Alle þ^e fysshes aboute it be Schal gader theder in a route [f. 11a] Alle þe fisshes þ^t ben aboute If this confeccionn alle be dene. Be brente & made in pouder clene. [ 405] And it be in a lampe caste And sithen lyght sone in hast. Alle þ^t standes aboute in stalle. Schal seme als þei ware fendis alle. This poudire wil do ȝit also. [ 410] If oyle of olyue or brymston be don þer to. If a hous þer w^t a noyntyd be. It schal seme brennande þer on to se. Leyle. beres white flores in someres tyde.

w^t grene leues on ilke a syde [ 415] Thre maneres of lelyes þer bene. Als clerkes in bokes mawe find & sene. That on is domache þ^t is called hende. Most of vertu to mannes kende. þat growes in ȝerdes w^t whit flore. [ 420] þat is callede þe glayglofe poure. And is white so any milke. Non of þ^t othere bers non swilke. The maisteres sayes w^t milde mode. In plaisteres for postemes þ^e leues are gode. [ 425] If it be menged w^t swynes grece. If rotes þ^e postemes w^t outene lece. And purges & heles al be dene. Als says ypocras þ^t has it sene. That oþer lely waxes in someres tyde. [ 430] In grene landes & wodes be syde. The wode lely beres a pourpyll floure. Men may it knowe be is coloure. The thride lely ȝit þer is. Is callede þe felde lely Iwys. [ 435] His leues ere lyke þe saferonn. þerby hym knawe wel men mowe. [f. 11b] Now wile I tell of þer maisteries to þe. If þai in þe signe of þe lyon gaderede be That is to say fro mide Iuly. [ 440] To middes of august sekyrly. Who so gadere þe lely þ^t tyme of ȝere. And menges it w^t juse of leues of lorere. And lay it vnder a gret donge hille. And þer of schal wax wormes venemus & grille. [ 445] Of wilke pouder be made a none. And castene on clothes þ^t men haue one. he schal nouȝt slepe be dayes thre. If tho clothes on hym be. And tille þis clothes be don away. [ 450] he schal nouȝt slepe be nyght nor day. And take netes milke also. And þis pouder menged þer to. Whoso þer of ete schall.

Into þe feueres he schal fall. [ 455] Wheþer it be man or wommane. for sothe þ^e feueres schal þai haue. And if þer be in a hous fourty nete. þat alle gif milke plente grete Do a dischfull of milke in a basyne. [ 460] And þis pouder cast þer inne. This ilke nete euerilkone. Alle þere milke þai schal for gone. Off hennebane. mel þ^e juse w^t resalgere. and armodactile and of othere. [ 465] If it in mete or drinke be caste. It wille sle houndes sone in haste. If a dische be made of siluere fyne. And þan þis confeccione don þer Inne. The boke for sothe telles in tale. [ 470] The disch in pecys schal breke ful smale. If þ^u hares blode wil take. [f. 12a] W^t juse of hennebane menge & make. And in hares skynne do it bynde. And it so lygge be wode or lynde. [ 475] Or sewe it in a hares skynne. And qwhat place þ^u layes it Inne. All þe hares þ^t bene þer aboute. Schal gader theder in a route. Ipocras sayes þ^t henne bane rote. [ 480] For þ^e broke it may do bote. If it in his kynde be layde þer one. It schal do it breke sone a none. And a way do the filthe ilke dele. And hele it after fair & wele. [ 485] And if a man als telles þe boke. Fel on hym to haue a broke. And he hennebane juse wil take. And drynk yt or he hadde his ake. Als sayes þe boke to leue vp one [ 490] He schuld neuere more haue none. Qwho so wile amang wymmen gone. And hennebane haue hym apone. Qwhat case so betyde or falle

