GRATI FALISCI Cynegeticon. OR, A Poem of Hunting BY Gratius the Faliscian.  
ENGLISHED And ILLUSTRATED By Christopher Wase Gent. Niess de Ort. & Occ. L L. GRATIUS aurei & Latinissimi seculi poêta.  
London Printed for Charles adam's, and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the Talbot near St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet. 1654.   

SILVARUM. REGNATORI. EQVUM. DOMITORI. MUSARUM. SPEI NOBILITATIS. PIGNORI. LAETO. JUVENTUTIS. PRINCIPI. GULIELMO. HERBERTO. D. DE. CARDIF. COMITIS. DE. PENBROKE. ET. MONTEGOMERY. FILIO. NATU. MAXIMO. GRATIUM. FALISCUM. EX. LATINO. ANGLUM. HUMILLIME. PORRIGIT.  
C. W.   

Illustrissime Domine,  
EVenit iis qui pueritiam nondum excesserunt, ut studere nimis quam laborio sum opinentur, ludant verò etiam laborio siús. In campis quidem curritur: esuritur: sititur: algetur: aestuatur: Quid item agitur in iudo literario? Sedetur. Aut legendus liber. Aut praelegentis vox cum silentio audienda▪ Aut denique stylus exercendus Magnae scilicet molestiae! Optarem verò (mi Domine) ut tua indoles altiùs quam pro aetate sapiat, & ut ipse rectae institutioni obsecutus veras opiniones ante diem assequaris. Quamobrem non indignum putavi & (quae tibi est insita comitas) non ingratum habebis ut hic rei venaticae quam elegans autor tibi comes accedat. Habes in omnia paratum officia clientem. Siquidem ubi otium ad silvas allicit, hoc praeeunte, doctiùs venaberis. Rursum ubi negotij ratio in scholam vocat, & hic idem te minimè deseret; & ipse illi intentus studebis amaenius: ita enim mirâ fide literas voluptate, voluptatem literis temperat, ut & ubique delecteris, nec usquam cesses: unde sua menti constet sanitas, & justum corpori accedat robur: quorum utrumque mihi erit summae, dum res sinit, curae; & usque quidem in flagrantibus votis quo ad vixero.  
Ill ne D ne D nationis tuae Ill mae Humilis, Fidelis, studiosus Servus. Ch. WASPE I.   

On my Worthy Friend The Author.  

THus by the Music we may know  
When noble Wits a Hunting go  
Through groves that on Parnassus grow.   

The Muses all the Chase adorn,  
My Friend on Pegasus is borne,  
And young Apollo winds the horn.   

Having old Gratius in the wind,  
No pack of Critics e'er could find,  
Or he know more of his own mind.   

Here huntsmen with delight may read  
How to choose Dogs for scent or speed,  
And how to change and mend the breed.   

What arms to use, or nets to frame,  
Wild beasts to combat or to tame,  
With all the Mysteries of that game.   

But (worthy friend) the face of war  
In ancient times does differ far  
From what our fiery battles are.   

Nor is it like (since powder known)  
That man so cruel to his own  
Should spare the race of Beasts alone.   

No quarter now, but with the Gun  
Men wait in trees from Sun to Sun  
And all is in a moment done.   

And therefore we expect your next  
Should be no Comment but a Text  
To tell how modern Beasts are vexed.   

Thus would I farther yet engage  
Your gentle Muse to court the age  
With somewhat of your proper rage.   

Since none does more to Phoebus owe,  
Or in more languages can show  
Those arts which you so early know.   
Edmund Waller.   

A Preface to the Reader.  
HEre is an ancient Latin Poet contemporary with Virgil and Ovid; who bore an high esteem in that pure age, when the greatest Wits flourished, and Poetry underwent the severest Judges, such as would not allow of a mediocrity in that Art. His style is every where concise, chaste, and florid. I cannot any way better match it, then to say it may come into comparison with a Georgique of Virgil: it treats near upon the same subject, and amounts to the same quantity, or thereabouts, for the number of Verses. In this comparison, I would not be thought to depress Virgil, for whom I have a deserved esteem, but to assert Gratius into a just degree of reputation, among those who are yet unacquainted with what Character they should set upon this Poet, who hath not been ordinary amongst us; this censure I doubt not will be verified to them, when they shall take the pains to look over the work itself, which is so small as it will not require the expense of much leisure. Ovid likewise will avouch the same. The last Elegy of his 4th Book De Ponto is an excellent piece, in which are registered all the wits of his age: more durably through the Monuments of his lasting verses, then if they had been inserted into a Chronicle to have been preserved in the Capitol. In that Elegy he ranks this Poet with Virgil.  
Tityrus, antiquas & erat, qui pasceret herbas:  
Aptáque venanti Gratius arma daret.  
He seems indeed to have come nearest to him precisely in Age, as it appears, he doth in matter and style. And I am confident that there is none who are either active or Studious, but will be entertained with his Music, or Art: and those accomplished persons who have wedded both those qualities so rarely compatible in one breast, will be throughly sensible of the Harmony of his Expressions.  
Yet particularly this matter seems to be proportioned to the spirits of youth. That Age (as is observed) Gaudet equis, canibúsque & aprici gramine campi, which noble industry surely is to be regulated and moderated in them, but not extinguished. There are divers Authors which are but Incendiaries of irregular desires, ease and vanity in that flexible age. The subject of this Poem is not of those Historiae peccare docentes (as Horace saith.) These might be removed from those years of purity; and the insensible corruption which flows from them would be stopped. Others inflame the hot spirits of young men with roving ambition, love of War, and seeds of anger. But the exercise of Hunting neither remits the mind to sloth and softness, nor (if it be used with moderation) hardens it to inhumanity; but rather inclines men to acquaintance and sociableness. It is no small advantage to be enured to bear hunger, thirst and weariness from ones Childhood, to take up a timely habit of quitting one's bed early, and loving to sit fast upon a horse. What innocent and natural delights are they, when he seeth the day breaking forth, those blushes and Roses which Poets and Writers of Romances only paint, but the Huntsman truly courts? when he heareth the chirping of small birds parched upon their dewy boughs, when hedraws in that fragrancy of the Pastures and coolness of the Air? How jolly is his spirit when he suffers it to be imported with the noise of Bugle Horns, and the Baying of Hounds, which leap up and play round about him! Nothing does more recreate the mind, strengthen the limbs, whet the stomach, and clear up the spirit when it is overcast with gloomy cares, from whence it comes, that these delights have merited to be in esteem in all Ages, and even amongst barbarous Nations by their Lords, Princes, and highest Potentates. Then it is admirable to observe the natural instinct of enmity and cunning, whereby one beast being as it were confederate with man, by whom he is maintained, serves him in his designs upon others. A curious mind is exceedingly satisfied to see the game fly before him, and after that hath withdrawn itself from his sight, to see the whole line where it hath passed over with all the doublings and cross-works which the amazed beast hath made, recovered again, and all that maze wrought out by the intelligence which he holds with Dogs; this is most pleasant, and as it were a masterpiece of Natural Magic; Which in this Author is amply set down in great variety. Afterwards what Triumph is there to return with Victory and Spoils, having a good title both to his meat and repose. Neither must it be omitted, that herein there is an especial need to hold a strict reine over our affections, that this pleasure, which is allowable in its season, may not entrench upon other domestical affairs. We must consider, that it wastes much time, and although it have its own praise, being an honest recreation▪ and exercise; yet it is not of the noblest parts of life. There is great danger lest we be transported with this pastime, and so ourselves grow wild, haunting the Woods till we resemble the Beasts which are Citizens of them, and by continual conversation with dogs become altogether addicted to Slaughter and Carnage, which is wholly dishonourable, being a servile employment. For as it is the privilege of man, who is endued with reason, and authorised in the Law of his Creation to subdue the Beasts of the field, so to tyrannize over them is plainly brutish.  
In reading this present Poet, those which have a favour to Hunting will be much affected to see both the History and the Antiquities of it. Xenophon hath indeed described the manner of the Greek Hunting: and Oppian about two Ages after our Poet hath written a Poem expressly of this Art, being a great imitator of Gratius, as is observed by Vlitius, who hath likewise promised to illustrate with notes the whole Cycle of the Greek Cynegeticall Authors. Now those which are curious Artisans do not content themselves that they have attained to so great perfection in their Art, but are extremely pleased to look back and reflect upon the periods and steps whereby that Art hath made its gradual progress; if perchance by comparing the former with the latter even the present state of it may be advanced. Neither will this be gathered only out of writings, it may be much cleared if we resort to divers Bassi rilievi of trajan's Pillar. With those things which Perier hath recovered out of other Antiquities touching the same subject, on which P. Bellonius hath subjoined his learned Notes. For later helps, excellent are the pictures and cuts of that famous Florentine Painter and Sculptor Antonio Tempesta: He hath rarely expressed the Arms and Instruments with the Game and spoils, and Boscage work, and whatsoever else belongs to this Art.  
Here it may not be unfit to advertise the Reader, that this book though it was before praised for its authority and pureness of that ancient age, hath likewise the commendation of a new song, having been never before printed in England. Where one may justly wonder what may have been the occasion that a polite and classical Poet treating of the whole Method of the Hunting in his own age, should have been so long unlooked into, unregarded, and unsought for in our Land, which is so great a Mistress of Hunting, and no small friend to learning: both which will be allowed us by our unpartial neighbours; or if any should demur to allow them unto us, I would use only this demonstration to evince it to him, and as it were lay it before his eyes by leading him to that multitude of Forests, Chases, and Parks which are all over the Land: And in like manner on the other side, to those Illustrious Universities, Schools and Colleges, where sumptuous Edifices, & large endowments have been established for the encouragement of those who set themselves apart to the study of Arts, and true Wisdom, surpassing any other Nation both in the former and latter. Possibly the rareness of Copy's, and the little mention which hath been made of him through the succession of following writers; was the chief occasion that we little admired what we could hadly have notice of▪ But there are now some eight years since this Author hath been set out by Janus Vlitius a Dutchman: who although he is not of our Country, yet gives this account of that which moved him, being a man of the gown to meddle with hunting; that while he was in England upon public affairs, he went down into the Country to spend one winter, in which he had leisure; where he conversed with some young Gentlemen, in whose company twice a week he hunted all that Winter with so great content, that the season otherwise unpleasant was passed, before he perceived how it went; here he examined the difficult▪ passages of Xenophon, Gratius, and Oppian, which were best resolved by evident experience. In all this we may see that he own's England to have been the School from which he took the dictates of those learned Commentaries.  
Let the Reader be advised of this piece of Dutch Orthography, that Vlitius is a trysyllable, Vli— ti- us. Vli being pronounced by v. consonant as we do the Vly or Fly, a point at the Mouth of the texel.  
Aequoreis Vliti non inficiande Batavis  
Si decorant civem mens proba, culta manus.  
Anglus ago grates, tibi quas non invidus orbis  
Debebit, doctus ponere jura feris  
Cinge comas quercu, servatus Gratius ambit  
Vt de se merita fronde tegare caput.  
Retibus, et pinn●, pedicis instructus, & hastâ,  
Et cane cinctus eques jam nova bella parat.  
O ego si quicquam tentato in carmine possem!  
Si mihi Pieriae vena saliret aquae!  
Jane meo (si fortè) tulisses munere primum  
Laudatos Belgas inter habere locum.  
Said me Musa fugit, Grantam pudet hujus alumni,  
Et coeptis studiis otia rapta queror.  
Accipe quod faveam, tenues de pectore laudes  
Deprompsi, tacitae caetera mentis erunt.  
Te nemus omne canet: resonabilis accinet Echo  
Parnassusque biceps, Caucaseúmque jugum.  
Nequicquam Momus latratibus obstrepet, ultro  
Sub tua signa venit quicquid ubique Canum est.  
I cannot so readily assign what is the cause that since this setting him forth, and so learned notes with him, he hath not yet obtained a name amongst us. Only much may be imputed to our minds, being possessed with particular sollicitudes, by reason of our civil disorders. If this Author were read with so due attention and diligent inspection, into those notes as would give a sufficient understanding of his work, it would entertain the Reader with great delight. But we do not love to take much pains. Very few will give themselves the trouble to look upon large disquisitions, and turn upon every occasion to the latter end of a Book to find them. We can sometimes afford to turn our eye upon short marginal Annotations; because they do less check our career of reading, and the pleasure of connecting the sense and matter is not so much cooled.  
In this Edition of Gratius, I hope there is yet more done to prepare the Poem, that it may be understood with ease, and the delight of attending to the elegancies in it, rather doubled, then intermitted: by adjoining a Translation in equal comfort: wherein I shall have pleased either those that have an affection to see our Language enriched with the wit of former ages: or on the other side, even those men, whose inclinations do rather move to look upon the native beauties of every piece. Such men have the sense of the Author in a strict Metaphrase; the whole 540. Latin verses being rendered into a like number of English. Whensoever the matter is obscure (as it is in many places, by reason of unusual terms) here is the whole account drawn under the eye; so that what was gained by reading large disquisitions, will be delivered in the precise sum. I have taken on me the pains, and only the fruit will extend to all that accept it.  
The work of rendering terms peculiar to any Art out of one Language into another is generally difficult, it must be done with inquiry; we hardly know the terms of most Arts even in our Mother-Tongue; but here we must find them out in both, and measure them carefully together, that they may be adequate. This work is not easy; but at other times it is impossible to render them properly. If any man have confidence of his own abilities & erudition, that there is no expression so difficult which he could not put into apt Latin; let him make an assay upon these several preparations of hemp. To ripple it. To broke it. To swingle it. To heckle it. Or if he rely more upon his Apollo and Muses, let them translate these lines into a terse Latin Epigram.  
And ye speak of the buck the fyrste year he is,  
A Fawn souking on his dame, say as I you wis,  
The second year a Prycket, the thyrde year a Sourell,  
A Sour at the fourth year, the troth I you tell,  
The fifth year call him a buck of the fyrst heed  
The syxth year call him a buck and do as I you read.  
The reason of this inequality of languages is, that common names are of general imposition, but luxuriant titles are only of private combinations. We are a Nation much addicted to hunting, we particularise in the degrees of it, as Tradesmen in the work of their art: The Romans also had proper terms in their old way of hunting, which are retrieved in this Poem: Ulitius hath made an Index of the words which are appropriated to hunting out of this Author and others, comprehended in the same volume, as he hath set it out: Here are many expressions in which the Dictionary is deficient, for those who compiled it, seem not to have digested any thing of this Poem into it; some instances shall be given. Praedexter: this in Homer's Iliads, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, one that can use both hands indifferently. Metagon, a Dog that draws after a Dear, or Beast, these Metagontes are commended by him, because they did taciti accedere, which quality is described in the heroical Poem set out by Sir William Davenant. Canto 2. Stanza 30.  
And Dogs, such whose cold secrecy was meant,  
By Nature for surprise on these attend,  
Wise temperate lime-hounds that proclaim no scent,  
Nor harb'ring will their mouths in boasting spend.  
This Dog is named from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, but another is from the Gallish Vertragus a Greyhound. Xenophon Junior Chapter 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. This was not known in the age of the great Joseph Scaliger, who turning this Epigram of Martial into Greek Verse, misrenders Vertragus into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: as Vlitius hath rightly observed.  
Non sibi sed Domino venatur Vertragus acer:  
Illaesum leporem qui tibi dente feret.  
Turnebus derives it from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to bear the hare; Young Gerardus Vossius from Verdigh nimble; he adapts his conjecture to the small light which Xenophon shows forth. Janus Ulitius from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. which (he saith) in Saxon signifies a Dog for the Champion; all consenting that the name and Dog came together from Gallia Belgica. Again, from Petronius Canis or Petro, which is a hard soald Dog 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from this I say comes the Spanish un perro, with them a common appellation for all Dogs: There are other words in this Author which are rarely found viride feretrum, a Chasse▪ upon which Images and consecrated gifts are carried in processions, being tricked up with May and green boughs. Tensae, the chariots or Tra neaux on which they are charged. Sacraria the groves whither they are born. But to go beyond all this, from hence may be drawn a fair collection of words appropriated to hunting; which words are common amongst us, yet neither do we know the propriety of them in this juncture of sentence (for words are perfectly of different signification according to different positures in matter,  Dixeris egregie notum si Callida verbum. 
Reddiderit junctura novum.) Nor on the other side, when we have occasion to express those signal passages in this art, are we furnished with definite terms to signify them in Latin, but impute that to the barrenness of the language, which should in some measure be laid upon the narrowness of our enquiry: observe some examples with attentiveness. Lustrare, to range or beat over a place. Legere signa intemerata vapore fer●o, to fall upon the trail. Turba loci quâ Canes falluntur, the doubling with which the Dogs are at a fault. Secare spatia extera majore gyro, to cast it about again in a great ring. Egressus, the making out the fault. Accessus, the harbouring the beast; this in Greek is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Abitus, the unharbouring, in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Domus ferarum, the layre of beasts. Terere latebras, when they brush the Coverts. All which curiosities have been acutely observed by Janus Ulitius in one little Paragraph of the Poem, so that I would desire the reader from this proof, to form a right esteem of what Character is to be allowed that Commentator; by a right digesting these observations which will occur in this elegant piece, the limits of the Latin tongue will be enlarged; for there is a certain set of latin words which we have by us, they are numerabilia, and should all be entered into the Dictionary, as we keep a set of counters in a Box. Now these are collected from the Classical Authors, which have come down entire to us, or by fragments; and our collection will be the fuller, when we have added the terms of speaking properly among Woodmen. Besides, here we find Cannabia Silua, a Hemp-croft, Stupea messis, a Flax-plat, expressions which we should not have attempted, but rather have contrived into some more frigid terms, unless the authority of so pure an age had warranted the use of them. Now may it not be doubted, whether it can be, that much innovation should arise from so little a piece: although it should, that doubt will receive a satisfactory solution, when we consider that the subject is new, and no where professedly handled by any Roman, or writer of that exact age: It contains the whole body of an art somewhat out of the way, wherein the studious or voluptuous (which two divide the Gentry of most nations) are wont to tread: nether is the City at all acquainted with it, so that little is spoken of it, and less written of it, Virgil in the third of the Georgiques' comprises all his Cynegeticall instructions in ten verses; here is therefore matter introduced, differing from the ordinary subjects of writing, so that it is far from just occasion of wonder, if an extraordinary matter do prompt unusual notions and terms. The advancement of experience does necessarily propagate new words; therefore Pliny, who hath written the History of Nature, must needs contain a lucid catalogue of words, and is undoubtedly the best Dictionary, or to speak more modernely, the best Janua linguae Latinae. Here is an art not very common, and that does fashion to itself peculiar Instruments. His Pinnatum, called Formido, Metus, of which Nemesian.  
Linea quinetiam magnos circumdare saltus  
Quae possit, volucresque metu concludere praedas,  
Digerat innexas non unâ ex alit● pennas.  
Namque ursos, magnosque sues, cervosque fugaces,  
Et vulpes, acresque lupos, ceu fulmina caeli  
Terrificant, linique vetant transcendere septum.  
Afterwards he speaks of Laquei curraces, or a round hoop of yeughen wood made of boughs, which stood bend by force, in fashion of a Coronet, they were all stuck with Iron nails, and wooden pins. To them was fastened a clog on the other side long and heavy; through these the Nervus or Pizzle of a beast was drawn, and all the engine hid in a pit: divers pits and such engines were set, that whensoever the beast trod upon any of them, the string might yield, and the coronet might be drawn together, to cling to the foot of the beast: This Ulitius observes out of the old Xenophon, whereby to verify his exposion of the Dentatae pedicae. The Morae ferri, are Forks which were upon their Venabula, which I shall more explain in reflecting upon the body of ancient Hebrew hunting, with a superficial view, which being compared with the precepts delivered in this work, will mutually illustrate each other.  
●anaan was hemmed in with deserts, There was the great Lebanon, and there was Mizpeh, and Tabor, and other Mountains which abounded with game; and in the Royal age, I believe, Hunting itself was much frequented; for though the sacred History do not ex professo take care to deliver us any thing concerning those lighter recreations, yet the frequent representations made by it throughout the writters of that age, do give some probability that it was a frequent object among them, and taken from the common use. David's persecutions are sometimes likened to fowling, oftentimes to hunting: His enemies dig a pit for him, they set a snare to catch his feet in. No authors of human learning whose works yet survive, make so much mention of grins as the Psalms have made: His enemies bend their bow, and make their Arrows ready upon the string to shoot at the righteous. This was Esau's Artillery. So that according to that age, Hunting was so instituted; for our Author speaking of these two▪ intimates that they were courses of an elder date, for 'Gins saith he  
Nam fuit & laqueis aliquis curracibus usus:  
Cervino jussere magis. etc.—  
He saith likewise for Bows and Arrows  Magnum opus et celeres quondam fecere sagittae. 
David's enemies hide a net for him. The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords, they have spread a net by the way side, they have set grins for me. Neither was it unknown to the Jewish huntsmen the way of driving beasts, by an immission of fear, which is the Formido and Pinnatum here mentioned. This may give light to that place, Isaiah 24. 17, 18. Fear, and the pit, and the snare are upon thee O inhabitant of the earth, and it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear, shall fall into the pit, and he that cometh out of the midst of the pit, shall be taken in the snare. Here is the noise of the fear. They did anciently amaze Beasts with Colour, Odour, shouting, as before, Latratu turbabis agens, and— clamore premes ad retia cervum.  
Moreover there will arise a very considerable illustration of some verses from that which I now am about to propound: The Poet describes his Boarspears in these verses.  
Ille etiam valido primus venabula dente  
Induit, & proni moderatus vulneris iram  
Omne moris excepit onus, tum stricta verutis  
Dentibus, & geminas subiere hastilia furcas.  
There is one letter in the Hebrew Alphabet, which hath fairly preserved the picture of this weapon that is here set down, insomuch that it is called Venabulum, or Tzadde.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
This is litera bidens, in which there is the Hastile and geminae furcae; yet it may be seen with somewhat more plainness in that character which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the round, small, and fair type of the Italians. Thus have we a Tradition of the figure. And indeed no marbles, no reverses of Coins, no Medals have preserved the lively shape of this Borespear with so much durableness, as it hath been kept by painting in this liquid Oil and Colours.  
And as the Borespear may be in some measure retrieved from that Hebrew Character: so may the Formido by looking into the Sicilian hunting where it continues in use at this day. When the Nobles or Gentry are informed which way a herd of Dear passeth, giving notice to one another, they make a meeting. Every one brings with him a Cross-bow or Longbow, and a bundle of staves. These staves have an Iron spike at the Bottom, and their head is boared with a cord drawn through all of them. Their length is about four foot. Being thus provided, they come to the herd, and there casting themselves about into a large ring, they surround the Deer, and then every one of them receives a peculiar stand, and there unbinding his faggot, ti●s the end of his cord, to the other who is set in the next station, then to support it, sticks into the ground each staff about the distance of ten foot one from the other. Then they take out feathers which they bring with them died in Crimson for this very purpose, & fastened upon a third which they tie to the cord, so that with the least breath of wind they are whirled round abount. Those which keep the several stands▪ withdraw, and hide themselves in the next cover●. After this the chief Ranger enters within the line, taking with him only some Hound's which draw after the Herd, and coming near with their cry rouse it. Upon which, the Deer fly till they come towards the line, where they turn off to the left, and still gazing upon the shining and shaking feathers, wander about it as if they were kept in with a Wall or Pale. The chief Ranger pursues, and calling to every one by name, as he passeth by their stand, cries to them that they shoot the first, third, or sixth, as he shall please, and if any of them miss or single out any other, then that which was assigned by the Ranger, it is counted a disgrace to him: by which means as they pass by the several stations, the whole Herd is killed by divers Hands. This Relation is of undoubted truth, being received by Joannes Pierius from Joan. Antonius Pollio Geloum Princeps, and delivered by him in his Hieroglyphiques, Book 7. Chap. 6. These stakes are of the same use with those Ancones mentioned in our Poet, but it might seem that they are farther improved. These things may be of use to have been premitted. The Reader may give himself both delight and profit, if he shall look upon that piece of Hieronymus Fracastorius the Veronese, which he entitles Alcon, or de Curâ Canum: also the Poems of Adrian the 6. but especially if he inquire into the Edition of this Author by Vliti●s, where he shall find the Poem of Nemesian written upon the same subject in the time of Carinus the Emperor: besides the learned Annotations. Of these I have often made instances, wherein I might bring the Reader to be acquainted with him. But otherwise the whole delight of reading that Commentator hath been by me left entire to him.  
For that which hath been effected by my own pains, let it be warranted by the courteous Character of Mr. Rob. Creswel, rather than that I should be a worse advocate for it.   

