Phisicke against fortune, aswell prosperous, as aduerse conteyned in two bookes. Whereby men are instructed, with lyke indifferencie to remedie theyr affections, aswell in tyme of the bryght shynyng sunne of prosperitie, as also of the foule lowryng stormes of aduersitie. Expedient for all men, but most necessary for such as be subiect to any notable insult of eyther extremitie. Written in Latine by Frauncis Petrarch, a most famous poet, and oratour. And now first Englished by Thomas Twyne.

Of swiftnesse of the bodye. The syxth Dialogue.

IOY.

BVt I am very swyft.

Reason.

Tel me whyther thy run∣nyng ••endeth? Many haue ben destroyed through their owne swyftnesse.

Ioy.

My swyftnesse is wonderful.

Reason.

Run ye mortal men whither ye lust, the swiftnes of heauen outrunneth you, and leadeth you vnto olde age, and death. The one of these wyll take away your runnyng, the other your mooueyng.

Ioy.

My swyftnesse is very great.

Reason.

It tendeth thyther, where it shal haue an ende.

Ioy.

My swift∣nes is s••e••, as ••he lyke hath not been heard of.

Reason.

It ten∣deth thither where there shalbe great slownesse.

Ioy.

My swift∣ne•••• is infinite.

Reason.

Be it as great as it list, it shal haue no place where to exercise it selfe: for the whole earth is as is were

a smal pricke or poynt.

Ioy.

My swyftnesse is inestimable.

Reason.

This cōmendation is due vnto wit, vnto which the seas, and heauen, and eternitie, & the spaces of nature, the hydden pla∣ces, and secretes of al thynges lye open. As for this body, which is circumscribed and compassed about with a prick and smal mo∣ment of space, whyther wyl the swiftnesse thereof bring it, and where wyl it leaue it? Admit this space were very wyde & great, eyther in respect of tyme, or of place, notwithstandyng whyther soeuer it turneth, it maketh hast to the graue. This narrowe roomth, and place of necessitie, is knowne without Astrologicall coniecture, or Geometrical demonstration. So then ye runne thyther, where in deede there is no runnyng at all.

Ioy.

My swyftnesse is incredible.

Reason.

Although thou excel al men, yet thou art not able herein to match an Hare.

Ioy.

My swift∣nesse is marueilous.

Reason.

The same accompaniyng many vpon hanging hilles and broken mountaynes sydes, hath disa∣poynted them of the playne grounde: and many also that woulde runne, or as it were, flie, by vautyng, or otherwyse, vppon the walles and battlementes of towres, vpon the tacklynges of ships, vpon the cragges of hilles, without hurtyng them selues, shortly after by some litle tripping or slyding of the foote, haue in this outrage been found dead in the hygh wayes by fallyng. It is a dange•• us thyng, and agaynst the course of nature, that there should be such lightnesse in heauie bodies, and the practise thereof wil make a man not to be nimble long: For, although he escape without hurt, yet he shall soone leaue it of through weerynesse: for the strength of a man is but short, and his swiftnesse shorter.

Ioy.

I am nowe very nymble.

Reason.

An Asse also is nymble in his youth, & a Parde waxeth slow with age. In tyme nimblenes wyl waxe styffe. The first age hath spurres, the last hath bridles: whatsoeuer thou art thou shalt not be long, & if thou desire to be good, indeuour to be so. Only vertue is not afrayde of old age.