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 small greefes of sundrie thynges. The .XC. Dialogue.

SOROWE.

I Vtterly hate the troublesome noyse & cryes of diuers thinges in Cities.

Reason.

Then make muche of the wooddes, and quietnesse of the countrey: those thinges which cannot be esca∣ped, why shouldest thou goe about to auoyde?

Sorowe.

I am weery with the strife and contentions of the common people.

Reason.

As long as thou doest geue eare to the common sorte of people, thou shalt neuer be at rest.

Sorow.

I am much trou∣bled with the noyse of the common people.

Reason.

Esteeme not the woordes of the commonaltie, for almost whatsoeuer it speaketh, it is eyther nothyng, or els false. But yf thou canst not auoyde al their noyse and disordered voyces, heare them notwith∣standyng, though none otherwise then as the bellowyng of Oxen, or the bleatyng of Sheepe, or the roring of Beares: for what are they other, then the voyces either of came or wild beastes?

Sorow.

I am sore troubled with the terrible outrage of the common peo∣ple.

Reason.

Imagine in thy mind, that thou hearest the sound of ouerflowing waters, which fal vpon rockes: perswade thy selfe, that either thou art besyde the Well Gorgia, where a most cleere Riuer floweth out of a most horrible denne with woonderfull noyse: or where as the gulfes of Reatis, whiche the Riuer Nar carieth into Tyber, doo fal downe from an hygh hyl: or whereas the Riuer Nilus powreth downe violently, to those places which are called Catadupa, as Cicero sayth: or where as Hister, as in lyke maner it is reported, rusheth into the Sea ••uxinum: or to be short, where the steepe rockes of Liguria doo accorde to the flowynges of the Mount Aetna, when as the South winde waxeth fierce: or as the crooked and wrested Charibdis, agreeth with the barkyng Silla in Sicill whyr••epooles. Eustome wyll bryng to passe, that thou shalt heare that with a certayne pleasure, whiche thou nowe iudgest to be most tedious.

Sorow.

I am vexed with the barkyng of Dogges.

Reason.

He that hath learned to suffer quietly the brawlyng of the common people, can not myslyke the barkyng of Dogges, for there are

neyther so many other kyndes of Dogges, neyther are they so madde and furious.

Sorowe.

An vnrulie Horse, that is al∣way neyghing, an vnfaythfull Seruaunt, that is euermore fro∣warde, are not onely greeuous and troublesome vnto me, but also dangerous.

Reason.

I haue tolde heretofore, what I dyd thynke of both those kyndes of creatures, and I am styll of the same opinion: I adde hereunto somewhat, to the ende therefore thou mayest auoyde the greefe and trouble of thy Horse, yf no∣thyng els can helpe thee, then become a foote man: and that thy Seruauntes may agree and yeelde vnto thee, thou shalt bryng it to passe, when thou accountest hym not woorthy to be lamen∣ted, whom thou art well able to lacke.

Sorowe.

I am annoy∣ed with Flyes.

Reason.

Take heede, least that through the annoyance of Flyes, thou be made a Flye in deede, and that thou thynkyng a Flye to be created of any other then of GOD, thou come into the power and iurisdiction of hym that is called the prince of Flyes: the whiche we reade to haue hapned vnto one that was greeued with the lyke distresse, the aucthor whereof is S. Augustine, who expounding that most famous and nota∣ble begynnyng of Iohns Gospel, sayth, That the Flye, the Gnatte, the Caterpiller, the Shearnbub, and the Caterpiller, and all suche tyke Vermine, were not created without iust and good cause of hym, who sawe all thynges whiche he had made, that they were verie good. And yf so be there were no other cause, yet this one woulde suffice to abate the pryde and hautinesse of mens mindes, as it were with these weapous. For GOD coulde haue sen: vnto the Aegyptians, Lions, Tygers, or Serpentes: but he sent rather these small and base creatures among them, to the intent both his heauenly power, and theyr earthly frayletie & cor∣ruption, myght be the more manifestly knowen.

