CHAP. 1. Howe diuerslie the word Melancholie is taken .

BEFORE I enter to define the nature of melancholie , & what it is , for the cleare understanding of that wherein my purpose is to instruct you , it shall be necessarie to lay forth diuerse maners of takinge the name of melancholie , and whereto the name being one , is applied diuerslie . It signifieth in all , either a certayne fearefull disposition of the mind altered from reason , or else an humour of the body , commonly taken to be the only cause of reason by feare in such sort depraued . This humour is of two sorts : naturall , or vnnaturall : naturall is either the grosser part of the bloud ordained for nourishment , which either by abundance or immoderate hotenesse , passing measure , surchargeth the bodie , and yeeldeth vp to the braine certaine vapors , whereby the vnderstanding is obscured ; or else is an excrement ordained to be auoyded out of the bodie , through so manie alterations of naturall heate , and varietie of concoction , hauing not a drop of nourishing iuyce remaining , whereby the bodie , either in power or substance may be relieued . This excrement , if it keepeth the bounds of his owne nature , breedeth lesse perturbance either to bodie or minde : if it corrupt and degenerate farther from it selfe and the qualitie of the bodie ; then are all passions more vehement , & so outragiously oppresse and trouble the quiet seate of the mind , that all organicall actions therof are mixed with melancholie madnesse ; and reason turned to a vaine feare , or plaine desperation , the braine being altered in his complexion , and as it were transported into an instrument of an other make then it was first ordained : these two according to the diuersitie of setling , do ingender diuersitie of passions , & according therunto do diuerslie affect the vnderstanding , & do alter the affection , especially if by corruption of nature or euill custome of manners the partie be ouer passionate . The vnnaturall is an humour rising of melancholie before mentioned , or else from bloud or choler , whollie chaunged into an other nature by an vnkindly he ate , which turneth these humours , which before were raunged vnder natures gouernment , and kept in order , into a qualitie whollie repugnant , whose substance and vapor giueth such annoyance to all the partes , that as it passeth or is seated maketh strange alterations in our actions , whether they be animal or voluntarie , or naturall not depending vpon our will , and these are all which the name of melancholie doth signifie : now the definition and what it is . As the thinges be diuerse , so it also followeth the suite , and is likewise diuerse either of the humour or of the passion , and the humour being either a nutritiue iuyce or an excrement vnprofitable thereunto , I define the humor no otherwise then that part of that bloud which naturally of the rest is most grosse ; and the excrement the superfluitie of the same ; which if it putrifieth , bestoweth still the name of a farre diuerse thing both in temper & nature , called blacke choller . The melancholie passion is a doting of reason through vaine feare procured by fault of the melancholie humour . Thus brieflie & clearly do you vnderstand what the nature of melancholie is , and whereto the name is vsually applied : of which when I shall haue at the full to your contentment entreated , then will I satisfie the other part of your demaund , and lay open the consent and difference betwixt the conscience oppressed with sence of sinne and this naturall kinde before mentioned , and minister vnto you such heauenlie comfort and counsell as my slender skill will affoord , and such phisicke helpe as your present neede requireth .

CHAP. II. The causes of naturall melancholie and of the excesse thereof .