It schal make þem to loue hym alle. [ 495] It schal make hym ioyful and lyght. And dilectabile to wommannes syght. But of hennebane bene kendes thre. I am in dowte wilke it schulde be. For þer is rede ȝelwe and blake. [ 500] Alle þei bene weyke of odour 7 smake. Affodill is a precious gres I wis. But þ^e buke telles nought is name in englys. This gres in a clene ly[n]en cloth w^t þ^e rote. For þe fallende euele it may do bote. [ 505] This gres keped in a clene cloth þus Schal suffer no feend in þ^t hous. [f. 12b] Who so on hym bere it day or nyght. The fend on hym schal haue no myght. Nore dred of man schal hym non dere [ 510] The mane on nyght þ^t on hym bere. Gode is to bere it day or nyght. To man þat gos in fray or fight. Dragaunce . and serpentyne same. And nedderis tonge bene gres but ane. [ 515] He waxes comely in someres tyde. W^t leues and stalkes be euerilksyde. His stalkes ere amet ȝerde lange. And gray als marbylle & donned a mange. Ther by hym knawe aman wel may. [ 520] Be waxinge on hithe on someres day. Or lyke þe fetheres of a dowe gray Whedir he growe be toune or way. Now telles maister ypocras þus. of trayfoile who so takes þe jous. [ 525] And stampe dragaunce þer to. And hilles it vndere erthe also. Nedders shal wax þer of rede & grene Of wham if þ^u mow make powder clene And cast it in alampe lyght. [ 530] That clere werre and shone bryght. þat place schulde seme w^t outen doute þat al wer nedders þ^t stode aboute. And ȝit þ^is poudir wil do more wondir.

A mane hede to lay it ondire. [ 535] He schulde sclepe no slepe I say. Tille it fro hyme were done a way. Who so wil mo maistryes make. The jous of serpentyne he schal take. And al aboute wele and fyne. [ 540] Wasche his handys wel þer Inne. He schal serpentes w^t outen perile. [f. 13a] Handele and gader wele if he welle. Ȝit sayes þ^e maistre w^t milde mode. For styngynge of nedderes dragaunce is gode. [ 545] To drynke for a stynged manne. If he wille his querte haue. The plaistre of dragaunce is gode I wis. To lay on þ^e place þer man stongenn ys. It drawes a way þ^e smertyng in a stourre. [ 550] And al þ^e wenyme and þ^e dolourre. And bothe for emprice & for qweyne. And for ladyes þ^t faire walde bene. And for other wymmen alle. To waschen þam faire & make þem talle. [ 555] Dragaunce is gode to maken þem white. w^t water of rose menged w^t outen delite. Off astrologi . bene maners two. The longe and þ^e rounde also. Als telles þ^e maister in ilke stounde. [ 560] I haue no knawyng of his floures For þei ere of diuerse colours. The rounde astrology þer it is The female it ys callide Iwis. þer it growes and þer it stante. [ 565] þ^e leues bene lyke a wort plante. To drawe out wenyme it is keynde. In qwat place so he may it fynde. Who so haes on hym wounde & haes no reste. And be betyn w^t ony venimus beste. [ 570] Astrology þ^e rounde wil welle & fyne. Distroye and waiste al þe wenyme. The plaistre of astrology þ^e rounde. The heryng w^t hony comfortes þ^t stounde.

The lyuer and longes þ^t purges clene. [ 575] And stomake and breste alle be dene. Whor so dede flesch be in mannes boyke [f. 13b] Pouder of astrology wil rote yt oute. Who so wil astrology on hym bere. Fro feyndes fondynge it will hym were. [ 580] To tell I am in purpos Off Genciana & baldemonye & of is los The rote is beterre þan gres is. To all manere of medecynes I wys. In medewes & wodes wyde [ 585] It wolde be gadered in someres tyde. And þ^e rote þanne shal dryed be. Wel w^t þ^e ayre two ȝer or thre. And euere þe harder þ^t it is. The better it is for sothe I wys. [ 590] For rewe metes it is gude. As telles Ipocras w^t milde mode. To fowe þ^e stomake and þ^e splene. And alle þ^e brest aboute be dene. Who so on hym baldemonye wil bere. [ 595] Bolte nor arwe schal hym non dere. Nor non deuell schal hym slone. Nor tempest schal hyme greue none. Egrimoyne to drynk & in plaistres he is gode Als telles þ^e maister w^t milde mode. [ 600] It remowes postemes dronkyn w^t wyn. And wasches þ^e splene & other venyme. Lay it vnder amannes hede. And he schall slepe as he war dede. He schal nother hyme drede nor wake. [ 605] Tille it fro vndir his hede be take. Minta iuuat stomacum cor salgia ructa celebrum Ambiger exstupat tussim pectus stomachum Mynte is for þ^e stomake gode. Als telles þ^e maistre w^t milde mode. [ 610] Sauge makes þe herte clene. þus þis verses mene bothe be dene. [f. 14a] Sauge . to drynke w^t ale or wyne. If any venyme be man w^t Inne.