To my learned and dear friend Mr. C. Wase upon the ensuing work.  

IF to reprieve an Author of that state  
And Ancestry, to rescue him from fate,  
To clear him wrapped in Dust, laid in the grave,  
That he may here his resurrection have,  
Be Piety and Justice; I approve  
(My honoured friend) your diligence of love,  
Which what it likes will with great labour raise,  
And of the World deserve a double praise,  
As works of Charity wherein men do  
Service to others, are their Glory too.  
Your choice commends your pains, and you did find  
A Poet worthy of your equal mind.  
One who may make, if this they can rehearse  
Gentlemen Scholars, while they hunt in verse.  
On who has all the right that man can do,  
You set forth him, and noble Waller you.   
It remains that the Reader be alike Candid. I shall only beg his favour, as the Poet will deserve his attention.   


A POEM OF HUNTING, By GRATIUS the Faliscian.  

GIfts of the Gods I sing, the Hunter's Arts  
By Diana's aid. Once men relied on Darts,  
And unadvised did by bare valour drive  
The woods, and wholly with ill conduct live.  
After a way more near and safe they tried,  
Taking thee, Reason, their affairs to guide;  
Hence life was helped, and the true course did shine,  
And Arts they learned on bordering Arts to join.  
Hence brutish hardiness was overthrown,  
But God gave Arts their first foundation,  
And propped them round. Then each his share contrived,  
Thus is Invention to full growth arrived.   

When life through war on Beasts was unsecure,  
Diana, thou wert first pleased to immure  
With helps, and re●●ue▪ mortals from this bane●;  
Then all the Nymphs came flocking to thy train;  
Hundred of Fountains, hundred named of Groves,  
Naiads, and Faun who pleasant Latium loves.  
Th' Arcadian Lad, and the Idean Queen  
By Lions drawn, and Sylvan decked with green.  
I with these Guides, though thousand Beasts with▪  
Nor without verse will make our party good. (stood  
In verse too hunting arms I will bestow,  
Pursue their art; and toils and harness show.  
First, 'tis enjoined with slender yarn to twist  
The edge, and with sour threads to bind the List  
That line will last, that is for service fit.  
But for the net which in the midst is knit  
Into six Tunnells wind it round, that all  
The foes though troops into ' its back may fall:  
Twice twenty paces that the net extend  
I like, and ten full knots in height ascend   

Hay's of more cost are not of greater use.  
●yniphian ●ens (doubt not) best flax produce,  
Good fruit Aeolian Sibylls vale does yield  
And the hemp-crop on Tuscans sunny field  
Drawing a dew which the near s●ood does send,  
Where through still Bowers Tiber Latiums' friend  
Slides, and salutes the Sea with a broad mouth;  
But weak our flax is of Faliscian growth,  
And Spanish Seatab other service takes,  
That Linen too which at Bubastian Wakes  
The Morris-dancers of Canopus wear,  
Whose whiteness hurtful in this close affair  
Bewrays the plot, and puts the foes to guard;  
But the poor Alaband in his watered yard  
Plants grounds of hemp. Harness most fit indeed▪  
For our design; but they in strength exceed;  
You may in these, tangle Emonian bears  
Only before lest moisture 〈◊〉 your snars  
Take heed. No use of lines the wet has taken,  
No faith, if in the cutting then some Brook,   

Scour the low vale, or fens a taint have wrought,  
Or your green crop by sudden shower be caught,  
Either against the dry North wind oppose,  
Or it at home with gloomy smoke enclose.  
Hence they forbid to touch Flax▪ harvest, ere  
Maturest heats have scorched the turning year:  
And the bright Pleiade shown her golden ray,  
It steeped in rain the sooner will decay.  
A mighty work, and which great care requires,  
Dost thou not mark whom story much admires,  
The demigods, that durst Olympus scale,  
Walk seas, and from the Gods their Matrons hale?  
Yet with small gain did hunt without my skill;  
Sad Venus for Adonis' moans, and will,  
An●aeus too was slain in his own field,  
Though he both handed two huge Bills did wield.  
That God Alcide that made men safe to dwell,  
Who forced Sea, Earth, and the steep gate of Hell,  
Attempting all, what ere might be admired,  
Hence honour first, and bright renown acquired.   

Then learn if any Grace these Arts repeat  
Which may the strength of Beasts by wit defeat.  
Some pluck the plumes from the ●anck Praetors wing  
Their tackle this: and no mean help they bring.  
But dapple them with down of Silver swans  
This all their Arms. In the clear day these glance  
Objects that fright, the greedy Praetors smell  
Offend the wood, these intermixed do well.  
But as thy plumes may well be bright and sleek,  
So be they soft, nor quilted on too thick,  
Lest the line drawn in its own pinions caught  
Tangle thy haste and useless show its fault.  
This most affrights the dear, others again  
Their shining quills in Libyan Sandyae slain  
And Linen rags on forks erect appear,  
'Tis rare, if any Beast ●lude this fear.   

