climate, and under the same parallel, receiving
the vertue of the celestiall bodies by the same
downfall and rebound of their beams, being dif∣ferenced
only by East and West, are so much dis∣united
in nature, and so unlike in disposition, is
not so apparant: whether it be, as some have i∣magined,
forasmuch as the all-inclosing sphear,
which remaineth quiet and immoveable above
the circuit of the first motor, hath his parts di∣versly
distinguished with variety of properties,
which by continuall reference and mutuall aspect
are imprinted in the correspondent quarters of the
earth, and so keep a perpetuall residency of one
and the same quality in one and the same place,
and make also the variety of fashions in such
parts as otherwise are equall favourites of the
heavens majesty, by receiving an equall measure
of light, heat and vertue; or whether the said
quarters of the earth are in themselves diversly
noted with severall qualities, which appropriate
the self-same influence to their particular nature,
and so alter it into many fashions; or whether
there be some other unknown cause: I will leave
every man to satisfy himself with that which seem∣eth
most probable unto him, and proceed to the
discovery of this cholerick passion. Wherein I
will endeavour to shew how impatiency, sudden
resolution, and desire of novelty, are naturall ad∣juncts
of this humour. And if Caesar made use of
this Philosophy in the managing of that war, let
it not be thought impertinent to the knowledge
of a Generall to enter into the consideration of
this learning. Wherein first I must lay for a
maxime that which long experience hath made
authenticall, that the motions of the mind are ei∣ther
quick or slow, according as the complexion
is tempered either with heat or cold: for as the
phlegmaticall humour is of a moist, cold and hea∣vy
nature, begetting weak and grosse spirits, and
benumming the instruments with a livelesse dis∣ability;
so is the motion of the internall faculties
proceeding likewise after a slow manner, accor∣ding
to the quality of the instruments whereby it
moveth: and therefore men of this waterish con∣stitution
are no way apt to receive an impression,
nor to entertain any sensible apprehension, un∣lesse
it be beaten into them with often and strong
repetitions; and then also they proceed as slowly
in discoursing of the consequence, and linger in
the choice of their resolutions. On the contrary
part, this flava bilis, being of a hot piercing na∣ture,
and resembling the active vertue of the fire,
doth so purify the instruments of sense, and
quicken the spirits with the vivacity of motion,
that they take the first impression as perfectly, as
if it had been oftentimes presented unto them with
many strong circumstances. And thence it hap∣peneth,
that inasmuch as the Species is so readily
received, and possesseth the apprehending faculty
with such facility of entrance, that it moveth the
other powers of the soul with as great efficacy at
the first conception, as if it had been brought in
with troups of probabilities, and strengthened
with manifest arguments of undoubted truth. It
followeth therefore (by reason of the subtile and
fit disposition of the instruments, which proceed∣eth
from heat the chiefest quality in choler) that
the object is at the first moment so strongly set∣led
in the first receiving faculty, that the other
powers of the mind with as great speed manifest
their offices concerning the apprehension, and
deliver a sentence answerable to the strength of
the first conception: which maketh them so im∣patient
of delay, and so suddenly to alter their
former resolutions, not suffering the discoursive
power to examine the substance thereof by confe∣rence
of circumstances, nor to give judgement
according to the course of our intellectuall court.
It behoveth therefore every man in that unsteady
disposition, especially in matter of moment, to be
suspicious of his own credulity, and not to give
place to resolution, before his judgement be in∣formed
by discourse of the strength or weaknesse
of the conceived opinion.
But to leave these speculative meditations to
Philosophers of learned conceit; forasmuch as
the right use of passions is either true wisdome, or
cometh nearest to the same; I will only touch
in a word what degree of choler best befitteth a
souldier, or how it availeth or disadvantageth in
matter of war. And first it cannot be denied,
that there is almost no passion that doth more e∣clipse
the light of reason, or sooner corrupteth the
sincerity of a good judgement, then this of anger
which we now speak of: Neither is there any
motion that more pleaseth it self in his own acti∣ons,
or followeth them with greater heat in the
execution. And if the truth chance to shew it
self, and convince a false pretended cause as the
authour of that passion, it oftentimes redoubleth
the rage even against truth and innocency. Piso
condemned a souldier for returning from forra∣ging
without his companion, being perswaded
that he had slain him: but at the instant of the
execution the other that was missing returned,
and with great joy of the whole Army they were
carried to the Generall, thinking to have much
gratified him with the manifestation of the truth:
but he through shame and despight, being yet in
the torture of his wrath, redoubled his anger, and
by a subtilty which his passion furnished him
withall, he made three culpable for that he found
one innocent; the first because the sentence of
death was past against him, and was not to be
recalled without the breach of law: the second
for that he was the cause of the death of his com∣panion:
and thirdly the executioner, for not o∣beying
his commandment.
Concerning matter of war, as it consisteth of
differenced parts, so hath choler divers effects.
In case of discourse and consultation, whenas the
powers of the mind ought to be clear of all vio∣lent