w^t in thre dayes & thre nyght. [ 615] He schal distroy þ^e venyme oplyght. It is ful gode to done in ale. To make it of gode reles & stale. And sourhede of ale it wil abate. Als lange as sauge may kepe his state. [ 620] Ȝit telles maister macrobius. A vers of sauge & says þus Cur moritur homo dum salgia crescit in orto. For defaute whi dies þe mane. þ^t sauge & mynte to helpe hane. [ 625] Lat hyme take sauge of þe ȝerde For no wenyme hym thare be ferde. To etyn it bothe rype & grene. His body shal it make ful clene. Who so it etes & drynkes I say. [ 630] Till keynde dede euel come shal he nouȝt dey Contra vim mortis non est medicamen in ortis. Rewe is gode to done in ale. To make it both clere & stale. The water of rewe is gode for syght. [ 635] This water schal be mayde in a vrinalle. And take water of rose w^t alle. And other wateres many þer to. Of seladyne & veruayne al so. Rewe wil distroye venyme. [ 640] W^t outen mannes body & w^t Inne. And als a pike it makith hyme clene. W^t Inne and oute alle be dene. A tode þ^t is a venemus thynge. He dryues a way thorow is waxynge. [ 645] Ȝet is rewe a souerayne bote. [f. 14b] To sette a boute a sauge rote. It shal do it waxe wele & fyne And kepe it fro alle manere of venyme. Ȝit tellith þe maister in his rymynge. [ 650] That rewe is a ful denteyth thynge. Mangetz rew beueitz rew & vos ganer a la vewe. Mettz rew a la vewe & vos touder a le vew. This is to say on englysshe

That here is wretyne on frenshe. [ 655] Ete rewe & drynke rew day & nyght. And it wille make þ^e ful gode syght. And do lay rewe vnto thi sight. And it shal a peire sone in plyght. Who so shal wyrke w^t gres to sene. [ 660] War & wyse he moste bene. But he hym knawe in gres welle. He schal for lese his werk ilke dele. Fenkill. says maister macrobius. Is a gres ful precious. [ 665] Gode is the gres so is the rote. To dyuerse medecynes he may do bote. The seide is gode fastande to ete. And also in drage after mete. For wicked humours and bolnynge. [ 670] For wynd & many a nother thynge. Als telles the maister milde of mode. The water of þ^e fenkell is ful gode. For to clarefye mannys syght. If it be stilled and made oryght [ 675] And do þer to water of roset. For mannys syght þe water is bote. Shire water is gode al so Off rewe & of veruayne to take þer to. Whan þei ere al to geder done. [ 680] þai helpe mannys sight redy & sone. [f. 15a] And celydyne ȝit may men take. For he is nought for to for sake. Fenkyll in potage and in mete. It (sic) ful gode þer in to ete. [ 685] like grene it be corfyn small. In what mete so men ete it schall In what drynke so men shall it drynke It is gode for þe pose & þe host kynke It is best for mannes syght. [ 690] Namlyke if it be vsed aryght. Uiolet . I tell in my langage. Is gode to do in potage To make iowtes in someres tyde.

When þe leues ere brode or wyde. [ 695] In plaisters & woundes is comfortatife. W^t other gres full sanatife. And of is flours is comfortabille. W^t ole roset ful medicinabille. The oyle of is fair flours. [ 700] Distroyes in man alle wyked humours. Wher fore I preise it for prise. For in boke comaunded it is. The scharpe burre . who so will take. þer w^t maisteryes he make. [ 705] Holde & ȝonge may knawe it wele For he waxes hy in someres dele Thair w^t men may wel witen & sene. If wommen clene maydenes bene. lat take þat burr and caste in fyer. [ 710] Whenne it brennes clere and schire. And alle wymmen þ^t sett þer by. Als telles þ^e boke certanly. That holdes þem maydons & are none. Schal late þair vreyne fro þem gone. [ 715] And þo þ^t bene maydenes clene. [f. 15b] Schal nothyng wetyn of þ^t tene. Isope is gode to do in ale. W^t sauge and rewe to make it stale. It is gode for to vse for þ^e brest. [ 720] For glet and humours þ^t bene þer neste. Sic vt cocta simul sit mel ficus quoque sicca Prodes non modicum tussim pacientibus hausta. Subuenit & voci rauce versata palato. Et prodest cunctis pulmonum sumpta querelis. [ 725] Off Columbyne . I wele ȝow telle His flour is blew like to a belle. þis columbyne beres a blake sede. For þ^e quenacy to drynke it is gode at nede. Fumiter is a gres I say. [ 730] That sprynges in þ^e mounthe of may. In felde & toun ȝerd & gate. Ther land is fatte & in gode state. Of dunhed rede he beres a floure.

