Chapter 8. Of exercise in generall and what it is. And that it is Athleticall for games, Martiall for the fielde, Physicall for health, prae∣paratiue before, postparatiue after the stāding exercise: some within daores, for soule whether, some without for faire.
ALL exercises were first deuised,* 1.1 and so in deede serued, ei∣ther for games and pastime, for warre and seruice, or for suretie of health & length of life, though somtime all the three endes did concurre in one, sometimes they could not. For why might not an healthfull, and a sound body, both serue in the fielde for a soldiar, and in the sand for a wrastler? But we sel∣dom reade, that the athleticall constitution whose ende was gaming, whose exercise was pastime, whose diet was vnmea∣surable for any mā to vse, did either deliuer the world an health∣full body, being strained beyond measure, or a courageous soldiar, being vnweildy to fight, as one compounded & made of fat and fog, brawnie and burdenous.
The athleticall and gaming exercises,* 1.2 were in generall assemblies, to winne some wager, to beare awaie the prise, to be wondered at of the world, or to set foorth the solemnities of their festiuall seruice, and ceremonies in the honour of their idoles: or in publike spectacle to adourne and set foorth, the triumphant and victorious shewes, the sumptuous and costly deuises of their princes and states. Wherin we reade, that par∣ticular men haue shewed such effectes of strength, & sturring, by the helpe of exercise, and traine, as nature her selfe could neuer attaine vnto, though she furthered the feat, and got her selfe the worst, both by empairing of health, and hastning on of death, thorough straining to much. It is more then maruei∣lous