are to be reckoned among the examples of
Sympathy. Their life they prolong to the
thirtieth year, unlesse they be worn out with
overhard labour. The shee-asse is more lively
then the hee.
Their voyce is braying, or onking, as Scaliger
will have it, and wee read of that they call
Bromomai, and Mycaomai by the Greeks.
They only among the hairy beasts are free
from not only lice, but also loosnes, and chapp∣ing
of the skin. They are troubled with
rheums, and insatiable hunger, and that most, if
they carry figs dried, and apples. They call it
Malida, which arises in the head, and causeth
much red and yellow stuff to run out of the
nostrills; which should it fall down on his lungs,
would kill him, as it is said. Aelian reports that
the Maurusian Asses, assoone as they come into
the highway, ridd ground with such incredible
swiftnes, that they rather do fly, then run; but
then they are soon tired, their feet, and spirits
fayling them, and when goaded on to mend
their pace, stand stone still, and weep bitterly.
See in Aldrovandus, how their halting may be
cured. That, as Pliny writes, they take heed of
water, and feare to dip their feet in it; that
(wonderfull to be related) though very thirsty,
if the water be changed, you must force them
to drink, and unload him also; that grinning,
gaping, and unhandsome shewing their teeth,
they seeme to laugh. That they will pisse, when
they see others stale afore them, or upon dung;
that they are not much troubled with monthly
terms; that, when they drinke, that thrust not
their nose farre in, certainly because of the sha∣dow
of their eares. Lastly, that they, of all
beasts, except the mouse, are most quick of
hearing; all this belongs to their nature. All
men know, that they are condemned to the
priveledge of singular stupid dulnes, whence
blockish men have obtained deservedly the
name of Asses; whereof Aldrovandus at large.
Yet some examples shew, that they may be
taught, for Cardan, out of Leo Africanus,
writes, that Asses can daunce to the pipe, and
with a word whispered in their eare, will of
their owne accord ly down on their back, and
hold their eyes close shut, and as if they had
drunk poyson, swell, nor can be brought for a
time by threats, entreaties, nor blows to rise up,
but will start up on a sudden, and jolly, allur'd
by stroaking, and flattering, and by promis that
they shall carry a beautifull woman; but when
they shall heare that they are to carry old
crones, or decrepid women, they shall hang
their eares, and fain themselves lame; and being
asked whether they love fair mayds, they shall
beckon a yea with their head; nay, they shall
pick out the fairest in the company. Gesner,
having been an eye-witnes, reports the like of
a shee-Asse of Iohn à Grua the juggler. Shee,
saith hee, would first daunce three severall
kinds of daunces, as the musick changed; and
that with her forefeet held up, with great ala∣crity,
and anone, as if all her jollity were turn'd
into the deepest sorrow, cast herself all along
on the ground, and there ly stone still, as struck
with an apoplexy, and could not be brought to
stir, with spurning, or kicking: after being bid
to greet all the beholders, shee would, like a
man, turne her eyes and head toward them all,
and salute them, doing obeysance with her
forefeet: and, which was the greatest wonder
of all, shee, to the amazement of the bystan∣ders,
would cast her body through a hoop, at
her masters beck; as cleverly as a dog should
leap through. Lastly, like a dogge, shee would
take up an handkerchief, or glove dropt on
the ground, and restore it to the owner. They
are so fond on their colts, that they will run
through fire to come at them; and are so lo∣ving
to their kind, that they swound, if they
see them dy. It is also observed, that the shee∣ashe
takes speciall heed, that shee bring not
forth afore any mans eyes, or in the light. When
shee is overloaden, shee shews it by hanging
down her eares.
That Asses flesh hath serve for food, is witnest
by Galen. The story also of Charles V. relates
the Spanjards did sometime eat it. Wee know
also, that M.D.XVI. at the siege of Verona, it
was counted a dainty, when they used lentils,
and beanes but seldome. The Persians also on
their birth-feast-day would rost an Asse whole,
and reckoned it among Princely delicates. Me∣caenas,
saith Pliny, was the first who appointed
Asse-colts in feasts, at that time prefer'd afore
wilde Asses; after his time the tast grew out of
request. That they are ill tasted, and hard of
disgestion, and spoil the stomach, they that
have fed on them can witnes. The Physitians
have brought into use Asses milk, blood, flesh,
liver, spleen, yard, stones, hoofs, scurf, stales and
dung. Galen saith, their milk is thinnest, if com∣pared
with that of the cattell that we use to
milke: but thick, if compared with that of ca∣mels
and Mares. Unlesse we so distinguish he
must be said to contradict himself; since Pliny
also writes, that camels-milk is thinnest, next
that of Mares, the shee-asses so thick that men
use it in stead of curds. It is best, if she be well,
well fed, young, and shortly after her foaling.
Physitians advise, some of them, that they that
are in a consumption, should suck it themselves,
that it abate not of the native warmth. Galen
prescribe it to yong man, who was wasted
away, mixt with hony, as soon as he came out
of a bath. The same drunke alone refresheth
an exulcerated stomack; and is commended
against a cough, leannes, and spitting of blood.
Drinking it helps a sore breast, as Pliny delivers;
and taken in with hony it helps monthly terms.
It is not good for a weak, or giddy, swimming
head. It helps against parget, ceruse, brim∣stone,
and quicksilver. Gargling it is most com∣fortable
for exulcerated jaws. There are exam∣ples
of some helped of the gout by drinking
Asses-milk. And some eased of that gowtish
pain, by drinking the whey thereof. It is
thought to help somewhat to the making wo∣mens
skin white. It is certain that Domitius
Nero his Poppaea carried still along with her