Dyets dry dinner consisting of eight seuerall courses: 1. Fruites 2. Hearbes. 3. Flesh. 4. Fish. 5. whitmeats. 6. Spice. 7. Sauce. 8. Tabacco. All serued in after the order of time vniuersall. By Henry Buttes, Maister of Artes, and fellowe of C.C.C. in C.

DYETS DRY DINNER : Consisting of eight seuerall Courses : 1. Fruites 2. Hearbes . 3. Flesh . 4. Fish . 5. whitmeats . 6. Spice . 7. Sauce . 8. Tabacco . All serued in after the order of Time vniuersall . By Henry Buttes , Maister of Artes , and Fellowe of C. C. C. in C.

Qui miscuit vtile Dulci . Cicero . Non nobis solùm nati sumus , sed Ortus nostri sibi vendicant

Printed in London by Tho. Creede , for William Wood , and are to be sold at the West end of Powles , at the signe of Tyme . 1599.

Partem Parentes TO THE RIGHT Worshipfull and vertuous Lady , the Lady Anne Bacon , sole heire to the Worship . Edward Buttes Esquire , her Father , as also to her Vncles , the right worthie Syr William Buttes Knight , and Thomas Buttes Esquire , deceased . The Name of this Booke .

A Painter ( Right worshipfull ) fain woulde make a speech to great Alexander , and ( for that being a meane man , and vnknowne to the King , small notice and lesse respect would bee had of him ) he procured Alexanders owne cloake or princely robe , and therein presented himselfe before the King . The same deuise my selfe am forced to put in practise , for being vnworthie , or at least not knowne worthie to be knowne vnto your Ladiship , I do partly cloake me with the large Mantle of common Homage : partly cloath me with the proper coate of my Ancestors : who as they were a litle nearer then my self vnto your blood , so were they much nearer to your thoughts , and better knowne vnto you . Thus hauing put on my cloake with the Painter , I begin my speech .

Madame , as the admired perfection of all excellent indowments , wherewith God hath inriched you , necessarily plucketh from the hearts of all that know you , due reuerence ; so the naturall league of mutual loue and friudship betweene your and my Ancestors , ( while they all liued togither in Norffolke ) more neerly vrgeth mee particularly to deuote my selfe vnto you . And yet not only your Ladiships proper name ( now cancelled and concealed in you , by participation of another ) is thus powerfull to commaund my thoughts ; but infinit cause ( me thinkes ) I haue , highly to respect and honour you , euen in , & by that name , which ( but for my fathers progeny stil continuing in Norffolk ) had put our name to silence . Yea , who most gladly honoureth not the glorious name of that thrise worthie and renowmed wight of famous memory , Syr Nicholas Bacon , Lord Keeper of the great seale of England , while he liued : whose magnificent bountie to our Vniuersitie , and especially to Corpus Christi Colledge ( whereof himself sometime was , as I am now ) hath purchased him a perpetuitie of glory , to be celebrated for euer a principall Benefactor . The chiefe Ofspring from this so excellent a roote ( into whom the whole acoomplishment of all that worth is transfused and deriued ) is your Ladiships rightly right Worshipfull Knight , of the same name , now liuing . Who is wel knowne to be the vndoubted heire , not only of his fathers wealth , but of his vertues and glory also . All these premised words ( excellent Lady ) inferre thus much : I most willingly acknowledge , either of you both may iustly claime interest in the Fee-simple ( or rather simple fee ) of my best indeuours , studies and praiers , for the preseruation of your health , and continuance of your life . The which least I should seeme only idlely to wish , I haue not onely bene Votary to Aesculapius , Phisickes great Grand-father , but Seruant also to Dyet , healths kindest Nourse . To whose frugall Table , I inuite your Ladiship .

But afore you come , I think it my best course to tell you what kind a feast you shall finde . In three words I describe it thus : Dyets dry Dinner . That is , varietie of Fare : prouided , prepared and ordered , at Dyets own prescription : whose seruant and Attendant at this feast I professe my selfe . Thus far ( perhaps ) not disliked of any . A Dry Dinner , not only Camnum Prandium , without Wine , but Accipitrinum , without all drinke except Tabacco , ( which also is but Dry Drinke ) : herein not like to be liked of many . What ere it be ( as he saith in the Comedie ) Habeas vt Nacta , take it as you finde it , and welcome . More then which I cannot perform . And therefore most humbly I kisse your hand .

Your Ladiships most deuoted . Henry Buttes .

Partem Amici TO MY WORSHIPfull and especiall friends , Richard Thekeston Esquire , and Elynor his Wife . The cotall Mehod .

IT is a dignitie in actiue Nature , ( Right worshipfull ) that Agens agit , vt assimulet sibi Patiens : that is , to make the passiue likewise actiue . It were an easie ( though a tedious ) taske , to note in euery one of Natures actions , Re-action . But that great labour may be greatly lessened by arguing A Minoie : by instance of the lesse actiue Eliments . For who seeth not ( but he that doth not see ) that he seeth his own face in the water , no otherwise , then by reference of the offered shape or species of his obiect countenance ? Nay the most ( if not meerely ) passiue Earth returneth notwithstanding , euen to the middle ayre , those splendent beames which formerly the Sunne conferred on it . If the sencelesse and lifelesse Eliments can thus react it , then reasonable man , hath much more reason to be conformable vnto those that worke his good . We to whom your Worships exhibite your bountie , are those same waters on which the wise Salomon biddeth you cast your bread ; in whom you see your faces , the shape and Image of your selues : for we are also men as yee be . Then ( according to your worships wonted affabilitie ) graciously embrace that conformable reaction , which your owne most hounteous fauours haue begotten in me . I haue bene passing desirous some way to intimate vnto your worships , that I am not senseles or vnmindfull , though vnworthy of your kindnesses . And therfore finding my selfe vnable to requite your greater fauours . Quod quimui quando quod volumus , non . In Item of that great good cheare I haue often bad with you , both at London and in Yorke-shire , I do semblably inuite you both to a Schollers Dinner . But where , or whither , I may not ( for I cannot ) tell you . Your Worship Sir , well remembreth that solemne inuitation at Cambridge , in Vesperijs Comitiorum ; and therefore will easily let passe this fallacian without Elench or reprehension . Neither can I hope for , at either of your hands , any vngentle or discourteous censure . It is an other kind of guest , an vnkinde guest , vnbiaden , and as bold as welcome , whom my minde presageth , some Gentleman , Sewer to some certaine Gentlewoman Semster , who more nice then wise , picketh a quarell with the order , or disorder rather ( as he weeneth ) of my Dinner ; stoutly auerring him that scrued in the courses , to be both ignorant of fashions , and void of all good customes . What ? ( quoth he ) Fruite in the first course ? Then Flesh , Fish , White-meates , and at last come in salt and spoones , spice and sauce , when all the meate is eaten ? Nay more ? Tabacco after all , vpon a full stomack . Fie , fie : Dyets Dinner ? a most grosse absurd , and preposterous banquet . May it please your Worships , this challenge must of force be answered . Therefore in vshering these my seruices , I professe my selfe a verie preuaricatour of this Ages fashion : and do follow the order of vniuersall time , by consequence and succession .

Fruites Thus much all we know , our grand parents at first sed on the fruites of Eden . and some merrily say , Adam robbed Gods Orch-yard .

Hearbes . 〈◊〉 After their exitement , they fell to Hearbes and Rootes , and ( as seculer 〈◊〉 witnesieth ) we liued a long time ( like Hogges ) with Mast or Accornes , till age taught Tillage .

Flesh . But all either could not or would not be husbandmen , therefore some went forth on hunting , some at home kept sheep and cattle : so came we to finde sauour in Flesh Which ( probably ) we did long afore we tasted Fish , Fish . since of the two , Flesh is more obuious & easie to be had . As also Fish by good reason preuented white-meates , for the simple is afore the Compound , and the Naturall afore the Artificiall .

White-meates . Therefore after Fish follow White-meates , requiring the helpe of art , and bumane inuention in tract of time .

Spice . Neither did our infinit appetite here consist contented with things necessary , but something yet was wanting to adde voluptuous delight . Wherefore wanton appetite growing weary of Natures bare and simple Ordinary , gan glycurously to banquet with all sorts of Spices and Aromatique delicates .

S●use . But eating Honny with a Ladle , it was soone cloyed with the excesse of sweetnesse : so that tart Condiments & sauces , seemed requisite to prouoke and reuoke loathing and lost appetite .

Tabacco . Thus proceded wee by degrees , from simplicitie and necessitie , to varietie and plentie , ending in luxury and superfluitie . So that at last our bodies by surfeeding , being ouerflowne and drowned ( as it were ) in a surplurisie or deluge of a superfluous rawe humour , ( commonly called Rheume ) we were to be anheled ( like newe dampish Ouens , or olde dwelling houses that haue stood long desolate ) . Hence is it that we perfume and aire our bodies with Tabacco smoake ( by drying ) preseruing them from putrifation .

May your Worships be fully satisfied with this reason of my extraordinary Dry Dinner ( to whom both it and my self are purposely deuoted ) the first dish of it ( I meane a Figge ) for the rest .

Vntil I haue in readinesse some other matter more worthie your countenance and Patronage , I most humbly take my leaue .

Your Worships Scholler , H. Buttes .

Partem Patria . To my Country-men Readers . The partiall Method .

WElcome courteous Countrey-men . I meane especially Norfolkmē . For they are true Catholiques in matter of Dyet : no Recusants of any thing that is mans meate . I bid all in general , excepting only such as are affrayed of roasted Pigge , a breast or legge of Mutton , a Ducke &c. To conclude , I forbid no man , but him onely that hath maried a wife & cannot come . No man shall loose his labour . Here are Lettuses for euery mans lips . For the Northeren-man , White-meates , Beefe , Mutton , Venison : for the Southerne man , Fruites , Hearbes , Fowle , Fish , Spice , and Sauce . As for the Middle-sex or Londoner , I smell his Diet. Vescitur aura aetheria . Here is a Pipe of right Trinidado for him . The Yorkers they will bee content with bald Tabacodocko . What should I say ? here is good Veale for the Essex-man : passing Leekes and excellent Cheese for the Welsh-man . Denique quid non ? Mary , here are neither Eg-pies for the Lancashire-man , nor Wag-tayles for the Kentish-man . But that is all one here is other good cheere enough . And what is wanting in meate , shall bee supplyed in kinde welcome and officious attendance .

Least any thing should be amisse , or missing to thee , I haue my selfe ( for fault of a better ) taken vpon me all such Offices as any way concerne this Dinner .

1 Choise . First , I am Cator : and haue prouided the very choise of such daynties as Natures Market affoordeth .

2 Vse . Secondly , I am Taster : commending each dish to thy Palate , according to his right vse and vertue . 3 Hurt . And ( since nothing is so perfectly good , as it partaketh no euill property ) I haue put into a by-dish ( like Egshelles in an Saucer ) what worthily may breed offence . Herein imitating a merry Greeke , who espying an haire in a dish of Butter , called for another dish and dished it by it self .

4 Preparatīon , or Correction . Thirdly , I play the Cooke : so preparing , seasoning , and saucing the harmefull disposition of euery meat , as it shall be either in whole abolished , or in part qualified .

Lastly , I assume the Caruers Office : and hauing noted the nature and operation of each particular dispense to euery of my Guests according to the Season , Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . his Age , and Constitution .

Thus very rudely , I obtrude vnto thee not a banquet , but a byt rather of each dish Scholler-likely , that is , badly carued . For Schollers are bad Caruers . Do thou , by thy kindly feeding on Dyets dry Dinner , but cause thy selfe to thirst for Dyets Drinking : and I shall with like alacrity , act thy Cup-bearer . Wherefore vntill thou beest Dry drunke , Fare-well .

Thy Countryman , H. Buttes .

The Authors Method comprised in Verse , by Samuel Wallsall . COme welcome Guest : s' deigne not , whateuer Wi●● Thou be , this shot-free entertainement : This Boord with Fruit , Hearbs , Flesh , Fish , Whit●● Spice , Sauce , Tabacco , and faire furniment . Fruit , suites thy Fish : Hearbs relish Flesh aright Sauce sharpens both : Spice sweetens White-meat● Fruit , Herbs , Flesh , Fish , Whit-meats , Spice , Concoct are by Tabaccos cordiall . First is here Friut ( th' Authors first-fruits ) dispred . Our Grand-sire Adam base earthes baser stime , In Paradice earths heau'n enthronized , Slakd hungers rage on Fruit-full Orchards prime . But soone as Man fro Man degendered , Tainted with blemishment of Vgly crime : Aimightie this a veng-full doome areeds , That beastly Man shall beast like graze on Weedi● Whose nicer appetite being olut of yore With nigard earths so bloodlesse caterie , Gan murdrous hand embrew in guiltlesse gore , And raunge amid the Forrests farre , and nye , And chace with winged foote the tuskie Bore , ●d blood with bloods expence full deere abye . ●or rests his thirsting soule aslackt with blood , ●ut must be drenched in the fomy Flood . ●rets out whateuer Fishes wonn ●the Maine , or in the Christall Brooke : ●sated yet , must Whit-meates feeden on , 〈◊〉 - meats addressed by Art Natures Cooke . ●lis Arabie , still Lands outgon 〈◊〉 or Esting Sunnes , or Westings looke ; 〈◊〉 Phenix-like t'embalme with Spicery . ●d to perfume Arts queinter Cookery . ●st thou keen thy blunted appetenes , ●d with Spices loathsome surfiture ? ●omacks whet-stones , tongue-tart Condimenes . 〈◊〉 thy lunges haue tane discomfiture ●assault of Rume , loe surest fence 〈◊〉 Rumes incursion ; power-full to recure ●efeebled , and reuiue the deaded spright , ●eraine Nepenthes , which Tabacco hight . ●co not to antique Sages knowne , ●rizardi that Tabacco knewen not ? ●le agreeu'd with care ? is head o'reflowns ●rinie de luge of defluxes hot , ● by stealth the neighbour parts adowne ? Whiffe , and smoke Tabaccos antidot Fom out thy kindly traunced Chimny-head , With I●dish ayre , like to Chameleon , fed .

The same man in prayse of this learnedly witty Booke . ●Ome , stead of Dieting , wont Eating dy , Paunched with gormandise , and Surquedry : Loe Buttes aright thy Legend aymes I weene . ●gend , where Natures art , Arts nature sheene : ●here man . kindes meate , meates Diet , Diets Inne ●here some Phisicke , yea summe of Phisicke bin . ●●inst common ills these writtes came well me se ▪ ●hat Well is come , Well may be Welcome deemd . These with Cates , Delices , Tabacco , Mell : ●ew to Fare well : bring Well-fare : thus Fare-well

Eiusdem ad Libri nomen allusio . ●S noctu convina ? negant hoc Prandia . Vinies ●gurges ? Sicca negant . Lurco ? Diaeta negat . Prandia vis ? Prandebis apud me . abstemia 〈◊〉 ●andia ? Sicca dabo . sana ? Diaeta dabit . ●●ndit olus Cyuicus patiens : qui hac Prandia te●n● ●n'erit Cynicus ? non , erit ille Canis .

Grace before Diets dry Dinner serued in by Time . Puer stans ad mensam . FIRST Giue ye thankes vnto the giuer , And carefull Cator of this Dinner : The sooner he will on you thinke , ●d to your Dinner send you drinke . Then loose no time : you see you● fare , Eate : I beshrew you , if you spare . ●soft and fayre : oregreedy iawes ● not their meate with decent pause . ●ke on your right hand : there standes Time ●ixt your Dinner and this rime : Meate , Drincke , and Leysure , take together , ●se ( saith olde Cronus ) come not hether . ●annerd Time th' art ouer rude , ●ixt Grace and Dinner to intrude . ●at doth olde Ribax Cronus here , ●ere is not Wine , nor Ale , not Beere ? Though here for Cronus be no Merum ●et Time ( you know ) is Edax rerum . ●is will not suffice your minde , ●pther reason you shall finde : 〈◊〉 Time brought all these courses in , 〈◊〉 they in order serued bin . 〈◊〉 then thinke not much my gentle Guest , 〈…〉

OCCVLTA VERITAS TEMPORE PATET

R S

depiction of Time discovering Truth from her cave

DYETS DRY Dinner .