Sorowe.

I am disquieted with Fleas.

Reason.

Take thy rest in holsome and good cogitations, thynke that no euyll can happen to a man besides ••inne: For not only these gentle thinges, but also those that seeme most hard and greeuous, haue profited many. What dooest thou know, whether if the Fleas should goe their way, too much sluggishnesse or euil lustes would succeede, & set vpon thee? Beleue that it is wel with thee in al thinges, and it shal be so.

Sorow.

I

am ouercome with the continuall battell that the Fleas make with me in the nyght.

Reason.

Why art thou then proude, thou shadowe and dust? Why art thou then hautie and loftie, thou base clay? For being ouercome with Fleas, thou contendest agaynst GOD, thou vntamed and most foolyshe creature.

Sorowe.

I am tormented with Fleas.

Reason.

Wylt thou offende men, to defende thy selfe from Fleas? Thou beyng the most noble creature, and far superiour, settest vpon that most vile and base beast, and being the meate of Fleas, thou deuourest men, the king of al creatures.

Sorow.

I am tormented with Fleas.

Reason.

Al earthly thinges, were made to obey and serue man, some to feede him, and some to apparrel hym, some to carry him, and some to defend hym, some other to exercise and teache hym, and some also to admonish him of his estate, and last of all, some to delight him, to ease & recreate his minde, being weeried with af∣fayres, and certaine also to rule & bridel his harmful & dangerous delightes, & with holsome grieffes and troubles to woorke within hym a contempt of this lyfe, & also a desyre of a better. If this life were voyde of cares and troubles, how much, I pray thee, would death be feared? or how much would this lyfe please mortal men, when as, beyng ful of sorowes & afflictions, it so delighteth them, whiche then it woulde muche more doo, yf nothyng were to be feared? For neyther the sweetenesse of lyfe is alwayes profita∣ble to hym that lyueth, nor the pleasure of the way to the trauel∣ler: and it is expedient sometymes, that some harde and payne∣full accident happen by the way, that the ende may be the more desyred.

Sorowe.

The nyght byrdes, with their mournyng tunes, are odious vnto me.

Reason.

As I suppose, it is not the Nyghtingale, which as Virgil sayth, weepeth all the nyght, and sittyng vpon a bough, beginneth her sorowful song, and fylleth all the places abrode with her careful and greeuous complayntes. For mour∣nyng is sweete, and verses are delectable, and complayntes are pleasant. Peraduenture the mourneful Shrychowle disturbeth thee, or els the imfamous Owle, which is not only yll spoken of, by meanes of his owne most hatefull song, but also by the wry∣tynges of the Poetes: which notwithstandyng, howe much they haue been esteemed for ioyfull diuination and coniecturing of

thyngs to come here in fore tymes. Thou mayest reade in Iose∣phus, although they be both ridiculus, that is to say, either to con∣ceiue hope or feare thereby. For the sadde countenaunce of this byrd, & of many others, and also his sorowful song, which are both naturall, they doo not so vtter, to the ende to declare or foreshewe any thyng thereby, but because they doo not knowe howe to syng otherwyse. Geue vnto them the voyce of a Nyghtyngale, and they wyll mourne more sweetely: but nowe they obeye theyr owne nature. As for you, ye endeuour by dotyng, to con∣strayne your nature vnto your superstitious desyres.

Sorowe.

The Owle that sytteth al the nyght long in the next Turret, is very offenciue vnto me.

Reason.

Thou hast hearde, howe that there was an Owle that woonted to disquiet Augustus in the nyght: And whom, I pray thee, wyll he feare to trouble, whiche disquieted the Lord and ruler of all the worlde?

Sorowe.

The Myse disturbe me in my Chamber.

Reason.