AS all naturall humours rise of nourishment , so melancholie being a part of bloud , from thence it springeth also . Whatsoeuer we receaue into the bodie for sustentation of this fraile life , consisteth of diuersitie of partes , being it selfe compounded , although to the outward viewe it seemeth to appeare vniforme : as bread , flesh , fish , milke , wine , beare &c. which shewe of vniformitie being taken away by the naturall furnace , which preserueth the liuely heate of euerie liuing thing , that outward resemblance vanisheth , and the diuersitie manifesteth it selfe : as we see gold or siluer , before it be proued with fire appeareth no other then all alike : but afterward is discouered by the burning crucible to be much otherwise ; so fareth it with nourishments , whose diuerse partes are layd open by so manifold concoctions , and cleansings , and straininges , as are continually without intermission practized of nature in euerie mans bodie : no gold finer , more busie at the mine , or artificiall Chymist halfe so industrious in his laboratorie , as this naturall Chymist is in such preparations of all nourishment : be it meat , or drinke , of what sort soeuer . By this meanes the bloud which seemeth in all parts like it selfe , no egge liker one to another , is preserued distinct in all partes . The purest part which we call in comparison and in respect of the rest bloud , is temperate in qualitie , and moderate in substance , exceeding all the other parts in quantitie , if the bodie be of equall temper , made for nourishment of the most temperate parts , and ingendring of spirits . The second is fleume , next to bloud in quantitie , of a waterie nature , cold and moyst , apt to be conuerted into the substance of purebloud if nature faile not in her workinge ordained for nourishment of moyster partes . The thirde is melancholie , of substance grosse and earthie , cold and drie in regard of the other , in quantity inferiour to fleume , fit nourishment for such partes as are of like temper . The fourth , choler , fierie , hote , and driest of qualitie , thinne in substance ; least in quantitie , and ordained for such parts as require subtiller nourishment , and are tempered with greater portion of the fierie element . These differences nature hath so distinguished , that although in veine and place , they remaine linked together , yet in facultie , and vertue they are diuerse the one from the other : which as they fit the varietie of parts , bloud the temperate , and the rest such partes as haue like declining from temperate : so by the maruelous working of nature , these varieties of humours are entertained by nourishmentes inclining to like disposition : although no nourishment can be vtterly voide of all these parts , no not those that are counted most to encline to any one humour , as beefe , and veneson to melancholie : honie , and butter , to choler : and fish to fleume . Hereof riseth then this humour melancholie , euen from nourishments , as all the humours do ; and although not of such excellent vse ; yet as necessarie for the maintenance of life and substance of the bodie as anie other ; neither do these humoures fall into mans nature onely : but what soeuer liuing creature hath bloud can not be destitute of them as partes thereof , more or lesse according to their diuerse complexion . Thus then as man consisteth of partes requiring this diuersitie of foode , necessarie it was , and so ordained by God , such humours might aunswer in like varietie : and as humours are diuerse ; so likewise the matter whereof they should be wrought could not be of one sort , and therefore all kinde of nature ordained for nourishment , affoord this choyce , some in greater scarsitie , this or that , to the end no state of body should complaine . Here you may moue a question not impertinent to the matter in hande ; whether some bodies do not turne good nourishment , & of the purest sort into greater quantitie of melancholie , then other some , and whether that of nourishment which of it selfe would yeeldstore of the best iuyce , by melancholicke or rather cold and drie disposition of the bodie , can so be altered as to faile of that store , wherewith by nature it is replenished , and in steede thereof yeeld this grosse , thicke , cold , & earthie humour , whereof I nowe discourse . Againe whether these humours are in such natures , as yeeld nourishment , and so by separation only after any Anaxagorian manner appeare , or rather are made as a stoole out of timber , bread of corne , wine of grape , &c.

CHAP. III. Whether good nourishment breedeth not store of melancholie by fault of the bodie : whether it turneth not into melancholie : and whether these humours are found in nourishments , or rather are made out of them .