Fruites .

Figges .

Choise . WHite , best : red , second : blacke , basest : full ripe , tender-skinned .

Vse . Nourish very well , and much more then other fruits : take away the stone in the reines : resist venims : quench thirst : cleanse the breast .

Hurt . Immoderately vsed , engender flatiue humors and crudities : therfore greatly annoy such as are subiect to the Collicque .

Preparation and correction . Mundified and pared : then eaten with Orenges , Pomgranats , tart meates , or condite with Vineger .

Degree . Hot in the first degrée , moist in the second .

Season . Age . Constitution . Alway in season , chiefiy in Autumne : conuenient for all ages and constitutions : least for old folkes .

Ficus . Story for Table-talke . A Ioue principium .

SOme good Scholastique Diuines , think the fruite forbidden to be bitten , Gen. 2. 17. was not an Apple but a Figge : then surely as our first parents wilfully discouered their ambitious minds by eating of the frute ; so very witlesly thought & sought they to couer their shame with an apren of the leaues , this was ( as the latine prouerbe speakes ) Ficulneum Auxilium , A Figs worth of help : therfore whensoeuer we fall to Figges , we haue occasion to remember our fal from God . This plant in it selfe very bitter , yeeldeth passing sweete fruite : transfusing indeed all his sweet iuyce into his frute , leaueth it selfe exhaust of sweetnesse , and so by consequence bitter .

Grapes .

Choise . RIpe : white , swéete : thin-skinned .

Vse , Passe quickly : bréede lesse wind , nourish very well : make fat ( with an R. some say ) coole inflammation of the Liuer : prouoke vrine and Venus .

Hurt . Cause thirst and wind : trouble the belly : immoderatly vsed , bréed Collicke passions : puffe the spléene and make it sicke : encrease defluxions in old folkes .

Correction . Eate them moderatly , and after them salt meates , Pomegranates , and such sharpe things , or condite with Vineger .

Degree . Hot in the first , moyst in the second , yet without excesse .

Season . Age . Constitution . In Autumne and the spring , for all but old folkes .

Vuae . Storie for Table-talke .

THat Grapes are verie nourishing , it is well seene by the Grape-gatherers in the time of Vintage , for they eate little or nothing else , yet growe they passing fat and corpulent .

The superexcellency of this plant and frute is inestimable , yet by the way to bee noted , in that God calleth his , Church a Vine ; the fruite or Vuae whereof , are good workes : therefore in many places of the scripture , euery vine is cursed with a Vae , wheron there are found no Vuae . Aue blesseth a , Vae curseth .

Mulberries .

Choise . BLacke : fulsome : best ripe : not corrupt by touch of any thing : gathered afore sunne .

Vse . Remedie hoarsenesse : quench thirst : supple the bodie : asswaye choller : cause appetite .

Hurt . Bréed winde : disturbe the stomacke , especially fraught with bad humours .

Correction . Kinse them first in Wine , and eate tart things after them .

Degree . Ripe , are hot and moist in the second : vnripe , cold and drie .

Season . Age . Constitution . In hot weather , for youth , chollerists , and sanguines .

Mora. Storie for Table-talke .

MOros , is Greeke for Foole : yet the Poets call this plant Prudents Morus , the wise Mulberry : because it springeth last of Trees , not till the cold byting frosts and nipping blasts of black mouthed winter are al ouer

All contradiction is reconciled , and the matter moderated by rutning Prudents Morus , Morosophus . a wise Foole . For this is the height and depth of Fooles wisedome : they haue the wit to keepe themselues out of the raine : Id est , Out of apparant danger . Which notwithstanding if one most wise Morus ( minime moros ) had bene so wise as to haue done the winter storms of angry Ioue had not nipt him on the head , or naped him rather in the neck , for speaking against the head .

This fruite was at first white , til it was dyed red with the blood of Piramus and Thisbe ,

Strawberries .

Choise . REd : ripe : faire : fragrant : Garden : set .

Vse . Asswage the boiling heate and acrimony of blood and choller . coole the liuer : quench thirst : prouoke vrine and appetite : are passing gratefull to the pallate .

Hurt . Nought for the Paisey , diseased sinows , and weak stomacks : those that growe of themselues or in woods , offend their stomacks with their sharpnesse .

Correction . Rinse and mundify them with the best wine , then eate them with a good deale of sugar .

Degree . Season . Age . Constition . Cold and dry in the first : the riper the temperater .

For hot weather , youth , chollericke , and sanguine .

Fraga . Story for Table-talke .

THey were vtterly vnknown to Antique leeches , and are indeed yet more beholding to Poets then Phisitians . They named them Fraga : neither haue they any other name , as farre as I know . The English name importeth their manner of setting in beds , not cast on heapes , but ( as it were ) strawed here and there with manifest distance .

Conradus Gesner reporteth , he knew a woman that was cured of the pimples on her face , onely by washing it with Strawberrie-water : and yet it was very homely and rudely distilled , betwixt two platters , and not in a limbeck .

Cheryes .

Choise . RIpe : sharpe : new-gashered : whose pulpe is hard , and iuyce steyneth blood-red .

Vse . Eaten fasting , or afore dinner , make soluble : passe quickly , slake thirst , coole moderately , prouoke appetite , moysten the body .

Hurt . Soone corrupt : much eaten inflate the stomacke , hurt the aged or very phlegmaticke : do the body litle good .

Correction . Eate presently after them meats of good iuyce , salt or tart .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Cold in the first , moist in the second .

For hot weather , youth , chollericke .

Cerasa . Story for Table-talke .

CHerryes take their name of the Latine Cerasa , and Cerasa of Cerasunte , a Towne in Pontus : whence Lucullus first brought them to Rome , after hee had conquered Mithridate , in the sixe hundreth and eightieth yeare of the Citie .

Cantabrigian Achademicks , may very fitly interpret Cerasunte Cherry-Hinton their neighbour Cherry-Towne . Where many Athenian Squires are so ouercome by cherryes , that they can very hardly conuey them cleanly home to Athens : and afterward are constrained to implore the ayde of Mithridate and his Cosin Triacle , in regaining to them the Castle of health .

Plums .

Choise . KIndely and throughly ripe : tender skinned : swéete and toothsome : gathered afore sunne .

Vse . Purge choller : abate heate : refresh and moisten the body : slake thirst : excite appetite : superexcellent in burning agues .

Hurt . Losen and weaken the stomack : engender watry humours in cold and weake stomacks : yéeld litle or no nourishment : hurt the aged , stuft with fleame , or such as haue the collicque .

Correction . Eate them afore meate , and eate after them Saccarum Rosatum aromaticum , or salt meats .

Degree . Cold in the beginning of the second , moist in the end of the third .

Season . Age . Constitution . For hot weather , youth , cholleticke , and sanguine .

Pruna . Story for Table-talke .

DAmascena or Damaske-prunes , are so called of Damascus in Syria , which yeeldeth your best and most commended Prune . Next in Galens iudgement , is the Spanish , sweeter then the Damaske , and not so astringent . The French with vs is of much request , for speciall vse .

Damascens of all other Plums are thought most wholesome , in so much as many are of the minde , that a good stomack can very hardly surfet of them .

Apples .

Choise . OLd , swéete , faire , ripe in any case .

Vse . Comfort the hart : quench thirst : enlarge the brest : dispatch distillations of rume : cause to spit : quiet the cough .

Hurt . Annoy weake stomacks , and diseased sinowes : especially eaten raw , or many .

Preparation . Correction . Roast , baked , stewed , powdered with sugar and aniséed comfits ; or else eate Saccarum Rosatum vpon them .

Degree . Swéet , are hot in the first , temperately moist : sower , are cold and dry .

Season . Age . Constitution . In Autumne and spring , for youth , chollericke and good stomacks .

Mala. Story for Table-talke .

AN Apples is of euill report , or at leastwise hath but an euil name amongst the Romaines : for the very name ( Malum ) signifieth euill . Hence some forbid both cheese an apples with this fallacian . Caseus est nequam , et mala sunt mala . Howbeit not origination but fortune made them Sophisters . For Mâlum ( an apple ) deriueth his line of Ancestry from the Greeke Melon , of great antiquitie , not vnknowne to Homer . Yet the obuious Notation passing plausible and more passable : because an apple was the cause or occasion of all euill : but whether it were an apple or no , fides sit penes Authores .

Peares .

Choise . THroughly ripe : swéete . Please the taste ;

Vse . cause appetite : comfort a weake stomacke : by forcing the iawes to raise and spit out fleame , proucke to the stoole .

Hurt . Bréed cold and flatulent blood : nought for the collicke .

Correction . After meate , powdered with much sugar , drinke olde wine of good sauour vpon them : or indeed , prepare them thus .

Preparation . First part them in halfes and cut out the Cores .

Then pare , salt , and cast them so out of doores .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Cold in the first , dry in the second .

In Autumne and winter , for all but the aged and rumaticke .

Pyra . Story for Table-talke .

OVr English name Peare , comes of the Latine Pyrum or Pyrus , and Pyrus of Pyramis , because both the Peare-tree and the Peare it selfe also , somewhat resemble that figure or proportion : yet inversim , if they be compared . For the Peare-tree aspireth and riseth with a kinde of Conus in the top : the Peare ( Contrâ ) pointeth toward the stalke ; and his broad crowne reprefenteth the basis .

The Italians call their chiefe or best Peare Bergmot . Mot is a Peare , and Berkg signifies Lord or Master in the Turkish tongue , whence they borrowed it . As we say a Pome-roy from the French .

Aprecocks .

Choise . THe greatest : best coloured : ripe : whose inward kernels are passing swéet , and comes easily from the shell : pleasant in taste .

Vse . Quench thirst : whet the stomack : the kernel kils wormes .

Hurt . Instale the stomacke : soone corrupt : possesse the blood with much water , and make it soone putrifie .

Correction . Eate after them Anyse-séedes , meates well salted or spiced , and old cheese : drinke old wine of good sauour vpon them .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Cold and moist in the second .

About the end of May , or beginning of Iune , for youth , such as abound with choller or blood , and haue strong stomacks .

Mala Armeniaca . Story for Table-talke .

SO cald in Latine of Armenia : whence they were first transplanted ; in Greeke Bericoccia , in Latine Praecocia , or Praematura . Id est . Soone ripe , or first ripe : for they offer themselues about the end of the spring . Hence we call a ripe-headed young boy , a princock . Horace saith ; Non amo puerum praecocis ingeni . Id est . I loue no Aprecocks . And so on the contrary , a Cockni is inuerted , being as much , as Incoct , vnripe . Other deriue Apricock of Apricum , because it ripeneth best in Aprico .

Now as Aprecocks be soone ripe , so ( according to the old rule ) soone rotten . And though Galen saith , Aprecocks be not so obnoxious to corruption as the Peach , yet experience giues him the lye .

Peaches .

Choise . OF a good colour ; fragrant smell , and pleasant taste ; ripe : such as come easily from their stone .

Vse . Mend the euill sauour of the breath arising from the stomacke : their smell is wondrous good in cordiaque passions .

Hurt . Being soft , moist , and flatulent , they engender humours very subiect to corruption : euil for old , flegmaticke and weake stomackes .

Correction . Eate them alwaies fasting , and drinke a cup of the best wine , most fragrant , and well aromatized .

Degree . Cold in the first , moist in the second .

Season . Age . Constitution . For youth , chollerists , and sanguines .

Mala persica . Story for Table-talke .

CAld Persica of Persia . Persiques . Therfore haue we notoriously impeached their name , as we do all other deriuatiues indeed . For in stead of Persiques , we say Peaches . But no great matter for the name : that will neuer feed or fill our mawes . As he said , Voca panem lapidem et da mihi lapidem .

Those Peaches , whose meate cleaueth fast to the stone , are commended of some , as also , such as seeme friezed ouer with a thinne downe , like a Quince . But questionlesse both these , are of last and least request .

Orenges .

Choise . WAightie : full ripe : sad coloured : twixt sweete and sower .

Vse . The sweete open obstructions ; are good for melancholists , and such as be subiect to distillations : the middle sort are good in Agues , and recall appetite .

Hurt . The exquisitly swéet are too hot ; the sower coole , and offend the stomack : stuffe the belly : constraine the brest , and arteries .

Correction . Therefore eate but litle of them : after them Orenge pils condite , which are good for the stomacke .

Degree . The sower are cold in the first , moist in the second ; the sweet temperately hot : the middle cold and temperately drie .

Season . Age . Constitution . The sweete are good euen for old folkes : the sower in hot weather , for youth , chollerists and sanguine .

Mala Aurantia . Story for Table-talke .

THe flowers of this plant are siluer-coloured ; and from them is distilled a water surpassing all other in fragrancy and sweete smell . The leaues are in colour like an Emeraud : The fruite like Golde . Whence they are called Aurantia of Aurum , gold in Latine ; and in Greek Chrysomêla , golden apples . In English properly and truly Aurange , but we haue both them and their name by tradition from the French . So wee both speake and write it Orenge .

Limons .

Choise . SMelling like a Citron : best ripe of good colour : a day or two gathered .

Vse . The iuyce is good sauce to prouoke appetite : stayeth casting : breaketh grosse humours : re●●steth pestilenticall feuers : good for the stone : nourisheth not at all .

Hurt . Excessiuely cooleth the stomack : causeth collicque-passions , leanenesse , and melancholious humours : hurteth the aged , phlegmaticke , and cold stomacks .

Correction . Used moderately and seldome without the rinde : laide in water : condite with sugar .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Cold and drie in the second .

Onely for hot weather , youth , and chollericke .

Malum Limonium . Storie for Table-talke .

THe Citron , Limon , and Orenge , growe especially on the sea-coasts of Italy : and in the Adriatique and Tyrrhene Ilandes . They were brought first out of Media into these parts , and thence are they called , Mala Medica .

They beare fruite all the yeare long , some at the same time ripe and falling off , other but now budding and sprouting forth .

All say a Limon in Wine is good : some thinke a Leman and Wine better .

Quinces .

Choise . RIght Quinces : small : dimpled or dawked : mosie : most swéetly fragrant : best ripe .

Vse . Recreate the heart : comfort , strengthen , and close the mouth of the stomacke : staie fluxes .

Hurt . Eaten rawe , or ouergréedily afore meate , hurt the sinowes : procure to many collicke passions , but being exquisitly ripe .

Correction . Boyled verie well with hony : boyled , and then powdered with store of sugar , or a grain of muske : or made in Marmalat , and eaten in the last course .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Cold in the first , drie in the beginning of the second .

In haruest , and winter , for any .

Malum Cydonium . Storie for Table-talke .

CAld in Latine Cydonium of Cydone , a Castle in Crete . Also Cotoneum , because clad in a sute of white thin Cotten . As for our English name , I finde as litle sauour in it , as in an vnripe raw Quince . In Galens time , Quince was brought out of Syria to Rome .

Simeon Sethi , counselleth women with child to eat many quinces , if they desire to haue wise children .

Pomegranats .

Choise . SWéete : ripe : big : with great kernels : whose rinde comes easily off : the sharpe full of iuyce

Vse . The swéete , excite Venus : go●● for the stomacke , brest , cough : the sharpe , for hot liuers and agues .

Hurt . The swéet bréed wind and heat , naught in feuers : the sharp offend the teeth and gummes ; constraine the brest ; naught for old folkes .

Correction . Eate the kernelles of both together .

Degree . The swéete are temperatly hot and moyst : the sower colde , and somewhat binding .

Season . Age . Constitution . The swéet in winter , for all : she sharpe in sommer for youth , and chollerists .

Malum punicum se granatum . Storie for Table-talke .

CAlled Punicum , because brought out of Affricke , from Carthage . It may now be called Malum Tu●itū , for that which was Carthage , is now Tunis , Granatum , or Pomegranate , of his multitude of grains or kernels , not of Granata or Granado in Spaine , as some fondly cōceit it : but rather Malum Grana●um was god-father to the realme of Grando : for they beare a Pomegrant in their Eschutcheon .