Time was when men did 'Gins and Fetters use,  
They bid to make them a Deeres pizzle choose,  
This helps the plot by its own kind disguised,  
But what great Woodman upon this devised   

The dragging Rake, since in untraced snares  
One oft falls in to reap another's cares▪  
O happy Author, whom all times enrol  
For such high thoughts, some ged, or god like soul  
Which through gross darkness shot his piercing sight,  
And led the silly Vulgar into light.  
Diana ', to thy Castalian Priest disclose.  
An o●d Arcadian, thus the story goes,  
Spartan' A●yclae first and Menal saw  
Over unhaunted vales his nets to draw,  
Then Dercyl, none for justice more renowned,  
Nor was on earth a man devouter found.  
Therefore of old him the wood-goddesse wrought,  
And for her mighty work meet Author thought,  
Bid him come near, and he her art should spread  
He too first bore spea●s with tough fangs did head,  
And checked the wounded beasts advancing rage,  
While the cross guards their forward force engage;  
Then staves two ●ines, or their sharp wings displayed;  
Some their long spear invested with a blade,   

Lest in the wound their steel be unemployed,  
Here flattering novelty thou shalt avoid:  
Want or excess offend, but sickle mode  
Vary`s, and always shuns a beaten road.  
I might vast Macedonian pikes propound,  
And how long poles with slender forks are bound:  
Or how again the swift Albanian loads  
With mas●y plate for their thin bark w●ak rods.  
All weapons best the safer measures frame,  
Wherefore in Darts we at this use must aim  
Not to wound light, nor yet short space to go▪  
Diana ' with Lycian quiver and loose Bow  
Armed her own Mates. Darts of the Goddess hold  
Great work, swift arrows too have done of old.  
Now come, & learn how tough shafts must be chose  
In Thracian Heber's flats much Cornel grows,  
And Myrtle which on Cyprian shore doth bloom,  
Y●ugh too, and Pine, and the Altinate Broomk,  
And Cypress more for rustic service sought,  
There is a stick from Eastern Saba brought;   

The specious mother of sweet incense famed,  
This hath her use and grace from nature claimed:  
Nor to be soiled (thus the wood-Nymphs or deign)  
But not without great tendance we obtain  
Those other shafts which in our forests fly.  
Twigs of themselves never rise straight and high,  
And underwoods are bowed as first they shoot,  
Then prune the boughs, and suckers from the root  
Discharge. Th● levy wood ●ond pity tires;  
After when with tall rods the tree aspires,  
And the round staves to heaven advance their twigs  
Pluck all the buds, and strip off all the sprigs;  
These issues vent what moisture shall abound,  
And the veins unimplo●d grow hard and sound:  
When five just feet the stately poles ascend,  
Cut them, while green leaves the ripe fruit defend,  
Ere Autumn on them his warm showers discharge;  
But why on small parts do we thus enlarge?  
Dogs claim chief ear, our art no greater knows,  
Whether you boldly drive the savage ●oes   

With naked forced, or war by stratagem.  
Dogs thousand Countries have, & kinds from them.  
The Mede will nothing learn, but stoutly fight:  
And Celtiques in a different praise delight.  
Gelonians boast no strength, and combat loath,  
But quick they sent. The Persian good at both.  
Some keep the Ser a race of untamed ●age:  
Lycaon's mild, yet mighty to engage.  
But the Hyrcanian valour of its breed  
Does not content, in woods they seek fierce seed,  
Love gives access, and in soft fetters locks,  
Then strays the wild Adulterer through safe flocks,  
And the full bitch dares to the tiger couch,  
So does her race the nobler blood avouch.  
But this ripe kind beasts in your yard will drive,  
And on much blood of slaughtered sheep will thrive;  
Feed him howe'er, what he at home offends  
His courage in the wood will make amends.  
But Umber finds, yet dares not meet his foes,  
Would, what his faith, & his quick scented nose   

Such were his force and courage were so true,  
What if the Belgic current you should view,  
And steer your course to Britain's utmost shore,  
O how great gain will your expense restore!  
Though not for shape and much deceiving show  
The British hounds no other blemish know,  
When fierce work comes, & courage must be shown,  
And Mars to extreme combat leads them on;  
Then stout Molossians you will less commend;  
With Athamaneans these in craft contend:  
Acyrus, Pherae and Acarnan sly  
(Acarnans once did in famed ambushly)  
So that bitch silent does her foes surprise.  
But the Etolian yelping ere she spies  
Rea●s the couched Boar (a service ill addressed)  
Be●t that fear this brawling does suggest,  
Or eager haste betrays, yet from our arts  
Cast not that breed as useless in all parts;  
Most fleet they are, and in sharp sent excel,  
Nor labour can their active courage quell.   

Therefore of various lands the virtues blend  
From Vmbrian dam Sent will on Galls descend,  
Gelonians from Hyrcanian sire grow stout,  
And th' open Caledonian will wash out,  
That stain corrected by Molossian seed.  
Thus do they draw the flower of every breed,  
And Nature owns it: but if you respect  
Fleet work, and trembling Roes to chase affect,  
Or winding steps of the small Hare to trace:  
Petronians famed, and the Sicambrian race,  
And choose the Grayhound pied with black & white,  
He runs more swift than thought or winged flight.  
But courseth yet in view, not hunts in trail,  
In which the quick Petronians never fail.  
But if their joys in height of Game suppressed,  
They Silent would approach th' unwarned Beast,  
Theirs were the Woods, which now the bloodhound gets:  
But this fond virtue all their praise defeats.  
To your high kind, Country's of Dogs not base,  
Sparta and Creta may compare their race.   

But Glympike first in slip and collar held  
Beotian Hagnon brought into the field,  
Hagnon Hastilian, Hagnon, whom most Grace  
In our affairs shall give the highest place;  
To doubtful arts, and scarcely yet allowed  
He cut a nearer path, nor drew a crowd  
In company, or nets abroad to lay,  
But to his work, the hope and mighty stay  
One Lime-hound led, he seeks o'er fields where late  
Beasts fed, by springs, by coverts where they sat;  
An early work▪ than hunting on the trail  
Vnstain d, if any crossework make him fail,  
Searches in larger ring the hedges round,  
And when he hath the clear way surely found,  
Puts on, as over the Lechaean plain  
Thessalian Mares, whom glory of their strain  
Inflames, and high ambition of the prize;  
But lest from too much heat some loss arise  
Make him with opening not himself betray,  
Nor for mean quarry, or some nearer pr●y,   

Changing the scent, his first endeavours soil.  
But now when good success attends his toil,  
And the enquired form approacheth nigh,  
That he may know and point where the fo's lie,  
Or lightly moves his tail for joy, or gnaws  
And prints the very steps with crooked claws,  
Or snuffles the hot air with turned up nose.  
And in these marks lest eager joy impose  
Round the whole close with quicksets fenced about  
What way the beasts came in, what way went out  
Make him go hunt: and if this hope prove vain,  
Rare chance, he runs with the hot sent amain  
To the fresh steps, and makes a ring unstained.  
Therefore when the full conquest is obtained  
Let thy companion share the prey, and prove  
His due reward: and well paid service love.  
This is desert, the palm this of renown  
With which the gods did thee great Hagnon crown;  
Therefore while verses last, while woods have Game  
And Diana ' arms, so long shall live thy fame.   

He too from Thoës brought a mongrel strain,  
No other breast like virtue doth contain,  
Or to obey, or fiercely to fall on.  
Engaged Lion's Thoes are well known  
To creep beneath, and with short legs to came;  
For a small race and ugly, is their shame,  
Shaped like a Fox; yet at this sport complete;  
Nor can you ever train to works so great  
Another breed; or if with care you try  
That error ill success will rectify.  
Then match them well; and thus a noble seed  
Derive, these parents will your Talbot breed,  
Which this strange beast got in their lusty prime,  
First those of courage proved together Lime;  
Nor let this second care your choice escape  
For graceful limbs, and a becoming shape.  
High be their looks, their hairy ear's hang low,  
Their mouth be deep, and flashing fervour blow  
From open flews. Their well▪ trussed paunch be round  
Short stern, long side▪ Hair in partitions found   

Run down, not shagged, nor yet by cold distressed  
Then from strong shoulders let them spread a chest  
Which for long winds a spacious room bestows.  
'Slight him who wide his scambling foot steps throws.  
Lazy he is, Dry Legs with sinews tough  
I like, and hard sols for these combats proof.  
But this long labour falls in vain▪ except  
The Bitch removed be for one Lover kept;  
And with some large one Limned when she is proud,  
Nor her choice worth submit to the low crowd.  
First joys, the first embraces sweetest prove,  
Impatient nature works this furious love▪  
If she be loyal, and no lewdness act,  
Let the big Bitch have rest, nor work exact.  
She scarce will draw her load. I counsel next  
Lest she with throng of useless whelps be vexed  
By marks to prize, and the best puppies choose,  
Themselves hold tokens forth: his limbs hang loose  
Who will oneday the fierce assault maintain,  
And does already equal share disdain.   

Usurping o'er the Teats to domineer  
He sucks alone; makes all behind him clear  
What time the day doth gentle warmth dispense;  
But when cold Syren's of the evening pierce  
His anger quails. Might falls to the base throng,  
Poise in your hands, if he will prove most strong;  
He all his lighter brothers doth outweigh:  
Nor marks shall me, nor thee my lines betray.  
Now for the Dam you must provide new fare,  
Cherish, and tend her with deserved care!  
Like tendance will she to her young impart  
And lasting help; but when with pain her heart  
Is tired, nor she the work can longer bear  
On the deserted whelps bend all your care;  
With milk and barley meal your young train feed,  
Nor let them know high fare, or to exceed:  
This kindness would to their great harm redound  
Clearly: nought human wit does more confound.  
And Reason to assaulting Vice betray.  
Riot undid the Pharian Court, while they   

Old Mareotique Wine with pearls infuse,  
Reap Syrian Spikenard, and high wealth abuse.  
Thus too fell Lydia by great Cyrus' hands  
For her rich rivers covered golden Sands,  
Whose plenty to no higher pitch could rise.  
And whilst thou Greece new Methods dost devise,  
Neighbouring excesses being made thine own,  
How art thou fallen from thine old renown!  
But our Camilli did but plainly far,  
No port did oft triumphant Serran bear:  
Therefore such hardship, and their heart so great  
Gave Rome to be the World's imperial seat.  
By them our courage hath high heaven scaled  
And touched the clouds with honoured wreaths impaled.  
Great things on small may rule and light reflect,  
Then for your Hounds one Governor elect,  
He must allot their work, Correction, food,  
He leads the band, which must command the wood.  
Nor slight his charge who shall this power obtain:  
For Huntsman choose some lusty youthful swain,   

Who must be skilled, and a courageous man:  
Know where to find the so, when to fall on,  
And dare to his oppressed allies come in:  
Else they would fly, or bloody conquest win.  
Then heed your work, and proper arms provide,  
Arms will make way; Your small let buskins hide,  
A Leathern pouch your servants must convey  
Wear a short jump, and Bonnets from a Grey.  
Gird a Toledo Hanger on their thigh,  
From their right hand a thrilling javelin fly,  
And let them clear the way with crooked bill.  
Your Ammunition this; but be you skill  
Both Martial wounds, and creeping sores to cure,  
With pain's, & all the plagues which Dogs endure.  
Fate hangs aloft, and on all worldly things,  
Greedy death stoops clapping her sable wings:  
Then to great danger greater help apply,  
Use means approved, now learn we to descry  
What course will make incensed Heaven relent.  
Cure is at hand, though wide and deep the rent.   

Though blood and guts at once drop from your Hound,  
Staight from that very foe which made the wound  
Get thee warm stale; and wash his tattered paunch,  
Till with salt juice the gushing blood you staunch.  
For gates of death stand open. The cleansed wound  
Then must be closed, and with fine third be bound.  
But if the sore contract some lesser blane,  
Rather it Lance, and the hid matter drain.  
All rising evils are with ease suppressed,  
Let them be wiped, or with soft Tar be dressed.  
But being razed only with some slight wound,  
He brings a native salve, and licks it sound.  
There is a taint, nor can it be withstood,  
When through the whole corrupted Mass of blood  
Causes unknown ill humours propagate,  
Which all break out at last, descried too late.  
Then reigning plagues and hot infections spread  
O'er the whole Camp, and all your train ly's dead.  
An undistinguished fate destroys your bands,  
Nor strength, nor merit, nor complaint withstands.   

Whether Proserpina from the Stygian Lake;  
Send up this banesome hid revenge to take,  
Or the close air sulphureous vapours shoot,  
Or the contagious earth her gifts pollute.  
Remove the plagues first cause, o'er the vales drive,  
And the broad river pass, I counsel give.  
This is the first relief; but then apply  
Our helps prescribed, and art not vainly try.  
But passions vary, nor one cure require,  
The difference learn: and to due means aspire.  
Madness with dogs is rife and threatens fate,  
If you defer, what you might antedate  
That plague in its first causes to confound;  
For where the tongue is with fast tendons bound,  
The fury (called a worm) is thence conveyed  
When this their salt Guts doth with Thirst invade,  
Fevers inflame: their lolling tongues they shake,  
Attempt to fly, and known abodes forsake▪  
Which stings by motion chafed do Dogs enrage,  
Therefore with steel pair in their tender age   

The native roots of this advancing fault  
Soon is the soreness healed: sprinkle white salt,  
And with some oil supple the bleeding wound,  
ere night hath fully spread her shadows round,  
Your Dog will come forgetful of his sore,  
Wait at your Trencher, and some food implore;  
I might Arts of plain years, and ancient term  
Recount, which long experience doth confirm.  
Some have with Badgers furr their collars lined  
And in a string mother of pearl do bind,  
With Talk, and Melitaean Coral tied,  
And simples by enchantment fortified.  
By which means heaven appeased will put by  
Spells and the glances of an envious ey:  
But if the mange with loathsome pleasure send  
A tedious way to an unhandsome end,  
When it breaks out, though sad the cure may seem,  
You must with that one life your Pack redeem,  
Where the contagion first its taint hath wrought  
Lest your whole flock by the dire plague be caught,   

Yet if with gentle steps the ill proceed,  
Learn proper Arts by which he may be freed:  
Then Brimstone that offensive airs doth send  
And pitch, and lees of oil together blend;  
All which the fire into one Mass compounds:  
Here bathe you sick, the raging plague this bounds:  
Suppling the stiffness; yet lest ought suspend  
The cure, from rain and colds your Dog defend;  
And rather in warm vales, where no shrubs grows,  
Out of the wind, to the South-sun oppose,  
That the ill humour may by sweat perspire,  
And ointment through the subtle pores retire.  
Those too which in the salt strand drench their whelps,  
Poean propitiously regards, and helps.  
O what great gifts doth wise experience throw  
On the rude world, would they but sloth forgo,  
And reach their wishes with industrious hands!  
In the Trinacrian Rock a deep Grotte stands  
And winding Vaults within, the walls are topped,  
With gloomy woods, & streams by Cinders stopped,   

Vulcan's black fane; in which as down you sink  
Gross puddles stand, and Lakes of Sulphur stink.  
Hither I oft have seen sick cattle haled  
By Herdsmen, when their weaker skill hath failed.  
First Vulcan we implore thee and thy grace,  
O Reverend power of this hallowed place  
Extend last helps, and though we want desert,  
Spare all these souls, nor thy blessed springs avert▪  
Thrice each invoke, thrice on the hearth each cast  
Incense; a pile with holy Boughs is placed,  
Here a strange sight, and else of small request  
Behind the Dens, from the cleft Mountain's breast  
Comes riding on Southwinds and rolling flames,  
The Priest starts up, and a strict charge proclaims  
Shaking an Olive branch, far hence retire  
From the God's presence, and his present fire,  
All ye who crimes have acted, or designed:  
Horror upon this threat dissolves their mind;  
O that the man which hath oppressed the poor,  
Sold his dear brother's head, or what is more,   

His friends, and durst his Country-Gods betray,  
Would hither with bold guilt direct his way;  
Strait should he find what vengeance doth his fault  
Pursue: but he that bears an honest thought,  
And worship's God; God on his Altar shines  
Gently, and sacred fire his pile entwines,  
Then back retires and shrinks within its Cave.  
That man may come to Vulcan's healing wave.  
Strait, though the taint his fivers should devour,  
Bath him herein, and his torn body scour,  
Cleansing the far▪ go plague. God first descried  
The cure, which constant nature doth provide.  
What bane more fierce, or mortal? yet that wrath,  
Though most it burn, yields to this healing bath.  
But if the first disease pass undescryed  
To stop its course, the next means must be tried,  
Quick remedies must wait on quick events,  
Their Nostrils slit, their shoulder-ligaments  
Cut down; from either wounded ear draw blood,  
From hence the plague derives his poisoned flood▪   

Then by sit helps let their dull limbs be cleared,  
With Lees of Oil and aged Massick cheered,  
Bacchus from every breast doth cares expel.  
Bacchus' the rage of this disease doth quell.  
Why should I colds, or surfeits why propound?  
Or if for frettished legs a help be found?  
Thousand infections reign which cure defy;  
Forbear. Our Arts do not aspire so high.  
Forbear. God must devoutly be adored,  
And by processions Heavenly aid implored.  
Therefore in stately groves we Altars rear,  
And Spiked torches to the forest bear  
On Diana's day. The Dogs with wreaths are crowned,  
And arms unused thrown on the flowery ground  
In joyful peace, the solemn feast adorn:  
The wine before, and smoking cakes are borne  
On a green hearse; a Kid from whose young brows  
The horns bud forth, and apples on their boughs.  
As at those feasts where all the youth appear  
To cleanse themselves, and bless the fruitful year.   

