The history of four-footed beasts and serpents describing at large their true and lively figure, their several names, conditions, kinds, virtues ... countries of their breed, their love and hatred to mankind, and the wonderful work by Edward Topsell ; whereunto is now added, The theater of insects, or, Lesser living creatures ... by T. Muffet ...

Of the PRESTER.

ALthough there be many Writers which confound together the Prester & the Dipsas, and make of them but one kinde, or Serpent of divers names, yet seeing on the contrary there he as ma∣ny or more which do distinguish or divide them, and make them two in nature different, one from another, the Dipsas killing by thirst, and the Prester by heat, as their very names do signifie, there∣fore I will also trace the steps of this latter opinion, as of that which is more probable and conso∣nant to truth.

The Grecians call it Prester of Prethein, which signifieth to burn or inflame, and Tremellius and Junius think, that the Serpents called fiery Serpents, which did sting the Israelitos in the Wilder∣nesse, were Presters. We finde in Suidas, Prester for the fire of Heaven, or for a cloud of fire carryed about with a vehement strong winde, and sometimes lightenings. And it seemeth that this is indeed a fiery kinde of Serpent, for he himself always goeth about with open mouth, panting and brea∣thing as the Poet writeth;

Oraque distendens avidus fumantia Prester, Inficil, ut laesus tumida membra gorat.

Which may be Englished thus;

The greedy Presters wide-open foming mouth Infects, and swelleth, making the members by un••outh.

When this Serpent hath struck or wounded, there followeth an immeasurable swelling, distra∣ction, conversion of the bloud to matter, and corrupt inflamation taking away freedom or easinesse

of aspiration, likewise dimming the sight, of making the hair to fall off from the head; at last suf∣focation as it wereby fire, which is thus described by Mantuan upon the person of one Narsidus, say∣ing as followeth;

Ecce subit facies leto diversa fluenti. Narsidium Marsi cultorem torridus agri Percussit prester: illi rubor igneus ora Succendii, tendit{que} cutem pereunte figura, Misoens ouncta tumor toto jam corpore major. Humanum{que} egressa modum super omnia membra Efflatur Sanies, latè tollente veneno. Ipse late penitus congesto corpore mersus. Nec lorica tenet distenti corporis auctum. Spumeus accenso non sic exundat aheno Ʋndarum cumulus: nec tanto carbasa Core Curvavere sinus: tumides j am non capit artus Informis globus & confuso pondere tri••••••. Intactum voluctum rostris, epulas{que} duturum Haud impune feris, non aufi tradere busto, Nondum siante modo crescens fugere cadaver.

Which may be thus Englished;

Lo suddenly a divers fate the joyful current stayed, Narsidius, which Marsinus mirror did adere, By burning sting of scorching Prester dead was layed, For fiery colour his face enflam'd, not as before. The first appearing visage faild, all was out-stretcht, Swelling cover'd all, and bodies grosnesse doubled Surpassing humane bounds and members all ore reacht, Aspiring venom spreads matter blown in carkasse troubled. The man lyeth drownd within swoln bodies banks, No girdle can his monstrous growth contain. Not so are waters swoln with rage of sandy flanks, Nor sails bend down to blustering Corus wain. Now can it not the swelling sinews keep in hold, Deformed globe it is, and trunk ore-come with waight, Ʋntoucht of flying Fowls, no beaks of young or old Do him dare eat, or beasts full wilde upon the body bait, But that they die: No man to ••ury in earth or fire Durst once come nigh, nor stand to look upon that haplesse cste, For never ceased the heat of corps, though dead to swell, Therefore afraid they ran away with speedy pace.

The cure of the poyson of this Serpent, is by the Physitians found out to be wilde Purslain, also the flowers and stalk of the bush, the Beavers stone called Castoreum, drunk with Opoponax and Rew in Wine, and the little Sprat-fish in diet. And thus much of this fire-burning venomous Serpent.