Syphilis, or, A poetical history of the French disease written in Latin by Fracastorius ; and now attempted in English by N. Tate. Fracastoro, Girolamo, 1478-1553. 1686 Approx. 90 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 52 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A40375 Wing F2049 ESTC R24339 08141749 ocm 08141749 40932 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A40375) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 40932) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1229:22) Syphilis, or, A poetical history of the French disease written in Latin by Fracastorius ; and now attempted in English by N. Tate. Fracastoro, Girolamo, 1478-1553. Tate, Nahum, 1652-1715. [15], 84 p. Printed for Jacob Tonson, London : 1686. Errata: p. 84. Reproduction of original in the Bodleian Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Syphilis -- Early works to 1800. 2002-02 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-03 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-04 TCP Staff (Michigan) Sampled and proofread 2002-04 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-05 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Licensed , Decemb. 3. 1686. RO. L'ESTRANGE SYPHILIS : OR , A POETICAL HISTORY OF THE French Disease . Written In Latin by FRACASTORIVS . And now Attempted in English by N. TATE . LONDON , Printed for Iacob Tonson , at the Iudge's - Head in Chancery-lane near Fleetstreet . 1686. THE TRANSLATOR TO Mr. HOBBS , Surgeon to His MAJESTY . ACcept , great Son of Art , this faint effect Of a most active , and unfeign'd Respect : Numbers that yield ( Alas ! ) too just survey Of Physick's growth and Poetry's decay . That shew a generous Muse impair'd by Me , As much as th' Authour's skill's out-done by Thee . This Indian Conqu'rer's fatal March he sung , To the same Lyre his own Apollo strung ; Whose Notes yet fail'd the Monster to asswage , Revenging Here , invading Spaniard's Rage . Dear was the Conquest of a new found World , Whose Plague e'er since through all the Old is hurl'd . Had Fracastorius , who in Numbers told ( Numbers more rich than those new Lands of Gold ) This great Destroyer's Progress , seen this Age And thy Success against the Tyrant's Rage , Bembus , had then been no immortal Name , Thou and thy Art had challeng'd all his Flame ! Thou driv'st th' Usurper to his last Retreats , Repairing as Thou go'st the ruin'd Seats : Thus while the Foe is by thy Art remov'd , The Holds are strengthen'd , and the Soil improv'd . Thy happy Conquest do's at once Expell Th' Invader's force , and inbred Factions quell . Thy Patients and Augusta's fate 's the same , To rise more fair and lasting for the Flame : While meaner Artists this bold Task essay , I' th' little World of Man they loose their way . Thou know'st the secret Passes to each Part , And , skill'd in Nature , can'st not fail in Art. THE LIFE OF Fracastorius . FRacastorius was descended from the Fracastorian Family of great Antiquity in Verona . He seemed not onely to rival the Fame of Catullus and Pliny , who had long before made that City renown'd , but to have very far exceeded all his Contemporaries , for Learning and Poetry . His Parents were Paulo-Philippus Fracastorius and Camilla Mascarellia , both of great Reputation . He was so well educated by his Father that he gave early proofs of a great Genius , so that in his childhood all men conceived hopes of an extraordinary Man. Nor was Providence wanting to give him a signal Testimony , forasmuch as when he was an Infant in the Armes of his Mother , a sudden Tempest arising , in which the Mother was struck dead by Lightning , the Child received no harm . He was sent for literature while very young to Padua , where even in that age with indefatigable labour , he opened his way to that height of glory which he afterwards attained : After the initiatory Arts he applyed himself to the secrets of distinct Sciences , but infinitely delighted with the Mathematicks , in all , assisted by a Memory equal to his Ingenuity . After several years spent in Philosophical studies under the Tutorship of Peter Pomponatius of Mantua ; he devoted himself by the dictates of his Genius to Physick with such resolution and success , that in the School disputations , not onely his fellow Students but most experienc'd Doctours were sensible that he was designed by Providence for great Undertakings . Accordingly they then gave him the honour of the Pulpit , which had never before been permitted to any person till they had perfected their studies , and were arrived to the years of Manhood . This School being dissolv'd by the breaking out of the War , while he had thoughts of returning to his Countrey ( his Father being then dead ) he was on honourable conditions invited by Livianus , General of the Venetian Forces , and a noble Patron of Wit , to the College Forojuliensis , &c. — and lodged in the same apartment of Andrea Naugerus and Iohannes Cottac , two excellent Poets . He had not long resided here before he published Verses on every extraordinary Occasion that happened , which were received with such general applause throughout Italy , that their fame has to this day stifled the performances of his Companions . Having after wards accompanied Livianus through many wars , the General being at last overthrown and taken Prisoner by the French at Abdua ; he returned late into his native countrey , where in the general devastation he found his Patrimony almost utterly destroyed . He marry'd , but was soon unhappy in the loss of two Sons whose untimely death he bewailed in a most passionate Elegy . He was low of Stature but of good bulk , his Shoulders broad , his Hair black and long , his Face round , his Eyes black , his Nose short and turning upwards by his continual contemplation of the Stars , a lively air was spread over his Countenance that displayed the Serenity and Ingenuity of his Mind . He affected a quiet and private life , as being a man free from ambitious desires ; contenting himself with a moderate fortune , and placing his happiness in improvement of his knowledge . He was chearfull though frugal at his Table , having a constant regard to his health ; his wit being always the best part of his Banquet . He was notwithstanding sparing in his Speech , and affecting no vanity in his Dress : He was never censorious of other mens performances , but always glad of an occasion to commend ; for which he was deservedly celebrated by Iohannes Baptista in a noble Epigram . He spent his time in curing the diseased , a divine Power seeming always to attend his endeavours , above the sordid desire of gain , and thought himself best rewarded in the health of his Patient . By these means he contracted many friendships , and had ( deservedly ) no Enemy . He was not onely esteemed for his skill in his own countrey , but was sought to by foreign Princes in desperate sickness , for which though vast rewards were offered , he brought nothing home beside their Friendship . In his leisure he diverted himself with reading History , at which time Polybius , or Plutarch were never out of his hands . He sometimes relieved his studies with Mathematicks and Musick , and made no small performances in Cosmography . He was much alone , yet always employed ; and though by reason of his backwardness to discourse , he seemed of a Saturnine Temper , yet none were more chearfull and pleasant when entred into Conversation . He performed wonders by his exact knowledge of Herbs and Simples , by searching the best Books of the Ancients . That most excellent Antidote called Diascordium , was of his preparing ; we are likewise beholding to his judgment for specifying many usefull Herbs of which the Ancients had left uncertain description . The Age in which he lived saw nothing equal to his Learning , but his honesty . In his retreat from the City , while the Pestilence raged , he found leisure to compose the following Poem , a work of such elegance , that Sanazarius freely acknowledged it to excell his own , De partu Virginis , that had cost him above twenty years labour and correction . His Treatises in Prose and efforts of Poetry are too numerous to be recited on this occasion . In all which he affected so little vanity that he never preserv'd a Copy ; and we are beholding for what are extant , to the industry of his Friends that collected them after his death . He was above 70 years old when he dyed , which was by an Apoplexy that seiz'd him while he was at Dinner at his Countrey seat . He was sensible of his malady , though speechless , often putting his Hand upon the top of his Head , by which sign he would have had his Servants administer a Cupping-Glass to the part affected , by which he had formerly cured a Nun in Verona , labouring under the same Distemper . But his Domesticks not conceiving his meaning apply'd first one thing and then another , till in the Evening he gently Expired . He was Interr'd at Verona : his Statue together with that of Andrea Naugerus , delicately cast in Brass , was erected in the School of Padua by Iohannes Baptista Rhamnusius . His fellow Citizens of Verona , not to be behind Rhamnusius in respect ( two years after the erecting the brazen Statue in Padua ) set up his Image in marble at Verona , in imitation of their Ancestours who had performed the same honour to their Catullus and Pliny ; with Laurel round their Heads . TO His Friend , The Writer of the ENSUING TRANSLATION . WEll has thy Fate directed Thee to chuse An Authour , worthy of the noblest Muse : His learned Pen has , what was long unknown , In Roman language , like a Roman shown . And thine as sweet , in British numbers taught The Labours of his vast Poetick thought . Of Earth , of Seas , of putrid air He sung , To search from whence that dire Contagion sprung , Which now does worse than fellest Plagues deface The beauteous Form of God's resembling Race . From the Malignant influence of the Skies , 'T is sure the Seeds of most Diseases rise . But if this merciless , consuming Flame , From Vapours , or infectious Planets came ; Why rag'd it not much more in ancient Times , From Exhalations of impurer Climes ? Besides ; no settled Consequence can spring From whatsoe'er contingent Causes bring . The raging Pestilence , that long lays wast The spotted Prey , devours it self at last . And sure had this been ne'er so strong entail'd , The vile succession must e'er now have fail'd . Blame not the Stars ; 't is plain it neither fell From the distemper'd Heav'ns , nor rose from Hell. Nor need we to the distant Indies rome ; The curst Originals are nearer home . Whence should that foul infectious Torment flow , But from the banefull source of all our wo ? That wheedling , charming Sex , that draws us in To ev'ry punishment and ev'ry sin . While Man , by Heav'ns command , and nature led , Through this vast Globe his Maker's Image spread ; The Godlike Figure form'd in ev'ry womb Prolifick stems , for Ages yet to come . Vncurst , because he did not vainly toil , On barren Mountains , or impregnant soil ; Healthfull and vigorous , He , o'er the face Of the wide Earth , dispers'd the Sacred race . But now , that Tribe , who all our Rights invade , Pervert the wise Decrees which Nature made . Prompt to all ill , Insatiately they fire At ev'ry pamper'd Brutes untam'd desire : And while they prostitute themselves to more Than Eastern Kings had Concubines before ; The foul Promiscuous Coition breeds , Like jarring Elements , those pois'nous seeds , Which all the dreadfull host of Symptomes bring ; And with one curst Disease a Legion spring . Were the decay'd , degen'rate race of Man , Vntainted now , as when it first began ; And there were no such tort'ring Plague on Earth , The first inconstant Wretch wou'd give it birth . Shun her , as you wou'd fly from splitting Rocks ; Not Wolves so fatal are to tender Flocks : Though round the world the dire Contagion flew , She 'll poison more , than e'er Pandora slew . A POETICAL HISTORY OF THE FRENCH DISEASE . THrough what adventures this unknown Disease So lately did astonisht Europe seize , Through Asian Coasts and Libyan Cities ran , And from what Seeds the Malady began , Our Song shall tell : To Naples first it came From France , and justly took from France his Name , Companion of the War — The Methods next of Cure we shall express , The wondrous Wit of Mortals in distress : But when their Skill too faint Resistence made , We 'll shew the Gods descending to their aid . To reach the secret Causes we must rise Above the Clouds , and travell o'er the Skies . The daring Subject let us then pursue , Transported with an Argument so new , While springing Groves and tunefull Birds invite , And Muses that in wondrous Theams delight . O Bembus , Ornament of Italy , If yet from Cares of State thou canst be free , If Leo's Councils yet can spare thy skill , And let the Business of the World stand still ; O steal a visit to those cool retreats , The Muses dearest most frequented Seats ; And , gentle Bembus , do not there disdain A Member of the Esculapian Train , Attempting Physicks practice to rehearse , And clothing low Experiments in Verse . A God instructs , these mysteries of old By great Apollo's self in equal streins were told . The smallest objects ost attract our Eyes , But here , beneath a small appearance , lies A Source , that greatest wonder will create , Of Nature much and very much of Fate . But thou , Vrania , who alone canst trace First Causes , measure out the Starry space ; That know'st the Planets number , force and use , And what Effects the vari'd Orbs produce : So may the Sphears thy Heavenly Course admire , The Stars with envy at thy Beams retire ; As thou a while shalt Condescend to dwell , With me on Earth , and make this Grove thy Cell ; While Zephyrus , can my head , with Myrtle bound , And imitating Rocks my Song resound . Say , Goddess , to what Cause we shall at last Assign this Plague , unknown to Ages past ; If from the Western Climes 't was wasted o'er , When daring Spaniards left their Native shore ; Resolv'd beyond th' Atlantick to descry , Conjectur'd Worlds , or in the search to dye . For Fame Reports this Grief perpetual there , From Skies infected and polluted Air : From whence 't is grown so Epidemical , Whole Cities Victims to its Fury fall ; Few scape , for what relief where vital Breath , The Gate of Life , is made the Road of death ? If then by Traffick thence this Plague was brought , How Dearly Dearly was that Traffick bought ! This Prodigy of sickness , weak at first , ( Like Infant Tyrants and in secret Nurst ) When once confirm'd , with sudden rage breaks forth And scatters dessolation through the Earth . So while the Shepherd travelling through the dark Strikes his dim Torch , some unsuspected Spark Falls in the Stubble , where it smothers long But by degrees becomes at last so strong , That now it spreads o'er all the Neighbouring soil , Devours at once the Plowmans hope and Toil ; The sacred Grove next Sacrifice must be , Nor Iove can save his dedicated Tree ; The Grove Foments its Rage from whence it flies In curling flames and seems to fire the Skies . Yet observation rightly taken draws This new Distemper from some newer Cause ; Nor Reason can allow that this Disease , Came first by Comerce from beyond the Seas ; Since instances in divers Lands are shown , To whom all Indian Traffick is unknown : Nor could th' Infection from the Western Clime Seize distant Nations at the self same time ; And in Remoter parts begin its Reign , As fierce and early as it did in Spain . What slaughter in our Italy was made Where Tiber's Tribute to the Oceans paid ; Where Poe does through a hundred Cities glide , And pours as many Streams into the Tide . All at one Season , all without relief , Receiv'd and languisht with the common grief . Nor can th' Infection first be charg'd on Spain , That fought new Worlds beyond the Western Main . Since from Pyrene's foot , to Italy , It shed its Bane on France , while Spain was free . As soon the fertile Rhine its fury found , And Regions with eternal Winter bound : Nor yet did Southern Climes its vengeance shun , But felt a flame more scorching than the Sun. The Palms of Ida now neglected stood , And Egypt languisht while her Nile o'erflow'd ; From whence 't is plain this Pest must be assign'd To some more pow'rfull Cause and hard to find . In all productions of wise Nature's hand , Whether Conceiv'd in Air on Sea or Land ; No constant method does direct her way , But various Beings various Laws obey ; Such things as from few Principles arise , In every place and season meet our eyes ; But what are fram'd of Principles abstruce , Such places onely and such times produce . Effects of yet a more stupendious Birth , And such as Nature must with pangs bring forth , Where violent and various Seeds unite , Break slowly from the Bosome of the Night ; Long in the Womb of Fate the Embryo's worn , Whole Ages pass before the Monster 's born . Diseases thus which various Seeds compound , As various in their Birth and date are found . Some always seen , some long in darkness hurld , That break their chains at last to scourge the World. To which black List this Plague must be assign'd , Nights foulest Birth and Terrour of Mankind . Nor must we yet think this escape the first , Since former Ages with the like were curst . Long since he scatter'd his Infernal flame , And always Being had , though not a Name , At least what Name it bore is now unfound : Both Names and things in times Abyss lye drown'd . How vainly then do we project to keep Our Names remembred when our Bodies sleep ? Since late Succession searching their descent , Shall neither find our dust nor Monument . Yet where the Western Ocean finds its bound ( The World so lately by the Spaniards found ) Beneath this Pest the wretched Natives groan In every Nation there and always known , Such dire Effects depend upon a Clime , On varying Skies and long Revolving time : The temper of their Air this Plague brought forth , The Soil it self dispos'd for such a Birth . All things conspir'd to raise the Tyrant there , But time alone cou'd fix his Conquest here . If therefore more distinctly we would know Each Source from whence this deadly Bane did flow , His Progress in the Earth we must survey How many Cities groan beneath his sway . And when his great Advancement we have trac'd , We must allow his Principles as vast . That Earth nor Sea th' Ingredients cou'd prepare And wholly must ascribe it to the Air , The Tyrant's seat , his Magazine is there . The Air that do's both Earth and Sea surround , As easily can Earth and Sea confound ; What Fence for Bodies when at every pore The soft Invader has an open door ? What fence , where poyson's drawn with vitall Breath , And Father Air the Authour proves of Death ? Of subtile substance that with ease receives Infection , which as easily it gives . Now by what means this dire Contagion first , Was form'd aloft , by what Ingredients nurst , Our Song shall tell ; and in this wondrous Course , Revolving times and varying Planets force . First then the Sun with all his train of Stars , Amongst our Elements raise endless Wars ; And when the Planets from their Stations Range , Our Orb is influenc'd , and feels the