Paroimiographia Proverbs, or, Old sayed savves & adages in English (or the Saxon toung), Italian, French, and Spanish, whereunto the British for their great antiquity and weight are added ... / collected by J.H., Esqr.

Expositions, and glosses upon some par∣ticular Italian Proverbs.

Cheese teareth the shooes, and maketh the toung fatt.

THese two Proverbs use to be spoken to children, that they should not eat too much cheese.

Wine of the one eare.

By this is meant, that when ye drink good wine, you use to say Good, bowing one eare, but when it is naught, you shake both eares.

There was an old Mill there.

This Proverb is applied to those who tell a lye, and cannot maintain it; As one who related that having suf∣fered shipwrack, he scaped by swimming into a De∣sart where there was nothing to eat; being asked, how he could live, he said, that he fed upon a Dutchman, being broyled upon the coales; and be∣ing asked, where he found the fire, he said, that he carried a tinder-box with him; At last, be∣ing asked where he found wood, he replied presently, that there was a decayed Mill there; And may the Cackrel take him.

From Verona to Vicenza there are thirty miles, from Vi∣cenza to Verona thirty two; this is meant of ascents and descents, as twixt Highgate and London.

The fly which pricks at the Tortoise, breaks at last her beak.

This is meant of that who doth contend with a stronger then himself, gets the worst at last.

She is in hopes to marry.

This is understood of one that hath long nails.

It seemeth he hath ill neighbours.

This is meant of one that prayseth himselfe too much.

He hath no cold at his feet.

This is understood of those which sometimes are constrained to sell their commodities at a lower rate then they are worth, because that having cold in their feet, they may goe warm themselves at the fire, and so vice versa.

A cloak is not made for one showre of rain.

This is meant of a friend that is made to doe more then one pleasure.

He thinks himself to be Caca of Reggio.

This is meant of a Braggadocian or vain glorious man, for when the Gibelines of Reggio were very powerfull, there was one Caca that was a tall Giant-like man, who carried alwayes a great barre of iron, where∣with he had killed divers of the Guelphies, who were then enemies to them of Reggio in that great long civil war that happened in Italy.

A man doth never grew the poorer by giving almes.

Because almes are lent to God, who is a good pay-master.

The first Hog, and the last Dog.

This is meant that the first pig of a Sow, and the last puppy of a Bitch is the best.

Hedges have no eyes, but they have ears.

This Proverb giveth caution, that we should be wary what to speake, and in whose presence.

God deliver me from a winching Mule, from the bleak North-wind, and from a Latine woman.

Viz. From a woman that pretendeth to be too wise.

God deliver me from him who hath no teeth.

Viz. From a smooth-tounged, and flattering enemy.

Who hurleth stones at Heaven, they fall upon his head.

Viz. Who resisteth the good will of God, his businesses goe from bad to worse.

You will have me go to dwell at Montova.

Viz. You will have me swallow a Spider, and play the Bank∣rapt, and so go dwell at Mantova, the refuge of bankrupts.

He is betwixt the bed and the couch.

That is, he is ill disposed; for when men are not well, they some∣times use to lie on their beds, sometimes on their couches.

Who engageth for another, enters at the large hole, and cometh out at the streight.

A caveat not to enter into bonds for another.

There goes more then one white Asse to the mill.

This is used when one taketh a thing to be his, because 'tis like his.

The quartan ague doth well with the Lion.

Viz. Some crosses, and fits of sicknesses do well with a strong or proud man.

Thou hast crack'd the egg in my mouth.

This is meant of those that thinking to speak of a business another speaketh before.

I have more business then London Fornaces at Christmass.

Viz. I have more to do then I can turn my hands unto.

Wine hath the complexion of a Lamb, a Hogg, an Ape, and a Lion.

Viz. When one is drunke, then his humour, and natural dispo∣sition is discovered.

Few Princes go to heaven.

Because there are but few of them, as it was preached before the Duke of Savoy, who is Prince of Piemont.