THESE questions are not voide of probabilitie on both sides , which to the ende the truth may lye the more apparant , I will not stick to declare vnto you . It should seeme ( as the obiection importeth ) that which before hath bene attributed to the kind of nourishment should rather rise of the bodie nourished , considering how it altereth , which it embraceth for nourishment , as consider the earth it selfe , the mother & very nurse of all corruptible thinges , howe out of the same soyle , not halfe a foot betwixt the wholesome fruit and soueraigne medicine , both spring vp together with deadly poison : yea how in the self same creature what strange diuersitie of nature ariseth of the selfe same nourishment : as in the pastinacamarina , whose substance & flesh is wholsome to eat , & yet the taile carrieth a most deadly weapon , wherewith whatsoeuer is wounded , perisheth without recouerie , not by anie foraine tincture , but by the nourishment altered in that part into such a pernicious disposition . The same is also found in the flies Cantharides , whose bodie exulcerateth all parts , but especiallie the bladder , and is not inferiour to the chiefe poisons , contrarilie the wings help wherein the bodie hurted ; which may be no small reasons of of doubt ; whether the humors be found in nourishments , or rather are made by a certaine disposition of the bodie : as who would imagine , bloud could euer be made of yron ; which notwithstanding , the Ostridges alter in such sort , as by no heate of fire , it can be sooner molten then it is digested in the stomach of that fethered foule ? nowe nature digesteth nothing but to make vse of nourishment thereof : else whatsoeuer entreth into the bodie , passeth as it cometh , and hath no welcomming ; but is refused as impertinent ; nature bestowing no handling therof : more then a skilfull painter to counterfait the fashion of some excellent beautie , would dip his pensill in the mire , in steed of perfect colour . To these probabilities may be added , how some natures chaunge into a farre diuerse qualitie that which they haue receaued , then it stood by nature , as the family of Marsie in Italie , & Psillie in Lybia : which was so tempered , that they did without hurt sucke the poyson of vipers , and without perill did vsually hunt them : and so by necessary consequence to be gathered , that they did receaue nourishment by them . What soeuer entreth into the stomach , either is altered into familiaritie of nature : or else hauing an actuall power not hindered , altereth with repugnancie the nature which hath receaued it . If it altereth it wholly , then destroyeth it ; if in part ; then carieth it on the one part nourishing and alimentarie vertue , and on the other , a medicinable power ; so it should seeme these Psillie , euen by vertue of nature made nourishment of that , which to other is deadly poyson . Whereupon it may be gathered , that nourishments in some bodies haue not such power , as I haue said before ; seeing they be made in certaine of poyson . The same may be declared in duckes and hennes , which feede vpon toads , notwithstanding their flesh we feed of with health , and strength , to our bodies ; Quailes likewise feede of neesing powder seeds , and feldfares of hemlocke , the one much approching nigh vnto , and the other famous by the Athenian executions , for most infamous poison ▪ all which notwithstanding , their flesh is not refused at the tables of the most delicate and daintiest : hereby in apparance it seemeth that it skilleth not much , what meat is receaued in respect of sustaining this or that complexion ; seeing that poysons may be made by vertue of concoction familiar nourishment : yea which is more auailable to vphold this matter , and straunge to consider of ; it hath bene known and is recorded in credible historie , that some haue bene brought vp from their youth and alwayes haue bene sustained and fed with poyson ; which being so , the nourishments of the bodie not onely receaue preparation by naturall concoction , by which they become that in deede & effect , which before they were in power & possibilitie : but seeme to be made out of whatsoeuer is receaued ; where it findeth a nature of sufficient strength to frame it : and not ( as it was wont to be sayd ) Mercurie is not made of euery tree , so nature maketh euerie thing of any thing : not by Anaxagoras art , for then should breade containe really , corporally , and substantially flesh , bloud and bone , but by a power and vertue whereof the matter hath no part , more then the gold for the framing of a iewell partaketh of the gold smithes cunning .

CHAP. IIII. The answer to the former obiections .