If one eate three small Pomegranate flowers , ( they say ) for an whole yeare he shall be safe from all maner of eye-sore .

Citron .

Choise . FVll ripe , a great faire one , that grew in an hot Country : some time gathered .

Vse . Best preserueth against poyso●● the rinde mendes concoction , and commends the breath .

Hurt . Slowe of concoction : annoyeth hot braines : eaten at night , causeth dizinesse .

Correction . Condite with sugar , and eaten not afore meate , or with meate , but alone , and fragrant violents , or new Saccarum Rosatum , presently after .

Degree . The rinde and séed are hote and dry in the second , the pulpe or meat cold and moyst : she sower is colde and drie in the third .

Season . Age . Constitution . Condite with sugar , for all , at al times : raw , for none , at no time .

Malum Citrium . Story for Table-talke .

THe bigger Citrons , though they be fairer to see too , yet those that growe in Italy about the Laque Benacus , surpasse in taste .

The decoction of Citron , held in the mouth , commendeth the breath .

The rind laid amongst cloaths , keepeth them from moth-eating : and smelt on , preserueth in time of pestilence , or corrupt aire .

The Citron is the Embleme of Loue , & Loues delightfull paines or painefull delightes . A bitter sweete , an Oxymel or Glycypicron .

Citrull Cucumbers

Choice . LOng : thicke : best ripe : yellow , like a ripe Orenge .

Vse . Excéedingly cooleth an hote stomacke : quencheth thirst : appeaseth choller .

Hurt . Is hard of digestion : engendreth flearue & clammy humours , which soone after proue virulent , but in a stomacke hote aboue measure : p●●son to a cold stomacke .

Correction . Eate it with Onions , Oraggon wort , Mint , Rewe , Pepper , and such other very hot things .

Degree . Colde in the ende of the second ; moist in the end of the third .

Season . Age . Constitution . Bad nourishment , for any season , age , or constitution .

Cucumis citrulus . Storie for Table-talke .

THe best vse of Citrull Cucumber is this . Pare off the rinde , and cut the Cucumer into thin broad sliees , & lay them in water . Then apply them to the tongue of one sicke of a burning ague : it shall do him great case . If you seeth them first with sugar , all the better ; for by this means they quench his thirst , mitigate the scalding heate of the feauer : and in place of siccitie or drought continually instill a verie gratefull liquor , with which the tongue , palate , throate , and drie soule of the patient , is wondrously suppled and refreshed .

Medlars .

Choise . GReat : full and plumpe : with litle kernels : rightly ripened or mellowed .

Vse . Good against drinkenesse , 〈◊〉 , casting , pleasing to the stomack , especially to women with childe .

Hurt . Slowly concocted : hinder the concoction of other meates : ou●● much vsed ouetlay the stomack .

Correction . Eate P●nid●●e , Sacra●um Volarum , Sugar Candid , ●iey●●s , or such other pectorals after them .

Degree . Cold and drie in the first .

Season . Age . Constitution . For winter , youth , thollerists , and strong stomackes .

Mespila . Storie for Table-talke . Meddle not with Medlers .

THis Fruite ripeneth verie slowly : the flowers & leaues are of a binding nature .

Such hurt as commeth by eating Medlars , the like also ensueth by dealing and medling with medlers or common smatterers : they are hard and dry meat , hardly digested : not soone brought to any reasonable order : besides , they hinder , disturbe , and interrupt the course , and orderly proceeding of other mens matters : and if you deale much with them , they wil extremely irck , & loath you .

Seruices .

Choise . PLump : best ripe : not corrupt : hung vp , or kept a while in strawe .

Vse . Taken afore meate , stay fluxes and immoderate casting : taken after meate , strengthen the stomack , mend the breath .

Hurt . Much hinder concoction : immoderatly vsed , burthen the stomack : bréed litle , cold , grosse , and melancholious iuyce .

Correction . Eaten after meate , moderately , and after them , an hony-combe .

Degree . Cold in the first , drie in the second , verie astringent .

Season . Age . Constitution . An Autumne and Winter , for youth , and hot constitutions .

Sorba . Storie for Table-talke .

THe Soruice and Medlar , are much alike in nature , taste , and operation .

Plinie , li. 15. cap. 21. noteth foure differences of them , arising from their forme and fashion . None of them all fructifie , vntill they be three yeares old .

Cato willeth vs to condite them in the decoction of new Wine .

A Lotion of their decoction , straiteneth the matrice .

Galen vtterly forbiddeth them as meate , commendes them for good astringent phisicke .

Hasil Nuts .

Choise . GReat ones : little couered with their huske : ful of iuyce : not worme eaten : nor any way contaminate .

Vse . Nourish more then Walnuts : encrease braine : sodden with hony , cure an olde cough : toūed and eaten with pepper , ripen the distillations of reume .

Hurt . Annoy the stomacke : hard of concoction : windie : engender much choller : cause headach , it much eaten .

Correction . Eate them new , macerated a while in water : moderately , and after them , meates condite with sugar .

Degree . The gréene or new , are temperate in the first qualitie : the old or drie , are hot and drie in the ende of the first .

Season . Age . Constiution . In winter for yong , strong , and laborious persons .

Avellanae . Story for Table-talke .

AVellanae of Avellanū , a towne in Campania : or else à Vellendo , because any may haue them for the plucking or gathering . The Greekes call them Ponticae , for that ( as saith Pliny ) they were first brought out of Pontus .

Nut in English , of Nux the Latine : and Nux à Nocendo , because it annoyeth all other plantes or hearbes that are subiect and obnoxious to his leaues-dropping .

All hard or shell-fruite , are called Nuces : all soft or pulp-fruite , Poma .

Melons , commonly called Pompions .

Choise . OF most exquisit sauour : pleasant to the palate : new : ripe .

Vse . Quench thirst : cause appetite : coole sensibly : cleanse the bodie : prouoke vrine : daily vse of them , preserueth from the stone in the bladder and reines .

Hurt . Bréede winde and belly-ache : naught for collick , splenticke , aged , phlegmaticke , melancholicke .

Correction . Eaten with old Chéese , falt or tart meates , and a cup of briske Wine .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Cold in the beginning of the second , moist in the third .

For yong and hot bloods .

Melones seu Melopepones . Story for Table-talke .

ANguria , which Galen calleth Melopepon , of Melon and Pepon : because it is not distinguished with stemmes , as the single Melon or Pumpion is ; but round and smooth like an Apple . Also it s eaten together with the inwards of it , which the Pumpion is not : yet retaineth it the smell and sauour of the Pumpion .

This fruite is the greatest or biggest of all Hearbes or Trees . That it hath a scouring and clensing properly , its euident in that if you rub any part of the body with it , it becommeth much the brighter and cleaner .

Walnuts .

Choise . BIg : long : ripe : easily shaled : especially new , not rotten .

Vse . Repaire decaied téeth : eaten with Figges and rewe , saue from mortall venims , and kill wormes in the belly .

Hurt . Immoderately vsed , hurt the throate , pallate , and tongue , stuffe the breast ; cause the cough and headach , especially if they be dry .

Correction . Eate them new ; stéeped in wine , and then pilled : a small quantitie , and with a litle garlicke : old , with raysons , or after fish , in stead of chéese .

Degree . The dried are hot in the third , dry in the beginning of the second : the gréene are excéedingly moist , and partake litle heate .

Season . Age . Constitution . In winter for phlegmatick , melancolicque , & old , not straight brested .

Nuces Iuglandes . Story for Table-talke .

IVglandes , quasi Iouis glandes . Ioues Acornes . For when our grand-forefathers had a long time liued with Acornes , at last finding Nuts , they called them Ioues Acornes , for their excellencie . Therein apppeared their thankfull hearts for any benifit receiued at Gods hands , by acknowledging God the author and bestower of it . Contrary to the base humour of many muck-borne Scarab-flyes , and earth-rooting hogges of this age ; who are content to eate of Ioues Acornes , but like swine as they are , neuer lift vp their eyes to the tree whence they fall .

Pine-Nuts or pine Apples .

Choise . OF Orchard pines ; femall : of best sauour , very new .

Vse . Nourish much : fat : cleanse the brest , lights , reynes , and bladden sodden with honey , prouoke vrine , restore the weake , consume all corrupt humours : good for the short winded , and paraliticke .

Hurt . Concoct somewhat slowly : make but grosse iuyce : much eaten , grow the stomack and belly .

Correction . Macerated hot the space of an houre , giue them with sugar to old and phlegmaticke , with honey to youth and chollericke .

Degree . Hot in the beginning of the second : moist in the first .

Season . Age . Constitution . In cold we ather , for the foresaid , as aforesaid .

Pineae . Story for Table-talke

IF the tops of the pinetree be once lopped off , it neuer bears fruite , nor prospereth after . Whence it was that Croesus threatned the Citizens of Lampsacum , that he would destroy them like a Pine-tree : meaning he would cut off all their heads , or else slay all their heads , Id est , their gouernors & magistrates , which done , the citie like a lopped Pine shuld pine away and come to nought . Pine Nuts much augment seed , especially if three or foure drops of their oile be put into a soft egge and so sooped off .

Pistake Nuts .

Choise . GReat : Smelling like Turpentine : of old trees : of a sadde gréene colour : most new .

Vse . Purge the brest : strengthen the reynes and stomacke : open obstructions of the liuer : stay disposition to vemit : heale the biting of serpents : preuoke Venus wondrously .

Hurt . Though they fat , yet nourish litle : vnholsome for boyes , and hot constitutions : for they extenuate , inflame the blood , and bring dizinesse .

Correction . Eate them immediatly afore meate , with Orenges , or Saccarum Rosatum .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and dry in the second order of the second degree .

In cold weather , for flegmatists .

Pistacia . Story for Table-talke .

MAthiolus holdeth this plant to be a kind of Terebinth , or Turpentine : it groweth in Aegypt & Syria . Thence brought to Venice : a few yeare since they haue fructified in Sicily . The Husbandmen say , it growes of an Almond-tree Imp , inserted to a Mastick stock .

Lucius Vitellius Censor , first brought Pistakes into Italy , in the beginning of Tiberius Caesars raigne , when he was Embassadour into Syria .

Dates .

Choise . SWéete : ripe within : some and vncorrupt .

Vse . Make sat : good for the ●●er : cure the cough : loose the belly .

Hurt . Hurt the téeth and mouth : cause gripings in the stomacke , and scalles to breake out : gnaw the bottome of the belly : plague the head with ache : obstruct the liuer , splene and veynes .

Correction . Eaten sodden or condite with sugar : or rawe with sewer and taxt in meates after them .

Degree . Season . Age . Constiution . Hot in the second , moist in the first .

For no season , age , or constitution , but well sugard .

Dactyli . Story for Table-talke .

PAlme or Date-trees are most rife in AEgyt and Iudea . In Italy the fruite neuer ripeneth throughly : in the coasts of Spaine they are sower and vnsauoury . There are 49. sundry kindes of Palme-trees numbred and noted by writers , so different , that they may scarce seeme to be al Palmes .

This tree is of a most asspiring nature : it will beare no coales . It resisteth all burden , bearing it vpward with his armes & boughs : Therefore is it an Hieroglyphick or Embleme of victory and conquest .

Almonds .

Choise . SWéet : new : not corrupt by vnseasonable weather : that grew in an hot soile .

Vse . Yéeld store of nourishment : fat : helpe the sight : encrease seed , and braine : fetch vp fleame : purge the breast : cause sléepe : open obstructions of the liuer .

Hurt . Ouer-dry , they are hard of concoction ; stick long in the stomacke : cause headach .

Correction . Holsome , being tender and full of milke , blaunched ; with a good deale of sugar .

Degree . The swéete are temperately hot and moist almost in the first : the bitter are drie in the second .

Season . Age . Constitution . For all seasons , ages , constitutions .

Amygdalae . Story for Table-talke .

AMygdala the Greeke name , signifieth as much as the long Nut : some call it Nu●lica .

It prospereth best in hot countries , and therfore better in Apulia and Sicily , then in Italy , Spaine or Fraunce .

The tree and fruite both much resemble the Peach : yet somewhat bigger .

Phillis was turned into an Almond-tree , for telling tales out of schoole : euer sithence , it hath bene a by-word : an Almond for the Parrat : which least it be applied to me , I will leaue my prating .

Chestnuts .

Choise . BIgge : which by being kept , are growne more toothsome , and lesse vnholsome .

Vse . Being flatulent incite Ve●●● yéeld strong and very good nourishment , step flures taken with sugar , abate choller , with honey , fleame , wrought with honey and sugar , cure the biting of mad dogs .

Hurt . Eaten much cause headach and winde : binde : and rawe are hart of digestion .

Correction . Toast or roast them , then eate them moderately with a good deale of sugar .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot in the beginning of the second , drie in the second .

In cold weather , for any .

Castaneae . Story for Table-talke .

CAstanea quast casta nux . Chestnut , Chastnut : say some . I knowe not vpon what ground . I am sure not by a metonimie of the cause . For being flatulent , it prouokes lust : yea further . this nut in his huske much resembleth Testes , the instruments of lust . So that some deuide this Nut not as other Nuts . In Nucem et ●ucleuns . But In Testam et Testes . The enucleating of it , they call castrating or gelding . So then by this reason , it is not Casta nux , till it be Nux castrata . Id est . Testa si●e testibus , I 'le bee his witnesse , he is chaste with a witnesse .

Oliues :

Choise . GRéene : best condite : such 〈◊〉 grew in sun-shine : gre●● ones : as are at Bonom● which being naught to make o●● of , are condite , becomming mo●● sauoury and toothsome .

Vse . Cleanse the stomacke of flea●● prouoke appetite : stay casting .

Hurt . Cause watchfulnesse and he●● ach : or much eaten , stuffe the hea●● especially the salted .

Correction . Eate them well condite , w●● vinegar , at the second course , w●● other meats .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . The salt are hot in the second the rest temperate , somewhat 〈◊〉 stringent and strengthening .

In cold weather , for any .

Oliuae . Storie for Table-talke .

OLea is the tree . Oliua the fruite : Oleum the iuyce or oyle . The Oliue was an Embleme of peace , euer since the Doue brought an Oliue leafe in her mouth into Noahs Arke .

The Spanish Oliues are bigger then the Italian . Yet the Italians , especially they of Bonony , condite them far better then the Spaniards . Besides that , the Spanish haue an od vnsauory smell , and looke yellow , vnpleasant to the eye .

Wash the mouth with their pickle ; it closeth the gums , and fastneth the loose teeth .

Cappars .

Choise . COndite in vinegar , which art not so hot as the salted .

Vse . Very good for the short winded and splenaticke : prouoke Venus , and monthly flure : cure the Haemorhoids : kill wormes : passing good for a moist and phlegmaticke stomacke .

Hurt . Cause thirst , especially the salted , which also inflame the entralls .

Correction . Vse the salted rather for phisicke then meate , rinse them well in water first : the condite in Vinigar are to be eaten afore other meals like sallets , with oyle , raisons of the sun , or Opymell .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . The salted are hot in the second , dry in the third : the other hot in the first , dry in the second .

For cold season , age , constitution .

Cappares . Storie for Table-talke .

THe plant it selfe is a prickly shrub , the braunches falling to the grounde , somewhat like a Bramble or Briar .

Cappars are ( to say the truth ) rather sauce or medicine , then nourishment or meate , especially the salted : or if they yeelde any nourishment , it is passing little , not passing good .

The best Cappars are thought to be brought from Geneua . Cappars in dyet , and Capers in dauncing , serue both for relish .

Gourde .

Choise . NEw : tender : gréene : light : swéete .

Vse . Helpeth the chollericke , by quenching thirst : sodden with veriuyce , cooleth the liuer .

Hurt . Hurteth the cold & flegmaticke : bréedes winde , and wheyish humors : weakeneth the stomacke : yéelds bad iuyce .

Correction . Eate it with pepper , mustard , vineger , or hot hearbes , as onions , and parsley .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Cold and moyst in the second .

For hot weather , youth , and hot temperatures .

Cucurbita . Storie for Table-talke .

