Three prose versions of the Secreta Secretorum / edited with an introduction and notes by Robert Steele and a glossary by T. Henderson

Of a pistille of gret price. Cam. 35m.

dEre sone, what is the cause that mannys bodie is corrupte? it is for dyuerse complexiones and humoures contrary that

are in him, and therfore y purpose to make and write in this present Epistille thingis that shalle be necessary, the whiche y haue drawe out of þe secretis of medicynes, for sum tyme come to a kyng diseses that are not honest no lechis to knowe; but the grettir nede were / and vndirstonde welle this lore, and thou shalt neuir haue nede to phisiciane outake the case of batayle. Alexandre, dere sone, whan thou risist fro slepe, goo a litille and that shalle strengthe þi membris, and strecche hem evenly, than kembe þi hed, for that dryuyth away the vapoure that cometh into thyn hed in slepyng, and dryvith hem fro þe stomak. [folio 16a] In somer wasshe thyn hed with cold watir, and that shalle holde in the hete of þe hed and cause appetit of mete, than do on honest clothyng, for the hert of man reioycith gretly in precious clothyng and honeste: þan frete thi teeth with barke or with sum thing that is of drie and hoot complexioun and of bittir savoure, for þat makith the teeth clene, and distroyeth the yville savoure of the mouthe, and also it makith the voyce clere, and yevith appetite to mete; than frote welle thyn heed, for it openyth the shettyngis of þi brayne and comfortith the nekke, and makith the face clere, and amendith the blood, and lettith moche the horyng of the heere; than anoynt the with precious oynementis aftir that þe sesoun askith, for good odoure is gret plesyng to mannys lijf and norisshyng to the hert, and whan the spirit hath take refeccioun in good odoures, the blood renneth the more gladlier in euery parti of the body. Take than of a tre that is callid aloes, and of Rubarbe the weight of iiij d., and it wille take awey the flewme of þi mouthe and of thi stomak, and yevith hete to the body, and dryvith away ventosite, and makith good taste, and also that thou be oft tyme with the noblees, and wijs men of þi Rewme, and haue emparlement with them of the nedis of thi Rewme, and mayntene alle goode customes.