The Virgin thus thy stay, and sole defence  
Her grace obtained, great favours does dispense  
What e'er you wish, be it the Woods to clear,  
Or, scape what ever plagues you feel or fear.  
It rests that we, what horse our arms admit,  
Define. All breeds are not for hunting fit,  
Some courage want; some have too weak a frame;  
Again ungoverned mettle spoils the Game:  
What Steed Thessalian Peneus drinks inquire:  
And how Mycenians their own Grey admire,  
Lofty he is; and high his Gallop bears  
None better to th' Olympic course repairs:  
Yet for this work his mettle doth deny  
Through woods to rake, and the hard combat try.  
Rough horses do not fit Syenes' mould.  
The Parthian on his own soft downs doth hold  
Some fame; but let him Caudian Taburn knock  
The craggy Gargan, or Ligurian Rock  
In the midway his flinching hoof will start,  
Yet hath he courage, and affects our Art;   

But weak his nature is▪ Again the stiff  
Gallician Jennet climbs Pyrenes cliff,  
Yet durst I not the Jennet trust in fight,  
Hard-mouthed Murcibians even steel will bite.  
All Nasamonia with a switch can wind,  
Their horse. No bridles the Numidian bind▪  
A bold and hardy kind, which fresh will strain  
An hundred Posts, and eager speed maintain.  
Nor dainty is of fare; but gladly takes  
What deserts yield, & thirst in rare streams flakes.  
So the Bisaltian Courser hardly fares  
O that he could but learn Aetnean airs  
The Pyrrhich dance! What though his Crest be blamed  
And thin chine sway's? he Agragas hath famed,  
And from Nebrodes chased the flying Dear,  
O for our arms how great doth he appear!  
Whose noble studds derive an active strain,  
That with Chaonians may the strife maintain,  
Whom Greece with praise not due does yet adorn;  
Sorrel Ceraunians by their Pella born,   

Their breed of Cyrrha too, Apollo's fane  
Scarce to the wood can draw our sacred wain.  
Some colours favour hunting more, the best  
Are feet of black, and bay upon the breast,  
And backs which do the dying coal express;  
Italian dams (the Gods our land thus bless)  
Highly excel: our soil all plenty yields,  
And sprightly colts adorn the fruitful fields.    

CYNEGETICON GRATII FALISCI.  

DOna cano divum, laetas venantibus arteis,  
Auspicio, Diana, tuo. prius omnis in armis  
Spes fuit, & nu●a silvas virtute movebant  
Inconsulti homines, vitaque erat error in omni,  
Post alia propiore via, meliusque profecti  
Te sociam, Ratio, rebus sumpsere gerendis.  
Hinc omne auxilium vitae, rectusque reluxit  
Ordo: & contigu is didicere ex artibus arteis  
Proserere. hinc demens cecidit violentia retro,  
Sed primum auspicium deus artibus altaque circum  
Firmamenta dedit, tum parteis quisque secutus  
Exegere suas, tetigitque industria finem.   

Tu ●repidam bello vitam, Diana, ferino,  
Quà primam quaerebat opem, dignata r●pertis  
Protegere auxiliis, orbemque hac solvere noxa▪  
Ascivere tuo comites sub nomine divae,  
Centum omnes nemorum, centum de fontibus omnes,  
Naiades, & Latii cultor qui Faunus am●●i,  
Maenaliusque puer, domitri●que Idea leonum  
Mater, & inculto Silvanus termite gau●ens.  
His ego praesi●ibus nostram defendere sortem  
Contra mille feras, et non ●ine carmine nifus,  
Carmine et arma dabo venandi, et persequar artem  
Armorum, cassesque, plagarumque ordiar a●us.  
Prima jubent tenui nascentem jungere filo  
Limbum, et quadruplici tormento astrin gere limbos.  
Illa operum patiens, illa usus linea longi.  
Tunc ipsum medio cassem qui nascitur ore,  
Persenos circum usque sinus laqueabis, ut omnem  
Concipiat tergo, si quisquam est plurimus, hostem.  
Et bis vicenos spatium praetendere passus  
Rete velim, plenisque dec em consurgere nodis▪   

Ingrati majora sinus impendia sument.  
Optima Cyniphiae, ne quid cunctere, paludes  
Lina dabunt, bonus Aeoliae de valle Sibyllae  
Foetus, & aprico Tuscorum stupea campo  
Messis, contiguum sorbens de flumine rorem,  
Qua cultor Latii per opaca silentia Tib●is  
Labitur, inque sinus magno venit or● m●rinos.  
At contrà nostris imbellia lina Faliscis:  
Hispani●ue alio spectantur Saet●bes usu.  
Vix operata suo sacra ad Bubastia lino  
Velatur sonipes aestivi turba Canopi;  
Ipse in materia damnosus candor inerti  
Ostendit longe fraudem, atque exterruit hostes.  
At pauper rigui custos Alabandicus horti  
Cannabias nutrit silvas, quam commoda nostro  
Armamenta operi: gravis est tutela sed ill is,  
Tu licet Aemonios includ●● retibus ursos.  
Tantùm ne subeat vitiorum pessimus humor,  
Ante cave: non est humentibus usus in armis▪  
Nulla ●ides ergo, seu pressa flumina valle   

Inter opus, causaeque malum fecere paludes,  
●ive improvisus coelo perfud●rit imber.  
Illa vel ad flatus Helices oppande sere●●ae  
Velure caligineo laxanda reponito fumo.  
Id circo et primas linorum tangere messes  
Ante vetant, qu●m maturis accenderit annus  
Ignibus, et claro Pleias●se prompferit ortu  
Imbiberit tanto despondet longius usu,  
(Magnum opus) et tangi nisi cura vincitur impar.  
Nónne vides, veterum quos prodit fabula rerum  
Semideos, illi aggeribus ●entare superbis,  
Ire freta, et matres ausi tractare de●rum,  
quam magna mercede meo sine munere sylvas  
Impulerint, flet adhuc et porrò flebit Adonim  
Victa Venus, ceciditque suis Ancaeus in arvis.  
Vt predexter erat geminisque securibus ingens.  
Ipse deus, cultorque feri Tyrinthius o●bis,  
Quem mare, quem tellus, quem pr●ceps janua Ditis.  
Omnia tentantem, qua laus erat obvia▪ passi.  
Hinc de us et famae primus patravit honerem▪   

Exige, si qua meis respondet ab artibus ergo  
GRATIA, quae vires fallat collata ferin●s.  
Sunt, quibus immundo decerptae vulture plumae  
Instrumentum operis fuit, & non parva facultas  
Tantùm inter nivei jungantur vellera ●ygni:  
Et satis armorum est. Haec clara luce coruscant,  
Terribiles species: ab vulture dirus avaro  
Turbat odor silvas, meliusque alterna valet res.  
Sed quam clara tuis & ●inguis pluma sub armis,  
Tam mollis tactu & non sit creberrima nexu,  
Ne reprensa suis properantem linea pinnis  
Implicet, atque ipso mendosa coarguat usu.  
Hic magis in cervos valuit metus. a'st ubi lentae  
Interdum Libyco fucantur sandice pinnae,  
Lineaque extructis lucent anconibus arma:  
Rarum, si qua metus eludat bellua falsos.   

Nam fuit & laqueis aliquis curracibus usus:  
Cervino jussere magis contexere nervo;  
Fraus t●get insidias habitu mentita ferino▪  
Quid qui dentatas iligno robore clausit   

Venator pedicas, cum dissimulan●ibus armis  
Saepe habet imprudens alieni lucra laboris▪  
O felix, tantis quem primum industria rebus  
Prodidit auctorem! deus ille, an proxuma div●s  
Mens fuit, in caecas aciem quae magna tenebras  
Egit▪ et ignarum perfudit lumine vulgus?  
Dic age Pierio (fas est) Diana ministro.  
Arcadium stat fama senem, quem Maenalus auctor,  
Et Lacaedemoniae primum vidistis Amyclae  
Per non assuetas metantem retia valles,  
Dercylon; haud illo quisquam se justior egit,  
Aut fuit in terris diuûm observantior alter.  
Ergo illum primis nemorum dea finxit in annis,  
Auctoremque operi dignata inscribere magno.  
Jussit adire suas & pandere gentibus arteis.  
Ille etiam valido primus venabula dente  
Induit: et proni moderatus vulneris iram  
Omne moris excepit onus: tum stricta verutis  
Dentibus ei geminas subiere hastilia furcas.  
Et quidam totos clauserunt ensibus orbes,   

Ne cessaret iners in vulnere massa ferino.  
Blandimenta vagae fugies novitatis ibidem:  
Exig●● nimiove nocent▪ sed lubricus errat  
Mos, & ●b expertis festinant usibus omnes.  
Quid Macetûm immensos libea● si dicere contos,  
quam longa exigui spicant hastilia dentes:  
Aut contrà ut tenero districtas cortice virgas  
Praegravat ingenti pernix Albania cultro?  
Omnia tela modi meliùs finxere salubres.  
Quocirca & ●aculis habilem perpendimus usum:  
Neu leve vulnus eat, neu sit brevis impetus illi.  
Ipsa arcu Lyciaque suas Dianapharetra  
Armavit comites, (ne tela relinquite divae)  
Magnum opus & volucres quondam fecere sagittae)  
Disce agedum & validis delectum hastilibus omnem  
Plurima Threicii nutritur vallibus Hebri  
Cornus, & umbrosae Veneris per litora myrtus,  
Taxique, pinusque, Altinatesque genistae,  
Et magis incomptus operae Lutoser agrestis.  
Termes ab eois descendet virga Sab●is,   

Mater odorati multùm pulcherrima turis  
●lla suos usus intractatumque decorem  
(Sic nemorum jussere Deae) natalibus haurit  
A●bitriis: at enim multo sunt ficta labore  
Caetera, quae silvis errant hastilia nostris.  
Numquam sponte sua procerus ad aera termes  
Exii●, inque ipsa curvantur stirpe genistae.  
Ergo age luxuriam prim● foetusque nocenteis  
Detrahe: frondosas gravat indulgentia silvas.  
P●st ubi proceris generosa stirpibus arbor  
Se dederit, teretesque ferent ad sidera virgae,  
Stringe notas circum, et gemmanteis exige versus.  
His si quis vitium n●citurus sufficit humor,  
Visceribus fluet, et Venas durabit inertes.  
In quinos sublata pedes hastilia plen●  
Caede manu, dum pomiferis advertitur annus  
Frondibus, et tepidos autumnus contin●t imbres.  
Sed cur exiguis tantos in partibus orbes  
Lustramus? prima illa canum, non ulla per arteis  
Cura prior, sive ind●mitos vehementior hosteis   

Nudo Marte prem●s, seu bellum ex arte ministres.  
Mille canum patriae, ductique ab origine mores  
Cuique sua. Magna indocilis dat proelia Medus,  
Magnaque diversos extollit gloria Celtas.  
Arma negant contrà Martemque odere Geloni,  
Sed natura sagax: Perses in utroque paratus.  
Sunt qui Seras alant, genus intractabilis irae.  
At contra faciles, magnique Lycao●es armis.  
Sed non Hyrcanae satis est vehementia genti  
Tanta: suis petiere ultr● fera semina ●ilvis.  
Dat Venus accessus, & blando foedere jungit.  
Tunc & mansuetis tuto feruserrat adulter  
In stabulis, ultroque gravis succedere Tigrim  
Ausa canis, majore tulit de sanguine foetum.  
Sed praeceps virtus ipsa venabitur aula.  
Ille tibi & pecudum multo cum sanguine crescet,  
Pasce tamen, quaecunque domi sibi crimina secit,  
Excutiet silva magnus pugnator a●epta.  
At fugit adversos idem quos repperit hosteis  
Vmber, quanta fides, utinam, & solertia naris!   

Tanta foret virtus, et tantum vellet in armis!  
Quid freta si Morinum dutio refluentia ponto  
Veneris, atque ipsos libeat penetrare Britannos?  
O quanta est merces, et quantum impendia supra!  
Si non ad speciem mentiturosque decores  
Protinus: hoec una est catulis jactura Britannis.  
Ad magnum cum venit epus premendaque virtus,  
Et vocat extremo praeceps discrimine Mavors,  
Non tunc egregios tantúm admirere Molossos;  
Comparat his versuta suas Athamania fraudes,  
Acyrusque, Pheraeque, et clandestinus Acarnan.  
Sicut Acarnanes subierunt proelia furto:  
Sic canis illa suos taciturna supervenit hostes.  
At clangore citat quos nondum conspicit apros,  
Aetola quaecumque canis de stirpe (malignum  
Officium) sive illa metus convicia rupit,  
Seu frustra nimius properat furor. & tamen illud  
Ne vanum totas genus aspernere per arteis,  
Mirum quam celeres, et quantum nare merentur:  
Tum non est victi cui concessere labori.   