THe Poet ( as his chiefe pride resteth in hitting the nayle on the head with a quainte Epithitae ) called the Onion , Sapientissima cepa . That is , most wise . The Gourd , Voracissima Cucurbita : that is , most rauenous . His reason was , the Onion is all head , and the Gourd all belly . The Radish hearing this , steppeth in , and tels the Poet he was deceiued .

For ( saith he ) the Onion wanteth wit , and the Gourd wanteth teeth .

Pease

Choise . CRéene : new : tender : not corrupt .

Vse . Please the taste : mundifie the brest : cure the cough : yeeld singular good nourishment .

Hurt . Hurt euil teeth , and whom soeuer winde annoyeth .

Preparation . Dresse them well with salt , oile , pepper , and the iuyce of sower hearbes . Oyle of Almonds is good condiment for them .

Degree . Colde in the first , temperately moist .

Season . Age . Constitution . For hot seasons , youth , chollerists .

Pisa . Storie for Table-talke .

PEase are either wilde or tame . The wilde do differ in kinde ; but one kind of them is called euerlasting pease , because their roote neuer dieth : but being once sowne or planted , so continueth for euer , yeelding fruite in due season .

Pease are much of the nature and operation of Beanes , but lesse windie , as saith Hippocrates : And our common prouerb accordeth , speaking somewhat homely : Euery pease wil haue a fease : but euerie beane , fifteene .

Beanes .

Choise . GReat : pure : bright : without spots : not worme-eaten : yong and tender .

Vse . Cause sleepe : restraine the Migram , fat the bodie .

Hurt . Bréed much winde : dull the senses : cause terrible dreames .

Preparation . Huske them with salt and Maioram : and séeth them asunder .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Cold in the first , drie in the second .

Best in cold weather , for grosse and homely feeders .

Fabae . Storie for Table-talke .

TOng-tying Pytagor , biddeth vs tie vp our chaps also from eating of Beanes . A Fabis abstineto . Wherein Iudicious Antiquaries say , there is much mysterie , and therefore diuersly interpret it . Simeon in his Dyet Booke saith Pythagor , forbad them , for that they cause turbulent & fearfull dreames . Other referre it to their flatulencie , whereby they prouoke to lechery . Other expound it mystically , & not according to the grammaticke sense : therein shewing much reading , if not wit . But to gather togither their gatherings , were to send my wit a woolgathering , and indeed to contend de lana caprina .

Rize .

Choise . BRight and cleare kernels , like Pearles Margarite : such as swell in seething .

Vse . Wonderfully asswage the burning heate of the stomacke : encreaseth séed : stops fluxes .

Hurt . Bad for the Collicke : for being of a clammy and glewish nature , it sticketh too long in the guts : and breeds some winde .

Preparation . Séeth it in Cowes milke , or in the creame or oyle of swéete Almonds .

Degree . Hot in the first , dry in the second : temperatly saith Auicens and Rhasis .

Season . Age . Constitution . In winter , for youth and labourers .

Oriza . Storie for Table-talke .

RIze is sowne in a moyst and lowe ground .

Frumentie made of Barley , is moister then Rice , & yeeldeth singular good nourishment to the bodie , verie holesome for the sicke . You may much meliorate your Rice , both for nourishment & toothsomenesse , by seething it in fat flesh-broath , or in passing good Cowes morning milke . Sodden with Oyle or Butter , it relinquisheth his astringent qualitie .

The Painters Prouerbe . Manum de Tabula .

THat is , ( as present occasion interpreteth ) no more Table-talke . The reason hereof ( as I gesse ) may be these .

First and principally , except I speake wiselyer .

Secondly , the consequent is like to proue barren , for Certs fruitles ; for all the fruite is antecedent .

Thirdly and lastly , it 's Dinner-time , so that if more time be spent in prating , my Dry Dinner will not be ready in due time . Quod omnium rerum est primum .

These reasons would binde any man , any reasonable man to the peace . Yet for all this , presuming vpon your fauourable estimates , who are wise , Et nostis os adolescentiae quàm sit impudens , I am purposed to proceed in my perpetuall paralell of paraphrase . The which I desire , it may be serued in amongst the rest of the dishes , and be tasted also , but yet of such onely as are of eager appetite . If any be desirous to know what a man may call it , surely I can thinke of no fitter name then an hasty pudding . For I protest , in so great haste I composed it , that when a friend of mine came into my chamber , and suddenly surprising me , asked what I was making , I as not minding what he ask't , or what I answerd , tolde him in my haste , that I made haste .

Hearbs

Sage .

Choise . GArden , or set , the lesser sort : the litle leaues of it .

Vse . Good against the paulsie and quiuering of the ioynts , procéeding of a cold cause : conforteth the head , braine , senses , and memorie .

Hurt . Annoyeth melancholicke persons by ouer-drying them : also the hot and chollericke , by ouer-heating and burning them .

Correction . Eate it in sallets with other cold and moist hearbes : as Lettuse : or with moist meates .

Degree . Hot and drie in the beginning of the third , or in the verie end of the second : somewhat astringent .

Season . Age . Constitution . In winter and the spring , for old , cold , and phlegmaticke .

Saluia . Storie for Table-talke .

MAny do much extoll Sage , calling it an holy Hearbe , auerring that it preuenteth all abortument in women . They counsell a woman the fourth day of her going abroad after childe-birth , to drinke nine ounces of Sage iuyce with a little salt , and forthwith to vse the company of her husbant .

The holesomenesse of Sage-ale is notoriously famous .

Heywoods merry wit noted two kindes of Sage , not named in our Herbals : Sages wise : Sage foole .

Foenill or Finckle .

Choise . GArden : young ( if you eate it gréene ) : full ripe ( if you keepe it ) sodden with the rootes and tender stalkes .

Vse . Doth make store of milke : prouoke vrine and monthly flur , open obstructions , purge the reines wondronsly , helpe the sight .

Hurt . Attenuate and inflame the blood , neither sodden nor rawe , is easie of digestion , especially eaten much .

Correction . A litle : yong : laied a while in cold water .

Degree . Season Age . Constitution . Hot in the second ( many say in the third ) dry in the first : very opening .

For any time , age , or constitution , least for youth and chollerists .

Foeniculus . Story for Table-talke .

SNakes & Serpents by eating of Foenill renew their age , and repaire their decaied sight by rubbing their eyes with it . Wherfore it is vsed of vs to the like purposes . There is a bad propertie in the seede , to breede poysonous wormes , whose poyson is curable by no Antidot . Therefore afore they be eaten , they must be opened and carefully purged .

Sparage .

Choise . HOme : lately sowne : the tep now bowing to the ground-ward .

Vse . Doth open obstructions of the reines and liuer : make soluble : prouoke vrine and Venus .

Hurt . Eaten cold , disposeth to domit : and through his bitternesse , greatly increaseth choller in collericke stomackes .

Correction . Is boyled , and ( the first decoction cast out ) condite with Oyle , Vineger , Pepper , and salt .

Degree . Hotte in the first : temperately moist .

Season . Age . Constitution . For any age , or temperature : chiefly for old and cold .

Asparagi . Story for Table-taske .

DIoscorides saith , that Sparage causeth barrennesse : but it is not probable , sithence it nourisheth very much , and manifestly prouoketh Venus .

It is very soone sodden : and therefore Caesar speaking of any thing , that was soone done , had this prouerbe vsually in his mouth . Citiùs quàm Asparagi coquantur ; Id est ; Sooner then Sparage can be sodden . As much in effect , as , while you can say , what 's this ? in the turne of an hand : in the twinckling of an eye .

Spinache .

Choise . VEry yong : growing in a wel manured and fat soyle , watred from aboue .

Vse . Doth enlarge the breast : cure the cough : moderately coole the lungs : make the belly soluble , & the weasand smooth .

Hurt . Is verie windie : annoyeth the stomacke : engenders watry humours in a cold stomacke .

Correction . Fried with it owne iuyce , without water : then condite with Oile , Sorrel-iuyce , and Raysons of the sun .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Cold and moyst in the first .

For any age or constitution : especially youth and chollerists .

Spinachia . Storie for Table-talke .

SOme will needes haue this hearbe , a bred & natiue Spaniard : and therefore miscall it , Spagnaeci . But they much abuse it , for the Arabians called it Sphinache : the reason of the name is obuious : because the seed thereof is Spinosum . That is , prickly . The iuyce of Spinache drunke , cureth any wound receiued of a Scorpion . Therefore it is of much request in Italy .

Artichokes .

Choise . THiffle or prickly . Artichokes , comming of Artichoke : tender .

Vse . Please the taste : prouoke vrine and Venus : remoue flatiue humours : open obstructions : heate the entralls .

Hurt . The Thistle is somewhat flatulent ; annoyeth the head : burdneth the stomacke : Artichoke is not so hurtfull .

Correction . The Thistle sodden , or raw , is eaten in the last course , with salt and pepper : Artichokes are boyled in Pottage , and eaten as the Thistle .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot in the second , dry in the first .

The sodden are preferred afore the raw : for cold season , age , constitution .

Cardui seu Cinarae . Story for Table-talke .

THe Thistle or prickly Artichoke , differeth from the plaine or common Artichoke , onely by certaine prickles vpon the stalke . The Italian most esteemeth of the Thistle .

In former times they were to be had no where but in Sicily ; now euery where .

Theophrastus calleth them Pinei , because they somewhat resemble Pine-apples , consisting of many skales , compacted Globe-wise .

Lettuse .

Choise . THick , commonly called Cabbage Lettuse : growing in a fat soyle : afore it swell with milke : not washt in water .

Vse . C●●s●● of digestion : the best of pot-hearbes , increaseth milke : procureth sleepe : states the running of the reines : all wageth heate in the stomacke , especially eaten with vineger .

Hurt . Dimmeth the sight : quencheth naturall heate : corrupteth the seed : causes barrennesse : mortifieth venus : makes the bodie sluggish : weakeneth the stomacke .

Correction . Eaten with Mint , Rewe , and 〈◊〉 hearbes : sodden , rather then rawe : vnwasht : good Wine drunke vpon it .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Cold and moyst in the second .

In hot weather , for youth , verie chollericke , and hot stomackes .

Lactuca . Storie for Table-talke .

GAlen commendeth Lettuse thus : in a yong man , it abateth the burning heat of his stomack : vnto an old man it causeth sleepe . In olde time they ate Lettuse after supper , to represse vapors arising from the stomack to the braine , and to dispose them selues to sleepe . For they vsed to dine very sparingly , but supped largely .

Aristoxenes Cyraenaeus , watred his Lettuses with Mead , to make them bigger and sweeter .

Lactuca a lacte quasi Lactoca , because it breeds milk in women , saith Martiall .

Endiue .

Choise . GArden : tender : not yet milky sauouring most swéetly .

Vse . Asswageth inflammation and thirst : prouokes vrine & appetite ; especially in hot weather .

Hurt . Bad for the Palsie ; quiuering of the ioynts , and cold stomacks : somewhat sloweth concoction .

Correction . Eaten with Nip , the stalkes of Mint , Rew , and such hot hearbs .

Degree . Cold in the beginning of the second : moist in the end of the first .

Season . Age . Constitution . In hot weather for youth , chollericke , sanguine , and very hot stomacks .

Intubus . Story for Table-talke .

ENdiue is much of the nature and operation of Lettuse .

The wilde Endife is not so cold or moist as the Garden or homegrowing , and hath a more sharpe and vigorous taste .

The wilde Endife is curled and crisped somewhat like to Cabbage Lettuse , but much bigger .

Borage .

Choise . COmmonly vsed , is that verie Buglosse of old . This therfore taken with the leaues ,

Vse . Wondrously cleanseth the blood : recreateth & exhilerateth the heart and spirits , especially put in wine : strengtheneth all the entrals : very good for such as are in recouery .

Hurt . Correction . Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Somewhat hard of digestion : greatly annoyeth sore mouthes .

Séeth it in very good flesh broath .

Cold and moist in the first .

For any season , age , or temperature .

Borago . Story for Table-talke .

APuleius writeth , that they of Lucania calleth this Buglosse Corage , because it hath an apparant sympathy and notable affinitie with the affects of the heart . Whence in tract of time the name is depraued : and B. put for C. Surely it is a most excellent hearbe , and of speciall vse . It hath this peculier vertue , that laied in Wine it strengthneth and cheareth the heart , putting merry conceits into the minde .

Succory .

Choise . WIth blew flowers : following the sunne : therefore called Heliotropium : tender : the tops of it .

Vse . Very much helpes an inflamed stomacke : without all measure openeth the obstructions of the liuer .

Hurt . Hurteth a weake and cold stomacke : makes litle and bad nourishment .

Correction . Eaten boiled , in sallets , with 〈◊〉 and vinegar : or raw , with Nip and such hot hearbs .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Cold in the first ; dry in the second .

Conuement alwaies , ( best in sommer for youth and hot constitutions .

Cichorium . Story for Table-talke .

IT hath bene , and yet is , a thing which superstition hath beleeued ; that the body anoynted with the iuyce of Cichory , is very auaileable to obtaine the fauour of great persons : howsoeuer , it is of a most opening nature , and maketh way or free passage in the body by taking away al obstructions and opilations .

The leaues of Succory brused , are very good against inflamation of the eyes , being outwardly applied .

Hoppe .

Choise . THe first buds , or yong braunches shooting from the roote , not yet least , of a tender and slender stalke .

Vse . Not only engenders singular good humours , but also reduceth them into an equall and due temper : strengtheneth all the entrals : makes pure and refined blood .

Hurt . Somewhat flatulent : stuffeth the bead .

Correction . Boyled and eaten with Vineger and Oyle .

Degree . Tempertately hot , moist in the first .

Season . Age . Constitution . For any season , age , constitution .

Lupulus . Storie for Table-talke .

OVr forefathers knewe not Hoppe : howbeit it is a most excellent hearbe , & exceedeth all other for good iuyce : for cleansing the blood , and scouring all the entrals . Besides the necessitie hereof in brewing of Beere , is sufficiently knowne to Germany and England , and all these Northerne parts of the worlde : yet I know not how it happened ( as he merrily saith ) that herisie & beere came hopping into England both in a yeere .

Mint .

Choise . SMall : garden-spear-mint : the tops onely .

Vse . Very exceedingly comforteth the stomacke : especially cold and weake : consumeth fleame , and prouoketh appetite .

Hurt . Annoyeth an hot stomacke , or liuer ; for it in a manner scaldeth and burneth the blood .

Correction . Eate it sparingly , with cold Hearbs .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and dry in the end of the second , or beginning of the third .

In cold weather , for old men , flegmaticke , and melancholicke .

Mentha . Story for Table-talke .

THe Poets faigne , that Mentha Proserpines Nymph , was metamorphosed into this hearbe , being taken at her lechery with Pluto the black Prince .

The Graecians liked the sauour of it so well , that they called it Hedyosmus , that is sweete-smell . Perhaps their mint was of better sauour then ours , for we haue many other hearbes which deserue that name rather then Mint : although it sauoureth very well .

Sorrell .

Choise . GArden : of a déepe gréene colour : the leaues no whit red .

Vse . Restraineth choller : quencheth thirst : exciteth appetite : cureth fluxes : is very holsome in burning and pestilentiall feuers .

Hurt . Exasperateth the stomacke : bindeth the belly : hurteth melancholists .

Correction . Eate it in Sallets with other hearbs , as Lettuse which is moist , and Mint which is hot .

Degree . Cold in the first , moist in the beginning of the second .

Season . Age . Constitution . In hot weather for youths , chollerists , and sanguines .

Oxalis seu Acetosa . Story for Table-talke .

BY reason of the tart taste , it is called in Latin Acetosa . That is , Vineger hearbe . And in Lombardie they call it the sowre hearbe . It was wholly vnknowne to the Antique .

There be two sorts of it , the greater sowne in Gardens which is the better : the lesse growing in the fields hauing lesse leaues , and the stalke like a speare , the leaues very red and shining .

Burnet .

Choise . LOw: set in gardens for sallets , with litle leaues , notcht like a Saw , and indented rounde about the Verge : the stalke red .

Vse . Doth purge the reines and bladder : verie much prouoke vrine : voyd the stone and grauell : verie good against the plague : put in wine , greatly comforts the hart .

