An astrological discourse vpon the great and notable coniunction of the tvvo superiour planets, Saturne & Iupiter, which shall happen the 28 day of April, 1583. With a briefe declaration of the effectes, which the late eclipse of the sunne 1582. is yet heerafter to woorke. / Written newly by Richard Harvey: partely, to supplie that is wanting in cõmon prognostications: and partely by prædiction of mischiefes ensuing, either to breed some endeuour of preuention by foresight, so farre as lyeth in vs: or at leastwise, to arme vs with pacience beforehande.

Ratio. Callidum nimium dissoluit: Frigidum nimium refrigerat.

Exception.

Notwithstanding the premises, if this bloud letting be for the Phrenesie, the Pesti∣lence, the Squynancie, the Pleurisie, the A∣poplexie, for a continuing headach, procéeding

of choler or bloud, or for any hotte burning fe∣uer, or other extreame paine, a man in such a case may not tarie a chosen time, regularly set downe by the Astronomer, or Phisitian, be∣cause haply, the pacient might miscarrie in the meane season, but incontinently with all con∣uenient spéede, he is to séeke his remedie, this way: vnlesse either him selfe be very weake, or like to sounde, or the Moone be in the same signe that ruleth that verie parte of his bodie. Marrie, in the foresayed case of extreamitie, bloud is not to be let in so great a quantitie, as otherwise it would, if a chose time might conueniently be exspected.

As before bloud letting these circumstan∣ces of complexion, age, and times, are to be considered, so after bloud letting, like conside∣ration is to be had of our meates, and exercise. For meates we must take none, but sutch as are of an easie, and light digestion.

• For exercise, we are to abstaine from all, vntill the fourth day, exclusiue, not only those, that be vehement, as,
  • riding.
  • running.
  • leaping.
  • vawting.
  • wrastling.
  • fensing.
  • tennise, &c.

• But also, such as are more mild: as
  • walking.
  • bowling.
  • bathing.
  • and specially venerie.

Which both antecedent, and consequent limitations, being duely & orderly obserued, I doubt not, but I may effectually conclude with that auncient commendation of Phle∣botomie, giuen out in two common verses.

Exhilarat tristes: iratos placat: amantes Ne sint amentes, Phlebotomia facit.

And thus much, or rather thus litle of Phle∣botomie: hoping you will fauourably accept of this Astrological and Phisicke table, togea∣ther with the other rude papers: vntill better oportunitie, and greater leasure, accompanied with more reading, shall afforde some péece of worke otherwise laboured, and more scholler∣ly handled, than on such a sodaine this coulde be. Rome, they say, was not builded in a day, nor any worke of price huddled vp in hast: e∣uerie thing must haue a reasonable time, and it is impossible for a beginner, or nouice in a∣ny facultie, to attaine vnto that perfection, which long experience, and much meditation, haue hardly bred in men of farre riper yeres, & greater studie. The best is, I know vnto whō I write: and I truste at my retourne, I shall finde you (as I haue alwaies) rather a gentle reformer, than a sharpe controller. You know I vse not to dote vpon mine owne errours, but as in all things else, so in this pamflet, am ready, to correct, or amend any thing that shall

be found amisse, being glad to holde the aun∣cient rule, Errare possum, haereticus esse nolo, which I pray God, I may alwaies follow, as well in the conclusions of this science, as of any other. But truly, brother, I feare me, I haue now bene too vnreasonable tedious vnto you, and therefore wil here once againe take my leaue, and bid you hartily farewell: wishing you as my selfe. From my fathers in Walden the 6. of December. 1582.