THESE shewes and semblances of truthes may seeme to ouerthrowe that which hath bene set downe as the ground and matter of humours , & lay it rather in the nature of the thing nourished , to transforme and assimulate whatsoeuer it hath receaued , though it be of neuer so straunge a qualitie : but as I haue set downe these obiections , to the end that trueth being compared with vntruth may the better appeare by reason of comparison , so marke for your fuller satisfying in this point , howe yet nothing is hereby lost , but sufficiently it maintaineth it selfe : and by strength of reason , the only pillar of humane truthes it is vpholden . It was declared before how nourishments as of all other humours , so of melancholie , they affoord the matter , to the which nature applying her proper temper as an instrument , and practizing that skill which she hath learned of God , worketh out both humours and substance for preseruation and nourishment of our bodies ; nowe that the earth within small distance affoordeth nourishment both to henbane & lettis , to hemlocke and the mallow , to poison and wholsome herbs ; that the same floure nourisheth the spider , and yeldeth honie to the bee , that the pastinacamarina carieth the instrument of death in her tayle , and wholsome foode in her substance , and all what hath bene before obiected from Cantharides ; the Ostridges , Psilli and Marsi , neesing powder , hemlocke and toades , whereof wholesome birds do aduenture for nourishment , and from that virgine fed and sustained with poison sent vnto Alexander to infect him with hir companie : all I say that may out of these particulars encounter the former truthes , being considered and wayed , adde this thereunto ( taking away nothing ) that to the disposition of the matter , it is also necessarie , an outward skill and science in the worker concurre , whereby that matter may receaue conuenient forme agreable to the workers intention . For as it is impossible to make a rope of sande , so likewise hempe maketh it not without the art of the craftes man , who ioyning his worke with conuenient stuffe findeth the end of his labour : and as some workemen exceede other in skill & diligence and of the same matter , the worke either excelleth or wanteth according thereunto ; in like manner the nourishment being all one , as it falleth to a nature of good or bad temper , weake or strong , bringeth forth nourishment , and excrement accordingly . Touching the earth it containeth in it inuisible seedes of all things in a maner , to which it storeth vp and importeth also food meet and conuenient : these seeds lye not distinct in place but in nature , no more then the partes of bloud which before I mentioned , so that although it were possible for hemlocke and the vine to grow in one bodie , and occupie one place , yet could not the proper nourishment to either be auoyded : such harmonie and agreement is there betwixt them in nature , and with such earnest desire doth the one affect the other . This then is the cause why life and death dwell so nigh together , and yet ( as they are of the vehementest sort of aduersaries ) without entercommunication . Euen so the bodie containeth partes linked notwithstanding in one communitie , of diuerse natures , which drawe out of the masse of nourishment that which is meete ech one for it self : which though it in apparance , & shew , semeth vniforme , yet containeth it diuersity , as the sundrie parts require : which diuersity being distinct in nature , & confused as it appeareth in one by the cloke & garment of an vniuersall forme ; by natures Mechanical operation ( the very patern of all arts , both liberall and seruile ) is discouered & brought into an actuall substance consisting of his single & proper nature , which before had only a potentiall subsistence as members & parts haue in the whole . Which producing I vnderstand not a discouerie only , as by withdrawing a vaile , to shew that which lay behind it , but a generation and coupling of matter with the forme ; which forme it bringeth not with it , but receaueth it as it were an impression from the part . So then , as euerie thing is not made of any thing in art ; neither is foode ministred for all things in euerie thing in nature : but requireth apt preparation of matter , by naturall vertue to be appropriate to euerie part . Nowe if it be replied : this answer , as it may suffice against that which is obiected out of the earth , yet leaueth it doubtin the pastinaca ; Cantharides and Psilli : by reason the matter of these things through natures working groweth more particular , & is not stored with such varietie ( as I may so call them ) of potentiall natures ; whereby it might seeme the verie indiuiduall substance indifferently to subiect it selfe either for nourishment or poison : let the consideration of the