Hurt . Hard of digestion : stuffeth the belly : and in many , inflameth the liuer and blood .

Correction . Eaten raw in sallets , with other cold hearbes .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and drie in the second .

Pimpinella . Storie for Table-talke .

IT is an Hearbe that the auncient were verie litle acqu●●nted with . Yet the Nomenclators haue referred it vnto that sort of hearbes which are good against the stone .

The decoction of it made in pottage , is a present remedie against the plague . Also the water distilled , is passing good for that purpose . It is vulgarly thought to be put in wine as a cooler : but it hea●eth in the second degree , and ioyneth with wine in his operation for the strengthening of the heart .

Persley .

Choise . THe braunches , afore either they flower or séed : the rootes at halfe their growth .

Vse . Very much prouoke vrine and womens fluxe : clenseth the liuer and matrice : openeth the obstructions of those parts : is verie pleasing to theistomacke : the decoction of it resists poyson .

Hurt . Is of no verie good iuyce : enflameth the blood : stuffeth the head : is slowly digested .

Correction . Eate it little , rawe , with colde hearbes : sodden , in flesh pottage : the roote boyled throughly :

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot in the second , dry in the end of the first .

Good sodden , for any season , age , or constitution .

Petroselinum . Storie for Table-talke .

THe excellency of this hearb , accordeth with the frequent vse thereof . For there is almost no meate or sauce which may not haue Persley either in it or about it . Our English word Persly , is a manifest contract of the Latin Petroselinum .

The chiefest vertue lieth in the roote : second in the seed : last and least in the leaues : and yet these are of most vse in the kitching .

Taragon or byting Dragon .

Choise . GArden : in a fat & moist soile : the tender branches & leaues not spread vpon the ground .

Vse . Chiefe of hearbes for acrimony and sauourmes : Card●all : exciting appetite and Venus : comforting the stomacke .

Hurt . Attenuateth the blood , and burns the liuer : naught for hot constitutions .

Correction Eate it sparingly , with Borage flowers , or Endiue , Lettule , and such cooling hearbes .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot almost in the beginning of the third : drie in the second .

For cold , old , phlegmaticke .

Dracunculus Hortensis . Story for Table-talke .

THis is an Artificiall herbe : for it commeth of a Lineseede put into an Onyon , or Leek , & so buried in the ground . Husbandmen haue a stronge conceit of it ( and not without some cause ) that it is a preseruatiue against the plague , & all maner of poyson inward or outward : experience and proofe is no detracter of the credit and estimation thereof .

Radish .

Choise . TEnder : byting the tongue : most white .

Vse . Helpeth vrin : voydeth grauel and sand from the reines and bladder : healeth the stomacke : clarifieth the voyce .

Hurt . Causeth leannesse , belechings , headache , and lice : burnes the blood : hurseth the teeth and eyes : is slowly conce●ed .

Correction . Therefore is best eaten after meate .

Degree . Hot in the second : dry in the first .

Season . Age . Constitution , In colde weather , for youth , labourers , and hot stomackes .

Raphanus . Story for Table-talke .

WE English haue greatly honour'd this roote , by calling it a Radish , that is , Radix , a roote : as if this roote were the only roote , and all other rootes no rootes in comparison of this roote : or at leastwise that the Radish is Radix radicum , the roote of rootes , a roote indeede , a roote Cath' Hexochen ( as the Rhetoricians speake , a most excellent roote . But I feare mee , I haue ouercloy'd you with rootes , may it please you to fall to somewhat else .

Carot , or red Parsnip .

Choise . Vse . REd : great : sweet .

Prouoketh vrin , Venus , and monthly slure : engenders milke : openeth obstructions : is preferred afore the Parsnip .

Hurt . Of 〈◊〉 and bad nourishment : slowly digested : very windie .

Preparation . Boyle it throughly : then eate le with viniger , oyle , mustard , and coriander .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot in the second , moyst in the first .

In colde weather , for all but olde , and phlegmatique .

Carota seu pastinaca rubens . Storie for Table-talke .

CArot , that is , redde roote : as some Antiquaries gesse . Athenaeus , quoting Diphilus , saith the Grecians called the Carot Philtrum , for that it is thought to be a great furtherer of Venus her pleasure , and of loues delights : but although generally it furdereth Venus , yet it is especially to bee vnderstood of the wilde Carot .

Onyons .

Choise . THat grow in a moyst soyle : great : full of iuyce : round , as the Flemish .

Vse . Excite Venus : increase séede , and milke : restore appetitie : preserue in change of water .

Hurt . Eaten raw , or much , cause headache : burne the blood : dull the vnderstanding : hurtes the eyes .

Correction . Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Lay it sliced a while in cold water ; then séethe it throughly .

Hot in the third , dry in the second .

For old and colde onely .

Cepa . Story for Table-talke .

THe word Onyon , comes of the olde Latine name Vnio . For so the olde Latine Rusticks tearmed that which the latter call Cepa . And the reason why they called it Vnio , was , because one herbe or branche ( as it were ) groweth vpon one roote . Whereto accordeth that , that Columella saith in his 12. Booke and 10. cha. of Husbandry : Cepa simplex quam Vnionem Rustici vocant .

Garlicke . Storie for Table-talke .

Choise . THat comes vp about March : put in sallets , or vsed dry : full of sprigs and knots .

Vse . Greene , qualifieth the coldnes and moystnes of sallets : dry , it resists poysons , cleares the voyce , kils wormes , prouoketh vrin , and Venus : consumes the salt rume in the stomacke .

Hurt . Hurtes the voyding facultie : braine : sight : head : very bad for women with childe , youth and hot constitutions : reuiueth old diseases : burnes the blood .

Correction . Bo●ls it throughly , then eate it with oile , vineger or other meates .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot in the fourth , dry in the third .

In colde weather , for the aged , and phlegmatique .

Allium . Story for Table-talke .

GArlicke is of most speciall vse for Sea-faring men : a most excellent preseruatiue against all infection proceeding from the nastie sauor of the pump or sincke , and of tainted meates which Mariners are faine to eate for fault of better . It also pacifieth the disposition to vomit , crused by the roughnesse of the sea , and greatly strengthneth the rowers : therefore they eate it by break of day . It may be rightly termed the poore mans phisicke .

Scallion or litle Onyon .

Choise . SMall : like a Daffodill Roote : red : hard : sweete .

Vse . Helpeth a sa●nt stomack , languishing through ouermuch heate : causeth appetite : furthereth concoction .

Hurt . Causeth winde , grosse humors , headache , thirst , dreames .

Correction . Prepared as the Onyon : condite with strong Vineger , Oyle , & Salt : eaten with brused Sage & Parsly , moderately .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hotte in the fourth , drie in the third .

Vnholesome for hot season , age , com●tution .

Cepa Ascalonia . Storie for Table-talke .

A Scalion , is so called of Ascalon , a Towne in Iudaea , where it is very plentifull , and was first found . Thence transplanted to Greece and Italy , and so to these paits .

The Latines call the Scalion , Onyon , Lecke , and Garlicke , by one common name Bulbus .

The Scalion infinitely furthereth Venus , as some say , that haue vsed it to that purpose .

Leekes .

Choise . GArden : sowne : in a moyst soyle , or often watred ; verie small and tender :

Prouoke vrine , Venus , & monthly flux : breake winde : 〈◊〉 with hony , ●●●difie the lungs & lights : applied in a plaister , cure the Hemorhoids .

Hurt . Bréed melancholious humours : annoy the head : dimme the sight : procure fearefull dreames : ouerlay the stomacke : make vlcers in the bladder .

Correction . Sodden twise : then dressed with Oyle of sweet Almonds , and eaten with Lettuse , Endiue , Purslane .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hotte in the third , drie in the second .

Vnfit nourishment for any but rusticke swaines .

Porrum . Story for Table-talke .

THe Emperour Nero tooke great pleasure in this roote : and therefore was nick-named Porrophagus : which to English , is as much as Welchman .

Garlick , Onion , and Leekes , are very holesome , but their sauour is passing loathsome and offensiue . Wherefore some haue thought of a medicament to take away the sent of them . But none like Syr Thomas Mores . To take away the smell of Onions , eate Leekes : and to conuince your Leekes , eate a clowe or two of Garlicke : and if then Garlicke breath be strong . choke him with a piece of a T. with a u. with an r. with a d.

Colewort .

Choise . ONly the tender buddes , and long sprowtes , cropt off the herbe , whose leaues are wide open , and not compacted .

Vse . Halfe sod●●n , make soluble ; thorowly boyled , binde .

Hurt . Anns● 〈◊〉 lists : especially in som●●● , 〈◊〉 it is harder then at other times .

Preparation . Seethe them first in water , then ( that decoction 〈◊〉 in fat flesh broath , with 〈◊〉 and Pepper .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Cold and 〈◊〉 in the fist .

In the prime of the spring .

Brassica . Storie for Table-talke .

MAister Gerard , in his newe Herbal , reckoneth 18 sorts of Coleworts , differing either in colour or forme .

It is called by the Graecians Amethystus , because it repelleth drunkennesse : or because it resembleth the precious stone called the Amethyst . The Apothicaries and common Herbarists , call it Caul●s , because it hath so goodly a stalke : so the right name is Cawle , not Cole .

Flesh .

Veale .

Choise . Of a sucking Calfe , let runne abroad two or three dayes afore : from the Dame ; fed in choyce pasture .

Vse . Nourisheth excellently : makes 〈◊〉 good blood : holesome for them that exercise much .

Hurt . Though yong and tender , yet being of grosse substance , naturally hurteth the weake or in recouery .

Correction . Boyled with yong Pullets , or fat Capons , and Parsly .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Temperate in all qualities .

For all seasons , ages , constitutions .

Vitulina . Storie for Table-talke .

THe Italians should be calfes by their name ; for Italos in Greeke is the same that Vitulus in Latine , and calfe in English . Therefore they collaude it by tearming it Vitella , id est , vitam illia dans : signifying the holesomnesse thereof to a good stomacke . It is good for sound and ableconstitutions , not so good for the weake , sicke , or languishing stomackes , for it is of a lash and yet grosse substance , not very digestible . Essex calfes the prouerb praiseth , and some are of the minde that Waltome calfe was also that countrey man .

Beefe .

Choise . MOst yong and tender : fat : wrought at plowe , or other strong labour .

Vse . Nourisheth exceedingly : engendreth very much blood : stoppes chollerous fluxes .

Hurt . Is of bad nourishment : slowe of digestion : makes grosse blood : yea clodders of blood in the veines , and other melanchollicke diseases .

Correction . Is powdred with much sall , 24 houres , and sodden exquisitly .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Cold in the first , dry in the second .

The tenderest , in cold weather , for youth , labourers , and great exercisers .

Vaccina seu Bubula . Story for Table-talke .

BEefe , ( quasi ) Boue of Bos , an Oxe , Cowe , or Steere .

Sir Thomas More in his Vtopia Li. 2. commendeth the Oxe farre aboue the Horse .

Oxen , yeeld to horses in fiercenes , but excell them in patience ; neyther are they subiect to so many diseases , are kept with lesse charge , and lastly , worne out at plowe and cart , yet are mans meate in fine .

The Oxe is the Country-mans fellow-labourer , and one of Ceres 〈◊〉 houshold seruants . Prometheus , first slew an Oxe .

Wethers Mutton .

Choise . NOt yet of the first Shere : ● sheepe Wether , not Goate .

Vse . Makes very much and very good nourishment : for the weake .

Hurt . Olde , is vnholesome being corrupted with age , and ouermuch dried , for want of his stones .

Degree . The yonger , boyled , is eaten with opening and cardiall herbes .

Season . Age . Constitution . Temperately hot , and moyst .

For any time , age , constitution , or region .

Veruex . Story for Table-talke

THose things which are most necessarie vnto vs , by Gods great goodnes are also most common : what more necessary to life then ayre , and what more obuious ? insomuch as that onely is the Eliment , elmeno Tyrant can depriue the meanest Vassall off , not taking away his life . Aqua & igni interdici potest , so the most holesome and conuenient meate for sustenante of our bodyes , is mutton , and beefe : of all other flesh most common . I dare say there are no foure other sundry meates wherewith wee may continue longer full fedde , with lesse loathing .

Goate-flesh .

Choise . REd and blacke kiddes : scarse halfe yeare , lately caned , not yet weaned .

Vse . Is easily and soone digested : of best nourishment : good especially for such as are weake , or in recouery .

Hurt . Vnholesome for the aged , colde , and moyst stomackes , and such as exercise much .

Preparation . Holesommer roast then sodde : the hinder quarters , then the fore : because they lesse abounde with excrementitious moysture .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and moyst temperately ● the first .

For yong and hot stomackes : not old , nor flegmaticke .

Caprilla . Story for Table-talke .

CApra à Carpendo , because it carpeth and biteth off the yong buddes and sprowtes of plants and shrubbes .

That which we call a Kidde , the Italians call Capretto , till it be halfe yeare olde , and then they alter the name .

An heard of Goates finding Eringium , gather together to it , and depart not thence , vntill they haue eaten it all vp quite and cleane . They can best render the reason , who are goatish and loue to eat Eringoes .

Lambe .

Choise . MAle , a yeare olde , fit for seasoning : not in winter .

Vse . It is of excéeding good and plentifull nourishment : resisting melancholly ; best for an hot constitution .

Hurt . Sucking Lambe , is excéeding moyst , therefore nought for phlegmatique stomackes .

Preparation . A yéerling , roasted , and eaten with Rosemary , Garlicke , Sage , cloues , and such hot things .

Degree . Hot in the first , moyst in the second , ( the sucking is moyst in the third order .

Season . Age . Constitution . For hot weather , youth , and chollerists .

Agnus . Story for Table-talke .

IF the Southwinde blow in seasoning time , the Sheepheardes may looke for store of Ewe lambes ; if the North winde , then for Males .

So soone as the Lambe is eaned , it knoweth his damme , and presently gins to play and dally with her .

All femall mutton , or vnder a yeere olde , breedes bad iuyce , for it is ouermoyst , making thicke and clammy humours .

It is no meate for cold seasons .

Swines Flesh .

Choise . NOr olde , nor thinne ; but of a full groweth , and middle age ; male : fed in the fields .

Vse . Doth yéeld very much and very good nourishment , for labourers especially : kéepe the paunch slipperie : prouoke vrine .

Hurt . Hurt olde folke , and those that liue delicately or at ease : hasten the Gowte and Sciatica .

Correction . The leane of a yong fat Hog eaten moderately : with spices and such hot things .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot in the first , moist in the end of the second .

In colde weather , for youth , hot stomackes and labourers .

Porcus . Story for Table-talke .

IN olde time they detested Swines flesh , accounting it ouer moyst ; especially sucking pigges ; or yong shotes : and surely they were wiser then we : our appetite , captiuates our reason in this matter .

The most tollerable , is such as is at his full growth and naturall perfection . Which flesh questionles commeth neerest to mans in taste and sauour : especially being a litle powdred . Bacon may be eaten with other flesh to prouoke appetite , and to cut asunder fleame cloddered in the stomack .

wilde Boare .

Choise . YOng : fat : tender : much chased : in winter .

Vse . Of much nourishment : is fit meate for great excercisers : easie of digestion .

Hurt . Nought for olde and idle folkes , in making store of excrementitions and superfluous homours .

Preparation . Carued into steakes , and spiced : or as the Italians make their Brolardieri ; or else baked with store of spice .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and moyst in the first , temperatly .

In colde weather , for hot and laborious .

Aper seu Apcugna . Storie for Table-talke .

IN the beginning of winter the wilde saine gender ; and about the prime of the spring they pigge , in desart , streyte , craggie and deuious places .

If they bee at any time sicke , their physicke is Iuie . They are so so loaden with the weight of their vrin , that Hunters surprize them at such time as it vrgeth them , not giuing them leasure to voyde it , and so not being able to escape by flight , take thm .

P. Seruillius Rullus , first serued in Wilde Boare to the table , mongst the Romaines .

Red Deere .

Choise . YOng ; and ( if it may bée ) such as yet sucketh : gelt so soone as it is calfed .