What canst thou tell whether they were bred in the same Chamber, wherein thou nowe lyest as a stranger? and therefore they may more iustly complayne of thee, who beyng a newe come gheast, disturbest them in their natiue soyle. But to leaue iestyng, there is one reason of them all. This is the cause that your lyfe is trou∣bled by them, that you myght learne to wyshe for the lyfe to come: and that your mindes myght be setled there, where there are neyther Myse, nor Rattes, nor Theeues, nor Spiders, nor Moathes, nor losses, nor any other tediousnesse of lyfe to molest you.

Sorowe.

The croakyng Frogges, and chirping Gras∣hoppers, disquiet me.

Reason.

Imagine that they prepare comfort for thee, and then it shalbe comfort. A mans opinion alte∣reth any thing as it lust, not changing that which is true, but go∣uerning the iudgement, and rulyng the senses. There was a cer∣taine man of late dayes, who dwelling in the countrey, vsed to go abrode with as many stones and libbets as he coulde beare, both in the day tyme, and also rysing in the nyght, to dryue away the Nyghtingales from singing: but when that way he profited no∣thyng, he caused the trees about to be cut downe, to the entent that beyng disappoynted of their greene and pleasant harbours, they myght be enforced to depart: but when they notwithstan∣dyng

continued their singing there, he hym selfe at length was constrayned to forsake the place, for that he coulde not sleepe, nor take any rest there. Neuerthelesse, he coulde abyde to lye vppon the bankes of the Brookes that ran hard by, to heare the nyghtly croaking of the Frogges and Toades, in the fennes and moores, whose most vncertayne noyse, he vsed most greedily to listen vnto, as it had been the most delicate harmonie of Vialles or Virginalles: truely a very strange and sauage nature in men, and scarce woorthy to be reekoned among the number of men, beyng also in other manners answerable perhappes vnto these whiche thou hast hearde, yet not so mad in other vulgare af∣fayres: whiche example is nowe come to my remembraunce, that thou mayest perceyue howe great a stroke opinion beareth in all thynges.

Sorowe.

I am greeued with the noyse of Frogges and Grashoppers.

Reason.

They doo it not truely to greeue thee, but they vse the common benefite of nature. But the same offendeth your proude impatience, as all other thynges doo, whatsoeuer is doone or sayde otherwyse then is pleasaunt vnto your eyes and eares. But that I may referre the follie of your errour vnto the auncient fables, thynke nowe, eyther that the Frogges doo renewe theyr olde complaynte, and call vppon Latona their reuenger, in their hoarse voyce, or that the Gras∣hoppers doo with ioy repeate the name of Titonus, in theyr schriching tune, and therefore thou mayst suffer them to plie theyr businesse, and plie thou thyne owne. Why are ye offen∣ded with the innocent lyuyng creatures, beyng alwayes iniu∣rious to nature, and in the meane whyle, perceyue not howe muche more greater the greefes be, wherewith ye torment one another? I speake nothyng, neyther of the spoylers of Cities, nor of a thousande other meanes of iniuryng, of dooyng violence, and of deceyuyng, whereof all the streetes and feeldes are full. I speake nothing of Theeues, that are dis∣persed ouer all quarters of the worlde, nor of murtherers with theyr rough and craggie bywayes, by meanes of whom the greater part of the earth lyeth voyde from trauaylers, and the most beautifull syghtes of the worlde lye hydden