earth carrie vs yet farther to the dissoluing of this knot also . True it is , that the particular nourishment containeth not so manie sutes , as the earth the nourisher of all things doth : yet it answereth in proportion to the part which it hath to sustaine . So that the masse of bloud being the vniuersall soile , wanteth not for the relief & entertainment of al the members of the bodie , choise of substance according to their variety . Hereof is the bone nourished , as hard as mettall : and the braine as tender as a posset curd : the kidneyes grosse and thicke : and the lights loose and subtile : the eye as cleere as cristall : and the splene as blacke and darke as inke . Now let vs apply this more particularly to Pastinaca , Cantharis , and the rest of that sort , The Pastinaca , substance , and fish , is nourished with that which in it selfe is wholesome , the fish being of the same substance or disposition ; but so , that , that nourishment hath in it an execremental substance , which being considered alone though it be not yet poyson , hath in it a power , meeting with a former , to become of like hurtfull qualitie : which we see in execrements being permitted to putrifie and to degenerate of them selues , howe by corruption they become most daungerous ; much more finding an actiue and liuely nature furnished with power as it were to animate and waken that which before lay dead in such matter : so Pastinaca hath a weapon geuen by nature soked with most deadly venome separated yet from the fish , and sticking on the one side of the middest of the taile , which is maintained with such a kinde of excrement , as being reiected in all the parts , findeth there impression and entertainment : not either that the fish feede of that poison ( for nothing feedeth of excrement , appropriate to one part , or that wherewith that part , while it is excrement is nourished ) as venimous , for then should such as feede of that fish be in perill , but being vnmeete to nourish or to haue place in the fish , is of temper , ( by the altering of that part ) apt to be conuerted into so venemous a nature , which is planted in the fishes tayle , not much vnlike to the growing of Misleto in a crab tree , whose natures do apparantly differ , seing the same Misleto groweth also in the oke & on the hauthorne : neither can anie with reason affirme , the Misleto is nourished with that which belongeth to the crab : for then would it not prosper in the oke destitute of his proper iuyce , but both the oke , the crab tree and the hauthorne , certaine of them , and in certaine places , hauing a superfluitie meete for that vse , the seed of that misle being there and embracing that humour , riseth vp into such a diuerse plant as we see ; which yet according to the diuersitie of place , varieth in vertue , for that only of the oke we vse and accompt auaileable against the falling sicknesse & esteeme the other of small value . Nowe if it be demaunded , why then groweth not the misle on the earth , which hath more plenty of such iuice , and greater choyce ? it may be thus aunswered : although the earth affoordeth entertainement for all things , yet it doth it diuersly , to some immediatly , to other some by meanes , as the earth ministreth iuyce to the grasse and herbe of the common field , it nourisheth mutton , & we feed thereof ; who if we should attempt to be releeued by the herbe , it would yeeld vs but thinne fare . This iuyce of the earth is altered into an other nature in the herbe , that herbe into flesh , and flesh of that kinde chaunged into the substance of our bodies , which first as it sprung vp from the earth , so by it is it releeued . So the misle draweth from the earth , by meanes of the tree wherewith it prospereth , indued now with other forme , & made more familiar vnto it , by the preparation of the tree . And this I take to be the cause why certaine things will not growe on the earth , but in other natures : and why graffes yeld more pleasant fruit then carnels , by reason the stocke giueth the crude and rawe nourishment of the earth a farther ripening , and euen as it were chewing it vnto the sion graffed : so to conclude this aunswer ; the Pastinacas venome is ministred by an excrement , which carieth an aptnes to be conuerted into poison : and such poison as that part is able : therof to engender , neither being such before in the Pastinaces nourishment , nor in the substance of the fish , nor as excrement ; but after it is conuerted thereinto by that barbed weapon ; which the fish reuengeth within her tayle . Whereby it is euident , that not only of poyson , but of any humor beside , the aptnes of the matter ( whereof some be grosser , and some passe more alterations ) it is necessary also there shoulde concurre in the place nourished , an altering vertue ; and as such assimilation