Vse . Is of excéeding good nourishment .

Hurt . Olde , breedes euill humours : harde of digestion : causeth a quartane feuer .

Preparation . Roast , or baked in pasties , larded with the fat of other beastes .

Degree . Hot somewhat remisty in the first : dry in the second .

Season . Age . Constitution . Neither for hot weather , nor for olde folkes , very bad for melancholists .

Ceruus Storie for Table-talke .

HArtes flesh yeeldeth but grosse and melancholious nourishment . Eaten at breakfast , it is said to prolong ones life : at supper to abridge the same .

The Hinde goeth 8. moneths with her yong , which so soone as she hath calued , she exerciseth them to the race : carryeth them to steepe down-fals , and teacheth them to leape .

It is a most simple and innocent Animall , howsoeuer nature in a mockery hath armed it most magnificently . It is the very Emblem of a Gull , girded to a sword , being as hartlesse as the Hartis .

Fallow Deere .

Choise . YOng : fat : very well chased , hang'd vntill it be tender .

Vse . Nourisheth better then any other Venison : especially resisteth the collicke , & palsie : good for such as abound with humours .

Hurt . Hurteth the leane and thinne : for making dry blood , it annoyes the sinewes , especially being olde .

Correction . In roasting , basted throughly with oyle , or larded very much .

Degree . Season . Age Constitution . Hot and dry in the second .

Bad for youth , and chollerists : good for them that haue the palsie , and store of rume .

Dama . Storie for Table-talke .

IT is a rare thing to see a tame Doe : and yet it may hardly be tearmed wilde : howsoeuer the Latines call it , Fera in speciall , and the flesh thereof Forina . For there are many brutes which are Neuters , neither wilde nor tame , but in a meane : as the Swallow amongst Foules : amongst Flies the Bee : mongst Fishes the Dolphin .

Martiall hath penned the Does lamentable women-tation in two verses : thus .

The Bore is feared for his tosh , His hornes defend the Hart : But we poore harmles hartles Does Are nak'd on euery part .

Hare .

Choise . YOng : well coursed .

Vse . It maketh slender : causeth good fresh colour in the face .

Hurt . Slowly digested : engenders melancolike blood : much eaten , makes sléepie and drowsie .

Preparation . Farsed with suet , or gobbets of Larde , and spices .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and dry in the second .

In winter , for youth & sanguine : not for melancholists or students .

Lepus . Story for Table-talke .

HAres flesh is good for those that wold be leane & faire . It is a receiued opinion , that vse of Hares fleshe procureth beautie , fresh colour , and cheerfull countenance , for a seuenight space : in so much as the Italians haue a by-word , which speaketh thus of a faire man , He hath eaten an Hare .

And Martiall mockes a foule sowe , telling her that shee htah not eaten any Hares fleshe of a weeke . It runneth most swiftly , especially vp the hill : because the fore feet be shorter then the hinder legges .

Conny .

Choise . YOng , fat , in winter , hangd a night in the coole .

Vse . Affordeth store of verie good nourishment : consumes all corrupt humours , and fleame in the stomacke .

Hurt . Hurteth melancholists , and olde folkes .

Preparation . Parboyled : then roasted , with swéete hearbes , cloues , and other spices .

Degree . Cold in the beginning of the first : drie in the second .

Season . Age . Constitution . In hot weather , somewhat vnholesome for the foresaid .

Cuniculus . Story for Table-talke

BEcause the Conny is somewhat like the Hare , it is called ( Paruus Lepus ) the lesse Hare .

It taught the souldier to vndermine his enemy , by earthing : which the Latines tearme Cuniculum agere ) to play the Conny . And yet ( alas ) of it selfe it is very Conny , a most simple Animall : whence are deriued our vsual phrases of Conny , and Conny-catching .

There is so great store of Connies in the Baleares Insulae , vsually called Maiorica , and Minorica , that oft they waste their whole crop of corne , and cause extreme dearth in those Ilands .

Capon .

Choise . YOng : fat : well crammed : set vp a fatting in a wide Co●pe .

Vse . Yéelds to mans body better nourishment then any other meat : principally good for the braine : procureth an equall temperature of all the humors .

Hurt . Giueth such as take their ease , ouermuch nourishment .

Correction . Vsed moderatly , and with extraordinary exercise .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Possesseth an equal temperature of all qualities .

For any time , age , constitution .

Capo . Story for Table-talke .

SO named , for his excellencie , and chiefe worth amongst all foules of that kinde . It makes perfect blood . The Italians denue the name of two Hetrurian words , Quá pone : that is , huc appone : set it afore vs : as much as our by-word : It saith , Come eate me . So these two words , Eate it , are the vnlettered mans latine for any good meate .

The eleuenth yeare afore the third Punique warre , Caius Fannius Consull , made a decree , that no foule should be serued to the table , but the Capon or Hen fatted abroad .

Turky-Cocke , or Ginny-Cocke .

Choise . YOng ; fatted abroad ; in winter ; hangd all night .

Vse . Of very plentifull and very good nourishment : restoreth bodily forces : passing good for such as are in recouery : maketh store of séede : enflameth Venus .

Hurt . Bad for those that line at ease : disposeth to the gout , and such like defluxions .

Preparation . Eaten little and seldome ; spiced throughly in roasting .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and moist in the second .

At any time , for any but decrepit age .

Gallus Indicus . Story for Table-talke .

IT may be , the vulgar for Indy Cock , miscall it Ginny-Cock , The Cocke , Hen , and Chickens , are all of one nature : the Chicken is preferred for tender flesh .

The Ginny-Cocke was first brought out of Numidia , into Italy , and not from India .

The Graecians call these foules Meleagrides : induced thereunto , by Poeticall fiction . For ( they say ) Meleagers Sisters were transformed into Ginny-hens , while they mourned for their brothers death

Peacocke .

Choise . YOng : sed in a most cleare and open place : tender .

Vse . Nourisheth exceedingly : fit for hot stomackes .

Hurt . Hard of digestion : bréeds melancholious blood ; vnfit for idle folkes .

Correction . The throate cut , and hanged with a waite tyed at the heeles , in some cold place , fiftéene dayes .

Drinke good wine vpon it .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot in the second , dry in the first .

For colde weather , hotte stomackes , and great exercisers .

Pauo . Storie for Table-talke .

PEacocke , is very hard meate , of bad temperature , & as euil iuyce . Wonderously increaseth melancholy , & casteth ( as it were ) a clowd vpon the minde . It layeth at the third yeare , and liueth fiue and twentie . It is so spitefull & enuious , that it eateth his owne dung , least any body should make any vse of it .

Great Alexander , imposed a great penaltie on him that killed a Peacocke .

Quintus Hortensius , the Romane Oratour , first set it vpon the table , beeing himselfe a perfect glutton .

Pigeons .

Choise . THat first assay to goe , and get their owne meate : plump and fat .

Vse . Cure the palsie , procéeding of a cold cause : excite Venus : increase heate in the weake : purge the reines : are easily digested .

Hurt . Enflame the blood : annoy hote constitutions , and their heads which which delight to eate Pigeons heds : therefore we alway behead them .

Correction . Boyled in fat flesh broath , with Veriuyce , Plums , sower Cheries , or with Vineger and Coriander .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and moist in the second .

In cold weather , for old folkes , and stomackes full of fleame .

Pipio . Storie for Table-talke .

WIlde or wood Doues , are but dry meate . They liue 30. yeares .

They are mute all winter long , in the spring they begin to mouth it . Some of them are called Viuariae , Stockdoues : other Torquatae , Ringdoues . The house or tame Pigeon is much the better : yet a ●tle too moyst . Their flesh is very preseruatiue in time of pestilence ●●ising of corruption . It is the Embleme of sincere and simple meaning , also of pure loue , voyd of all malice . It was good Angell to Noah .

Gosling .

Choise . YOng : fat : bred in the chempion , and free ayre .

Vse . Yéeldes very good nourishment : fatteth the macilent .

Hurt . Fils the body with superfluous humours : is slowly concocted : ( the flesh of an olde Goose , causeth a feuer . )

Correction . Stifled with borage-smoake set in at the throate ; then far●ed with swéete herbes , and spices , and for roast .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot in the first , moyst in the second .

In colde weather , for hot stomackes , and great exercisers .

Pullus Anserinus . Story for Table-talke .

THe Iewes are great Goose-eaters : therefore their complexion is passing melancholious , their colour swort , and their diseases very perillous .

The liuer and wings are best , especially of fat Geese .

Sessius , first commended the goodnes and pleasant taste of the Goose-liuer : some ascribe it to Metellus : other to Scipio .

A gard of Geese kept the Capitoll at Rome , in times past .

A Goose , is the Embleme of meere modestie .

Duck or Mallard .

Choise . YOng : fat : tender .

Vse . Dooth nourish excéeding much : fat : cause very good colour : cleare the voice : increase seed : dispearle winde .

Hurt . Get them an heate that are cold , and them a feuer that are hote : digest hardly : yeeldes but bad nourishment .

Correction . Is perfumed at the mouth with Borage , and so forth , as it is said of the Gosling .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and moist in the second .

In colde weather only , for hot stomacks , and such as vse great exercise .

Anas . Story for Table-talke .

OF all foules that vse to flock , the Duck is the hottest and moistest . The liuer and wings are most commended . Martiall willeth the whole Duck to be set afore him ; but he chooseth onely the neck and the brest , and sends the relicks back to the Cooke .

They hatch their yoong neare vnto Lakes , and Fennes ; but so soone as they are out of the shell , they take the water , and afterward mount vp into the ayre .

Pheasant .

Choise . FAt , gotten in hawking in winter .

Vse . Good in hecticks feuers : restoreth their strength that are in recouery : of singular good nourishment : helpeth a weake stomacke .

Hurt . It onely makes the Swaine , short winded .

Therefore good Peasant , Touch not the Pheasant , But saue thy weasant : Y' ar somewhat pleasant .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Temperate in all qualities .

In Autumne , and winter , for any .

Pheasianus . Storie for Table-talke .

PHeasant , in digestion and nourishing is very like Hen: yet more toothesome : in a meane betwixt Capon , and Partritch . Passing restoratiue for the thinne and macilent .

It taketh his name of Phasis , a riuer in Choichis . The Italian vulgars , call it Fasan , quasi faciens sanum : because it is so exceeding holesome .

It is much molested with lice , which it riddeth it selfe off , by tumbling in the dust .

Pertritch .

Choise . YOng : female : like Chickens : fed in the house , if it may be .

Vse . Yéelds excellent nourishment : soone digests : fats : dries vp superfluous humours in the stomack : very healthsome for such as are in recouerie :

Hurt . Young , hurts none but the rusticks , the old be tougher and of bad sauour .

Correction . Eate the young , hang the old all night in the coole .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot in the first , dry in the second .

For all , in cold weather , especially the yong ones .

Perdix . Story for Table-talke .

THe Parti●ch neuer liues longer then 16. yeares .

It is not good , if not yong .

The Henne is better then the Cock.

They are so venerious , that the Cock opposed to the Henne on the windie fide , she conceiueth through the winde that blowes from him .

Cardan thinks the Hen is partly Cockish .

If they feele themselues sicke , they purge themselues with Laurell .

In Paphlagonia they haue two harts .

The Partritch is consecrated to Iupiter and Latona .

Turtle

Choise . YOng : fatted in the house a while , afore it be eaten .

Vse . It pleaseth the taste : affords very good nourishment : digesteth eastly : comforteth the stomacke : sharpeneth the wit : exciteth Venus .

Hurt . Being exceeding dry , hurts chollerists , and melancholists .

Correction . Fedde in the house with moyst meates , then kill and hang it two nights in the coole .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and dry in the second .

In colde weather , for old folkes , and phlegmatike .

Turtur . Storie for Table-talke .

AT the beginning of the Springe they hide themselues , because they then cast their feathers , and are in a maner naked .

It is a thing noted in the Turtle , that while it drinketh , it lifteth not vp her head , as all other birdes doe .

The time of her life , is eight yeares .

It purgeth it self with an herbe that groweth vpon walles .

Quaile .

Choise . NOt fed with Hellebore or Beare-foote : taken with the Quaile-pipe : fat and tender .

Vse . Doth helpe melancholists onely , by moistning their dry constitution .

Hurt . Easily corrupteth in the stomack : inuiteth the Ague , Palsie , Cramp .

Correction . Eaten with Vinegar and Corander .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot in the end of the first : moist in the end of the second .

In cold weather : hurteth olde folkes , paralytick , and flegmatick .

Coturnix . Storie for Table-talke .

I Am much in doubt whether Coturnix be our Quaile . Cardan also doubteth : and his maner of doubting , maketh me dout more : for setting downe sixe degrees of delicates that please the taste , he maketh Quaile the first dish of the first course . His words are these : Aues videntur primum locum vendicare , atque inter eas qualea : seu sit Coturnix , seu non , hand refert . I am sure all other writers giue Coturnix their euil word , affirming that it is a breeder of the Crampe , Palsie , and Falling sicknesse : and in a word , passeth for badnesse .

Thrush , Mauis , or Blacke-bird .

Choise . IN cold weather , fat : fed with holly , Iuniper , and Mertle berryes .

Vse . Is of very good iuyce : easily digested : very holesome for such as are in recouery .

Hurt . Naught for those that are subiect to the migram , or frensie .

Preparation . Sod in good flesh broath , with parsly , and other opening herbes .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and dry in the very ende of the first .

In colde weather , for any , but olde folkes .

Turdus . Story for Table-talke .

THis Lataine name , soundeth to English eares somewhat vnsauoury : but much worse as I haue heard it ioyned with other like Consonants . As for example . Edo Fartum , & Turdum pistum . But there is nothing euill spoken , but being euill taken .

Now because it signifies diuersly , a Thrush , a Black-birde , a Manis : some may bee desirous to know if all these bee much of a nature , yet Virum horum , which is best and holesomest . Therefore to his Virum horum . I answere , Mauis accipe . Pliny reporteth , Agrippa Claudius Caesars wife , had a Mauis , that did speake very plainly .

Egges .

Choise . OF yong and fat Hens : Cock . trodden : new laied .

Vse . Nourish soone , and much : excite Venus : supplying matter for it : very much helpe them that are in a consumption : open the breast : stay spitting of blood : clarifie the voyce .

Hurt . Hinder the concoction of meates eaten presently after them : make the face freckled .

Correction . Eate them boyled : she yolke only : and pawse betwixt Egges and other meates .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Temperately hot and moyst .

New , for all seasons , ages , constitutions and diseases .

Ovum . Storie for Table-talke .

EGges ( some thinke ) because they egge on backward husbands .

Egges haue the possibilitie of being liuing creatures . The white is cold , the yolke hot . They nourish soone and much , by reason of the pliable softnesse of their substance and temperature : very proportionable to our flesh and nature .

Not only Hens Egs , but Partritch , Phesant , and Turkies , be verie holesome .

Fish .

Carpe .

Choise . WHensoeuer you can get it , great or litle .

Vse . Nourishith best : tasteth most excellently , and erquisirely : in all mens iudgementes a fish of chiefe note .

Hurt . Onely it is soonetainted , therefore dresie it presently .

Preparation . Lay it sealed and gutted sire houres in salt : then fry it in oyle , and besprinkle it with vinegar in which Spaces and Saffron haue boyled .

Degree . Temperately hot and moyst , in the 〈◊〉 either first .

Season . Age . Constitution . For any season , age , or constitution .

Cyprinus qui & Carpio . Story for Table-talke

NOne of the Greeke or Latine writers , euer knewe this fish .

In Italy it is somewhat rare , and thought to bee onely in the lake Benacus , and the lake commonly called Della posta .

It spawneth about the beginning of the summer .

Many are of the minde , that it eateth gold , because in the guites are found no other excrementes , but a bright san● glittering like golde : and besides , it liue●h alway at the bottome of the lake .

Trout .

Choise . THick : caught in May : in a swift running Riuer , full of deepe down-fals and Rocks : and not out of standing pooles .

Vse . Nourisheth well : soone digested : yeelds coole iuyce for an ouer hotte Liuer and blood : therefore good in hot Agues .