from mens eyes, whiche is nowe a matter winked at, and growen to strength through a most wretched custome. Who is able with condigne complayntes to set foorth, or with con∣uenient woordes to vtter the heauie weyght of humane slouth∣fulnesse, for that also euen in ciuile and quiet countries, as a man woulde saye, lawfull Theeues be founde euery where, who spoyle and robbe the carefull wayfaryng man, that is broken with trauayle, and weeryed with greefe, both of all his wares and money, I knowe not vnder the colour of what most vniust ryght? Whereby it is nowe come to passe, that that whiche was wont to be most pleasaunt, to wander ouer all the worlde, the same in some places is nowe a most dan∣gerous matter, and in all places chargeable and paynefull. Thus your Princes, and Fathers of theyr Countrey, yea, your patience, and your publique libertie, are for a small price become contemptible. What shall I speake of your vayne watches, of your priuie walkynges, and all other thynges full of sundrie kyndes of suspition, and howe the vse of learnyng, whiche is the onely comfort in a mans absence, is forbydden? Whiche thyng, for that it can not be remedied, must be suffered with a valiant minde. Howbeit, as he doth not refuse to suffer the woorkes of nature, who by this tyme ought to haue lear∣ned to suffer so many insolencies, so many cruelties, so many cruell outragies, so many rapines committed by men: the same man also shall soone perceyue howe iniuriously dame nature is dayly torne in peeces for small tryfles, seeyng that one man is constrayned to suffer so manye bytter and greeuous touches at anothers handes.

Sorowe.

I am plagued with extreame heate.

Reason.

Stay a whyle, for the sharpnesse of Winter is commyng apace, whiche wyl aban∣don this tediousnesse.

Sorowe.

I am sore vexed with c••••de.

Reason.

Behold, Summer maketh haste, that wyll take away the bytternesse thereof.

Sorowe.

I am gree∣ued with colde.

Reason.

There is scarce any discomm••ditie to be found, for whiche nature hath not prouided a remedie. And many tymes there be sundrie remedies founde for one greefe:

these thynges followyng keepe away colde: the house, clothes, meate, drynke, labour, and exercise. There is seldome any ouer∣come with colde, vnlesse before he be ouercome by slouthfulnesse. I am ashamed to recken vp fyre among the remedies agaynst cold, which is a great argument of humane idlenes. It is nothing so easie a matter, with a wet lynnen cloath to drawe away water that is mingled with wine in an whole Hoggeshead, as it is to separate sluggardes from good husbandes at a good fyre in the Winter season, thyther run all they that haue neyther blood, nor courage of minde: a man may then beholde, yf he haue a delyght to see it, our youth, to the intent they would seeme fayre, to deforme them selues agaynst the fyre, by making their bodyes naked from the nauell downwarde: for whom how much were it more honest and seemely to couer their priuie partes, then by scorching their thyghes and buttockes agaynst the flame, to annoy the senses of the standers by, with their loath some stynke.

Sorowe.

At one tyme I quake, and at another I sweate.

Reason.

I easily beleeue thee, for I knowe thy manners, and whyles thou art spea∣kyng, I wyll tell thee what commeth into my minde. The histo∣rie is but new, and short: In Fraunce there was a father and his sonne apprehended for treason, and iudged to be executed, accor∣dyng to the manner of the countrey, by standyng in a Caudron wherein they shoulde be boyled to death. Now it was winter, and when they were both put naked and bounde into the colde water, the young man began to quake, and chatter his teeth for colde: but when once the water began to waxe hotte by meanes of the fyre that was made vnder it, then began he also by greeuous lamentation and weepyng to declare his impacience of the heate. But on the othersyde, the olde man persisting vn∣moueable in both, and lookyng vppon hym with a sterne countenaunce, Thou sonne, quoth he, of a most vyle whoore, canst thou abyde neyther colde nor heate? A saying truely, per∣happes of an euyll, yet of a constaunt and valiant minde, and well deseruyng that the speaker thereof, shoulde leape vnhurt out of the deadly Caudron: But most conueni∣ent for your youth to learne, then whom there is nothyng more effeminate nor tender, who in the Summer doo curse

the sunne lyke the Atlantes, and in the wynter season woorshyp the fire as do the Caldees.

Sorowe.

The snowe molesteth me.

Reason.

Those that be nice do also loath delicate thynges: How∣beit some haue counted it a most beautiful matter to see snowe fall without wynde, and truely if there be any thyng fairer then snowe, yet verily there is nothyng whyter.

Sorowe.

We are troubled sometyme with to muche heate, and sometyme with to muche colde: at one tyme with ouermuch drought, and at another with to much rayne.

Reason.