Idcirco variis miscebo gentibus usum.  
Quondam inconsultis mater dabit Vmbrica Calais  
Sensum agilem, traxere animos de patre Gelonae  
Hyrcano, & vanae tantùm Calydonia linguae  
Exibit vitium patre emendata Molosso.  
Scilicet ex omni florem virtute capessunt,  
Et sequitur natura favens: at te leve si quà  
Tangit opus, pavidosque iuvat compellere dorcas,  
Aut versuta sequi leporis vestigia parvi:  
Petroni●● (sic fam●) canes, volucresque Sicambros,  
Et pictam macula Vertraham delige falsa.  
Ocyor affectu mentis pinnaque cucurrit,  
Sed premit inventas, non inventura latenteis  
Illa feras; quae Petroniis bene gloria constat.  
Quòd si maturo pressantes gaudia lusu  
Dissimulare feras tacitique accedere possent:  
Illis omne decus; quod nunc, Metagontes, habetis,  
Constaret silvis: sed virtus irrita damno est.  
Ad vestrum non vile genus, non patria vulgo  
Sparta suos & Creta suos promittit alumnos:   

Sed primum celsa lorum cervice ferentem  
Glympice, te silvis egit Boeotius Hagnon,  
Hagnon Hastilides, Hagnon, quem plurima semper  
Gratia per nostros unum testabitur usus.  
Hic trepidas arteis & vix novitate sedentes  
Vidit, quà propior patuit via: nec sibi turbam  
Contraxit comitem, nec vasa tenentia longé.  
Vnus praesidium atque operi spes magna petito  
Adsumptus Metagon lustrat per nota ferarum  
Pascua, per fontes, per quas trivere la●ebras,  
Primae lucis opus: tum signa vapore ferino  
Intemerata legens, si qua est qua fallitur ejus  
Turba loci, majota secat spatia extera gyro.  
Atque hic egressu jam tum sine fraude reperto  
Incubuit spatiis, qualis permissa Lechaeis▪  
Thessalium quadriga decus, quam gloria patrum  
Excitat, & primae spes ambitiosa coronae.  
Sed nequa ex nimio redeat jactura favore,  
Lex dicta officiis: ne voce lacesseret hostem,  
Neve levem praedam, aut propioris pignora lucri   

Amplexus, primos ne quidquam offenderet actus.  
jam vero impensum melior fortuna laborem  
Cum sequitur, juxtaque domus quaesita ferarum,  
Vt sciat, occultos & signis arguat hosteis:  
Aut effecta levi testatur gaudia cauda,  
Aut ipsa infodiens uncis vestigia plantis  
Mandit humum, celsasve adprensat naribus auras.  
Et tamen ut ne prima faventem pignora fallant  
Circa omnem aspretis medius qua clauditur orbis,  
Ferre pedem, accessusque, abitusque notasse ferarum  
Admonet, & si forte loci spes prima fefellit,  
(Rarum opus) incubuit spatiis ad proxima versis,  
Intacto repetens prima ad vestigia gyro.  
Ergo ubi plena suo rediit victoria fine,  
In partem praedae veniat comes, & sua norit  
Praemia: sic operi juvet inservisse benigno.  
Hoc ingens meritum est: haec ultima palma trophae●,  
Hagnon magne, tibi diuûm concessa favore.  
Ergo semper eris, dum carmina, dumque manebun●  
Silvarum dotes, atque arma Dianea terris:   

Hic et semiferam Thoum de sanguine prolem  
Finxit. non alio major sua pectore virtus,  
Seu noritvoces, seu nudi ad pignora Martis.  
Thoës commissos (clarissima fama) leones  
Et subiere astu, et parvis domuere lacertis.  
Nam genus exiguum, et pudeat quam informe fateri  
Vulpina specie; tamen huc exacta voluntas.  
At non est alius, quem tanta ad munia soetus  
Exercere velis, aut te tua culpa refellat  
Inter opus, quo sera cadit prudentia damno.  
Junge pares ergo, et majorum pignore signa  
Foeturam, prodantque tibi Metagonta parentes,  
Qui genuere sua pecus hoc immane juventa.  
Et primum expertos animi, quae gratia prima est.  
In Venerem jungunt, tum sortis cura secundae,  
Ne renuat species, aut quae detrectet honorem.  
Sint celsi vultus, sint hirtae frontibus aures,  
Os magnum et patulis agitatos morsibus▪ ignes  
Spirent, astricti succingant ilia ventris,  
Cauda brevis, longumque latus, discretaque collo   

Caesaries, non pexa nimis, non frigoris illa  
Impatiens: validis tum surgat pectus ab armis,  
Quod magnos capiat motus, magnisque supersit.  
Effuge, qui lata pandit vestig ia planta,  
Mollis in officio siccis ego dura lacertis  
Crura velim, & solidos haec in certamina calces.  
Sed frustra longus properat labor, ab●ita si non  
Altas in latebr●s unique inclusa marito  
Foemina, nec patitur Veneris sub temp●re magnos  
Il●a, neque emeritae servat ●astigia laudis.  
Primi complexus, dulcissima prima voluptas.  
Hunc Veneri dedit impatiens natura furorem.  
Si renuit cunctos, & mater adultera non e●●,  
Dam requiem gravidae, solitosque remitte labores.  
Vix oneri super illa suo; tum deinde moneb●,  
Ne matrem indocilis natorum turba fatiget,  
Percensere notis, jamque inde excernere parvos.  
Signa dabunt ipsae, teneris vix artubus haer●t  
Ille tuos olim non defecturus honores:  
Jamque illum impatiens aequae vehementia sortis   

Extulit▪ affectat materna regna sub alvo.  
Vbera tota tenet, à tergo liber aperto,  
Dum tepida indulget terris clementia mundi.  
Verùm ubi Caurino perstrinxit frigore vesper  
Ira jacet, turbaque potens operitur inerti.  
Illius, è manibus vires sit cura futuras  
Perpensare: levis deducet pondere fratres:  
Nec me pignoribus, nec te mea carmina fallent.  
Protinus et cultus alios et debita foetae  
Blandimenta feres, curaque sequêre merentem:  
Illa perindesuos, ut erit delata, minores;  
Ac longam praestabit opem. tum denique foetae  
cum desunt operi, fregitque industria matres,  
Transeat in catulos omnis tutela relictos.  
Lacte novam pubem facilique tuebere maza;  
Nec luxus alios avidaeque impendia vitae  
" Noscant▪ haec magno redit indulgentia damno:  
" Nec mirum: humanos, non et magis altera sensus  
" Tollit, nec ratio vitiis adeuntibus obstat.  
Haec illa est, Pharios quae fregit noxia reges,   

" Dum servata cavis potant Mareotica gemmis,  
" Nardiferumque metunt Gangem, vitiis●, ministrant.  
" Sic et Achaemonio cecidisti, Lydia, Cyro.  
" Atqui dives eras fluvialibus aurea venis,  
" Scilicet ad summam ne quid restaret habendum:  
" Tu quoque luxuriae fictas dum colligis arteis,  
" Etsequeris demens alienam, Graecia, culpam,  
" O quantum et quoties decoris frustrata paterni!  
" At qualis nostris, quam simplex mensa Camillis!  
" Qui tibi cultus erat post tot, Serrane, triumphos?  
" Ergo illi ex habitu, virtutisque indole priscae,  
" Imposuere orbi Romam caput: actaque ab illis  
" Ad coelum virtus, summosque tetendit honores.  
Scilicet exiguis magna sub imagine rebus  
Prospicies, quae sit ratio, et quo fine regenda.  
Idcirco imperium catulis, unusque Magister  
Additur, ille dapes poenamque operamque ministrans  
Temperet: hunc spectet silvas domitura juventus.  
Nec vile arbitrium est▪ cuicunque haec regna dicantur,  
Ille tibi egregia juvenis de pube legendus,   

Vtrumque & prudens, & sumptis impiger armis:  
Quod nisi & accessus, & agendi tempora belli  
Noverit, & socios tutabitur hoste minores:  
Aut cedent, aut illa tamen victoria damno est.  
Ergo in opus vigila, facilisque ades omnibus armis;  
Arma acuere viam, tegat imas fascia suras:  
Sit famulis vitulina, tuis aut tergore fulvo  
Mantica, curta chlamys, canaque è macle galeri;  
Ima Toletano praecingant ilia cultro:  
Terribilemque manu vibrata falarica dextra  
Det sonitum, & curva rumpant non pervia falce.  
Haec tua militia est▪ quin et Mevortia bello  
Vulnera, et erranteis per tot divortia morbos,  
Causasque, affectusque canum tua cura tueri est.  
Stat fatum suprà, totumque avidissimus orcus  
Pascitur, et nigris orbem circumsonat alis.  
Scilicet ad magnum major ducenda laborem  
Cura, nec expertos fallet Deus. hinc quoque nosse  
Est aliud quod praestet opus placabile numen.  
Nec longe auxilium, licet alti vulneris ora   

Abstiterint, atroque cadant cum sanguine fibrae.  
Ind rape ex ipso qui vulnus fecerit hoste  
Virosam eluviem, lacerique per ulceris ora  
Sparge manu, venas dum succus comprimat acer.  
Mortis enim patuere viae, tum pura monebo  
Circum labra sequi, tenuique includere filo.  
At si pernicies angusto pascitur ore,  
Contra pande viam, fallenteisque argue causas.  
Morborum in vitio facilis medicina recenti.  
Sed tactu impositis mulcent pecuaria palmis,  
(Id satis) aut nigrae circum picis unguine signant.  
Quod si districto levis est in vulnere noxa,  
Ipse habet auxilium validae natale slivae.  
Illa gravis labes, et cura est altior illis,  
Cum vitium causae totis egere latentes  
Corporibus, seraque aperitur noxia summa.  
Ind emissa lues, et per contagia morbus  
Venêre in vulgum, juxtaque exercitus ingens  
Aequali sub labe ruit: nec viribus ullis  
Aut merito venia est, aut spes exire precanti.   

Quod sive à Stygiâ letum Proserpina nocte  
Extulit, et furtim commissam ulciscitur iram;  
Seu vitium ex alto, spiratque vaporibus aether  
Pestiferis, seu terra suos populatur honores:  
Fontem averte mali. trans altas ducere valles  
Admoneo, latumque suga superabitis amnem.  
Hoc primum effugium leti. tunc dicta valebunt  
Auxilia, & nostra quidam redit usus ab arte.  
Sed varii motus, nec in omnibus una potestas.  
Disce vices et quae tutela est proxima tenta.  
Plurima per catulos rabies invictaque tardos  
Praecipitat letale malum. sic tutius ergo  
Anteire auxiliis, et primas vincere causas.  
Namque subit n●dis qua lingua tenacibus haeret,  
(Vermiculum dixere) mala atque incondita pestis,  
Ille ubi salsa siti praecepit viscera longa,  
Aestivos vibrant accensi febribus ignes,  
Moliturque fugas, et sedem spernit amatam.  
Scilicet hoc motu, stimulisque potentibus acti  
In furias vertêre canes. ergo insita ferro   

jam teneris elementa mali causasque recidunt.  
Nec longa in facto medicina est ulcere▪ purum  
Sparge salem, et tenui permulce vulnus olivo.  
Ante relata suas quam nox bene compleat umbras,  
Ecce aderit, factique oblitus vulneris ultro  
Blanditur mensis, Cereremque efflagitat ore.  
Quid priscas arteis inventaque simplicis anni  
Si referam? non illa metus solatia falsi  
Tam longam traxere fidem. coilaribus ergo  
Sunt qui lucifugae cristas inducere Maelis  
jussere, aut sacris conserta monilia conchis,  
Et vivum lapidem, et circa Melitesia nectunt  
Coralia, et magicis adjutas cantibus herbas.  
Ac sic offectus, oculique venena maligni  
Vicit tutelâ pax impretata deorum:  
At si deformi lacerum dulcedine corpus  
Persequitur scabies, longi via pessima leti,  
In primo accessu tristis medicina; sed unâ  
Pernicies redimenda animâ, quae prima sequaci  
Sparsa malo est, ne dira trahant contagia vulgi.   

Quod si dat spatium clemens, & promovet ortu  
Morbus, disce vias, et, quà sinit, artibus exi.  
Tunc et odorato medicata bitumina viro,  
Imponasque pices, immundaeque unguen amurcae.  
Miscuit, et summam complectitur ignis in unam.  
Ind lavant aegros. est ira coercita morbi,  
Laxatusque rigor, quae te ne cura timentem  
Differat, et pluvias, et Cauri frigora vitent;  
Sic magis ut nudis incumbunt vallibus ●stus,  
A vento, clarique faces ad solis, ut omne  
Exudent vitium, subeatque latentibus ultro,  
Quae facta est medicina, vadis, nec non tamen illum.  
Spumosi catulos mergentem litoris aestu  
Respicit, et facilis Paean adjuvit in arteis.  
" O rerum prudens quantum experientia vulgo  
" Materiem largita boni, si vincere curent  
" Desidiam, et gratos agitando prendere fines!  
Est in Trinacria specus ingens rupe, cavique  
Introrsum reditus, circum atrae moenia silvae  
Alta premunt, ruptique ambustis faucibus amnes.   

Vulcano condicta domus, quam subter eunti  
Stagna sedent venis, oleoque madentia vivo.  
Huc defecta mala vidi pecuaria tabe  
Soepe trahi, victosque malo graviore magistros.  
Te primum, Vulcan, loci pacemque precamur  
Incola sancte tuam, des ipsis ultima rebus  
Auxilia: aut, meriti si nulla est noxia tanti,  
Tota miserere animas, liceatque attingere fontes,  
Sancte, tuos. ter quisque vocant, ter pinguia libant  
Tura foco: struitur ramis felicibus ara.  
Hîc dictu mirum, atque aliàs ignobile monstrum  
Adversis specubus, ruptoque è pectore montis  
Venit, ovans austris, et multo flumine flammae.  
Emicat ipse, manu ramum pallente sacerdos  
Termiteum quatiens: procul hinc extorribus ire  
Edico praesente deo, praesentibus aris,  
Queis scelus aut manibus sumptum, aut in pectore motum est,  
Inclamat. cecidere animis trepidantia membra.  
O quisquis misero fas unquam in supplice fregit,  
Qui pretio fratrum, meliorisque ausus amici   

Sollicitare caput, patriosve lacessere divos;  
Illum agat infandae comes huc audacia culpae;  
Discet, commissa quantum Deus ultor in ira  
Ponè sequens valeat▪ sed cui bona pectore mens est,  
Obsequiturque deo, Deus illam molliter aram  
Lambit, & ipse suos ubi contigit ignis honores,  
Defugit ab sacris, rursumque reconditur antro.  
Huic fas auxilium & Vulcania tangere dona▪  
Nec mora; si medias exedit noxia fibras,  
His lave praesidiis, adfectaque corpora mulce  
Regnantem excutiens morbum. Deus auctor, & ipsa  
Artem aluit natura suam. Quae robore pestis  
Acrior, aut leto propior via? sed tamen illi  
Hinc venit auxilium valida vehementius ira.  
Quòd primam si fallet opem dimissa facultas,  
At tu praecipitem, quà spes est proxima, labem  
Adgredere, in subito subita est medecina tumultu.  
Stringendae nares, scindenda ligamina ferro  
Armorum, geminaque cruor ducendus ab aure.  
Hinc vitium, hinc illa est avidae vehementia pesti.   