Change. The chiefest instance is the Suns retreat , No sooner he withdraws his vital heat , But fruitless Fields with Snow are cover'd o'er , The pretty Fountains run and talk no more . Yet when his Chariot to the Crab returns , The Air , the Earth , the very Ocean burns . The Queen of Night can boast no less a sway , At least all humid things her power obey . Malignant Saturn's Star as much can claim , With friendly Iove's , bright Mars , and Venus flame , And all the host of Lights without a Name . Our Elements beneath their influence lye , Slaves to the very Rabble of the Sky . But most when many meet in one abode , Or when some Planet enters a new road , Far distant from the Course he us'd to run , Some mighty work of Fate is to be done . Long tracts of time indeed must first be spent , Before completion of the vast event ; But when the Revolution once is made What mischiefs Earth and Sea at once Invade ! Poor Mortals then shall all extremes sustain While Heav'n dissolves in Deluges of Rain ; Which from the mountains with impetuous course , And headlong Rage , Trees , Rocks and Towns shall force , O'er swelling Ganges then shall sweep the Plain , And peacefull Poe outroar the Stormy Main . In other parts the Springs as low shall lye , And Nymphs with Tears , exhausted streams supply . Where neither Drought nor Deluges destroy , The winds their utmost fury shall employ ; Whlie Hurricans whole Cities shall o'erthrow , Or Earthquakes Gorge them in the depths below . Perhaps the Season shall arrive ( if Fate And Nature once agree upon the date ) When this most cultivated Earth shall be Unpeopled quite , or drench'd beneath the Sea ; When ev'n the Sun another Course shall steer , And other Seasons constitute the year : The wondring North shall see the springing Vine , And Moors admire at Snow beneath the Line . New Species then of Creatures shall arise A new Creation Nature's self surprise . Then Youth shall lend fresh vigour to the Earth , And give a second breed of Gyants birth . By whom a new assault shall be perform'd , Hills heap'd on Hills , and Heaven once more be storm'd . Since Nature's then so lyable to change , Why should we think this late Contagion strange ; Or that the Planets where such mischiefs grow , Should shed their poyson on the Earth below ? Two hundred rowling years are past away , Since Mars and Saturn in Conjunction lay . When through the East an unknown Fever Rag'd , Of strange Effects and by no Arts Asswag'd ; From suffocated Lungs with pain they drew Their breath , and bloud for spittle did ensue ; Four days the wretches with this Plague were griev'd , ( Oh dismal sight ) and then by death reliev'd . From thence to Persia the Contagion came , Of whom th' Assyrians catch'd the spreading flame . Euphrates next and Tigris did complain , Arabia too stil'd happy now in vain ; Then Phrygia mourn'd , from whence it crost the Sea ( Too small to quench its flame ) to Italy . Then from this lower Orb with me remove To view the Starry Palaces above , Through all the Roads of wandring Planets rove . To search in what position they have stood , And what Conjectures were from them made good . To find what Signs did former times direct , And what the present Age is to expect : From hence perhaps we shall with ease descry The Source of this stupendious Malady . Behold how Cancer with portentous harms Before Heav'ns Gate unfolds his threatning Armes ; Prodigious ills must needs from thence ensue , In which one House we may distinctly view A numerous Cabal of Stars conspire , To hurl at once on Air their bainfull fire . All this the Rev'rend Artist did descry Who nightly watch'd the Motions of the Sky , Ye Gods ( he cry'd ) what does your rage prepare , What unknown Plague engenders in the Air ? Besides , I see dire Wars on Europe shed , Ausonian Fields with Native Gore o'erspread . Thus Sung the Sage , and to prevent d●●ate , In writing left the Story of our Fate . When any certain Course of years is run E'er the next Revolution be begun , Heavens Method is , for Iove in all his State , To weigh Events and to determine Fate ; To search the Book of destiny and show What change shall rise in Heav'n or Earth below . Behold him then in awfull Robes array'd , And calling his known Counsel to his aid ; Saturn and Mars the Thundring Summons call , The Crab's portentous Armes unlock the Hall , Mark with what various meen the Gods repair , First Mars with sparkling Eyes and flaming Hair , So furious and addicted to Alarms , He dreams of Battels , though in Venus Armes . But see with what august and peacefull brow ( Of Gold his Chariot if the Fates allow ) Great Iove appears , who do's to all extend Impartial Justice , Heav'n and Nature's friend . Old Saturn last with heavy pace comes on , Loath to obey the Summons of his Son ; Oft going stopt , oft ponder'd in his mind Heaven's Empire lost , oft to return inclin'd ; Thus , much distracted , and arriving late , Sits grudging down beside the Chair of State. Iove now unfolds what Fate 's dark laws contain , Which Iove alone has Wisedom to Explain : Sees ripning Mischiefs ready to be hurl'd , And much Condoles the Suffrings of the World : Unfolded views deaths Adamantine Gates , War , Slaughters , Factions and subverted States . But most astonish'd at a new Disease , That must forthwith on helpless Mortals seize , These secrets he unfolds , and shakes the Skies : The Gods Condole and from the Council rise . Hell's Agent thus no sooner quits his Cage , But on the starting Spheres he hurles his rage : The purer Orbs disdain th' Infernal foe , And shake the Taint upon the Air below . The grosser Air receives the banefull Seeds , Converting to the Poison which it feeds : Whether the Sun from Earth this Vapour drew , In late Conjunction with his fiery Crew ; Or from Fermenting Seas by Neptune sent In Envy to the higher Element , Is hard to say ; or if more Powers combin'd , Sent forth this Prodigy to fright Mankind . The Offices of Nature to define , And to each Cause a true effect assign , Must be a Task both hard and doubtfull too , Since various consequences oft ensue : Nor Nature always to her self is true . Some Principles shall on the Instant work , Whilst others shall for tedious Ages lurk : Besides the Power of Chance shall oft prevail , On Natures force , and cause Events to fail . Nor is the influence of Maladies Less various than the Seeds from whence they rise . Sometimes th' infected Air hurts Trees alone , To grass and tender flowers pernicious known . The blast sometimes destroys the furrow'd soil , With mildew'd Ears not worth the Reapers toil . Or if some Dale with Grain seems more enrich'd , It moulds and rots before the sheaves are pitchd . When Earth yields store , yet oft some strange Disease Shall fall and onely on poor Cattel seize . Here it shall sweep the Stock , while there it sheds Its fury onely on devoted Heads . My own Remembrance to this hour retains , An Autumn drown'd with never ceasing Rains : Yet this Malignant Luxury the breed Of Goats alone did rue , the rest were freed . See how at break of day their number 's told , See how the Keeper drives them from the Fold : Behold him next beneath a hanging Rock , And chearing with his Reed the browzing Flock , While them he charms nor is himself less pleas'd , With a sharp sudden Cough some darling Kid is seiz'd The Cough his Knell , for with a giddy round He whirls , and streight falls dead upon the ground . This fever thus to Goats and Kids severe While Autumn held , confined his Vengeance there ; Next Spring , both lowing Herd and Bleating Flock At once it seiz'd , spar'd none but swept the Stock : With such uncertainty from tainted Skies In Bodies plac't on Earth effects arise . Since then by dear experiment we find Diseases various in their Rise and Kind : Of this Contagion let us take a view , More terrible for being Strange and new , That with the proudest Son of Slaughter vies , And claims no lower kindred than the Skies ; And as he did aloft conceive his Flame , The proud Destroyer seeks no common Game , He scorns the well finn'd Sporters of the Flood , He scorns the well plum'd Singers of the wood ; Disdains the wanton Browzers of the Rock , Disdains the lowing Herd and bleating Flock ; With Wolf or Bear , despizes to engage , Nor can the generous Horse provoke his rage : The Lords of Nature onely he annoys , And humane frame , Heav'ns Images , destroys . The bloud 's black viscous parts he seizes first , By whose malignant Aliments he 's nurst ; And e'er he can the fierce Assault begin , Factions of humours take his part within ; The strongest Holds of nature thus he gains , Quar'tring his cruel Troops throughout the veins , While some more noble Seat the Tyrant's Throne contains . Such principles brought this Distemper forth , Such Aliments maintain'd the dreadfull Birth . His certain signs and symptoms to rehearse , Is the next taske of our instructing Verse . O , may it prove of such a lasting date , To conquer Time , and Triumph over Fate . Apollo's self inspires the usefull Song , And all that to Apollo do's belong , Like him , should ever , live and be for ever young . How shall Posterity admire our skill , Taught by our Muse to know the lurking ill , And when his dreadfull Visage they behold , Cry , this is the Disease whose Signs of old Th' inspir'd Physician in bright numbers told . For thô th' infernal Pest should quit the Earth , Absconding in the Hell , that gave it Birth ; Yet after lazy Revolutions past The unsuspected Prodigy at last , Shall from the womb of Night once more be hurl'd , T' infect the Skies , and to amaze the World. What therefore seems most