is necessary , in like manner an apt matter may not be to secke , sit for such generation . Wherefore Melancholie is not made of euerie part of good nourishment , but of such parte , as hath a token of fellowship with the same Melancholie : and more or lesse as the bodie is more or lesse apte , together with aptnes of the matter to make that conuersion . Touching the Ostridge which may seeme to turne yron into blood and so into flesh : we are rather thus to esteeme , that although the Ostridges nature doth intend nourishment by the yron ; yet doth it no more nourish , then stones doth chickins , & hennes which are dissolued in their mawes . How then ( say you ) & why doth it dissolue yron ? by a contrary vertue which respecteth all thinges alike , that are receiued : whereby the stomach becommeth the most Catholicke parte in all the bodie , carying a more indifferent affection to whatsoeuer is receiued then anie part beside , which in the first concoction regardeth not so much it self as other partes , for whose sake it is ordayned , as it were , the Cooke not respecting this or that sorte of nourishment or foode , but applying it selfe alike generally to all that hath not a resistance in nature and a counterpower of poyson , which alwayes altereth and is not altered . Else could it not so easily embrace both hote and cold , sower and sweete , fat and leane , moyst and drie , of all bougetts ( as a certaine Poet sayth ) in that respect the straungest ; by this vertue the Ostridges hauing a verie thick and fleshie mawe , whereby it is furnished with store of a naturall heate dissolueth by a kinde of putrefaction , the yron ; which if it yeeld anie nourishment , the stomach findeth benefite thereof in the blood , wherwith it is nourished , if none , it passeth all into excrement and so is voyded as vnprofitable , except it may be thought more likely in reason , that the Ostridges enioyeth some parte of nourishment , thereby passing it into blood , or at the least that the stomach receiueth a kinde of comfort and contentment , which commonly it is taken to do by the nourishment it containeth as the Cooks appetite may be satisfied for a time by smelling of the rost , which if it faire so with the stomach there is then reason sufficient of such digestion which the fowle worketh not by the excesse of heat , but by a certaine temper at for the work , for no heate of fire in longe time is able to doe that which the Ostridge mawe doth speedelie by a certaine corruption of that which it digesteth . Carying as it were a kinde of Aqua fortis in the mawe , rather then anie heate of Etna , if we take it that the fowle hath some parte in the bodie , whose turne the common officer , the stomach serueth , agreeing to the nature of some substance contained in the yron , & that conueyed into the blood , and from thence drawen to that part , wherof it is affected : or it hath an Alementarie vertue common to diuerse partes . Be it so , yet therefore no consequence of reason can inferre , that nature respecteth not anie aptnes of matter : for in a manner al things of the earth hath some thinge Alimentarie and pasturable for all liuing creatures , which may euidently appeare by comparing of nature . The earth which we plow and till and labour with hard and wearie hand is altogether mynerall , which is the generallest nourishment of all : now if one nature among so manie millions be found in yron to sucke forth that vertue , no maruell seing all creatures which require releefe of foode , by certaine degrees and former apparations , pertake of the same : then seing the Mineralls feede the Vegetalls , and the Vegetalls the Animalls ; let the experience of the Ostridge satisfie vs in this which reason misliketh not , that euen a nutritiue iuice for some sorte of Animall may be found in yron , and yet so , that ( notwithstanding ) not all things are of like aptnes for such vse , neither in generall as blood , nor in particular , as the more speciall food belonging to ech parte deriued from the blood . And thus my friend M. to passe the tedious time with you , you haue my opinion to this obiection . As for the straunge nature of that kinde of people or famelie called Marsi and Psilli , we may thus reasonably coniecture , that either they had a nature of stronger temper , then the ordinary sorte , by which it was able to maister that poyson and all other ; or else by the custome of vsuall feeding on the flesh of aspes and vipers , which they did vse , they grewe into such familiarity with the poyson , as the serpentes themselues , which nature had with such poison so armed , and this rather then that infamous refuge of propriety of substance , which is asmuch to say , as we knowe not . This custome was also the only cause why the yong maid nourished with poyson faired with it as with other victuall : for