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 Scabbes. The .Lxxxv. Dialogue.

SOROWE.

I Am greeued with paynefull Scabbes.

Reason.

I maruel now no longer, if thou take in yl part those that be greefes only, seeing thou also bewailest that wherewith there is some sweete∣nesse mingled.

Sorow.

I am vexed with the greeuous scab.

Reason.

Some say, that it is holsome to be scabbed. But for that I wyl not cal so woful a thyng by so good a name, I tearme it a token of health, or the way leading to health. It is but a gentle thing, for that it is not long in comming foorth, whose issuing is somtime ioyned with no small tickling.

Sorow.

The dry scab molesteth me.

Reason.

Thou needest now no clock nor watch, for the same wyl awake thee in the night, and cal thee vp vnto thy necessarie & honest affayres. For there is none so slouthful, whom the payneful scab wyl not styr vp, and make wakeful.

Sorow.

I am vexed with scabbes.

Reason.

A base disease, but which hath a noble cure: labour, paine, heate, bathes, watching, diet, these are medicines against scabbes. If these wyl do no good, thou must flee to the remedie of pacience, which in al diseases is the most profi∣table salue.

Sorowe.

I am troubled with the paynefull and fyl∣thie scab.

Reason.

I denie neither of them. And whereas Publius sayd, that the sore feete of one that had the Gout, were a paynefull rest, so on my woorde mayest thou say, that a payre of scabbed handes, are a greeuous businesse. But what wylt thou say to this? The loathsommer the disease is, the comlier is the pa∣tience? And how yf out of a small discommoditie, thou reape great profite? This is one of the thinges, that especially engender a con∣tempt of this body, then whiche is nothing more necessarie for mankind.

Sorow.

I am al ouer infected with scabbes.

Reason.

That thou art al scabbed, I thinke it be too true, and I stande in great feare thereof: But perhaps this is more then thou wouldest haue sayd. For thou meanest it of thy whole body, but there is an other kind of inuisible scabbe in your mindes, to wit, couetousnesse and sensualitie, and a certaine vehement uching to reuenge and complaine, which the more it is scratched, the more it rageth. This itche ye neyther feele, or craue to haue cured, so muche is your care lesse ouer your soules, then ouery our bodyes.