Fair to syght is hys coloure. [ 735] Men drynke it oft in somere and may. For þ^e feueres þ^t comes ilke day. And als for þ^e feuere terciane. And also for þ^e feuere quartane. It dryues away all puretours [ 740] And distroies veneme & wycked humours. She þ^t drynkes fumiter & þe stoncrope. Schal neuere ȝong childe in cradell roke. Fumiter is gode sayes doctours For saucefleme and wycked humours. [ 745] If it be drunkyn & menged aryght. w^t þ^e forthe parte succer or ony iij in þ^e seuenyght. Ewfrays is of bitter sauour. A lytill smalle gresse whit is his floure. In metes & drynkes yf it be done. [ 750] Medcynabell he is both morwen & none. [f. 16a] He cast to þ^e eye wel þe syght. Thys medcyne is proued well a plyght.

For the hede werke.

Iff a man or womman more or lesse In his hede haue grett seiknesse. [ 755] Or eny greuaunce or eny werkynge. Aueroyne he take w^t outen lettynge. That is called sothernewode also And hony & aysell tempere þer to. And þis drynke fastande lat hym drynke. [ 760] And is hedwarke a way schal synke Take aysell and pelyal ryall. And camamylle do seth w^t alle. And w^t þ^e lous a noynte þ^e nostrell welle. And make a plaistre of þ^t other dele. [ 765] And do it in a gode gret clothe. And wynde þ^t hed þer w^t aboute. Also it is gode for þe hede ake. Ten kyrneel of peper for to take. And grynd it w^t aysell amange. [ 770] And drynke it or bynde to þ^e thonewange. Late take vnces of betayne.

And of harhone also mane. And vij vnces of pelyall riall. And bray þem all to gedere small. [ 775] And lete it stande two dayes or thre. Tille it full whit houe þer on to be. And alle þes gresse lat take þanne. And fry w^t oyle de olyue in a panne. A quartrione of virgine waxe þ^u take. [ 780] And fraunce ensens þer w^t nessch to make. And þes gres alle do þer to. And alle to geder lete wele play so. And if it be daungerus and lothe. Late clense it wel thorow a cloth. [f. 16b] [ 785] And when it is wrongen wel & clene. Rub wele þ^e hede þer w^t be dene. And alle þe hede warke & þ^e ake In lytill throwe a way schal slake. And also take water schire. [ 790] And late it welle well ouere þ^e fire. And take a dysshfull of whete branne And als it boyles lat caste þer Inne Take an handful of rose floures. And cast þer in off rede coloures. [ 795] And menge al to geder saunz de lay Als wel as euere þ^u may. And in a poke lat yt be do. That þ^e water may rynne þer fro lay on þe hede þ^t has gret werke. [ 800] And hete agayne when it is starke. w^t in two nyghtes and a day. The hedwarke schal wanische away.

For sore eyen. A gode medsyn.

Take rose and rewe and redd fenkele. And celadyne do grynd þem welle. [ 805] In somere þ^u schal þes gres take. And stilled water of þem do make. þis thyng is proued for þ^e syght. To clere þ^e eyen & make þem bryght. To gretande eyen and to watery. [ 810]

Take rewe and aysell & meng w^t hony. And stamp al to geder be dene. And wrynge it out þorw a cloth clene. And þ^is drynke schal sone a none. Slake þ^e water tere ilkone. [ 815] Lat geder a hepe of redd snayles. þ^t crepe aboute in rayn & hayles. And seith þem in welle water wele. And gader of þe gres ilke dele. [f. 17a] And grese þin eyen wel w^t alle. [ 820] And sone þⁱ syght amende it schal. A medcyne ȝit for eyen bote. Take þ^e Ious of fenkyll rote. And droppe it in þⁱ eyen ewen & morwe. The payne schal slake & þ^e sorwe. [ 825] Ious of betayne w^t hony is gode. To dryue fro the eyen all ille blode. This ys thynge þ^t proued is. It cleres þⁱ eyen well Iwys. For defe hede & dul herynge. [ 830] I fynde wretyn dyuerse thynge. To the ere þ^t ill may here. This is a medcyne gode & clere. Take a porcion aff bores vreyne. And meng w^t hony clere & fyne. [ 835] And in þe ere lat be caste. The heryng shal amende in haste. If in þⁱ ere be any foul thyng. Or filthe þ^t lettes þⁱ heryng. Childes vreyne þⁱ ere schal fawe. [ 840] And helpe þⁱ herynge in a thrawe. Also þ^u take in someres seson. A gres is called pedelyon. Take þe Ious and an hard ay. And do þ^e schelle clene away. [ 845] Whenne þei ere wrongen & in þ^e ere done. þ^e heryng schal amende sone The Ious off betayne ȝit is beste. To stampe it welle & lat it reste. And when it is clere & thyne. [ 850]