wondrous in his course Is that he should so long conceal his Force ; For when the Foe his secret way has made , And in our Intrails strong detachments laid ; Yet oft the Moon four monthly rounds shall steer Before convincing Symptoms shall appear ; So long the Malady shall lurk within , And grow confirm'd before the danger 's seen ; Yet with Disturbance to the wretch diseas'd , Who with unwonted heaviness is seiz'd , With drooping Spirits , his affairs persues , And all his Limbs their offices refuse , The chearfull glories of his Eyes decay , And from his Cheeks the Roses fade away , A leaden hue o'er all his Face is spread , And greater weights depress his drooping Head ; Till by degrees the Secret parts shall show , By open proofs the undermining Foe ; Who now his dreadfull ensigns shall display , Devour , and harass in the sight of day . Again , when chearfull Light has left the Skies , And Night's ungratefull shades and Vapors rise ; When Nature to our Spirits sounds retreat , And to the Vitals calls Her stragling Heat ; When th' out works are no more of warmth possest , Bloudless , and with a load of humours prest ; When ev'ry kind Relief's retir'd within , 'T is then the Execrable Pains begin ; Armes , Shoulders , Legs , with restless Aches vext , And with Convulsions ev'ry Nerve perplext ; For when through all our Veins th' Infection 's spread , And by what e'er should feed the Body fed ; When Nature strives the Vitals to defend , And all destructive humours outward send : These being viscous , gross and loath to start , In its dull March shall torture ev'ry Part ; Whence to the Bloudless Nerves dire Pains ensue , At once contracted , and extended too ; The thinner Parts will yet not stick so fast , But to the Surface of the Skin are cast , Which in foul Botches o'er the Body spread , Prophane the Bosome , and deform the Head : Here Puscles in the form of Achorns swell'd , In form alone , for these with Stench are fill'd , Whose Ripness is Corruption , that in time , Disdain confinement , and discharge the slime ; Yet oft the Foe would turn his Forces back , The Brawn and inmost Muscles to attack , And pierce so deep , that the bare Bones have been Betwixt the dreadfull fleshy Breaches seen ; When on the vocal parts his Rage was spent , Imperfect sounds , for tunefull Speech was sent . As on a springing Plant , you have beheld The juice that through the tender Bark has swell'd , That from the Sap's more viscous part did come , Till by the Sun condens'd into a Gumm : So when this Bane is once receiv'd within , With such Eruptions he shall force the Skin ; And when the Humour for a time has flow'd , Grow fixt at last , and harden to a Node . Hence some young Swain , as on the Rocks he stood , To view his Picture in the crystal Flood , And finding there his lovely Cheeks deform'd , Against the Stars , against the Gods he storm'd : Mean while the Sable Wings of Night are spread , And balmy Sleep on ev'ry creature shed . These wretches onely no Repose could take , By this tormenting Fiend still kept Awake ; Impatient till the Morn restor'd the Light , Then curst her Beams , and wish'd again for Night . Ceres in vain her blessings did afford , In vain the flowing Goblet crown'd the Board ; No comfort they in large Possessions had , Of Farms , or Towns , but e'en in Banquets sad : In vain the Streams , and Meads they did frequent , The dismal Thought persu'd wheree'er they went ; And when for Prospect they would climb the Hill , The dire Remembrance Hagg'd their Fancy still : In vain the Gods themselves they did invoke , Adorn'd their Shrines , and made their Altars smoak : They Brib'd and Pray'd , yet still reliefless lay , Their offer'd Gumms consum'd less fast than they . Shall I relate what I my self beheld , Where Ollius stream with gentle plenty swell'd ? In those fair Meads where Ollius cuts his way , A Youth of Godlike form I did survey , By all the World besides unparallel'd , And ev'n in Italy by none excell'd ; First Signs of Manhood on his Cheeks were shown , A tender Harvest , and but thinly sown , Besides those charms that did his Person grace , Descended from a rich and noble Race : What transport in Spectatours did he breed , Mounted , and managing the fiery Steed , What Joy at once , and Terrour did we feel , When he prepar'd for Field , and shone in Steel ? Of equal Strength and Skill for Exercise , All conflicts try'd , but never lost a Prize ; Oft in the Chase his Courser he 'd forgo , Trust his own Feet , and turn the swiftest Roe . For him each Nymph , for him each Goddess strove , Of Hill , of Plain , of Meadow , Stream and Grove : Nor can we doubt that in this numerous Train , Some One ( neglected ) did to Heaven complain Who though in vain She lov'd , yet did not Curse in vain ; For whilst the Youth did to his Strength confide , And Nerves in ev'ry Task of hardship try'd . This finish'd Piece , this celebrated Frame , The Mansion of a loath'd Disease became : But of such banefull , and malignant Kind , As Ages past ne'er knew , and future ne'er shall find . Now might you see his Spring of Youth decay , The Verdure dye , the Blossoms fall away ; The foul Infection o'er his Body spread , Prophanes his Bosome , and deforms his Head ; His wretched Limbs with filth and stench o'er flow , While Flesh divides , and shews the Bones below . Dire Ulcers ( can the Gods permit them ) prey On his fair Eye-balls , and devour their Day , Whilst the neat Pyramid below , falls Mouldring quite away . Him neighbouring Alps bewail'd with constant Dew , Ollius ; no more his wonted Passage knew Hills , Valleys , Rocks , Streams , Groves , his Fate Bemoan'd , Sebinus Lake from deepest Caverns groan'd . From hence malitious Saturn's Force is known , From whose malignant Orb this Plague was thrown , To whom more cruel Mars assistence lent , And club'd his Influence to the dire Event : Nor could the malice of the Stars suffice , To make such execrable Mischief rise ; For certainly e'er this Disease began , Through Hells dark Courts the cursing Furies ran , Where to astonisht Ghosts they did relate , In dreadfull Songs , the Burthen of our Fate ; The Stygian Pool did to the bottome rake , And from its Dregs the curst Ingredients take , Which scatter'd since through Europe wide and far , Bred Pestilence , and more consuming War. Ye Deities who once our Guardians were , Who made th' Ausonian fields your special Care , And thou O Saturn , Father of our Breed , From whence do's this unwonted Rage proceed Against thy ancient Seats ? Has Fate 's dark Store a Plague yet left , which we Have not sustain'd ev'n to Extremity ? First let Parthenope her griefs declare , Her Kings destroy'd her Temples sack't in War. Who can the Slaughter of that Day recite , When hand to hand we joyn'd the Gauls in fight , When Tarrus Brook was so o'er-swell'd with Bloud Men , Horses , Arms , rowl'd down th' impetuous Flood ? Eridanus in wandring Banks receives The purple Stream , and for our Fate with Brother Tarrus grieves . To what estate , O wretched Italy Has civil Strife reduc'd , and mouldr'd Thee ! Where now are all thy ancient Glories hurl'd ? Where is thy boasted Empire of the World ? What nook in Thee from barb'rous Rage is freed , And has not seen her captive Children bleed ? That was not first to savage Arms a Prey , And do's not yet more savage Laws obey ? Answer ye Hills where peacefull Clusters grew , And never till this hour disturbance knew , Calm as the Flood which at your Feet ye View ; Calm as Erethenus who on each side , Beholds your Vines , and ravisht with their Pride , Moves slowly with his Tribute to the Tide . O Italy , our Ancient happy Seat , Glory of Nations , and the Gods Retreat , Whose fruitfull Fields for peopled Towns provide , Where Athesis , and smooth Benacus glide , What words have force , thy Sufferings to relate , Thy servile Yoke , and ignominious Fate . Now dive , Benacus , thy fam'd course give o'er And lead thy Streams through Laurel-Banks no more . Yet , when our Mis'ries thus were at their height , As if our Sorrows still had wanted weight , As if our former Plagues had been too small , We saw our Hope , Minerva's Darling fall , Thy Funeral , Marcus , we did then survey Snatcht from the Muses Armes before thy day , Benacus Banks at thy Interment groan'd , And neighbouring Athesis thy Fate bemoan'd ; Where by the Moon 's pale Beams , Catullus came , And nightly still was heard to sound thy Name , His Songs once more his native Seats inspire , The Groves were charm'd , and knew their Master's Lyre . 