Hurt . It soone putrifieth : scarse fit for old men , and weake stomackes .

Correction . Seethe it in iust somuch Vineger as water : ease it with sower sance assoone as you can .

Degree . Cold in the beginning of the first , moist in the ende .

Season . Age . Constitution . In hot weather for all ages , but decrepit : euery temperature but phlegmaticke .

Trocta seu Turtur . Story for Table-talke .

IT is very much commended for good nourishment . Insomuch as it is permitted vnto one sicke of an hot ague . That it is passing holesome , our vulgar prouerbe accordeth : As sound as a Trout . And another phrase , Fish-whole , I think is most ment of the Trout .

It is a fish that loueth to be flattered and clawed in the water : by which meanes it is often taken .

Sturgion .

Choise . RIuer : for it is fatter , and therfore more gratefull to the palate , then sea Sturgion : in sommer : the belly of it .

Vse . A friendly dish on the table : very daintie , and of chiefe account : nourisheth very well : inciteth Venus : cooleth the blood moderately .

Hurt . Naught for the sicke , or in recouery : for it is somewhat too fatte : makes thicke and clammy iuyce : slowly digested .

Correction . Séeth it in water and vineger : let the sauce be white vineger , with a litle Cynamon or Fennel in it .

Degree . Hot in the beginning of the first , moyst in the second .

Season . Age . Constitution In hot weather : for all , but those that are plagued with distillations and diseased ioynts .

Sturio seu Acipenser . Story for Table-talke

PLiny in his 9. booke of Naturall story , and 17. Chapter , writeth thus . In former times Sturgion was counted a most noble Fish : now it is of no reckoning : the which I much maruell at , sithens it is so rare . We may now a dayes vse Plinies wordes , with an inuersion of the sense . For what fish is there almost now of greater esteeme ?

It hath his skales turning toward his mouth , and swimmeth against the streame .

Lamprey .

Choise . RIuer : in March or Aprill , for then it is notably fat , and the backe bone marrow tenderest .

Vse . It hath a most excellent fine relish : nourisheth passing well : increaseth seed : a Lordly dish .

Hurt . Somewhat slowe of digestion : especially not boiled inogh : naught for the Gout and féeble sinowes .

Correction . Choake it with white Wine , stop the mouth with a Nut-meg , and the other holes with Cloues : then fry it with Nuttes , Bread , Oyle , Spices , and white Wine .

Degree . Temperately hot , moyst in the first .

Season . Age . Constitution . For any season , age , constitution , but decrepit , gowtie , and diseased sinowes .

Lampreta . Storie for Table-talke .

TEarmed so , a Lambendis Petris : a Suck-stone .

About the beginning of the Spring , it enters the fresh waters , and in Summer departeth againe into the sea . Whereas all other fishes haue finnes to swim withal , some more some lesse ; the Lamprey hath none at all : but moueth in the waters , as Snakes and Serpents creepe & glide vpon the earth .

Many in England haue surfetted of Lampry pies , as our Chronicles will tell vs if we looke into them .

Mullet or Barbell .

Choise . OF the lesser size : not taken in muddie places , or standing lakes , but grauelly & cleare .

Vse . Pleasing to the palate : the flesh applied , cures the biting of venemous things : or any harme done by womens menstruous flure .

Hurt . The wine wherein a Mullet is stifled drunke , depriueth men of all genital vertue : makes women barren : the meate is hard and slow of digestion .

Correction . Roast vpon a gridiron , sprinckled with Oyle , and the iuyce of Orenges : or boyled & condite with Vineger , swéete hearbes , and Saffron .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot in the first , dry in the beginning of the second .

In hot weather , for youth , chollericke , strong stomackes .

Mullus seu Barbo . Story for Table-talke .

BArbo , bicause it hath a double beard vpon the neather lip .

And therfore Tully in his Paradox , calleth those that are well barbed , Mulli . Fenestella thinkes they were called Mulli , because they are in colour like the shoes of the Almane Kings , and the Patricij amongst the Romans : which Shoes were tearmed Mullei , of Millo , an obsolet word , signifying the same that suo , to sowe as Sowters do .

The Romanes prized this fish at a wonderfull high rate . It is incredible to tell what Asinius Celer and Crispinus , gaue for a Mullet .

Tench .

Choise . FEmall : Riuer : in Autumne or Winter .

Vse . It litle benefiteth the bodie : but only as some think , cut length-wayes in halfes , and applied to the soles of the féete , stancheth the heat of Agues .

Hurt . Is sllowly digested : heauy on the stomacke : bad nourishment , especially in the Dogge dayes .

Correction . Bake it with Garlicke , swéete hearbes , and spices : or boyle it with Oyle , Onyons , and Raysons : farsed with Garlicke , Parsly , and Vineger .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Cold and moyst in the second .

In Autumne and Winter , for youth , collericke , and very laborious .

Tinca . Storie for Table-talke .

THe Anticke make no mention of this fish : not respecting it in deede , because it was so common , and the poore mans prouin .

Onely Tully , in his Booke de claris Oratoribus , mentioneth one Placentinus an Oratour , who was called Tinca , for his merry conceited wit .

It is onely to be found in fresh waters , riuers , lakes , and ponds : and is fittest meate for labouring men .

Pike or Pickerell .

Choise . RIuer , rather then Pond , and Pond not muddy : great : fresh : new , and fat .

Vse . It nourisheth much , the iawe-bones burnt to power , and giuen the weight of French crowne in wine , will breake the stone .

Hurt . Hard of concoction : badde nutriment : burdeneth the belly : increaseth fleame : naught for the sicke .

Correction . Seeth it with sweete hearbes , and oyle , eate it with white vineger : or broyled , with wild marioram and vineger .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Colde and moyst in the second .

Being hard meate , it is fittest for winter , youth , and chollericke .

Lucius . Storie for Table-talke .

NOr yet of the pickerill haue old writters recorded any thing , which is companion and an associate of the Tench : by rubbing vpon whom , the Pickerill cureth himselfe of any wound or hurt receiued .

It is a very rauenous Fish , deuoring any thing be it fish or flesh that lyeth in his way .

It is no meate for those that be sicke or weake , whatsoeuer triuiall Leeches prate .

Eele .

Choise . TAken in a sandy sea , not muddy : in March : dressed presently .

Vse . Tasteth very pleasantly : nourisheth marueilous well : may bée kept long salt : good for the stomack against fleame .

Hurt . Somewhat windie , especially the backe of it : also ouer moyst .

Preparation . Roast in a leafe of paper , with oyle , parsly , coriander : or kéepe it condite a day or two with salt and origan .

Degree . Cold in the beginning , moyst in the end of the first .

Season . Age . Constitution . In the spring , for any age , or temperature , taken moderately .

Anguilla . Storie for Table-talke .

THe generation of Eeles is in nature very easie : but to our vnderstanding passing difficult . For they breed euen in dryed lakes , presently after a sudden raine , of the very corruption and slime of the soyle .

Athenaeus sayeth , he himselfe sawe in Arethusa of Eubaea , Eeles with siluer and golden earings , so tame that they would eate meate out of ones hands .

The I le of Ely , may be called the Ile of Eeles : for the aboundance of Eeles which it yeeldeth .

Rotchet .

Choise . NEw sodden : and eaten colde .

Vse . Tender meate , and gratefull to the palate : easlie digested : nourisheth very well : excéedingly holesome , if continually vsed .

Hurt . Whatsoeuer fault if hath , prepare it as followeth .

Preparation . Fry and condite it with Orange iuyce , and peper : or eate it hot with veneger .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Temperate in the actiue qualities , moyst in the first .

Best in winter , for any age , or temperature : moderately taken .

Erythrinos . Story for Table-talke .

THe Graecians so tearme it because it is red of colour . The Venetians call it Arbor : the Latines in imitation of the Graekes , Rubellus .

It is a Sea fish , neither comes at any time into the fresh waters : It harbowreth some time about the shore .

So soone as they are spawned , they are presently full of egges . And therefore ( it is thought ) they be all faemall .

They vse to rout together , and roue about the sea in troopes .

Oyster .

Choise . THat that growes vpon great ships bottomes , or in places not muddy ;

Vse . in those Moneths that haue the letter R. in their names .

Hurt . It hath a kinde of salt iuyce in it , that affecteth the palate more then other shell fishes : exciteth appetite , and Venus : nourisheth litle .

Preparation . Somewhat hard of degistion : greatly increaseth fleame in a cold stomacke : causeth obstructions .

Degree . Dresse it with pepper , oyle , the iuyce of sowre Orenges : after it be roasted on the imbers .

Season . Hot in the first , moyst in the second .

Age . Constitution . For cold weather , youth , chollerists , and hot stomackes .

Ostreum . Story for Table-talke .

THe Oyster is an headlesse fish , yet passing toothesome : it is engendred of meere myre , or mudde inclining to corruption : or of the sea froth and spume , which cleaueth vpon ships . It liueth not out of the water , yet breatheth not ayre , nor taketh in any external moysture . It hath not locall motion : and plucked from his proper place is deuoyd of sense , increasing and decreasing with the Moone .

It is vnseasonable and vnholesome in all monethes , that haue not the letter R. in their name , because it is then venerious .

Crab or Cra-fish .

Choise . RIuer , or fresh water , rather then sea Crab : at the prime of the spring , or in haruest : when the Moone is at the full .

Vse . Good for the corsumption , and biting of a mad dog : prouoketh vrine , & Venus : purgeth the reynes : nourisheth very much .

Hurt . The meate is hard of conection , bréedeth grosse and phlegmaticke humours .

Preparation . Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Roast it quicke , on the timbers : eate it with vineger and pepper .

Colde in the second , moyst in the first .

Cancer . Storie for Table-talke .

THe Crab also wants a head , and therfore hath all the Organs of sense placed in his breast .

It engendreth at the mouth : goeth as readily backewarde : It turneth red in seething .

In the Coasts and riuer bancks of Phaenicia , there be Crabbes so swift in running , that it is a great masterie to ouertake them on foote .

white-meates

Milke .

Choise . OF yong beastes fedde in the choise pasture : 1. Womans , 2. Cowes , 3. Sheepes , 4. Goates .

Vse . Milke increaseth braine , fattes the body : good for hecticke , asswageth scalding heat of the vrin : nourisheth plentefully : procureth good colour : furthereth Venus .

Hurt . Naught for feuers , headaches , sore eyes , distillations of rume , diseased reynes , obstructions , the teeth , the gummes , olde folkes .

Correction . A litle afore you take it , put into it some salt , sugar , or hony , least it curdle in the stomacke : drinke it fasting .

Degree . Moyst in the second , temperately hot .

Season . Age . Constitution . For hot weather , youth , chollerists , and strong stomackes .

Lac. Story for Table-talke .

MIlke consisteth of a threefold substance . The first is whitish , colde , and moyst : Nitrous and powerfull to make the belly soluble . The second fat and oyly , of temperate qualitie , of which butter is made . The third is grosse , clammy , and flegmaticke , whereof cheese is made .

Eate no more Milke , then you can well digest : though it seemeth to be soft and easie meat , fit for children and milkesops , yet it is not so . Vse no vilolence after it , nor drinke wine , afore you feele it throughly decocted .

Butter .

Choise . THe newest and swéetest , shéeps . Cleanseth and mightily fetcheth vp fleame cloddered about the breast and longs , especially procéeding of a colde cause : quieteth the cough .

Vse . Too often vsed , makes the stomake loose and weake : and causeth loathing .

Hurt . Eate strengthening and astringent meates vpon it , or old Saccarum Rosatum .

Correction . Hot and moist in the beginning of the second .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . At any time , for olde folkes rather then youth : because it much purgeth distillations .

Butyrum . Storie for Table-talke .

NEw Butter and newe Oyle are of like nature and operation . The benefite and vse of salt Butter is very notable . For only that way it may be preserued , neither thereby doeth it lose his proper vertue , to open and enlarge the breast : the older it is the hotter also it waxeth .

The Flemming or Hollander , is thought to liue so long as hee doth , onely for his excessiue eating of Butter .

Some eate it first , and last .

Creame .

Choise . NEw : boyled with a soft fire , so soone as it is flette of the milke .

Vse . As good as butter for the diseases of the brest : pleasant to the taste : cureth the sharpenesse and drowth of the stomacke .

Hurt . Slowly concocted : swimmeth aboue other meates : of grosse iuyce : easily turnes to fumes .

Preparation . Vse it sparingly , put store of sugar , and hony into it .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and moyst in the first .

Fitter for youth , chollericke and strong stomackes , then the old and rumaticke .

Flos lactis . Story for Table-talke .

RIghtly so tearmed by the Latines , for it is the very flower of milke , as also butter is the flower of Creame .

Although it be not altogether so fat and oyly as butter : yet shal one be glutted and euen loathed with it , far sooner then with butter : neither is it so lasting as butter , but changeth in a moment many times , as Dairy maides can better informe you .

Curdes .

Choise . MAde of the most choise morning milke : fire-newe : for these be most digestable .

Vse . Holesome for hot constitutions , and such as are troubled with the distillations of chollerous humors : quench thirst : and restraine choller .

Hurt . Annoy colde stomakes and the smowes , make drowsie , slowly digested .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Colde and dry in the first .

At any time , for youth , chollerists , and such as exercise much .

Lac coagulatum Recocta vulgo . Storie for Table-talke .

PLatina missed his cushion , where he saith that Curds are hot of temperature : for experience thereof , we may note the vse of them . For let a sound , hot and strong stomacke eate them , and they doe him more good then hurt : but if a colde stomacke eate them , they will neuer be concocted enough .

The reason is plaine : their colde and grosse temprature .

Cheese .

Choise . NEw made : of well tempered milke , of beastes fed in choise pasture .

Vse . Mollifieth : fatteth : gratefull to the palate .

Hurt . Too often vse of it , bréedes obstructions , especially in a weake stomacke .

Correction . Eate it with Nuts , Almondes , Peares , and Apples , and neuer but when you haue neede .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Colde and moyst in the second .

For youth , and great exercisers , for it requireth a strong stomacke .

Caseus . Storie for Table-talke .

GReene or new cheese , newly made , nourisheth and moysteneth more than salt and olde . That which is neither new nor old but in a meane , best agreeth with the stomacke : especially eaten moderately .

They that haue best leysure & loue cheese best , I would wish them to write an Apologie in defense of the common dislike thereof , why so many loue it not .

Spice .

Pepper .

Choise . THe cornes new : full ; not full of withered wrinckles .

Vse . Helpes concoction : recals appetite : breakes winde : strengtheneth the stomacke : very much heateth the sinewes , and muskles : prouokes vrine : wasts fleame .

Hurt . Hurtful to hot constitutions , especially in hot weather , and hot countries : consumeth séede : immoderately vsed burneth the blood .

Correction Vsed moderately in cold weather and in moyst meates : not ouermuch beaten .

Degree . Hot and dry in the third , and almost in the beginning of the fourth .

Season . Age . Constitution . For colde weather , olde folkes , rumaticke , and such as are subiect to distillations .

Piper . Storie for Table-tacke .

IN India , Pepper is gathered in October , and dryed in the Sunne : the Cornes strewed in beds of palme-leaues , vntill they be wrinckled .

Isidorus telleth a mad tale of Pepper : that it groweth in certaine woods on the South side of Caucase mount , which woods are full of serpents : therefore the inhabitantes of those partes set the woodes on fire to scarre away the serpentes , and so the Pepper comes to be blacke .

Cinamon .

Choise . THe finest or thinnest : of an exquisite sweete smell , biting taste , and colour red : new .

Vse . Prouokes vrine , resists poysons : strengthens the braine , and all the entralles : comforteth the sight : preserues from putrifaction .

Hurt . Hurtes the collericke , in hots weather and hot countries : also hot constitutions , by inflaming the inward parts , and blood .

Correction . Vsed moderately , with colde or moyst meates , not beaten ouer much .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Very hot in the third .

In colde weather , for olde , and colde , and weake stomakes .

Cinnamomum . Story for Table-talke :

OVr vsually receiued Cinnamon is not the right and true Spice , but this is passing rare , and scarse : very little or none of it is brought to vs .

