Briefe introductions, both naturall, pleasaunte, and also delectable vnto the art of chiromancy, or manuel diuination, and physiognomy with circumstances vpon the faces of the signes. Also certain canons or rules vpon diseases and sickenesse. Whereunto is also annexed aswel the artificiall, as naturall astrologye, with the nature of the planets. Written in the Latin tonge, by Ihon Indagine prieste. And now latelye translated into Englishe, by Fabian Withers.

The sixte Chapiter of the Triangle.

THe triangle in the hande is three lines, (that is to sa••e) the line of life, the meane natural line, and the line of the liuer or stomack: which are so dispo∣sed and set, that they make the forme of a triāgle. And the space inclosed within those lines, is deuided into thre partes or corners: wherof the firste is made by the line of life, and the natural line, and is called the vpper angle. Thother which is formed by the line of life, and the vt∣ter part of the triangle: is called the sini∣ster or lifte angle. The triangle being•• of equal angles, hauinge lines faire, wel coloured, and straite: doth represent the good qualitie of nature, and of the bo∣die, wyth healthe and securitye of the minde, with fame and renoume, and al∣so longe lyfe. And contrariwise, the lines beinge darcke, vnequal, no ma∣kinge a playne triangle: dothe derlare the contrarye. Further, if the space of the Triangle bee wide and broade,

it doth argue a stoute, liberal, and bold stomacke. Againe, if it be strait & shorte, it betokeneth nigardy, couetousnes, and fearfulnes. If the plain within be pale, declininge to swarthnesse: it signifieth an angry and disceitful persone. Also, if it be cut and deuided with many wrin∣kels: it she weth the ill disposicion of the body. Moreouer, the vpper angle is clo∣sed by the line of lyfe, and the natural line thre maner of waies: first of al, if it close in the caue of the hād ouer against the valley: betwene the forefinger and the middle finger: we iudge thereby a miserable life, endaungered with cala∣mities and captiuitie, and a minde ful of anxietie and care, and oftentimes as it were drowned and ouercome, and speci∣ally for the desire of mony. Secondlye, if it be wel closed with a sharpe corner vn∣der the midst of the hil of the forefinger: it declareth a good nature, a quick wit, and good disposition, happy and prospe∣rous successe, with integrite of maners. And all these thinges are so muche the perfecter if the angle be wel and sharply

closed. Thirdly, the lines not ioyning to¦gether, but hauinge a certaine space left betwene: is an argumente of an ambi∣tious man, a selfe louer, vnpure, and vn∣mannerly, a slaunderer, and cruel, a lier, & liuing withoute praise or good name. The whiche man if he happen to come in captiuitie or bondage: he shall neuer recouer againe his libertye. And if he be fre, yet he shal die miserablye. The space within the triangle roughe and harde: is a signe of anger, and crafte, and subtili∣tie, if it be roughe with wrinkles: it sig∣nifieth enuy, hatred, & slaunders. When there doth appere a certain line betwene the two lines so nere, that it touch either of thē: it signifieth that man shal either be poisoned, or haue some mortal woūd. When there appeare in the vpper space foure lines deuidinge one another like crosses: it sheweth enuie, backebitinge, with studye and desire to oppresse o∣thers. For the two lines ioyning sharp∣lye together, dothe declare the goodnesse of the hole body, but if they ende in the caue or pitte of the hande precisely ouer

againste the finger of Saturne, makinge an angle: it betokeneth bloudsheadinge diuerse and sondry waies: as woundes of the head, fluxe of the belly, and if this signe be in women it signifieth the in∣cessant fluxe of the menstrue, and daun∣ger in childbearinge. If there be in the triangle a figure like a starre: it shew∣eth and aduoutrous woman, & past shame and furious, which throughe her irrefre∣nable anger, shal fal into suche a frensye and madnesse of minde, that she shal co∣uet and go about to cut her own throte. When so euer you perceiue in the hand of a woman in the place aforesaid, a cer∣taine starre puttinge forthe a long role: iudge that womā to haue four husbāds. If in the same space ther be a crosse with out any incision: it betokeneth good both in man & woman. For in those whiche haue that signe, it betokeneth a life wel passed, and to ende with good name and fame. The right angle being veri sharp, doth shewe a circumspect, witty, and spa∣ring man: the same beinge obscure and grosse: is a signe of rudenesse, slouth, and

much geuē to slep••. The left angle sharp, betokeneth a babler and crafty man, not withstanding witty and painful: but if the vpper corne•• be not sharpe, and ha∣uinge as it were the ca••acter of Saturn: it is a token of an euel and plaine Satur∣nine nature. And he whose fingers are so set, that there be in euerye ••oynte as it were certaine spaces or risinges croked and vnequal: it betokeneth him to be∣come very pore, & to liue miserablye. If there be in the vpper parte that is in the third ioynt, an euident writhing or cro∣kednesse: it is a signe of enuye, disceite, malice, and altogether of an euel disposed minde, which man also shal leade a life ful of mise∣ry and calamitie.

[illustration] chiromantic diagram

The Triangle bothe in the hande of man and woman, dothe signifie muche goodnesse. But if there be founde in the hande of a woman within the triangle, the similitude of a starre: it betokeneth an vnchaste woman, and geuen ouer to the lust of the fleshe. Also, in a manne it is a signe of euill. Further, if there be in the hande of a manne abouie the right angle, an expresse playne starre: it dothe plainly declare an vntrusty, troublesome disceitfull, and slaunderous persone: Also a thiefe and robber, doinge al thing be it right or wronge, by violence, in∣clined & also instructed in al euil, who at the length shal dye an euil death. Smal braunches in the beginnyng of the line of lyfe, or table line: dothe betoken abounn∣dance and encrease of houshold.

[illustration] chiromantic diagram

[illustration] chiromantic diagram

If a starre hauinge a longe stalke or braunch going from it, be founde in the hande of a woman: it do the declare that she shal haue many husbandes, as often as the two lines of the vpper corner be distante a sunder with a space betwene them, it is an euil signe. Also, foure lines deuidinge them selues in the vpper cor∣ner in maner of a crosse: do demonstrate an enuious detractor, and a man of euel fame and name. Thē a figure as it wer the caracter of Saturne, dothe pronounce an euel end: the table line also fashioned as you may se, doth betoken an infortu∣nate man, and geuē to the belly, if there be the figure of a forke either vpward or downward in the said triangle: it shew∣eth an inconstant and libidinous man.