'T was now the Galls began their fierce Alarms , And crusht Liguria with victorious Arms , While other Provinces as fast expire By Coesar's Sword , and more destructive Fire ; No Latian Seat was free from Slaughter found , But all alike with Tears and Bloud were drown'd . Now for our second Task , and what Relief Our Age has found against this raging Grief , The Methods now of Cure we will express , The wondrous Wit of Mortals in distress . Astonisht long they lay , no Remedy At first they knew , nor Courage had to try , But learnt by slow Experience to appease , To check , and last to vanquish the Disease . Yet after all our Study we must own Some Secrets were by Revelation known : For though the Stars in dark Cabals combin'd , And for our Ruine with the Furies join'd , Yet were we not to last Destruction left , Nor of the Gods Protection quite berest . If strange and dreadfull Maladies have reign'd , If Wars , dire Massacres we have sustain'd , If Flames have laid our Fields and Cities waste , Our Temples too in common Rubbish cast ; If swelling Streams no more in Banks were kept , But Men , Herds , Houses with the Flood were swept ; If few surviv'd these Plagues , and Famine slew , The greater Part of that surviving Few . Yet of such great Adventures we are proud , As Fate had to no former Age allow'd . For , what no Mortals ever dar'd before , We have the Ocean stemm'd from sight of Shore ; Nor was 't enough , by Atlas farthest bound , That we the fair Hesperian Gardens found , That we t' Arabia a new Passage sought , While Ships for Camels the rich Lading brought : To th' outmost East , we since a Voiage made , And in the rising Sun our Sails display'd , Beyond the Ind large tracts of Land did find , And left the World's reputed bounds behind , To pass the World 's reputed bounds was small Performances , of greater Glory call Our fam'd Adventures on the western Shore , Discovering Stars , and Worlds unknown before ; But waving these , our Age has yet beheld An inspir'd Poet , and by none excell'd , Parthenope extoll'd the Songs he made , Sebethe's God , and Virgil's sacred Shade , From Gardens to the Stars his Muse would rise , And made the Earth acquainted with the Skies . His Name might well the Ages pride sustain , But many more exalted Souls remain ; Who , when Expir'd , and Envy with them dead To equal the best Ancients shall be said : But , Bembus , while this List we do unfold , In which Heav'ns blessings on the Age are told , Leo , the most illustrious place do's claim , The great Restorer of the Roman Name ; By whose mild Aspects , and auspicious Fire , Malignant Planets to their Cells retire . Iove's friendly Star once more is seen to rise And scatters healing Lustre through the Skies , He , onely He , our Losses could repair , And call the Muses to their native Air , Restore the ancient Laws of Right and Just , Polish Religion , from Barbarian Rust. For Heav'n , and Rome engag'd in fierce Alarms , With pious Vengeance , and with sacred Arms , Whose terrour to Euphrates Banks was spread , While Nile retir'd t' his undiscover'd Head , And frighted Doris div'd into his oozy Bed. While some more able Muse shall sing his Name , In Numbers equal to his Deeds and Fame . While Bembus thou shalt this great Theme rehearse , And weave his Praises in eternal Verse , Let me , in what I have propos'd , proceed With Subject suted to my slender Reed . First , then your Patient's Constitution learn , And well the Temper of his Bloud discern , If that be pure , with so much greater ease You will engage , and vanquish the Disease , Whose venome , where black Choler choaks the Veins , Takes firmer hold , and will exact more Pains More violent Assaults you there must make , And on the batter'd Frame no pity take . Who e'er can soon discern the lurking Grief , With far less labour may expect Relief ; But when the Foe has deeper inroads made , And gain'd the factious humours to his Aid , What Toil , what Conflicts must be first sustain'd Before he 's dispossest , and Health regain'd ; Therefore with Care his first approaches find , And hoard these usefull Precepts , in thy Mind . From noxious Winds preserve your self with care ; And such are all that from the South repair Of Fens and Lakes , avoid th' unwholsome Air. To open fields and sunny Mountains fly Where Zephyr fans , and Boreas sweeps the Sky : Nor must you there indulge Repose , but stray , And in continu'd actions spend the Day ; With ev'ry Beast of Prey loud War proclaim , And make the grizly Boar your constant Game , Nor yet amongst these great Attempts disdain , To rouse the Stag , and force him to the Plain . Some I have known to th' Chase so much inclin'd , That in the Woods they left their Grief behind , Nor yet think scorn the sordid Plow to guide , Or with the pondrous Rake the Clods divide , With heavy Ax , and many weary blow , The towring Pine , and spreading Oak o'erthrow ; The very House yields Exercise , the Hall Has room for Fencing , and the bounding Ball. Rouze , rouze , shake off your fond desire of Ease , For Sleep foments and feeds the foul Disease , 'T is then th'Invader do's the Vitals seize . But chiefly from thy Thoughts all sorrows drive , Nor with Minerva's knotty Precepts strive , With lighter Labours of the Muses sport , And seek the Plains where Swains and Nymphs resort . Abstain however from the Act of Love , For nothing can so much destructive prove : Bright Venus hates polluted Mysteries , And ev'ry Nymph from foul Embraces flies . Dire practice ! Poison with Delight to bring , And with the Lovers Dart , the Serpent's sting . A proper Diet you must next prepare , Than which there 's nothing more requires your care ; All Food that from the Fens is brought refuse , Whate'er the standing Lakes or Seas produce , Nor must long Custome pass for an Excuse ; Therefore from Fish in general I dissuade , All these are of a washy Substance made , Which though the luscious Palate they content , Convert to Humours more than Nourishment ; Ev'n Giltheads , though most tempting to the sight , And sharp-fin'd Perch that in the Rocks delight . All sorts of Fowl that on the Water prey , By the same Rule I 'd have remov'd away , Forbear the Drake , and leave Rome's ancient Friend The Capitol and City to Defend . No less the Bustard's luscious Flesh decline , Forbear the Back and Entrails of the Swine , Nor with the hunted Boar thy Hunger stay , Enjoy the Sport , but still forbear the Prey . I hold nor Cucumber nor Mushroms good , And Artichoke is too salacious Food : Nor yet the use of Milk would I enjoin , Much less of Vinegar or eager Wine , Such as from Rhaetia comes , and from the Rhine ; The Sabine Vintage is of safer Use , Which mellow and Well-water'd fields produce : But if your Banquets with the Gods you 'd make Of Herbs and Roots the unbought Dainties take ; Be sure that Mint and Endive still abound , And Sowthistle , with leaves in Winter crown'd , And Sian by clear Fountains always found ; To these add Calamint , and Savery Burrage and Balm , whose mingled sweets agree , Rochet and Sorrel I as much approve : The climbing Hop grows wild in ev'ry Grove , Take thence the infant Buds , and with them join The curling Tendrells of the springing Vine , Whose Armes have yet no friendly shade allow'd , Nor with the weight of juicy Clusters bow'd . Particulars were endless to rehearse , And weightier Subjects now demand our Verse . We 'll draw the Muses from Aonian Hills , To Natures Garden , Groves and humble Rills , Where if no Laurels spring , or if I find That those are all for Conquerours design'd ; With Oaken Leaves at least I 'll bind my Brow , For millions sav'd you must that Grace allow . At first approach of Spring , I would advise , Or ev'n in Autumn months if strength suffice , To bleed your Patient in the regal Vein , And by degrees th' infected Current drein : But in all Seasons fail not to expell , And purge the noxious Humours from their Cell ; But fit Ingredients you must first collect , And then their different Qualities respect , Make firm the Liquid and the Gross dissect . Take , therefore , care to gather , in their prime , The sweet Corycian and Pamphilian Tyme , These you must boil , together with the Rest In this ensuing Catalogue exprest : Fennell and Hop that close Embraces weaves , Parsley and Fumitory's bitter Leaves ; Wild Fern on ev'ry Down and Heath you 'll meet With Leaves resembling Polypus's shagg'd feet , And Mayden-hair , of virtue strange , but true For dipt in Fountains , it reteins no Dew : Hart's-tongue and Citarch must be added too . The greater Part , and with success more sure , By Mercury perform the happy Cure ; A wondrous virtue in that Mineral lies , Whether by force of various Qualities Of Cold and Heat , it flies into the Veins , And with a fiercer Fire their Flame restrains , Conqu'ring the raging Humours in their Seat , As glowing Steel exceeds the Forge's heat , Or whether his keen Particles ( combin'd With strange connexion ) when th' are once disjoin'd , Disperse , all Quarters of the Foe to seize , And burn the very Seeds of the Disease ; Or whether 't is with some more hidden force Endow'd by Nature to perform its Course , Is hard to say , but though the Gods conceal The virtual Cause , they did its use reveal . Now by what means 't was found our Song shall shew , Nor may we let Heav'ns Gifts in Silence go . In Syrian Vales where Groves of Osier grow , And where Callirrhoes's sacred Fountains flow . Ilceus the Huntsman , who with Zeal ador'd The rural Gods , with Gifts their Altars stor'd ; Was yet afflicted with this restless Grief , And , if Tradition may obtain belief , As he was watering there each spicy Bed , Thus to entreat the Sylvan Pow'rs , is said . You Deities by me ador'd , and Thou , Callirrhoe , who do'st Relief allow 'Gainst all Diseases , as I slew for Thee The Stag , and fix'd his Head upon a Tree ; A Tree that do's with lesser Branches spread , Than those that join to that most horrid Head : You sacred Pow'rs if you 'll remove away This plague that Racks my Frame all Night and Day , I , all the mingled glories of the Spring , Lilies and Violets to your Seats will bring , With Daffadills first budding Roses weave , And on your Shrines the fragrant Garland leave . He said , and down upon the Herbage lay , Tir'd with the raging Pain , and raging Day . Callirrhoe ( bathing in the neighbouring Well , With Musk that grew in Plenty round the Cell ) Heard the Youth's pray'r and streight in soft repose , Th' indulgent Nymph his heavy Eyes did close , Then to his Fancy , from her sacred Streams , Appear'd and charm'd him with prophetick Dreams . Ilceus ( said she ) my Servant , and my Care , The Gods at last have hearken'd to thy Pray'r ; Yet , on the Earth , as far as Sol can spy , For thy Disease remains no Remedy . Cynthia and Phoebus too at her Request , Into thy tortur'd Veins have sent this Pest , The Stag to her was sacred which you slew , And this the Punishment that did ensue , For which the Earth , as far as Sol can see , The spacious Earth , affords no Remedy : Then since her Surface no relief can lend , To her dark Entrails for thy Cure descend ; A Cave there is its self an awfull shade , But by Iove's spreading Tree more dreadfull made , Where mingling Cedars wanton with the Air , Thither at first approach of Day repair ; A jet-black Ram before the Entrance slay , And cry , these Rites great Ops to Thee I pay . The lesser Pow'rs , pale Ghosts and Nymphs of Night , The Smoak of Yew and Cypress shall invite ; These Nymphs shall at the outmost Entrance stay , And through the dark Retreats conduct thy way . Rise , rise , nor think all this an idle Dream , For know I am the Goddess of this Stream . This for thy pious Homage to my Cell — So spake the Nymph , and div'd into the Well . The Youth starts up astonish'd , but restor'd , With gratefull pray'rs th' obliging Nymph ador'd Thy Voice , bright Goddess , I 'll with speed O●ey , O still assist and bless me on my Way . With the next Dawn the sacred Cave he found , With spreading Oaks and towring Cedars crown'd ; A jet-black Ram did at the Entrance slay , And cry'd these Rites , great Ops , to thee I pay : The lesser Pow'rs , pale Ghosts and Nymphs of Night , The Smoak of Yew and Cypress did invite . His Voice resounding through the hollow Seats , Disturb'd the Nymphs within their deep Retreats . Those Nymphs that toil in Metals underground , Gave o'er their Work at th' unexpected Sound ; Some Quicksilver and Sulphur others brought , From which calcin'd , the golden Oar was wrought ; Of pure AEtherial Light a hundred beams , Of Subterranean fire a hundred Streams , Wi●h various seeds of Earth and Sea they joyn'd , For humane Eyes too subtle and refin'd . But Lipare who forms the richer Oar , And to the Furnace brings the Sulph'rous store , To Ilceus through the dark Recesses broke , And in these words the trembling Youth bespoke : Ilceus ( for I have heard your Name and Grief ) Callirrhoe sends you hither for relief ; Nor has the Goddess counsell'd you in vain , These Cells afford a Med'cine for your Pain ; Take courage therefore , and the Charge obey , She said , and through the Cavern leads the way . He follows wondring at the dark aboads , The spacious Voids and Subterranean Roads ; Astonisht there to see those Rivers move , Which he observ'd to lose themselves above : Each Cave , cry'd Lipare , some Pow'r contains , I' th lowest Mansion Proserpine remains ; The middle Regions Pluto's Treasure hold , And Nymphs that work in Silver , Brass and Gold , Of which rich Train am I , whose Veins extend , And to Callirrhoe's Stream the smoaking Sulphur send . Thus through the Realms of Night they took their way , And heard from far the Forge and Furnace play . These ( said the Nymph ) the Beds of Metals are , That give you wretched Mortals so much Care. By thousand Nymphs of Earth and Night enjoy'd , Who yet in various Tasks are all employ'd . Some turn the Current , some the Seeds dissect Of Earth and Sea , which some again collect , That , mixt with Lightning , make the golden Oar , While others quench in Streams the shining store . Not far from hence the Cyclop's Cave is found , See how it glows , hark how their Anvils sound . But here turn off , and take the right-hand way , This Path do's to that sacred Stream convey , In which thy onely Hope remains : She said , And under golden Roofs her Patient led , Hard by , the Lakes of liquid Silver flow'd , Which to the wondring Youth the Goddess show'd ; Thrice washt in these ( said she ) thy Pains shall end , And all the Stench into the Stream descend . Thrice with her Virgin hands the Goddess threw On all his suffering Limbs the healing Dew : He , at the falling Filth admiring stood , And scarce believ'd for joy , the virtue of the Flood . When therefore you return to open Day , With Sacrifice Diana's Rage allay , And Homage to the Fountain's Goddess pay . Thus spake the Nymph , and through the Realms of Night , Restor'd the gratefull Youth to open Light. This strange Invention soon obtain'd belief , And flying Fame divulg'd the sure Relief . But first Experiments did onely joyn , And for a Vehicle use lard of Swine : Larch-gum and Turpentine were added next , That wrought more safe and less the Patient vext ; Horse-grease and Bears with them they did compound , Bdellium and Gum of Cedar usefull found ; Then Myrrh , and Frankincense were us'd by some , With living Sulphur and Arabian Gum ; But if black Helebore be added too , With Rain-bow Flowers your Method I allow ; Benzoin and Galbanum I next require , Lint-Oil , and Sulphur's e'er it feels the Fire . With these Ingredients mix'd , you must not fear Your suffering Limbs and Body to besmear , Nor let the foulness of the Course displease , Obscene indeed , but less than your Disease : Yet when you do anoint , take special care That both your Head and tender Breast you spare , This done , wrapt close and swath'd , repair to Bed , And there let such thick Cov'rings be o'e-rspred , Till streams of Sweat from ev'ry pore you force : For twice five Days you must repeat this Course ; Severe indeed but you your Fate must bear , And signs of coming Health will streight appear . The Mass of Humours now dissolv'd within , To purge themselves by Spittle shall begin , Till you with wonder at your feet shall see , A tide of Filth , and bless the Remedy . For Ulcers that shall then the Mouth offend , Boil Flowers that Privet and Pomgranets send . Now , onely now , I would forbid the Use Of generous Wine that noble Soils produce ; All sorts without distinction you must fly , The sparkling Bowl with all its Charms deny . Rise , now victorious , Health is now at hand , One labour more is all I shall command , Easie and pleasant ; you must last prepare Your Bath , with Rosemary and Lavander , Vervain and Yarrow too must both be there ; 'Mongst these your sleeping Body you must lay , To chear you , and to wash all Dreggs away . But now the verdant Blessings that belong To new discover'd Worlds demand our Song . Beyond Herculean bounds the Ocean roars With loud applause to those far distant Shoars . The sacred Tree must next our Muse employ , That onely could this raging Plague destroy ; Just Praise ( Vrania ) to this Plant allow , And with its happy Leaves upon thy Brow , Through all our Latian Cities take thy way , And to admiring Croud the healing Boughs display ; E'en I my self shall prize my Streins the more , For Blessings never Seen nor Sung before . Perhaps some more exalted Poet ( warm'd , For Martial Streins ) with this new subject Charm'd Shall quit the noble business of the Field , Bequeath to Rust the Sword and polisht Shield , Leave wrangling Heroes that o'ercome or Dye , Both shrouded in the same obscurity ; Pass o'er the harast Soil and bloudy Stream , To prosecute this more delightfull Theme ; To tell how first auspicious Navies made More bold attempts , and th' Ocean's bounds essay'd ; To sing vast Tracts of Land beyond the Main , By former Ages guess'd , and wisht in Vain , Strange Regions , Floods and Cities to rehearse , And with true Prodigies adorn their Verse ; New Lands , new Seas , and still new Lands to spy , Another Heaven , and other Stars descry . When this is done resume their Martial Strein , And crown our Conquests in each savage Plain , That ev'n from Vanquishment advantage draws , Enrich'd with European Arts and Laws , Shall sing ( what future Ages will confound ) How Earth and Sea one Vessel did Surround . Thrice happy to Bard whom indulgent Heav'n , A Soul capacious of this Work has giv'n . My weaker Muse shall think her Office done , Of all these wonders to record but one : One single Plant which these glad Lands produce To specifie and shew it's sov'reign Use , By what adventures found , and wafted o'er From unknown Worlds to Europe's wondring shore . Far Westward hence where th' Ocean seems to boil Beneath fierce Cancer , lies a spacious Isle , Descry'd by Spaniards roving on the Main , And justly honour'd with the Name of Spain . Fertile in Gold but far more blest to be , The Garden of this consecrated Tree : Its Trunk erect , but on his Top is seen , A spreading Grove with Branches ever Green ; Upon his Boughs a little Nut is found , But poignant and with Leaves encompass'd round ; The stubborn Substance toothless makes the Saw , And scarcely from the Axe receives a flaw ; Dissected , various Colours meet your view , The outward Bark is of the Laurel hue ; The next like Box , the parts more inwards set , Of dusky grain but not so dark as Jet ; If to these mixtures you will add the Red , All colours of the gaudy Bow are spread . This Plant the Natives conscious of its use Adore , and with religious Care produce ; On ev'ry Hill , in ev'ry Vale 't is found , And held the greatest Blessing of the ground Against this Pest that always Rages there , From Skies infected and polluted Air : The outward Bark as useless they refuse , But with their utmost force the Timber bruise , Or break in Splinters , which they steep a while In fountains , and when soak'd , in Vessels boil , Regardless how too fierce a fire may make The juice run o'er , whose healing Froth they take , With which they Bath their Limbs where Pustles breed , And heal the Breaches where dire Ulcers feed . Half boil'd away the Remnant they retain , And adding Hony boil the Chips again : To use no other Liquor when they Dine , Their