Some say that Alexander was most impatient of heate, and no marueyle, for he could not endure prosperitie nor aduersitie: and contrariwyse, they say that Hannibal could indifferently away both with heat and colde: Why doest not thou also take vnto thy selfe some one part, though it be of vnlyke prayse? He coulde suffer both wel, & canst thou en∣dure neyther? This good doth pleasure bryng you at the begyn∣nyng, whiche doth soften you, and make you effeminate, and as I may truely say, geld your myndes, so that you dare not onely not abyde your enimies swoordes or death, but also not so muche as the ayryal impressions. I crye styll, but alwayes I crye in vayne vnto you, for that I crye vnto deafe folkes. Leaue vnto nature her owne office: she dooth nothyng without the counsell of the most hyghest. You ignorant fooles, there is not one drop of water that falleth vpon the earth more or lesse then is expedi∣ent: and although that euery particuler mans lust be not satisfied, yet is there generall prouision made for the safetie of all men.

Sorowe.

I am greeued on the one side with durt, on the o∣ther with dust, here with cloudes, there with windes and thun∣der.

Reason.

The diuersitie of the earth foloweth the di∣uersitie of heauen: moyst ayre breedeth durt, and drye ayre dust, so lykewyse by moouing of the ayre come wyndes, of va∣pours cloudes, of windes and cloudes, tempestes and thun∣der are engendred. Who so knoweth the causes of thynges, and sheweth hym selfe obedient vnto nature, shal not bewaile the consequence of effectes. And although there be great questi∣on among some, concernyng the wyndes: neuerthelesse doth not the ayre (that is mooued with no wynde) seeme vnto thee in a manner halfe dead? in so much that some (not vnaptly,)

haue tearmed the wynde a soule, or a spirit? As for dust, thou seest how that among men of valure, it is counted sweete: which also vertue onely hath by dyuers operation, caused that as much may be beleeued also of durt. Thunder and lyghtnyng, with suche other lyke forcible motions of heauen, what be they other then the threates and warninges of the most mercyful God? Who truely vnlesse he had loued man, woulde not threaten hym, but stryke hym, seeing that he neuer lac∣keth many and iust causes to stryke hym in deede. That these thynges apparteyne vnto the terrif••yng of men, but specially of those that rebell agaynst God, not onely the Po∣et, who was skylfull of the secretes of nature, doth signifie, but also the Prophetisse, whiche seemed to be priuie of Gods counsel sayeth: The aduersaries of the Lorde shal feare hym, and he shall thunder vpon them from heauen. O ye the aduersaries of the Lorde, stande in feare of the true thunderer, labour to come into his fauour, that beyng reconciled into freendshyp with God, ye feare nothyng but to displease hym. Doo ye this rather, and leaue complaynyng.

Sorowe.

I am sorie for this darke and cloudie weather.

Reason.

No tempest continueth long, and after fayre weather come cloudes, and after cloudes fayre weather commeth agayne, and one of them immediatly foloweth another, and that which is so short, should be suffered without complayntes.

Sorowe.

I am offended with the cloudes.

Reason.

This offence is a certayne kynde of warnyng, namely that hereby thou mayest make prouision agaynst darkenesse, whiche is nowe but transitorie, since thou takest it in so yll part, least haply thou be constrayned to endure euerlastyng darkenesse.

Sorowe.

I am troubled with fyre from heauen, with hayle and stor∣mes.

Reason.

These and suche lyke, make vnto an whole∣some feare, or yf ye contemne them, vnto reuenge. Heare this one thyng: Fyre, Brymstone, and the breath of stormes, are the portion of their cup. Heare also another saying: Fire, hayle, famine, and death, al these make to reuenge.

Sorow.

I am frighted with tempestes of the sea.

Reason.

Doo not herein accuse nature, but eyther thyne owne follie, or

couetousnesse: for who constrayneth thee thereunto?

Sorow.

I am molested with darke cloudes, and contrarie windes.