The vse thereof , is great and manifold to the body , and all the parts of it .

Onely we must moderate our selues , least ouermuch enflame vs . The more substantiall and grosse in quantity it seemeth , the lesse vertue and power it possesseth .

Clowes .

Choise . PLaine , or smooth , which nipt with the nayle , yéeld some moisture : of a most absolute fine smell : new .

Vse . Strengththen the principal parts of the body : and principally the stomacke : stay fluxes : and casting : ameud stinking breath .

Hurt . Annoy , chollerists : especially in summer : much put in meates , cause an vnpleasant and bitter taste in them .

Correction . Taken moderately , when the stomacke is full of fleame , in colde weather , and with moyst meates .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and dry in the third .

In winter , for olde men , phlegmaticke , and such are troubled with distillations .

Garyophylli . Story for Table-talke .

CLowes quasi Glowes , because thorough their vehement and ardent heate , they cause a glowing in the mouth .

Thy grow in certaine Ilandes of the Orientall Indian sea . And thence wee haue them transported to vs , for their fragrancy and sweete vertue : whereof they whose breath is tainted , make very good vse .

For they most excellently relish the mouth , mend and commend the breath .

Ginger .

Choise . NEw : not rotten : of the best smel : which biteth the tongne most : cut in pieces , turnes not to dust .

Vse . Breaketh winde , yet heateth slowlier then pepper : good for cold stomacks : prouoketh sluggish husbandes : wosteth fleame : sharpeneth the sight .

Hurt . Enflameth hot constitutions , in hot weather , or in hotte countries .

Correction . Greene Ginger , condite with hony , warmes olde mens bellyes , or dry , moderately vsed .

Degree . The gréene is hot in the third , moyst in the first : the dry , dryeth in she second .

Season . Age . Constitution . In hot weather , for olde , phlegmaticke , or troubled with winde .

Zinziber . Story for Table-talke .

GInger new or greene , is passing moyst : which may bee gathered , in that it most soone rotteth and corrupteth . Hence also , it heateth slowlier then pepper vnto which notwithstanding in all other qualities it is very like .

It is first fetched from Calecut , the most famous Indian Mart : where being condite greene with sugar or hony , it is very restoratiue .

Nutmegges .

Choise . NEw : not rotten : weightie . Full of iuyce and oyle : the colonr inclining to red .

Vse . Mendeth a strong breath : taketh away pimpels : comforteth the sight : stomacke : spleane , and belly : prouokes vrine .

Hurt . Bindeth : and therefore hurteth such as haue the Haemorhoids , are costiue , or melancholicke .

Correction . Vse it sildome , moderately , and with a litle Ginger .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and dry , in the ende of second .

In winter , for very olde folkes full of fleame .

Nux Myristica . Story for Table-talke .

SO called in Greeke , for his most sweete and pleasant sauour . As therefore the common Essay , As weake as water , is very badly applied to Aqua fortis : so contrariwise , that other Adage , As sweete , as a Nutte , may most properly and kindely be vnderstood , of the Nut Myricstick , or sweete Nut. Euen as he that saith , he is Dog-sicke , as sicke as a Dog : meaneth a sicke Dog , doubtlesse .

Saffron .

Choise . NEw : well coloured : the tops of it a little white in the very ende : long : tough : not soone brayed : of most fragrant smell : which moistened , dieth the hand .

Vse . Preserueth all the entrals : causeth good colour : wonderfully recreateth the heart : prouokes vrin , and Venus : drunk , hasteneth child-birth : driueth away drunkennesse .

Hurt . Stuffeth and paineth the head : makes drowste : takes away appetite .

Correction . Vse it moderately , and in colde weather .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hotte in the second , dry in the first .

In winter , for the olde , phlegmaticke , and melanchollicke .

Crocus . Story for Table-talke .

SAffron ( as it groweth in the ground ) much resembleth the Onyon , as Aristotle noteth : but they differ , in that the Saffron head is continuous and solid , not diuided into tunicles or skinnes , as the Onyonis , neither yeeldeth seed as doth the Onyon . But the Sementiue vertue of Saffron , resteth in the head or roote .

It is so good a preparatiue , that Pliny saith , he that drinks Saffron in some liquor , shall neither surfet nòr be drunke .

Sugar .

Choise . CAndid : heauie : solide : hard : not going soone to powder .

Vse . It kéepes the bodie cleane and neate : holesome for the reines : nourisheth more then honny : clenseth the breast .

Hurt . Causeth thirst : soone turnes to choller : naught for hot constitutions .

Correction . Eate it with Pome-Granates and sower Orenges .

Degree . Hot and moyst in the first , or as some thinke , possessing an equall temperature of all qualities .

Season . Age . Constitution . In winter , for old , cold , and such as be troubled with distillations .

Saccarum . Story for Table-talke .

SVgar by some writers is tearmed Cane or Reede-Honny : because it is excocted foorth a Cane or Reede .

No kind of meat refuseth Sugar for his condiment , but only the inwards of beasts , as tripes : which if you condite with it , they grow most vnsauourly . If I were not very reuerently sparing of your reuerent modestie , especially at the table , I wold tell you it makes them smell and stincke like newe Oxe-dung .

Honny .

Choise . PVre : cleare : most splendent : whitest : curdled and thicke .

Vse . It heateth the stomack : therfore holesome for old folkes : disposeth to the stoole : resisteth putrifaction : makes good blood .

Hurt . Worst for hot stomackes , enflaming the blood , and through his accrimony , increaseth choller .

Correction . Eate it with fruit , sower meats : or with Saccarum Rosatum .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot and drie in the second .

In winter , for old , cold , and reumaticke .

Mel. Storie for Table-talke .

ALl Honny is made of Dewe . For out of flowers the Bees gather that of which they make their Combes : of the gum which droppeth from trees , they make Waxe : of Dewe they make Honny . So that Dewe is congealed togither or crassified , either by liuing creatures , and is made Honny : or of it owne accord , which also is Honny , vsually tearmed Dry Manna : or is not thickned at all , which they call liquid Manna : Whereof there is great store about Hormus , a Cittie in Arabia Faelix .

Sauce .

Salt .

Choise . WHite : dry and hard for preseruing , but moist for euery bit .

Vse . The first thing that is set on the Table , and the last taken away : vsed almost in all meates , to season or preserue : by drying , resists poyson : consumeth al corrupt humors .

Hurt . Makes soone looke old : dries the bodie : wasteth séede : engenders sharpe and biting humors : causeth itch and scabbes .

Correction . Eate little of it , and that in or with moyst meates .

Degree . Season . Age . Constitution . Hot in dry .

In cold weather for flegmaticke and cold stomackes : bad for chollericke .

Sal. Storie for Table-talke .

WE haue onely added a letter to the latin name : which takes his original as Salt it selfe doth , a Sole , Salo , & Solo. For the Sunne naturally oft times makes Salt , of the fome which the sea waues leaue vpon the shore . Howbeit , art is a much perfecter Salt-maker .

There is Salt of diuerse colours . In Aegypt it is red : in Sicilia purple : in Pathmos , it is most bright and splendent . In Cappadocia , it is of a Saffron colour . The Diuel loues no Salt with his meat saith Bodinus .

Vineger .

Choise . MAde of the best wine , a yeare old : bettered by putting Roses in it .

Vse . Best temperateth choller : quencheth thirst : closeth and strengtheneth weake gummes : breakes fleame : holesome in time of Pestilence .

Hurt . Taken fasting hurts the sinows , old , leane , and melancholicke folks : gnaweth the stomack and entrals : bad for the diseases of the belly .

Correction . Allay it with a good deale of water , or take it with Raisons of the Sunne .

Degree . Cold in the first , moyst in the second .

Season . Age . Constitution . For hot weather , youth , chollerists .

Acetum . Story for Table-talke .

THere be foure principall cōtingates to Wine . 1. To be kept vncorrupt : 2. To be kept sweete : 3. Beeing corrupt , to be restored : 4. To be chaunged into Vineger . This last is effected many wayes : most of which are commonly knowne . The reason and effect of them all , is only this : to bereaue wine of his proper fatnesse . Whence it followeth , that vineger nourisheth nothing at all : & that it best quencheth fire : for it is vtterly voyd of that same Pingue Humidum , and by his exceeding Acrimony and rartnesse , eateth and consumeth .

Mustard .

Choise . WHich taken , pearceth the braine and prouoketh néesing .

Vse . Good sauce for sundrie meates , both flesh and fish : besides medicinable to purge the braine .

Hurt . Not so good for the sight , hotte folkes , or in hot weather .

Degree . Much hotter then salt , therefore called in Latine Mustarda ( quasi ) Mustum ardens : In English Mustard : that is , much tart .

Season . Age . Constitution . In colde weather , for old , colde , and rumaticke .

Sinapi . Storie for Table-talke .

PLiny highly commendeth the hearb that yeeldeth this condiment . But ( saith he ) the seed is ( as it were ) a Compendium of the hearbe . And that , sine vllo dispendio vertutis . Yea the seed is all vigour ; and though least in quantitie , yet most in power and vertue .

It is the most perfect Embleme of Ex minimis initijs , Omnia ex nihilo , that is , creation : to see of litle or nothing , what a most ample and large Hearbe ariseth .

Greene Sauce .

Choise . MAde of swéete hearbes , as Betony , Mint , Basill : also Rose vineger , a Clowe or two , and a little Garlicke .

Vse . Eaten with flesh ( as mustard ) exciteth appetite : commendeth meates to the Palate : helpes concoction : breaketh fleame in the stomack .

Hurt . Naught for Feuers and hotte stomacks , especially eaten largely .

Correction . Mingle it with the iuyce of Sower Oranges , and eate very good meates vpon it .

Degree . According to the temperature of the herbs it is made of , now more , now lesse hot .

Season . Age . Constitution . In hot weather , for any , especially for youth .

Condimentum viride . Story for Table-talke .

THis kinde of Sauce , I neuer tasted my selfe : yet am bold to communicate and commend it to my friendes , as I finde it described by the Italian Freitagio . The Italian ( as all the world knowes ) is most exquisite in the composition of all sortes of Condiments , they being indeede the better part of his Diet. All kinde of Greene-sauce , is questionlesse best in season , while herbs retaine their full strength and perfect vigour .

A Satyricall Epigram , vpon the wanton , and excessiue vse of Tabacco . IT chaunc'd me gazing at the Theater , To spie a Lock-Tabacco-Chevalier , Clowding the loathing ayr with foggie fume Of Dock-Tabacco , friendly foe to rume . I wisht the Roman lawes seuerity : Alex. seu . Edict . Who smoke felleth , with smoke be donto dy Being well nigh smouldred with this smokie stir , I gan this wize bespeak my gallant Sir : Certes , me thinketh ( Sir . ) it ill beseems , Thus hereto vapour out these reeking steams : Like or to Maroes steeds , whose nosthrils flam'd ; Or Plinies Nosemen ( mouthles men ) surnam'd , Whose breathing nose supply'd Mouths absency . He me regreets with this prophane reply : Nay ; I resemble ( Sir ) Iehouah dread , From out whose nosthrils a smoake issued : Or the mid-ayrs tongealed region , Whose stomach with crude humors frozenon Sucks vp Tabacco-like the vpmost ayr , Enkindled by Fires neighbour candle fayr : And hence it spits out watry reums amaine , As phleamy snow , and haile , and sheerer raine : Anon it smoakes beneath , it flames anon . Sooth then , quoth I , it 's safest we be gon , Lest there arise some Ignis Fatuus From out this smoaking flame , and choken vs . On English foole : wanton Italianly ; Go Frenchly : Duchly drink : breath Indiauly .

Tabacco .

Choise . TRanslated out of India in the séed or roote ; Natiue or satun in our own fruitfullest soiles : Dried in the shade , and compiled very close : of a tawny colour , somwhat inclining to red : most perspicuous and cleare : which the Nose soonest taketh in snuffe .

Vse . It cureth any griefe , dolour , opilation , impostume , or obstruction , procéeding of cold or winde : especially in the head or breast : the leaues are good against the Migram , cold stomackes , sick kidnits , tooth-ache , fits of the moother , naughty breath , scaldings or burnings : 4. ounces of the iuyce drunk , purgeth vp and downe : cleanseth the eyes , being outwardly applied . The water distilled and taken afore the fits , cureth an Ague .

The sume taken in a Pipe , is good against Rumes , Catarrhs , hoarsenesse , ache in the head , stomacke , lungs , breast : also in want of meat , drinke , sléepe , or rest .

Hurt . Mortifieth and benummeth : causeth drowsinesse : troubleth & dulleth the sences : makes ( as it were ) drunke : dangerous in meale time .

Correction . The leaues be-ashed or warmed in imbers and ashes : taken once a day at most , in the morning , fasting .

Degree . Hot and dry in the second : of a stiffening and soddering nature . Also disensing and dissoluing filthy humours , consisting of contrary qualities .

Season . Age . Constitution . In Winter and the Spring , for hot , strong , youthful and fat bodies only , as some thinke .

Tabacus Pilciet . Storie for Table-talke .

THis Hearbe is of great antiquitie & high respect among the Indians , and especially those of America or new Spain . Of whom the Spaniards tooke it , after they had subdued those Countries first vpon a liking of the hearde verie faire and glorious to the eye ; afterward vpon triall of his vertues worthie admiration .

The Name in India is Pilciet , surnamed Tabacco by the Spaniards , of the Ile Tabaco . By their meanes it spred farre and neare : but yet wee are not beholden to their tradition . Our English Vlisses , renomed Syr Walter Rawleigh , a man admirably excellent in Nauigation , of Natures priuy counsell , and infinitely reade in the wide booke of the worlde , hath both farre fetcht it , and deare bought it : the estimate of the treasure I leaue to other : yet this all know , since it came in request , there hath bene Magnus fumi questue , and Fumi-vendulus is the best Epithite for an Apothecary .

Thus much late Histories tell vs : among the Indians it is so highly honoured , that when the Priests are consulting in matter of importance , they presently cast Tabacco into the fire , and receiue at their nose & mouth , the smoak through a Cane , till they fall downe dead-drunke . Afterward reuiuing againe , they giue answeres according to the phantasmes and visions , which appeared to them in their sleepe .

FINIS .

Epiposion . Grace after Diets dry Dinner , wherein Diets Drinking is promised . NOw that your barking stomackes mouth is shut , And hungers rage apppeas'd with choycer fare , And murmuring bowels be to silence put , Now that the boordes with voyder purged are : Both thank you God , and thanke Simposiarch's pains , That for your thankes , he may thanke you againe . For if you hunger yet , or if you thirst . Both which ( I weet ) may Diets Drinesse make , A second course may hap to swage the first , And Diets Drinking shall the latter slake : Accept meane while , these Cates of D. D. D. Drest by Arts Cookery , in C. C. C. Proficiat . Proface . Mytchgoodditchye .

IOa : Weeueri Epicrisis ad Henricum Butsum . DIETS dry Diner ? change thy Dinners name , For ( wittie Buttes ) thou doest thy Dinner wro Of fish , fruite , flesh , and white-meat doest thou fra● 〈◊〉 dyet with Tabacco leaues among : ●nd can'st thou say thy Dinner then is dry Then both of Spices and of Sauces store ●nd of Tabaccos moysture fresh supply ●hy Dinner is replenish't euermore ? With salt of wit so sweet thy Dinner seasond , And relisht with the sharpenesse of thine Art : The Historie of this thy Dyet reasond . The table furnisht rich in euery part . Change , change , thy name : I see no reason why ●Buttes ) thou shouldest call thy Dyets Dinner dry

Eiusdem ad eundem de eodem Palinodoia . CHange not the Name : for Dinners should be dry . T is now the fashion : on a Cupboord by The drinke must pauling stand : For once I sate Pontus Table , and withall forgate , ●r else it was my blushing modestie , ●amde to shoute for drinke so openly ) 〈◊〉 call for beere . From Diuner I rose vp , 〈◊〉 neuer toucht of Pontus fomy Cup : 〈◊〉 With Pontus then ere any more I dine , ●tes ( by thy leaue ) I le be a Guest of thine . FINIS .

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