Countries Law , and greater Priest enjoyn : The first Decoction with the rising Light They drink , and once again at fall of Night ; This course they strictly hold when once begun , Till Cynthia has her monthly Progress run , Hous'd all the while where no offensive Wind , Nor the least breath of Air can entrance find . But who will yield us credit to proceed , And tell how wondrous slenderly they Feed ; Just so much Food as can bare Life preserve , And to its joint connect each feeble Nerve : Yet let not this strange Abstinence deter , And make you think the Method too severe . This Drink it self will wasted Strength repair , For Nectar and Ambrosia too are there ; All offices of Nature it maintains , The Heart refreshes , and recruits the Veins . When the Draught 's tane , for two hours and no more The Patient on his Couch is cover'd o'er ; For by this means the Liquor with more ease , Expells in streams of Sweat the foul Disease . All Parts ( O prodigy ! ) grow sound within , Nor any Filth remains upon the Skin ; Fresh youth in ev'ry Limb , fresh vigour's found , And now the Moon has run her monthly Round . What God did first the wondrous use display , Of this blest Plant , what chance did first convey Our European Fleet to that rich shore , That for their Toil so rich a Traffique bore , Our Song shall now unfold ; a Navy bound For no known Port nor yet discover'd Ground , Resolv'd the secrets of the Main to find , And now they leave their Native shore behind , Clap on more Sail and skudd before the Wind. Thus on the spreading Ocean they did stray , For many Weeks uncertain of their way : The thronging Sea-Nymphs wondring at the Pride , Of each tall Ship appear above the Tide , And with proportion'd speed around them glide , Charm'd with each painted Stern and golden Prow , With each gay Streamer , striving as they go To catch their Pictures in the Flood below . 'T was night , but Cynthia did such beams display , So strong as more than half restor'd the Day . When the bold Leader of this roving Train , ( The bravest Youth that ever stemm'd the Main ; ) As on the Decks he lay with anxious care , And watchfull o'er his charge , conceiv'd this Pray'r ; Bright Goddess of the night ( said he ) whose sway , All humid Things and these vast Seas obey ; Twice have we seen thy infant Crescents spring , And twice united in a glorious Ring , Since first this Fleet commenc'd her restless toil , Nor yet have gain'd the Sight of any Soil . O Virgin Star , of nightly Planets chief . Vouchsafe your weary Wanderers relief ; Let some fair Continent at last arise , Or some less distant Isle salute our Eyes : At least some Rock with one small Rill and Port , For these o'er-labour'd Boats and Youths support . The Goddess heard not this Address in Vain , But leaves to her nocturnal Steeds the Rein , And like a Sea-Nymph sloats upon the Main : So well disguis'd That Clotho's self might be Deceiv'd , and take her for Cymothoe ; With such a meen she cut the yielding Tide , And in these words bespoke the wandring Guide ; Take courage , for the next approaching Day , Shall see these Ships safe riding in the Bay ; But stay not long where first your Anchors fall , The Fates to yet more distant Regions call ; Find Ophyre high-seated in the Main ; Those Seats for you the Destinies ordain . She said , and pusht the Keel ; a brisker Gale Forthwith descends and pregnates ev'ry Sail : Now from the East the Sun invites their Eyes , As fast they westward see the Mountains rise Like clouds at first , but as they nearer drew , Rocks , Groves and Springs were open'd to their View ; High on the Decks the joyfull Sailers stand , And thrice with Shouts salute th' expected Land. Then safely Anchor'd in the promis'd Bay , First to the Gods their just Devotion pay . Four days , no more , are spent upon this Soil , To fit their shatter'd Ships for farther Toil , Each hand once more is to his Charge assign'd , All take advantage of the friendly Wind ; A swift and steddy course they now maintain , And leave Anthylia floating on the Main : With Hagia's coast , and tall Ammeria's Isle , The Cannibals most execrable Soil , O'er all the Deep they now see Turrets rise , And Islands without number meet their Eyes ; 'Mongst these they singled one from whence they hear'd Streams fall , while spreading Groves aloft appear'd , Charm'd with these Objects there they put to shore , Where first the Islands Genius they adore , Then spread their Banquet on the verdant ground , Whilst Bowls of sparkling Wine go nimbly round ; Refresht , they separate , some to descry The country , others more o'er-joy'd to spye Beneath the Flood pure Gold lye mixt with Sand , And seize the shining Oar with greedy hand . At length a Flock of painted Birds they view , With azure Plumes and Beaks of Coral-hue , Which fearless through the Glades did seem to rove , And percht securely in their native Grove ; The Youths to temper'd Engins have recourse That imitate the Thunders dreadfull Force , Vulcan's invention while with wondrous Art , He did to Men the Arms of Iove impart ; Each takes his Stand and singles out his Mark , The dire Ingredients with a sudden Spark Enflam'd , discharge with rage the whizzing Ball , The unsuspecting Birds by hundreds fall ; The Air with Smoak and Fire is cover'd round , The Groves and Rocks astonisht with the sound , And shaking Sands beneath the Seas rebound . The Remnant of the Flock with terrour fly To Rocks whose Turrets seem'd to pierce the Sky ; From whence with humane Voice ( O dire Portent ! ) One of this feather'd Tribe these Numbers sent . You who have Sacrilegiously assay'd , The Sun 's lov'd Birds , and impious slaughter made , Hear what th' enrag'd avenging God prepares , And in prophetick Sounds by me declares . Know , you at last have reacht your promis'd soil , For this is Ophyre's long expected Isle , But destin'd Empire shall not yet obtain Of Provinces beyond the western Main , The Natives of long Liberty deprive , Found Cities , and a new Religion give , Till Toils by Earth and Sea are undergone , And many dreadfull Battels lost and won ; For , most shall leave your Trunks on foreign Land , Few shatter'd Ships shall reach your native Sand ; In vain shall some Sail back again to find , Their wretched Comrades whom they left behind ; Whose Bones of flesh devested shall be found , For Cyclops too in these dire Coasts abound : Your Foes o'er-come , your Fleet in Civil Rage Shall disagree , and Ship with Ship engage . Nor end your sufferings here , a strange Disease , And most obscene shall on your Bodies seize ; In this distress your Errour you shall mourn , And to these injur'd Groves for Cure return ; This dreadfull Doom the feather'd Prophet spoke , And sculkt within the Covert of the Rock . Astonisht with the unexpected sound , Th' offending Men fell prostrate on the ground ; Forgiveness from the sacred Flock to gain , But chiefly Phoebus Pardon to obtain . The Guardians of the Grove to reconcile , And once more hail the fair Ophyrian Isle . These Rites perform'd , returning on their way , A race with humane Shape they did survey , But black as Jet , who sally'd from the Wood , And made the Vale more dark in which they stood ; No Garment o'er their Breasts or Shoulders spread , And wreaths of peacefull Olive on their Head ; Unarm'd , yet more with wonder struck than fear , They view'd the Strangers , and approach'd more near ; Astonisht at their glittering Arms , but more At each proud Vessel lodg'd upon the Shore , The Flags and Streamers sporting with the Wind , And thought their Owners more than humane kind , Some Gods or Heroes to the Gods ally'd , And more than Mortal reverence apply'd ; But to our Chief their first Respect they paid , And cheap , but yet most royal Presents made , Rich golden Oar , of use and worth unknown , And onely priz'd by them because it shone , With which the blessings of their Fields were born , Ripe blushing Fruits and pondrous Ears of Corn ; Unpolisht but capacious Vessels fill'd With Hony from each fragrant Tree distill'd , Which did from Heaven in nightly Dew arrive , Without the tedious labours of the Hive . With them our Garments like Reception found , And now the Tribes sate mingled on the Ground , With Indian Food and Spanish Vintage crown'd : Who can express the Savages delight , As if the Gods some Mortal shou'd invite To heavenly Courts , and with the Nectar-bowl Into a Deity exalt his ravisht Soul. By chance the solemn Day was drawing near , The greatest Festival of all the Year ; And to the Sun their greatest God belong'd , To which from ev'ry part the Natives throng'd , With whom their Neighbours of Hesperia met ; And now within the sacred Vale were set Each Sex , and all degrees of Age were seen , But plac'd without distinction on the Green ; Yet from the Infant to the grizled Head , A cloud of Grief o'er ev'ry Face was spread , All languish'd with the same obscene Disease , And years , not Strength distinguisht the Degrees ; Dire flames upon their Vitals fed within , While Sores and crusted Filth prophan'd their Skin . At last the Priest in snowy Robes array'd , The Boughs of healing Guiacum display'd , Which ( dipt in living Streams ) he shook around To purge , for holy Rites the tainted Ground . An Heifer then before the Altar slew , A Swain stood near on whom the Bloud he threw ; Then to the Sun began his mystick Song , And streight was seconded by all the Throng . Both Swine and Heifers now by thousands bleed , And Natives on their roasted Entrails feed . Our Train with wonder saw these Rites , but more Astonisht at the Plague unseen before : Mean while our Leader in his carefull