of purpose she was nourished from her infancie therwith , that she might by frequenting the Kinges companie destroy him with infection , which poyson being but an accidentary thing , by custome is vanquished of a naturall & essentiall vertue . That poyson is but accidentall and not essentiall , it appeareth by that in diuers kindes , it is not in all of the same sorte , nor alike in all partes of such natures , as we count venemous , as the wings of Cantharides and the bodies so contend in nature , that the one helpeth where the other harmeth : the weapon of Pastinaca and the fish , the Scorpion and his stinge , the vipers bitte and vipers flesh , the base and foundation of Triacle , the shrewmouse and her selfe dissected and applied to the wound : which all argue the poyson not to be equallie mixed , and therefore not essentiall : againe in some places Scorpions are not hurtefull , in some spiders , in other some aspides , the which if their nature did consist of poyson , then could they not be otherwise , neither receiue alteration by soile , neither is this in animalls onelie , but also in vegetalls , as in Persea , in Hemlockes , in Napellus in the Vgh tree which in other some places carie with them certaine and assured perill , and in other some are vtterly harmeles . This custome being begunne in infancie , made a greater familiaritie betwixt the damsells nature , & the poyson , which as in ciuill manners it is more flexible in youth than in processe of yeares , so the disposition of nature fareth in like sort , which most hartely embraceth that wherewith it is first acquainted , but you wil say ; how could it haue first accesse and be entertayned of nature , to whome it is so repugnant . Thus we are to iudge in the case , that they which first practised this straunge kinde of nourishing , by litle and litle assayed nature , and now and then gaue harte therunto by counterpoyson preseruatiues , and so at the last , being encouraged , and farther strengthened , it was able to ouercome that parte of the poyson ; which of it selfe was deadly and turne the other into familiar nourishment , which by reason of acquaintance through custome , her nature brake which if it had ben all poyson , then as it had bin whollie & vnfit matter of nourishment , so could shee not without daunger haue borne it one howre : whereby it is manifest , that with natures arte an apt matter of producing of nourishment must needes meete for her maintenance . That which Cantharides offereth of doubt , may be sufficiently resolued by that which hath bin said of Pastinaca . The quailes feeding of Hēlock , & the other of neesing powder , moue more difficult questions , seing they make the poison holesome nourishment to themselues & yeeld their bodies , daintie dishes to our tables , notwithstanding their poysoned foode : Whereby it should seeme , that poyson it self , where a nature fitteth , therewith may be matter of holesome nourishment , for the satisfying of which obiection , we are to consider euerie parte of that we take for nourishment , is not alimentall but parte excrement , and that the greatest parte , as it appeareth by so manie alterations , and purginges , which the foode suffereth , before it be receiued of the partes of the bodie for proper nourishment ▪ so therfore ; these birdes are not sustained with that which is poysonfull in their foode , but alter it first , and then passe it into superfluous excrement ; their substance being vtterly voide of the same , and so becometh vnto vs holesome : verie well : but how is their nature able to vanquish that which is poyson : seing it is not receiued of vs without present daunger ? Diuerse reasons thereof may be alleadged , first , it is not poison vnto them , as we see some kindes of Aconites to kill dogges , some Leopardes , and some wolues , and not offensiue to our creatures : then , that it may be by excessiue heate of the mawes of such birdes , then cold poyson of Hemlock receiueth sufficient alteration to keepe of the perrill of poyson . Whereto may also be added , the reason of Galen , that because the vaines & passages of those birdes are straighte , the poyson before it assaileth the hart in the way receiueth sufficient alteration ; especially Hemlock being so cold poyson , and therefore slowe of passage in respect of it selfe , and shutting vp , and straightening of poores , by which it passeth : so to conclude this probleme , we see the sentence standeth yet sure , that nourishments are the matter of all humors , and by consequence of Melancholie , and although natures wonderfull arte appeareth in making ( as it may seeme in apparance ) one contrary to another , yet doth it not so in deede , but alwayes desireth conuenient matter to practise her naturall acte vpon : and thus much to the obiections , now to the questions themselues .