Ilicet auxiliis fessum solabere corpus:  
Subsiduasque fraces, diffusaque Massica prisco  
Sparge cado. Liber tenueis è pectore curas  
Exiget: est morbo Liber medicina surenti.  
Quid dicam tussis, quid maesti damna veterni,  
Aut incurvatae si qua est tutel a podagrae?  
Mille tenent pestes, curaque potentia major.  
Mitte age: non opibus tantà est fiducia nostris.  
Mitte animae ex alto ducendum numen olympo,  
Supplicibusque vocanda sacris tutela Deorum:  
Idcirco a●rijs molimur compita lucis,  
Spicatasque faces sacrum, ad nemora alta, Dianae,  
Sistimus, & solito catuli velantur honore;  
Ipsaque per flores medio in discrimine luci  
Stravere arma, sacris & pace vacantia festa.  
Tum cadus & viridi sumantia liba feretro  
Praeveniunt, teneraque extrudens cornua fronte  
Haedus, & ad ramos etiamnum haerentia poma,  
Lustralis de more sacri, quo tota iuventus  
Lustraturque Deae, proque anno redd●t honorem.   

Ergo impetrato respondet multa favore  
Ad partes qu● poscis opem, seu vincere silvas,  
Seu tibi fatorum labes exire minasque  
Cura prior, tua magna fides tu●●laque virgo.  
Restat equos finire notis, quas arma Dianae  
Admittant, non omne meas genus audet in arteis.  
Est vitium ex animo, sunt quos imbellia fallant  
Corpora: praeveniens quondam est in commoda virtus.  
Consule, Penei qualis perfunditur amne  
Thessalus, aut patriae quem conspexere Mycenae  
Glaucum, nempe ingens, nempe ardua fundet in auras  
Crura. quis Eleas potior lustravit arenas,  
Ne tamen hoc attingat opus jactantior illi  
Virtus, quam silvas, durumque lacessere Martem.  
Nec soevos miratur equos terrena Syene  
Scilicet et Parthis inter sua molliarura  
Mansit honor: veniat Caudini saxa Taburni,  
Garganumve trucem, aut Ligurinas desuper alpes,  
Ante opus excussis cadet unguibus, et tamen illi  
Est animus, fingetque meas se jussus in arteis▪   

Sed juxtà vitium posuit deus, at tibi contrà  
Callaecis lustratur equis scruposa Pyrene.  
Non tamen Hispano Martem tentare minacem  
Ausim. Murcibii vix ora tenacia ferro  
Concedunt, at t●ta levi Nasamonia virgâ  
Fingit equos. Pisis Numidae soluêre jugales,  
Audax & patiens operum genas, ille vigebit  
Centum actus spatiis, atque eluctabitur iram.  
Nec magni cultus; sterilis quodcunque remisit  
Terra, fuit, tenuesque sitim producere●rivi.  
Sic & Strymonio facilis tutela Bisaltae;  
Possent Aetnaeas utinam se ferre per arteis:  
Qui ludus Siculis, quid tum si turpia colla  
Aut tenuis dorso curvatur spina? per illos  
Cantatus Gratiis Agragas, victaeque fragosum  
Nebroden liquere ferae. O quaentus in armis  
Ille meis, cujus dociles pecuaria foetus  
Sufficient, queis Chaonias contendere contra  
Ausit, vix merita quas signat Achaia palma▪  
Spadices vix Pellaei valuere Cerauni,   

Et tibi devotae magnum pecuaria Cyrrhae  
Phoebe decus, nostras agere in sacraria tens●a.  
Venanti melius pugnat color: optima nigri  
Crura illi, badiosque legunt in pectore crines,  
Et quorum fesson imitantur terga favillas.  
O quantum Italiae, si ●dii voluere, parentes  
Praestant, & terras omni praecepimus usu!  
Nostraque non segnis illustrat prato juventus.     

Certain Illustrations of the Cynegeticall Poem of Gratius.  

CHAP. I. A Caution to the Reader, not to censure Gratius because he owes so little to Common Fame.  
IT is obvious enough in daily conversation to observe upon what slight information men are wont to pronounce and pass very definitive sentences often upon the persons of others, but generally upon their writings. Yet some will be found more equal Judges, who taking an accurate survey of that which comes to them to abide their judgement, do not rely on the uncertain censures of other men, nor are contented with a superficial view, much less imported by groundless passions to detract or flatter; but receive all into a breast adorned with wisdom and candour, so that they are not only able to praise or dispraise those works which fall under their cognizance, but can show what those particular excellencies are which they commend, and where they encounter only bold negligence affectation or impertinence, there their sponge leaves a trace for ever indelible. The hope I have that such ingenuous critics are not wanting amongst us, hath made me employ some leisure in presenting Gratius to my Country in this dress, that so he may be drawn forth from a double obscurity; both that of his matter▪ and the other of his fame. The former hath been made facile by the learned Ulitius, who could with more aptness and certainty reduce this Author to his genuine sense, (which surely the most famous of our late Philologers did not so throughly reach) because the perplexity was couched only in this, that the subject is unfrequented, and the manner of it somewhat antiquated, but otherwise the phrase is clear candid, and perspicuous. Then for the latter obscurity which may seem to be upon his reputation, that will suddenly vanish away when his naked worth shall appear; I say he may seem obscure because he is more rarely known, than his elegant writings may deserve, yet it is worthy the noting that no succeeding Author hath made mention of him, but favourably and with a character of honour. And surely a great reason that hath suppressed the Fame of this Poet, and so long masked the beauties of his excellent verses was, that in his own Age, the manners of his Countrymen began immediately to decline, & though there were then growing up the most choice wits, yet they were all so far addicted to ease, luxury, and the delights of Rome, that they had little Gusto for Exercises of industry, and the entertainments of a Country life. Afterwards in tract of time, those who have most flourished in Philology, have rather affected a Sedentary retirement, so that they have not been much acquainted with the subject of this Poem, nor sensible of the curiosities in it, through which means it hath long lain by as it were out of knowledge. And now I conceive how hard a thing it will be for a Georgicall Poem to emerge after so long privacy. Virgil and Ovid have been through many Ages born up by the wings of Universal Fame. We bear an early reverence to them, even forced from us by the general testimony of uninterrupted Antiquity, rather than formed in us by our own judgements. Their Character is so far warranted that they are every where safely honoured by those who cannot render any account wherein those excellencies lie which they so highly celebrate. I shall not think him to stand in need of mean authorities to commend him, neither am I worthy to undertake for him: Only I shall as it were point at some particular graces of the Poem which have affected me, and shall not spare to discover wherein the disadvantages of Translation consist. And then why may not this Author, like some refulgent star, after long disappearance, raise up into our Hemisphere his head encircled with its native lustre? Why may he not find the same fate with those Philosophers, Legislators, and monarchs, who returning from their concealments, obtained double Veneration? Or if these measures of honour may be thought too ambitiously strained for the reward of rural Poesy, why may he not like his own Hart discover himself with his head newly frayed and burnished, full of lusty vigour, and renewed into a vivacious youth? We shall do right to our judgement when we can own the true perfections of an Author, though commended unto us by no Quintilian. I have here singled out the parts of this work and some ornaments thereof.   

CHAP. II. The Distribution of the Poem.  
When we would consider the chief trial of any piece, we must diligently read it all over; and that being done, draw under one view the coherence of every member with the other, and of the whole body with its Title: For as is the beauty of a Man, so is that of a Poem; most of all consisting in the Symmetry, and figure of the Organical parts; Now Gratius hath a great perspicuity of method throughout this work.  
Dona cano diuûm] After his proposition of the subject comprised in one verse; and his Invocation in half a verse, the first entrance is to a Remotion of the abrogated style of Hunting, which was inconvenient, yet agreeable with all the other actions of man in that ignorant nonage of the world. Then he proceeds to set down who they were that had deserved so well of mankind, as to reduce Hunting to an Art: where the Founders and Patrons of that Noble Art are all reckoned up, which gives the Poem an illustrious Frontispiece: rendering it not unlike the public Hall of some Sciences or Arts, where over the Portal, or in the outward Court are set up the Images of those who have been Inventors and Advancers of that Science or Art.  
Prima jubent tenui nascentem jungere filo] Of netting. These latin Titles which will follow according to their places are in the Paris and Aldine Editions, and in a Manuscript compared by Ulitius. De Retibus conficiendis. In which Paragragh, with what discretion and exactness does he give the measures of Nets; nay afterwards, with what curiosity does he descend to the choice and ordering of Hemp. These things may seem minute and contemptible to some, but they are absolutely of the greatest importance; for if the first preparations of matter be faulty, the following pains of all those hands through which it is to pass may disguise, but cannot redress it.  
Nun vides veterum] In his Transition while he passes thence forward to the other Snares, he confirms the usefulness of those Arts by the precedents of divers illustrious personages, some whereof have to their ruin neglected them, and others made use of them with great advantages.  
Sunt, quibus immundo decerptae vulture plumae] De Pinnatis conficiendis. In this Perioch he gives direction how to make the line with white & red feathers, which was to be drawn about the Woods in the intermitted spaces where the Toils were pitched, that so the Dear (than which no creature is more timorous) might balk them and be cast upon the Net. Which feathers are so ordered that they beset the Dear with a double fearfulness both from their smell and Colours.  
Nam fuit & laqueis] Pedicae Grinns. These he intimates to have been antiquated; yet proposes the exactest Rule of making them, and gives the farthest improvement of them; subjoyning every where the reason of the structure: And then being ravished into an Admiration of such ingenious inventions, inquires into the first Author and registers the Arcadian Dercylos; Whom he records to have been a very holy man, both for justice and Devotion, (where he expresses both Tables) and thereupon great in the divine favour; so that in his youth he obtained this knowledge by revelation from the Goddess of the Wood; to him also he imputes the contriving of Borespears, by which fair Transition he implicates this Paragraph with the next.  
Ille etiam valido primus venabula] Genera jaculorum. The Diversity of Spears, is taken chiefly from the several shapes of the sockets which are fastened upon them, so that he first determines their Figure, Quality, & Weight. Herein he shows himself a great Curieux, and so well travelled that he could examine the lances of remote Countries: then having demonstrated plainly before our eyes the unusefullnesse of them, he gravelly cuts between those irregularities, and fixes a perpetual standard for all Darts, which is only movable when nature shall alter, and this he opposes to the fantastical innnovations which were without due judgement brought in fashion continually.  
Ipsa arcu] He commends the Bow and Arrows which was the Artillery of the ancient Heroes.  
Disce agedum & validis delectum hastili●us] L●gna apta jaculis. In the second place he directs the judgement in choice of Truncheons. Here are reckoned up all the proper trees which are foreigners or natives of Italy. The qualities required are, that they be solid and straight, but because those may be wished for, and long sought, yet not often found; he descends to give instructions for the right ordering of them in their Nursery.  
Not without much exactness, like Mothers who perceiving their children to grow crooked, do as it were new mould them with inventions of Bodies; and swath them up in Girdles to make their Waste slender.  
Then he defines the measure to which they must grow, and shows the proper season of cutting them down.  
Sed cur exiguis tantos in partibus orbs] De canibus. Here we may see the Dogs of various Nations, lying as far distant even as the East-Indies are from Britain, not only enumerated, but all of them characterised, and compared one with another. An admirable work, and which could not have been performed by our Author, although he be of so large wit as is evident, thus inquisitive, and thus judicious, had he not withal been a Citizen of Rome the Empress of the World, and contemporary with her greatest height.  
Id●irco variis miscebo gentibus usum] These seven verses contain a Crossing the strain in Breeding. When our Author had survay'd that great variety of Dogs in several Nations with their diversity of instinct; seeming not throughly satisfied with all those single excellencies which were discovered in them, he propounds a way to meliorate Nature by Art, that so the distinct good qualities which are required for use, may all meet implanted in one race; and the ill conditions which are complicated with any one kind, may be covered by the superinduction of a contrary virtue.  
At te leve siquà] He does not omit to mention coursing though lightly, for it was then but lately discovered and come into practice in Italy; yet he directs in the enquiry after Greyhounds, and in chase with fleethounds.  
Illis omne decus quod nunc, Metagon●es, habetis] Here comes in the Lime-hound, and in this paragraph is put down the whole image of their hunting; He begins with falling upon a trail, coming to a loss, working out that loss, then running away with the scent, till he come to the lair of the beast, or if it be gone forth from that, to the very covert where the Beast is; There your Nets must be pitched and drawn upon it. Then he enjoyn's to reward your Dog being Victor. All this discipline of hunting is so exquisite, that he records Hagnon to have been the first that made his Dog to it, and registers the name of the Hound to have been Glympicus. Moreover he make this eminent Huntsman to have been not only Master, but Author of an admirable race of hounds derived by the commixture of Cattomountaines, to which he attributes unusual and almost fabulous strength.  
Junge pares ergo] He shows the marks to discern a good Bratch for breeding, which he requires to be li●'d with a choice Dog, for goodness of courage and greatness of limbs, & comeliness of shape, to be shut up with him, and separated to him alone. Then proceeds to the indulgence which must be given the Bitch when she is big, and after she has whelped how she must be eased of so great a burden in bringing up the young ones; Here are set down prognostiques to govern our choice, that so the most promising whelps may be reared, and the l●sse hopeful made away then to treat her tenderly while she suckleth them; When they are weaned with what Mang to feed them, and what thrifty allowance to bestow upon them, that so they may be kept in a fine and clean sent; where with incomparable neateness he recounts the deplorable sad effects of Luxury in Humane Manners, Instancing in the known examples of ruin'd Monarches, Empires, Nations. All which ruins of Commonwealths may be a fair warning to him that bears any respect to his Hounds, as there is tacitly employed a great enforcement of Temperance to man by pointing at the Institution of these inferior creatures, and if we rightly consider what he presents, the very Kennel of Dogs may be our School. Neither do they herein only resemble man, but he likewise attributes to them obedience.  
Id●irco imperium catulis unusque magister] The Huntsman. His Qualifications, his Office and Duty, his Dignity. It is no mean place to be as it were Consul of the Woods, and Tribune of that Victorious Legion. Then does our Author dress him that goes forth a hunting from his Mounteroe to his Halfboots; and arms him, with weapons to cast at distance, to charge with at hand, either to cut up hedges, or to open his Beast.  
— quin & Mavortiabello Vulnera] Canum remedia. Here hath been care in sending forth this stout Brigade, into the Forest where they encounter hard combats, and not without much exposing themselves to dangerous service do they obtain the Victory: now here are instructions given to be their Chirurgeon at their coming home, with the whole cure of Dogs in all diseases, whether arising through ill habits, or from heats and colds, whether contagious or less malignant, where he shows to prevent Madness by Worming, to remove Epidemical diseases proceeding from Universal causes by change of Air; and prescribes for particular Maladies, very proper Receipts. He lays down all the divers Methods of curing: In the first place, Natural, which are commonly experimented; afterward Superstitio●s, such as have been received by old tradition: but in the last and highest places he resorts to Divine; where he fixes his utmost refuge borh for the intention of diseases which humane endeavour cannot subdue, as also for the extension of them; there being such vast numbers of infirmities incident to them, that no experience could provide special Remedies for every one. How noble and sublime this passage is, will appear enough, if we should transfer it to humane use. As Physicians do laudably insist upon approved conclusions, wherein consists Art; and as they should make evidence of their discretion by detecting groundless curiosities built upon imposture or Magic: So chiefly must their Piety be manifested in acknowledging the transcendency of Divine Operations, besides and beyond the limits of Humane skill.  
Restat equos finire notis] De equis. His last directions are for the choice of a good Hunting Nag. In this part he removes some specious kinds of Horses, which though they were deservedly famous, yet were unfit for this employment, either for want of spirit, or weakness of their bodies, or by reason of an untractable stubbornness, and fiery mettle. Yet he reflects upon the different Chorographies of Countries, and allows for Champains and the light mould horses of a soft hoof which would be unserviceable in Rocky and Mountainous tracts of ground. In all this Paragraph our Author shows his wont curiosity enumerating the most eminent sorts of Horses, declaring their courage, management, strength, and keeping; all which he reduces to the properties required in this occasion; not omitting the advantages of Colours; and when he draws to a conclusion insinuating himself into the praise of Italy, crownes his work with a splendid Epilogue which is a monument of gratitude to his own most noble Country.  
Thus have I Analy'sd and deduced the different heads of this Poem, in which naked platform much clearness of distribution will resemble a fair Ordinance of building. This again so enterweaved with solid Philosophical discourses, that it seems like a fair Edifice supported with Rafters of firm Timber. What curious disquisitions upon every occasion does he insert? which speak him a great Vertuoso in his time, and even then to have been conducted purely by the light of his own gallant wit to the true Method of Physiology. He falls in with the Novum Organum and that illlustrious Scheam of Philosophia, Instaurata, for while he reflects on an Harmony of diffused Experiments, he seems to write (if I may be allowed to use that significant term of my Lord Verulam) the particular Histories of Hemp, of Dogs, of Horses. My design in taking him thus in piece s, is, that every distinct member may be seen in its proper dimensions: how natural they are, and how aptly conjoined; which may in some sort illust rate the work; and if by any means we can be invited to look attentively into it, I should not doubt but the Author would soon be enstated in his deserved celebrity.   