w^t oyle let do the ere w^t Inne. And thorew þe helpe of heuen kynge. It shal sone helpe þⁱ herynge. A man þ^t feles in his ere [f. 17b] Als hornes blew or thunder wer. [ 855] Lat hym brenne a braunche of esche. And take þ^e water þ^t rennes oute nesche. And Ious of Iubarbe take also. And also mekell as of þes two. And a porcion of greys of an ele. [ 860] And meng þem al to geder wele. And lat it in hys ere be done. His heryng shal amende ful sone. Take a nonyon gode & harde. And make a hole in þ^e mydwarde. [ 865] And pour in hony clere & schire. And roste it to geder wele in þ^e fire. And when it is rosted wel þorw oute. Lat it be wrongen thorow a cloute. And poure it in thi ere at euen. [ 870] And þ^t ille schal nothyn greuen.

For wormes in manes ere.

Iff any worme be waxen grylle. In mannes ere & greue hym ille. The ious of wodebynde in ilke sessonne. Schal hote in his ere be done. [ 875] And al þ^e wormes for soithe anone. The boyke says it schal þem slone. alle þe payne and þ^e damage. þis hote Ious schal do aswage And also ment after grynd it small [ 880] And hot red wyen þ^u do w^t alle And pour in þⁱ ere bothe be dene. It slos þ^e worme þⁱ ere makes clene. Sumtyme defhed will be tyde. If a man haue eres wyde. [ 885] Pureter wil þer in waxe thyke. And make þ^e heryng defe & wyke. And þane is gode sone anone. [f. 18a]

W^t a respone do it oute agone. And also def hede falles some stounde. [ 890] Boith of betyng And of wounde. And of postemes And of blode. þis knowes wel leches þ^t bene gode. þerfore medecynes ere gode and clene. Be fore I haue tolde ȝow alle be dene.

For laynge of speche in seknes.

If a man for seknes haue layde speche. Gode medecynes I wil hyme teche. Take violet and pelyal ryall. And grynd þaem to gedere small. And lat hym drynke þ^e Ious ful thynne [ 900] And pour þer of in his eres w^t Inne. And als þe maister recordes & sayne. He schal take his speche agayne.

For wounde in mannes hede.

If a man be woundyt ille In is hede and dos hym grill. [ 905] Betayne and veruayne . þer to he take. W^t swynes grese a plaistre make. And byndyt to þ^e wounde faste. It schal be hole sone in haste. For þ^e fallande goute is wretyn þ^is boute. [ 910] Of louache þ^u schal take þe rote. Wasch it and writ þer on þus. Ihc † cristus † dominus. But the writere moste in clene lyf be. And say pater noster and aues thre. [ 915] And sithen bynde it in a speke. And hong aboute þ^e seke mannes neke. And after þ^t it be hanged þore. The sekenesse he schal haue no more.

For þ^e goute a gode medecyne.

Tak þ^e Ious of Iubarbe ful an ay. [ 920] [f. 18b] And also mekil ayssel thenne as way loke þ^t þ^e aysell be scharpe & soure And meng it w^t a porcion of barly flour.

On a flaxen cloute sprede it clene. And bynde it þer þ^e goute is most sene. [ 925]

For þe goute þ^t is festered,

Take oyle Iubarbe & arlement. That al to geder be tempered & blent. This plaister layde on a flaxon cloute. Bynd þ^e sore fester well a boute. If þer be in hole or wounde. [ 930] Pour þer in þe Ious or it be bounde. Als gode leches all sayne. Men schal þer to nouȝt ellys layne.

For bolnyng of armes.

