The workes of Lucius Annæus Seneca, both morrall and naturall Containing, 1. His bookes of benefites. 2. His epistles. 3. His booke of prouidence. 4. Three bookes of anger. 5. Two bookes of clemencie. 6. His booke of a blessed life. 7. His booke of the tranquilitie of the minde. 8. His booke of the constancie of a wiseman. 9. His booke of the shortnesse of life. 10. Two bookes of consolation to Martia. 11. Three bookes of consolation to Heluia. 12. His booke of consolation to Polibius. 13. His seuen bookes of naturall questions. Translated by Tho. Lodge, D. in Physicke.

CHAP. I.

THe Winde is fluent aire.* 1.1 Some haue defined it thus: The winde is an aire which is fluent in one part. This definition seemeth to be more exact, because the aire is neuer so immoueable, but that in some sort it is agitated. So say we that the Sea is calme, when it is but gently moued, and incli∣neth not ouer-much to one part. When there∣fore thou readest,

When as the Sea was calme vnbet by windes••

Know that it is neuer so still but that it hath some slight replying, and is said to be calme, because it forceth not a streame neither this way, nor that way. The same may a man iudge of the aire, that it is neuer immoueable although it be quiet and calme. Which thou maiest conceiue by this: When the sunne is infused into any closed place, we see certaine little bo∣dies carried now a thwart, some vpward, some downeward, and diuersly en∣countring together. He shall therefore scarce diligently enough comprehend that he would, that saith: The floud is the agitation of the Sea, because when it is calmest it is stirred likewise. But beyond exception shall he be that shall de∣fine it thus. The floud is the agitation of the Sea into one part. So in this thing also, wherof we most of all now debate, he shall not be excepted against, that carrieth himselfe so as hee saith: The winde is a fluent aire into one part,

or the winde is fluent aire with violence; or the force of the aire that fleeteth in∣to one part, or a course of the aire a litle more vehement then ordinarie. I know what may bee answered for that other definition, what needest thou to adde this, aire flowing into one part? For whatsoeuer fl••••teth, into some part. No man will say that the water floweth, if it be only moued in it selfe, but if it tendeth toward some part. There may be therefore somwhat that may moue and not flow, but contrariwise it cannot flow except i•• be into one part. But if this breuiti•• b•• sufficient to defend vs from r••proo••e, let vs vse this. But if any man be more circumspect, let him not spare his word, by whose adiection hee may exclude all cauill. Let vs now come to the matter it selfe, because we haue sufficiently disputed of the forme.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hippocrat. lib. de Flatib. Read Valeriola vpon this, and Aristo∣tles opinion in 2. Meteorolog. wherein he high∣ly taxeth the de∣finition: bu•• Seneca in this place first defi∣neth what ••inde i••.