CHAP. 3. Of the Figures and Colours of the Style.  
THE whole work of the former discourse hath been to lay open the structure and Artificial Lineaments of this Poem; it will be of good use to observe some Graces and Beauties which shine in particular Members of it.  
There is scattered very frequently throughout the Work, a cheerful Artifice of communicating light by the opposition of contrary terms; for the subject of the Poem is narrative, which requires frequent quickening, lest it become no better than a dead tale. Now the Author was not only fraught with vast experience, but had an acute wit which could distinguish and marshal his conceptions with great perspicuity: this makes him so much abound in that neat Figure; the Ancients called them Antitheta rasa. I shall instance in some.  
He begins with one if it be looked nearly into. His Arts and Arma. The two Modes of hunting. This a desperate and gladiatorlike entering the lists with Beasts, and assaulting them by violence; which was the School of cruelty and ignorant course of the Ancient Nimrods'; the other a crafty circumventing them by wiles, which is the child of ingenious invention, much assisting man to re-establish him in his Empire over the Beasts of the field that hath been so much impaired. Then again, his Magnum opus which is bold and hazardous, hunting of great beasts, and Leave opus which is hard-riding and pursuit of little, fugacious Quarry. In the Javelins, Macedonum immensi conti to which were long a hastilias, exigui dentes, and by them are set Albanorum jacula, in whose framing was ingens coulter, tenera virgae. Then among the Dogs  
Sunt q. S. alant genus intractabilis irae.  
At contrà faciles m. Lycaones a.  
Again,  
Excutiet s. magnus pugnator a.  
At fugit adversos idem q. r. h.  
Umber.—  
Again,  
Sic canis illa suos taciturna supervenit hosts.  
At clangore citat quos nondum conspicit apros  
Aetola quaecunque canis de gente  
Again, he brings in the Grayhound as swift but not Sagacious, which praise he allows the Fleet-hound; yet the Fleet-hound, however swift and sagacious, is not secret; but all three virtues are united in the Lime-hound. These differences and Gradations are full of delight, and conveniently lodged in the Memory. Moreover  
Os magnum, & patulis agitatos mor●ib. ignes  
Spirent. Astricti succingant ilia ventrîs.  
And the next,  Cauda brevis, longúmque latus— 
A little below  

Caesaries non pexa nimis, not too thick  
— non frigoris illa Impatiens, not too thin,  
In this place observe the like speaking.  
Licet alti vulneris ora Abstiterint etc.   

— tum pura monebo  
Circum labra sequi, tenuique includere filo:  
At si pernicies angusto pascitur ore,  
Contrà pande viam, fallentesque argue causas.   
The great gash must be sowed up to keep in the guts: The lesser Ulcer must be lanced to let out the corruption.  
I purposely omit sometimes as will be obvious to the reader. In the last description of Horses the same gloss appears. The fierce Syenian, soft Parthian, hard-hoofed Jennet but cowardly the bold Murcibian, yet hardmouthed, the Barbary to be governed with a switch. All which apt disposition of sentences gives much lustre to the Narration.  
Another Virtue of his style is to be observed in his Metaphors which are Natural, and Familiar; He does almost every were allegorise hunting under Terms of the Roman Militia, as where the Dogs are called in the Assault Socij, and after it comites Victoriae, the young Whelps nova pubes and silvas domitura juventus, the pack of Dogs, Exercitus, the huntsman, Catulorum magister like Magister Equitum. To hunt vincere silvas, the sorts of hunting, Mars nudus or bellum ex arte ministratum. It is wonderful elegant when he moralizes to precepts of Temperance from the allowance given to dogs that they may be kept to have a quick fine scent. Lacte novam pubem, etc. He shows the seeds of ambition in a generous puppy.  
Jamque illum impatiens aequae vehementia sortis  
Extulit, affectat maternâ regna sub alvo.  
He attributes loyalty to the Bitch,  
Si renuit cunctos, & mater adultera non est.  
Matching according to her Rank & Dignity,  
— emeritae servat fastigia laudis.  
There is an excellent image contained under these two verses.  
Stat fatum suprà, totumque avidissimus orcus  
Pascitur, & nigris orbem circumvolat alis.  
He represents death under the figure of a Night-Raven flapping the whole world with her wings, and preying upon all the works of Nature, wherein he alludes to that whole story made in the last Book of Virgil within an hundred verses of the end  
— ne me terrete timentem  
Obscaenae volucres, alarm verbera nosco,  
Lethalémque sonum.—  
There is another facetious Parody from Homer. Our Author of his Huntsman.  Utrumque & prudens, & sumptis impiger armis 
Drawn from that character in Homer upon a more Heroical personage.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
These Ornaments I have thought worthy the taking notice of, that so the reader may be somewhat satisfied in in the stile, and the more detained in observing it, not only for the purity of it, but also for its splendour.   

CHAP. 5. Of the disadvantages of this Translation.  
ALl those who read Translations, do find by experience, that even the best of them do not move a like delight in their minds, as the Originals themselves; but wherein this difference does consist, it is not so easy for every one to assign. Which could it be discovered, surely an exact Translator might wave all those inconveniences, and make his work so complete as would give full satisfaction to any impartial Judge. I may therefore be thought to have had good reason to inquire into it.  
Whatsoever ancient History is rendered into our Vulgar Language, comes under the cognisance of all those that can read English: but every one is not sufficiently acquainted with Antiquity to understand it readily: for Arts have their several periods: Ceremonies of Religion are national, and small Chorographies with the Terriers and Boundaries of Countries are continually removed to and fro. Now those which have not their minds through much reading imprinted with the Scene of things as they stood in that Age, however they may have great natural parts, yet are apt to measure such Authors by a false Rule: expecting from them the perfections of Operations in the present road of Arts, and an uniformity with the gallantries that are now in fashion. But when they miss of those expectations, the matter will seem obscure, and subject to contempt, although it have its due perspicuity and accomplishments. Who can deservedly tax our Author because he hath not commended Brasill-wood for the making of Spears? or Sugar-chest (as we call it) for the making of neat arrows? Who could expect that he should praise the Irish Greyhound? When as yet those places were not discovered by the Romans, or not subdued. We read not of Fox-hunting, of Tarriers nor other Verminers in him: These sports were not yet in request with the world. He hath no reason to cry up our good hunting Nags, for at that time it is not likely that the Barbarian Britain's did train up running horses after their Fleet Northern hounds. On the other side what delight can we find in the Heathens Canon of fabulous Gods? When he comes to treat of the sorts of Flax, Linen, and Tow, who can be affected with this discourse but a Hemp-master? and then the Marts for Hemp are so much altered, partly in that the nature of grounds is in tract of time changed, the humour of Planters turned, and the communication of places broken off by the Translation of Government; and partly in that Countries have lost their ancient limits and names; so that who can give a right judgement of those instructions but an Antiquary? And indeed there are but very few so much Curieux, that they can break through those double bars of obscurity; since learned men think it a disparagement to inform themselves of those Arts which they call illiberal: and Mechanical Artisans have not usually much leisure to employ upon universal studies. The same difficulty of lost Topography is very much propagated through this Poem in his assigning the particular races both of Dogs and Horses, which will therefore merit that in the next Chapter the names of Places throughout the Book be cleared. It is to be considered likewise that our Country is not stored with those harmful Beasts of Venery, the Wolf and Wildbore. So that we are not sensible of his great Care in the choice and ordering of Spears, nor of his provision in showing to set Engines, and dig pits which men prise in those Countries where Bears and Lions with such ravenous Beasts do abound. Again, we seem to have a different end in our hunting, which hath introduced a different stile of hunting. For in England till even now since the respite of these Wars, there were so many Forests, Chases, and Parks; as were not to be matched in any Kingdom. These were Vivaries for Beasts (the design of their Lords being to preserve Game) where they were safe, not only by the Pale, or Wall: but under the protection of many severe Laws: as if they had been naturalised, enfranchised, and Citizens of our Commonwealth. But now how can we approve those directions of Hunting which propound to themselves rather Victory than Game? That was the condition of those Countries; for either they designed upon Beasts of prey: and these were looked upon as Bandi●os and Outlaws; which only kept their holds in Woods, but too frequently sallied out to lay waste the Cornfields and Meadows of the Countryman, to devour his Flocks: or if they pursued Beasts which are more useful and less harmful, yet they were such as being under no man's propriety, Seignieury or Royalty, gave encouragement to every man, that he should seize himself of the most plentiful booty to the utmost might of his wit or industry. This incongruity to our factions may make an Englishman the less disposed to delight in it, unless he inform himself of the divers sorts of Hunting, which are, or have been in use abroad; And to this I shall deliver some helps. For though the words and phrase were in chaste English, yet the strangeness of the habits, and Arms, and Motions, the outlandish Customs, Land●schaep and Borders do presently betray that it it a Latin Poem taught to speak English, yet not having so perfectly attained to it, but that it plainly appears to be naturally Latin.   