Iff mannes armes be bolnede grete. Take shepyn talwe and floure of qwete. [ 935] And Ius of ache þ^u do þer to. And seith them wele to geder so. Hote als it comes out of þe panne. Late make a plaister þer of þanne. And bynd it on þ^e armes faste. [ 940] And þe bolnynge schal swage in haste.

For bolnyng þ^t comyth of wenym.

In cas rankelynge be falle of venyme. Als erane or pode or oþer serpyne. Tak barly flour and aysell or wyne. And hony menged w^t sede of lyne. [ 945] And well þem to geder euerylkone. Than wil þ^is plaister all ranclyng slone.

ffor bolnyng of pappes.

Whoso of pappes haue gret bolnyng. Make þis plaistere for eny thynge Take doues donge & hony wel grounde. [ 950] And tempere þer w^t wax virgine þ^t stounde. [f. 19a] Lat lay þis plaistere þer apone. The bolnyng schal a way gone.

For to swage bolnyng.

A rancle wel for to swage. On man of ȝougtht or of gret age. [ 955]

Tak frankensence & whete mele. And Ious of walworte & of morele. And Ious of ache schal þer to gone. Herbe benet & hemeloke bothe is one. And bray þem wele in swynes gress. [ 960] And make a plaister of gode relases. þis plaister þ^u lay to rankyll a none And alle þe rankylle schal ouer gone. And if it drye þ^is maister sayne. It may be chaufede and layde agayne [ 965] Take a blew cloute þ^t is fyne. And boyle it well w^t salt in wyne. And lay it be þe renkille alday. And þe rankelynge schal swage away.

For bolnyng of knees.

Iff þⁱ knees be bolnede grete. [ 970] þ^u take þ^e faire flour of whete. And boile it in water till yt drye be. And in a cloute lay till þⁱ kne.

For bolnynge of schankes.

Take walworte rotes stif & starke. Sethe well in water pyle of þ^e barke. [ 975] And in a morter grynde þem smale. And stampe shepes talwe þer w^t alle. And lay it hote in a cloute. And bynd þ^e bolnynge þer w^t aboute.

For bolnyng of the feet.

Plantayne & pulyall shal wel be grounde [ 980] w^t myes of whit brede & ache a stounde. And menge w^t aysell & swynes grese [f. 19b] Bene to bolnynge fete ful gode relese. For bolnyng of genitales of a man. a fair medecyn tell I can. [ 985] Bothe for olde & for ȝonge. And ale manere of brynnynge Leues of lorer and rewe þ^u take. And small þ^u do þem bryse & make.

Take there handfull of þe tone. [ 990] And of þ^e tother als mekill a none. And make a plaister þer of ful clene. About þ^e genytales þ^u bynde be dene. And if þis will þ^e helpe nought. Anoþer medecyne schal be wrought. [ 995] Tak leues of rede docke. The tenderonnes in myddes a way þ^u knocke. Seth þem in wyne hole in panne. And lay þem aboute þ^e ballokes þanne. Also take garlyk & comyne. [ 1000] w^t ache and bennes sothene in wyne. And bynd a boute þ^e ballokes faste. And þe bolnyng shal swage in haste.

For bolnyng of þe virge.

The maister telles if þ^e virge be brent. Als man of womman may so be schent. [ 1005] Thorw þ^t woman may be his bote. Of wham his sekenes be gan þe rote. The beste medecyne þ^t I can telle. Hyme be houes to water yn at hir well. And if he may nought þ^t womman take. [ 1010] Another medecyn moste hym make. Tak þan þe sede of lyne. And boile it in milke and wyne. Do yt hot in a letheryne hodkyne. And lat is virge hange so þer Inne. [ 1015] When it is colde het it agayne. [f. 20a] Bothe morwen and ewyn þer to it layne. Ȝet þer is a gode medecyne. For brennynge of þ^e virge and for þ^e pyne. Tak sauge and malwes & seth in bryne. [ 1020] And þen tak comyn & cast þer Inne. And mele of benes þ^u take also. A lytill whit of eyren lat do þer to. And Ious of ache & grese of swyne. w^t hony melled to geder þer Inne. [ 1025] And when þis plaistere is made a fyne. Wel warme bynd it to þ^e virge w^t lyne.

For þe hote and þ^e colde dropcy.