Reason.

Thou wast borne in darkenesse, and in darkenesse shalt thou dye, and lyuest betweene the wyndes of contrarie tempestes: learne to suffer that at length, whiche thou alwayes sufferest perforce.

Sorowe.

I am shaken with thunder and lyghtnyng.

Reason.

Herein there is more then weerisomnesse. In the first truely a great feare, contemned of none but of some fooles: but in the seconde, is death. And there∣fore some haue iudged, that none complayne of lyghtnyng but suche as want experience. And, who is so mad, I pray thee, vnlesse he be to farre gone, that standeth not in feare of them both, seeing that among the auncient Romanes, whiche were a most valiant kynde of people, it was prouided by an auncient sta∣tute, that there should be no assemblies of the people holden to choose officers, or otherwyse, whyles Iupiter thundred from heauen? Howbeit vnlesse this feare tende to the amendment of lyfe, it is vnprofitable. For what can feare auayle, where there is no redresse of the thyng feared? Wherefore, the matter must be thus applyed, that although it thunder and lyghten by natu∣ral causes, neuerthelesse it must be iudged to be a warnyng from hym, who beyng tyed vnto no causes, is hym selfe the fountayne and cause of al causes. To this ende therefore doth he thunder in heauen, that thou shouldest lyue well vpon the earth, and dri∣uyng away forgetfulnesse, acknowledge the wrath of God, and do that at leastwyse for feare, which thou oughtest too do for loue. Complayne not a lyke of good and euyl thinges, it is expe∣dient for you, beleeue me, that it thunder often, and it is left in wrytyng vnto posteritie, that it thundreth very often the same yeere wherein the assured aduersarie of God and al godlinesse, (Domitian the Emperour) died: not that ye should cry out as he dyd, Let him now strike whom he lust: but that ye may appease the wrath of God with penitent teares, & humble prayer.

Sorow

I am greeued with the conuersation & mirth of drunkardes.

Reason.

That wine maketh glad the hart of man, & that Bacchus is the geuer of mirth, although Dauid & Virgil had neuer spoken it, very experience maketh it knowen. And although y^t likewise be true,

whiche not so eloquent, but a more holy Poet spake, The flowyng of a ryuer cheareth the citie of God: yet is there more feruent ioye and ioyful gladnesse, as the Philosophers terme it, in a fewe caskes of strong wynes, then in many streames of running water whiche are conteyned within the ryuers: and I confesse, that there is nothyng more lamen∣table then the mirth of drunkardes, and nothyng more vayne then typlers and Tauerners, whom Cicero very wel cal∣leth the dregges of cyties: whiche notwithstandyng a man must suffer, or els he must forsake cities, or otherwyse flye from the market and place of iudgement, or at the leastwyse from the streetes and haunt of Tauernes, euen as he woulde doo from so many rockes.

Sorow.

I am oppressed with re∣sort and importunate concurse of citizens.

Reason.

It is a sauage and vnnaturall wyshe, to seeke thy countreyes desolation, that thou thy selfe mayest lyue at lybertie: For the very same cause, as thou knowest, in the olde tyme was the sister of Appius Claudius punished, & shee that was last celebrated a∣mong writers for an innocent: and truly as this is an vngodly wish, and deserueth punishment, so to auoyde the weerisomnes of thronges and cities, and it (occasion so require,) to depart a∣while out of the way, is a poynt of modestie, and frequented of the wise.

Sorowe.

I am greeued with a long suite, and slow iudgment.

Reason.

To what ende was daying of matters de∣uised, but to ende strife, and to remedie the slacknes of iudgment?

Sorowe.

I am worne with wofull and troublesome strife.

Reason.

Thou hast vsed apte and conuenient tearmes for thy selfe: For where strife and contention is, there can be nether ioy, nor quietnesse. Thou, if thou wylt liue out of stryfe, auoyde the cause of stryfe. Couetousnesse engendreth contention, and nouri∣sheth it when it is engendred.