breast , Form'd sad Conjectures of this dreadfull Pest , This , this said he ( the Gods avert our Fate ) Is that dire Curse which Phoebus did relate ; The Birds prodigious Song I now recall , The strange Disease that on our Troops shou'd fall . As therefore from the Altar they retir'd , Our Gen'ral of the Native Prince enquir'd , To what dread Power these Off'rings did belong ? What meant that languishing infected Throng ? And why the Shepherd by the Altar stood ? And wherefore Sprinkled with the gushing bloud ? To which the Island Monarch , noble Guest , With annual Zeal these Off'rings are addrest , To Phoebus enrag'd Deity assign'd , And by our Ancestours of old enjoin'd ; But if a foreign Nations toils to learn , And less refin'd be worth your least concern , If you have any Sense of Strangers fate , From its first source the Story I 'll relate : Perhaps you may have heard of Atlas name , From whom in long descent great Nations came ; From him we sprang , and once a happy Race , Belov'd of Heav'n while Piety had place , While to the Gods our Ancestours did Pray , And gratefull Off'rings on their Altars lay . But when the Powers to be despis'd began , When to leud Luxury our Nation ran ; Who can express the Mis'ries that ensu'd , And Plagues with each returning Day renew'd ? Then fair Atlantia once an Isle of fame , ( That from the mighty Atlas took its Name , Who there had govern'd long with upright Sway ) Was gorg'd intire , and swallowed by the Sea. With which our Flocks and Herds were wholly drown'd , Not one preserv'd or ever after found . Since when outlandish Cattle here are slain , And Bulls of foreign Breed our Altars stain ; In that dire Season this Disease was bred , That thus o'er all our tortur'd Limbs is spread : Most universal from it Birth it grew , And none have since escap'd or very few ; Sent from above to scourge that vicious Age , And chiefly by incens'd Apollo's Rage , For which these annual Rites were first ordain'd , Whereof this firm Tradition is retain'd . A Shepherd once ( distrust not ancient Fame ) Possest these Downs , and Syphilus his Name . A thousand Heifers in these Vales he fed , A thousand Ews to those fair Rivers led : For King Alcithous he rais'd this Stock , And shaded in the Covert of a Rock , For now 't was Solstice , and the Syrian Star Increast the Heat and shot his Beams afar ; The Fields were burnt to ashes , and the Swain Repair'd for shade to thickest Woods in vain , No Wind to fan the scorching Air was found , No nightly Dew refresht the thirsty Ground : This Drought our Syphilus beheld with pain , Nor could the suff'rings of his Flock sustain , But to the Noon-day Sun with up-cast Eyes , In rage threw these reproaching Blasphemies , Is it for this O Sol , that thou art styl'd Our God and Parent ? how are we beguil'd Dull Bigots to pay Homage to thy Name ? And with rich Spices feed thy Altar's flame : Why do we yearly Rites for thee prepare , Who tak'st of our affairs so little Care ? At least thou might'st between the Rabble Kine Distinguish , and these royal Herds of Mine . These to the great Alcithous belong , Nor ought to perish with the Vulgar throng . Or shall I rather think your Deity With envious Eyes our thriving Stock did see ? I grant you had sufficient cause indeed , A thousand Heifers of the snowy Breed , A thousand Ews of mine these Downs did feed ; Whilst one Etherial Bull was all your stock , One Ram , and to preserve this mighty Flock , You must forsooth your Syrian Dog maintain , Why do I worship then a Pow'r so Vain ? Henceforth I to Alcithous will bring My Off'rings and Adore my greater King , Who do's such spacious Tracts of Land possess , And whose vast Pow'r the conquer'd Seas confess . Him I 'll invoke my Suff'rings to redress . Hee 'll streight command the cooling Winds to blow , Refreshing Show'rs on Trees and Herbs bestow , Nor suffer Thirst , both Flock and Swain to kill : He said , and forthwith on a neighbouring Hill Erects an Altar to his Monarch's name , The Swains from far bring Incense to the Flame ; At length to greater Victims they proceed , Till Swine and Heifers too by hundreds Bleed , On whose half roasted Flesh the impious Wretches feed . All quarters soon were fill'd with the Report , That ceas'd not till it reacht the Monarch's Court ; Th' aspiring Prince with Godlike Rites o'er joy'd , Commands all Altars else to be destroy'd , Proclaims Himself in Earth's low sphere to be The onely and sufficient Deity ; That Heav'nly Pow'rs liv'd too remote and high , And had enough to do to Rule the Sky . Th' all-seeing Sun no longer could sustain These practices , but with enrag'd Disdain Darts forth such pestilent malignant Beams , As shed Infection on Air , Earth and Streams ; From whence this Malady its birth receiv'd , And first th' offending Syphilus was griev'd , Who rais'd forbidden Altars on the Hill , And Victims bloud with impious Hands did spill ; He first wore Buboes dreadfull to the sight , First felt strange Pains and sleepless past the Night ; From him the Malady receiv'd its name , The neighbouring Shepherds catcht the spreading Flame : At last in City and in Court 't was known , And seiz'd th' ambitious Monarch on his Throne ; In this distress the wretched Tribes repair To Ammerice the Gods Interpreter , Chief Priestess of the consecrated Wood , In whose Retreats the awfull Tripod stood , From whence the Gods responsal she exprest ; The Crowd enquire what Cause produc'd this Pest , What God enrag'd ? and how to be appeas'd , And last what Cure remain'd for the Diseas'd ? To whom the Nymph reply'd — the Sun incens'd , With just revenge these Torments has commenc'd . What man can with immortal Pow'rs compare ? Fly , wretches , fly , his Altars soon repair , Load them with Incense , Him with Pray'rs invade , His Anger will not easily be laid ; Your Doom is past , black Styx has heard him swear , This Plague should never be extinguisht here , Since then your Soil must ne'er be wholly free , Beg Heav'n at least to yield some Remedy : A milkwhite Cow on Iuno's Altar lay , To Mother Earth a jet-black Heifer slay ; One from above the happy Seeds shall shed , The other rear the Grove and make it spread , That onely for your Grief a Cure shall yield . She said : the Croud return'd to th' open'd Field , Rais'd Altars to the Sun without delay , To Mother Earth , and Iuno Victims slay . 'T will seem most strange what now I shall declare , But by our Gods and Ancestours I swear , 'T is sacred Truth — These Groves that spread so wide and look so green Within this Isle , till then , were never seen , But now before their Eyes the Plants were found To spring , and in an instant Shade the ground , The Priest forthwith bids Sacrifice be done , And Justice paid to the offended Sun ; Some destin'd Head t' attone the Crimes of all , On Syphilus the dreadfull Lot did fall , Who now was plac'd before the Altar bound , His head with sacrificial Garlands crown'd , His Throat laid open to the lifted Knife , But interceding Iuno spar'd his Life , Commands them in his stead a Heifer slay , For Phoebus Rage was now remov'd away . This made our gratefull Ancestours enjoin , When first these annual Rites they did assign , That to the Altar bound a Swine each time Should stand , to witness Syphilus his Crime . All this infected Throng whom you behold , Smart for their Ancestours Offence of old : To heal their Plague this Sacrifice is done , And reconcile them to th' offended Sun. The Rites perform'd , the hallow'd Boughs they seize , The speedy certain Cure for their Disease . With such discourse the Chiefs their Cares deceive , Whose Tribes of different Worlds united live , Till now the Ships sent back to Europes shore , Return and bring prodigious Tidings o'er . That this Disease did now through Europe rage , Nor any Med'cine found that cou'd assuage , That in their Ships no slender Number mourn'd , With Boils without and inward Ulcers burn'd . Then call'd to mind the Bird 's prophetick sound , That in those Groves Relief was to be found . Then each with solemn Vows the Sun entreats , And gentle Nymphs the Gardians of those Seats . With lusty Strokes the Grove they next invade , Whose weighty Boughs are on their Shoulders laid , Which with the Natives methods they prepare , And with the healing Draughts their Health repair , But not forgetfull of their Country's good , They fraight their largest Ships with this rich Wood , To try if in our Climate it would be Of equal use , for the same Malady : The years mild Season seconds their desire , And western Winds their willing Sails inspire . Iberian Coasts you first were happy made With this rich Plant , and wonder'd at its Aid ; Known now to France and neighbouring Germany Cold Scythian Coasts and temp'rate Italy , To Europe's Bounds all bless the vital Tree . Hail heav'n-born Plant whose Rival ne'er was seen , Whose Virtues like thy Leaves are ever green ; Hope of Mankind and Comfort of their Eyes , Of new discover'd Worlds the richest Prize . Too happy would Indulgent Gods allow , Thy Groves in Europe's nobler Clime to grow : Yet if my Streins have any force , thy Name Shall flourish here , and Europe sing thy Fame . If not remoter Lands with Winter bound , Eternal Snow , nor Libya's scorching Ground ; Yet Latium and Benacus cool Retreats , Shall thee resound , with Athesis fair Seats . Too , blest if Bembus live thy Growth to see , And on the Banks of Tyber gather thee , If he thy matchless Virtues once rehearse , And crown thy Praises with eternal Verse . FINIS . ERRATA . Page 5. line 12 for newer reade never , p. 35. l. 3. for wandring r. wondring , p. 58 l. 5. for , to Bard r. Bard to .