Take a handfull of ȝonge elleryne spritils Scrape of þe ouerest w^t a twytele. And boile it þanne wel and fyne. [ 1030] In a galon of ale or in red wyne. And w^t centory lat it sethe wele. Tylle it be sothen to þ^e half dele. Gyf hym to drynke ewen & morwe. And it shal sone slak his sorwe. [ 1035] Here I haue told ȝow as I canne. For þe dropcy to man or womman.

For bledyng atte þe nose.

A man þ^t wille helpe a noþer at nede. And sees hym at his nose blede. Tak peruynke a gres ful couth. Be twyx his teith halde in is mouth. In alle þe tyme þat it be thore. For sothe he schal blede no more.

For to knowe the festers.

Als leches in bokes fynde & sene. Two manere of festeres for soth þer bene. [ 1045] The tone is colde and gnawande. The toþer is hote and ay byrnande. þ^e colde has a strayt hole & ful noyous. [f. 20b] The hote a wyde hole & more perilous. Diuerse medecynes for þem I finde. [ 1050] For þei ere nought bothe of o kynde. The colde fester schal be heled w^t hete And colde schal þe hote bete. And comunly so schal befalle. Of medecynes in leche craft alle. [ 1055]

ffor þ^e brennande fester.

Off hony & ryeflour bake a kake. So hard als men it may make. Lay on þ^e hole þ^t festerd is sore. When it is nesche a nother lay þore. And so it schal hele þis maister say. [ 1060] Nothyng elles þer to þ^u lay.

For þe colde festere.

Ious of launcile for sothe I say w^t þ^e white of ayeren tway And a porcion of rye mele. And lett þem welle to geder wele. [ 1065] And on þ^e festere þ^u it lay. Till by it self it falle away. And make a newe sone þ^u do. Till it be hole lay it þer to.

For þe cankere.

Tak aporcion of bakoune lene. [ 1070] And lat it brenne in pouder clene. Do wasch it wele stale anone. And cast þ^is pouder þer apone.

Pelotes for woundes.

Iff a wounde be holl or depe. Ther off a leche most tak gode kepe [ 1075] Tak thamur smal consoude & plantayne. Bugyle avance and lancelayne. Pympernoll ȝarow & confery fyne. And sethe þem togeder in gode red wynne. [f. 21a] The wounded man schal drynke it hot at euen. [ 1080] and cold at morwe it schal nought greuyn. It schal purge & clense þ^e wounde. And make þ^e man bothe hole & sounde.

For a wounde in a mannes hed.

Iff þ^u haue in þⁱ hed a wounde. Tak betayne wher it may be founde. [ 1085] Meng it w^t grece of a swyne. Non other salue thar come þer Inne. Tak salt grece of a swynn & veruayne. Wil make a wounde hole agayne.

For to drawe agayn þ^e hyde of a wounde.

Ther is a gres softe as sylke. [ 1090] When it is brokyn Ious like is milk. A plaister þer of þes leches sayne. The hyde to geder it drawes ageyne.

For betyn wounde or of staf smetynn.

Tak garlyk hony & ȝolke of a ney. And beet al to geder in a morter. [ 1095] And it schal dryue out al þ^e venyme. w^t outen gret sore or any pynynge.

A drynke for a wounde to drawe out blod.

Tak fenycle herbe Iohn & homlok rote. And leues of betayne þ^e schal be bote. wel soden to gedere in gode reed wyne. [ 1100] This drynke schal clere the wounde ful fyne. so þ^t þ^e seke man drynke other none. Tille he may bothe ryde and gone.

ffor the pockes.

Seynt Nichasy hadde a pok þ^t was nouȝt small. And mekyl greuance he hadde w^t all. [ 1105] He prayde to gode þ^t hym dere bought. Who so enterlyke hym be sought. That he hym fro þ^e pokkes schude were. If he on hym wretyn his name walde bere. [f. 21b]

ffor þe bon ake.

Who so is betyn & has bon ake [ 1110] Bugile comferi and fenicle take. Consoude betayne auance also. Lauander tansey omounde þer to. Thes greses wele drynke he may. In gode old ale bothe nyght & day. [ 1115]

ffor the felon a medcyne.

Take þ^e fairest of þ^e whete And do it al togeder bete. And menge w^t mylk off womman mylde. That has borne a knaue childe. If a feloun wax full of bleches ouer alle. [ 1120] Take plantayne & grynd it small. w^t þ^e Ious a noynte the felloun well In plaister lay one þ^t other dele.

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, SEATTLE,
WASH., U.S.A. December 4, 1909.

ROBERT MAX GARRETT.