CHAP. 5. The Geography of Gratius.  
WHen Rome was at her highest degree of Glory and Empire, it was the ambition of those Lieutenants which were set over the several Nations under their State to gather up all the rarities which were in their Provinces; some after Victories, some by exaction, others by purchase: which were upon several accounts conveyed to Italy, for their spoils were sent to set forth their Triumphs as we may see in the Cuts of Trajan's Pillar. Again, they did often gratify their friends in furnishing them with curiosities for public shows; thus Flavian sent his brother Symmachus seven Scotch dogs to grace a Quaestors show, which played so fiercely upon Beasts, that the Romans admired and thought they were conveyed thither in Iron Grates. The story is famous, or rather is and will be to all ages infamous, how Verres did strip and rob Sicily in the time of his Government. Besides that the most incorrupt Prefects over Countries must needs be enriched, what with presents, and what their revenues furnished to them, whereby they might depart honourably whensoever they were recalled home by the Supreme commands. So that it must needs be that in Italy, all the treasures of the known parts of the Universe were to be found. If there were curious Linen in any remote Country, there it was to be seen. If a good race of Dogs in the most foreign parts, thither they were transmitted. If an excellent horse were bred in Greece, or Numidia, or Egypt, it must be sent to Italy: So that one may justly compare Italy to a rich Cabinet adorned with an universal collection of what rarities the despoiled world could afford. This advantage accrued to them from Inferior Kings and Commonwealths, as to Landlords from their Vassals. And there must needs arise another occasion to increase their gallantry, for Commerce attends Wealth. And surely when they had the World as tributary under their power, which was in the reign of Augustus, under whom our Author flourished, how great Commerce must that immense revenue draw after it! We are apt enough to flatter ourselves, but our communication is contained within straighter limits; neither have so full and ocular understanding, especially of inland Commodities, as they had who held such strict Intelligence in that vast Body Politic. This may be evident in the Georgiques' of Virgil, and Natural History of Pliny; but no where more illustrious then in this small piece of Gratius; wherein is contained so great choice of all Subjects that he writes upon, as it may easily appear how he conversed in a well-furnished shop. It will therefore be useful to inquire into that multiplicity of places which is spread through the Poem, in which I shall chiefly follow the guidance of Ferrario in his most exact Geographical dictionary, which as yet is very rare to be met with, but will within a short time come forth throughly corrected from innumerable negligences in the Milan Edition, being now under the press, and having advanced some part of the way.  
Acarnania. At this day is called Carnia and Despotato, it is a Region of Epirus bending towards the South, bordering upon Aetolia towards the East. The people are called Acarnans, their Cities were Ambracia, Actium, Leucas, Halyzaea, and Astacus, their rivers Aracthus and Achelous. Our Author in praising the craftiness of the Acarnanian breed of Dogs, does ingeniously allude to the History mentioned by Thucydides, of the 400. Acarnans planted in Ambuscado by Demosthenes, which were ordered to fall upon the Peloponnesians, and accordingly did with great execution and success.  
Achaia, Is taken largely for a great tract of Greece; now called Livadia and Rumelia, bordering towards the North upon Thessaly, Westward on Epirus, Southward on Peloponnesus, and towards the East encompassed by the Sea. But Achaia proprie dicta is a Country of Pe●oponnesus between Corinth and Patrae, jying to the Bay of Corinth.  
Acyrus, This place is suspicious of corruption. Gesner substitutes, Acytus, and Vlitius, out of Virgil, Taygetus, taking it for the Spartan Dogs.  
Aemonius. I take it here to signify▪ Thessalian. It also is a City of Histria Città nuova, and another of upper Pannonia, called Igg.  
Aeoliae Sibyllae vallis. He means Cumae, as Vlitius hath corrected it: which Salmasius at the same time so corrected; both directed from the praise which Pliny gives to the ●uman Fl●x. Sibylla in Virgil is called Aeolica, who afterwards translated her prophetical cave into Campania, there she had a Temple built, & the whole City was under her patronage, so that Juvenal saith of one going to dwell at Cumae, that he did— unum●ivem donare Sibyllae.  
Aetnaeae arts. The Dance of Curassiers instituted by Aeneas in honour of his deceased Father; which required a strong horse: this Mountain which is the greatest of Sicily is now called Mongibello.  
Aetolus. The Country of Aetolia is at the present named Artinia and Lepant●. A Region of Achaia, seated in the borders of Epirus westward; Between the Locri East, and Acarnans west: divided from the former by the River Evenus, and from the latter by Achelous, having these Cities Naupactum, Calydon, ●halcis, and Olenus. This therefore is observable in the comparison of the Acarnanian Dogs, which were close, with the Etolians their very next▪ Neighbours, which were so blamed for being open; that in the nearest vicinity of Countries, may happen the greatest Opposition of Manners.  Nemo est tam prope, ●am procúque nobis. 
Agragas. A Territory of Sicily; the Town is called Agrigentum also; now Girgenti, and the Rive● at this day Drago, and a great Hill, as in this place, and so observed by Vibius.  
Alabanda, Now by the Turks called Eblebanda. An Inland City of Caria, between Amizo on the West and Stratonice on the East. Pliny commends the Alabandique hemp for nets.  
Albania. A Region of Macedonia, North of Epirus. The Albanesis are a people warlike as they have since approved themselves under Scanderbag, pernix Albania from their great force and strength of body.  
Altinum, Afterwards Altino, once a famous City of Venice at the mouth of the River Silis, lying almost midway between Milan and Concordia: it was razed by the Hu●ns, what time Attila overthrew Aquileia and Concordia. Altinates g●nistae. It appears that the ginostra in Venice must bear a considerable growth to be a fit matter for Spears and Darts; which afterwards he requires to be.  In quinos sublata pedes hastilia plena. 
The Wood is indeed of a tough Nature; and in those warmer Countries all vegetables are encouraged with a more genial Sun, but otherwise in our Island I have not ordinarily seen Broom grow up to that height req●iq●ir'd. It is a Frutex very frequent, and a●turally overrunning many grounds with us, which gives denomination to the adjacent Towns that are from thence called Bromley. Of these Towns I have seen two in Tendering hundred in Essex, where all that Tract of land was spread with Broom, as thick as Marasses use to be covered with Rushes, or Heaths with Brambles, and indeed they are generally as low as a Suffrutex called by Virgil, Humiles Genistae. Yet I am informed by knowing Arborists, that Broom oftentimes rises to a far higher pitch than what is here determined, and though it be commonly ranked amongst the Frutices, yet it is of an Arboreous nature, and hath a stock which ascends, and spreads into a body of some B●lke.  
Amyclae. It is here set down Lacedaemoniae Amyclae, which distinguishes it from the Italian Amyclae, of which Virgil. Aen. 10.  
— ditissimus agri  
Qui fuit Ausonidum, & tacitis regnavit Amyclis.  
This other is a City of Laconia in Peloponnesus, famous for hunting.  
Virg. 3. Georg. Armaque, Amyclaeumque canem, Cressamque pharetram.  
Athamania, A Region of Epirus on the borders of Thessaly and Acarnania▪ The words of Gratius in this place are doubtful, for either he saith, that as the British Dogs do excel in courage, so do the Athamanians in craft: which agrees with his usual way of Antithesis; taking opposite qualities and setting one against the other, or else he speaks a more noble thing in commendation of our Country-Dogs; saying, that as the British Dogs exceed the Molossians in stoutness, so they equal the Athamanian, Thessalian & Epirot, in subtlety: and this interpretation may be verified from the Nature and usual experience of our Mastiffs that play at the Bull or Bear; which will (subire) play low and creep beneath till they fasten upon the Beast.  
Boeotius. The Country is a Region of Achaia lying between the Corinthian Bay and Aegean Sea; bordering upon Doris, Phocis, Attica, and Phthiotis, anciently called Ogygia, now Stramuzuppa. The head City is Thebes now almost ruined, built by Cadmus, whom Ovid brings in hunting too in these parts, and when Countries were less planted with Cities and Towns; Hunting must needs have been more frequented; for then beasts were every where obvious: but where man inhabits they are either frighted away, or extirpated. So that as we have increased, they have decreased.  
Bisaltes. A people of Thrace bordering upon Macedonia, inhabiting all about Amphipolis and Philippi.  
Britanni. Though he mean all this great Island, comprehending England and Scotland: yet at that time only part of that which is now called England was open to the Romans. Therefore it hath great Emphasis when he says  — atque ipsos libeat penetrare Britannos. 
It was but in the Age before that they said Virg. Ae●eid. 9 Extremique hominum Morini— reputing the Picards to be in the uttermost line of the World. Now therefore how suddenly come they to be acquainted in Italy with the Mastiffs or Hounds of Britain? yet they had not that particular notice of them all, as (it may be the land then afforded; but as it is certain) they are now. Besides▪ our Mastiff which seems to be an Indigena or Native of England; we train up most excellent Greyhouds (which seem to have been brought hither by the Galls) in our open Champains. Then for hounds, the West-Country, Cheshire and Lanca●hire, with other Wood-land and Mountainous Countries breed our Slow-Hound; which is a large great dog, tall and heavy. Then Worcestershire, Bedfordshire and many well mixed soils, where the Campaigne and covert are of equal largeness, produce a middle sized dog of a more nimble composure than the former. Lastly the North-parts, as Yorkshire, Cumberland, Northumber-land, and many other plain champaign Countries breed the light, nimble, swift, slender, Fleet-hound, (which Mr. Markam with his wont curiosity doth observe) After all these the little Beagle is attributed to our Country, this is by Ulitius shown to be the Canis Agassaeus of Oppian against Cajus. All these Dogs have deserved to be famous in adjacent and remote countries whither they are sent for great rarities, and ambitiously sought for by their Lords and Princes, although only the fight Dogs seem to have been known to the ancient Authors: and perhaps in that Age Hunting was not so much cultivated by our own Countrymen.  
Bubastiasacra. Feasts consecrated to the Goddess which was worshipped at Bubastus, or Bubastis a City of Egypt upon the Nile within the Delta, where she had a stately Temple. Ovid. 9 Met. Sanctaque Bubastis— called at this day Pibesseth or Azioth.  
Callaeci equi. It is a Country of Arragon in Spain. The most remote toward the Sea, called vulgarly by the Italians Gallicia. The people by the Spaniards are named Gallegos, they border upon Las Esturias; the Astures by the Cantabrian Sea over the Pyrenean Mountains. The Asturcones are a famous race of ambling horses, and such was accounted the swiftness of the Spanish horses, that they were fabled to have been begotten of the wind.  
Calydonia. This same vanae Calydonia linguae is but a special name of that babbling, japping hound which he had before discommended.  
At clangore citat, etc.  
Aetolâ quaecunque canis de stripe, etc.  
Calydon is a City of Aetolia upon the River Evenus; seven mile to the North from its Mouth.  
Caudinus Taburnus. Caudium was a Town of the Hirpini afterwards called, Harpadium now Arpaia, it is between Capua and Beneventum within Mountains, four miles from Abella. Hence was the name Caudinae fauces, Stretto d' Arpaia, and Giogo di S. Maria, the narrow passes in the valley of Caudium which is commonly said Val di Gardano, through these the Romans were made to pass under the Gallows by the Samnians. Called Caudinae Furcae and Caudinum Jugum. Two miles off from this Pass stands Taburnus now Taburo an Hill of Campania abounding with Olive Trees.  
Celtaes. A people of the Galls from whence that part of Gallia which is Lions, was called Celtique. I have conceived in their elegy of of the Celtique Dogs, that diversi Celtae may import not only remoteness in country from the Mede, but that they were differing from the indocilis Medus: being both pugnacious and sagacious. Ulitius understands them to be of the same conditions with the Mede.  
Cerauni. Horses bred in the Mountains of Epirus called Ceraunii and Acroceraunij; but at this day Monte della Chimaera; they may be hence thought to run up into Macedonia, and receive a denomination from Pella.  
Chaoniae. The Mares of Chaonia anciently Molossia, modernly Canina. Chaonis' ales the Dove, Chaonia glans, the old fare of rude mankind.  
Creta. Now called Candy▪ in old times it had some reputation of hunting. Virgil Cressamque pharetram. Lucan. Gnossasque agitare Pharetras.  
Ovid. Nec Gortyniaco calamus levis exit ab arcu. Here was one of the hundred Cities Dictynna, another Cydon  
Ovid.  Armaque equosque habitusque Cydoneasque pharetras. 
Now as Gratius. Sparta suos & Creta suos promittit alumnos, so Ovid joins these two famous races together.  
Gnossius Ichnobates, Spartanâ gente Melampus.  
Et patre Dictaeo, sed matre Laconide nati Afterwards  
Labros & Agriodûs, & acutae vocis Hylactor.  
And indeed from this example appears that Gratius by promittit does signify offers, presents: rather than boasts, compares; by which he implies that this most excellent Limehound must be of a mixed breed from the Cretan and Spartan: that they proved of such generous conditions beyond others. Thus Ulitius hath truly interpreted it in the latter place.  
To your high breed Countries of Dogs not base  
Sparta and Creta de confer their race.  
Cynips. A River of Africa, rising from the deserts of inward Libya, and after a long course flowing into the little quicksand by Tripoli between i● and Barathia; the River is now called Magra: near which were Goats of no common size.  
Cyniphij Hirci. Cyniphia lina. Anciently Carthaginian Flax was in great esteem.  
Cyrrha. A City of Phocia now Aspropiti, at the roots of the Mount Parnassus, upon the Crissaean Bay, 60 furlongs to the South of Delphos dedicated to Apollo.  
Elis. A Region of Peloponnesus between Arcadia and Achaia, and the Ionian Sea with a City of the same name, now Belvedere of Morea. Here were the great Matches for horseraces every Olympiad.  
Falisci. Phalisci. A people of Hetruria inhabiting between the Mountain Ciminus, and River Tiber; their Cities Falisca, Faleria, Fescennia and Horta. The Mountain of the Falisci Soracte a Mountain of Hetruria, in the bounds of the Falisci upon the River Tiber. Monte S. Oresto, and M. di S. Silvestro.  
Galli. When he says inconsulti Galli he may well enough mean it of the Grayhounds which are ●reckon'd by the ancients for the canis Gallicus which can premere inventam, not invenire feram latentem.  
Ganges. Ganga, that great river dividing the farther India from the hither, of these Ptolemy calls the hither India intra Gangem, the farther extra Gangem breaking forth from the Emodi montes, and issuing towards the South in two channels whose farthest mouths are distant from one to the other eighty Spanish Leagues; in which it falls into the Indian Ocean: this is Physon one of the four great rivers which flow out of Paradise, according to St Hierom and Isidore. Upon this river is seated the Royal City and great Mart of Spices Bengala: and from this Gangetica tellus, or Realm of Bengala our East India Merchants bring all those rich Odours which are dispersed not only through Europe, but over the whole world. For which reason it is by our Elegant Author worthily styled Nardifer Ganges.  
Garganus. Monte Gargano and Monte di S. Angelo, by which name the late City in it is signified, distant from Sipontum five miles; a mountain of Daunian Apulia, having in compass 200 Miles as Pliny: where is the Garganian promontory between Sipontum and Hyrium: of this, Lucan Apulus Hadriacas exit Garganoes in undas.  
Geloni. These are Tartar's inhabiting part of the European Scythia, bordering on Borysthenes the River, accounted with Moeotae Alani, Agathyrsi and Sauromatae which dwell round the Maeotica Palus; Mother of the Euxine Black-will Sea. This Fen is called Mar bianco by the Italians. They have great Deserts, and may exercise much hunting.  
Graecia. He speaks of the glorious Republic of the Athenians in which under select Commanders they did such heroical acts against the great King of Persia: and afterwards overthrew that Monarchy by Alexander the great, which achievements is that renown of their ancestors registered in Monuments of their own wit, so as it is never to be forgotten, and although they knew the Assyrian Monarchy to have sunk under Sardanapalus, the opulency and softness of the Chaldean and Persian; yet they insisted on the same Steps of ruin. We know how famous the Corinthians were for Luxury. There were Grecians who professed precepts of cookery such was Mithaecus a culinary Philosopher; who gave formal doctrines of Sauces and Confections, which actions argued their low and degenerate spirits.  
Hebrus Marizza. A great river of Thrace rising out of the Mountain Hamus, issuing into the Aegeaen sea, between the Cities of Maronia & Aenos, having washed the Cities of Filippopoli and Andrinople & Trajanopoli.  
Hyrcanus. It is of a Country in Asia lying upon the Sea between Media on the West, and Margiana on the East. Having at the present various names Diargument & Strava, & Casson, & Hyrach, & Massandraen & Corcan, which are not total names of the Country; but partial names of several Regions. The chief cities heretofore were Hyrcana & Amarusa. In this land fruitful of Wine and Corn, Panthers are generated and Tigers.  
Italia. The Poet may well conclude his Poem in a rapture upon the praises of Italy not only because he deferrs Honour to his own Country, but from the just merit of the place; for where the land is exposed to so benign an influx of the Heavens, there the ground must needs be well digested for a most perfect production of all species. Their Wits how refined and subtle? Their arm's how bold and prosperous? here our Author seems to commend their breed of Horses We much value the Neapolitan Courser, which Country is now Italy, though I question whether so esteemed in that age.  
Lechaeum. A Town and Harbour of the Corinthians upon the Saronique Bay, opposite to Cenchrea another Town & Harbour upon the Corinthian Bay, distant from Corinth twelve furlongs; from Cench●ea seventy to the East. Lesteriochori is the present name.  
Ligurinae alpes. These are also called Maritimae: these begin from the shore of the French Sea called Le Montagne di Tenda, & the Cottiae Alps or Cottianae called Moncenis, closing in part of the Duchy of Monte ferrato & Milan, and part of the principality of Piedmont. Alps Ligusticae are stretched out between Nicaea, which is Nizza de Provenza, and Taurini, which is Piedmont.  
Lycaones. Vlitius takes these dogs to be of the Country of Lycaon, Arcadians, for dogs of that Country are famous, and he does believe they may be Heirs of his own body naturally begotten, if it be true that he was turned into a Wolf. Otherwise Licaonia is a part of Cappadocia divided from Cilicia by Taurus: whose Metropolis is Iconium; from whence they receive their corrupt appellation of Cogni at this day. The inhabitants of this Country are called Licaones, and the land abounds with wild Asses.  
Lycius. This is from Lycia a Country of Asia, lying between Caria on the West, and Pamphylia on the East, called at this day Aidinelli and Briqitia.  
Lydia. This is a Region of Asia comprised between jonia on the West, and Phrygia magna on the East: which was also named Maeonia. It is called Lud by the Hebrews; being a Nation derived from that Grandchild of Noah by Shem, which was named Lud. hence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their royal Seat was at Sardis while Croesus was King of it, and had several times rebelled against the Persians, Cyrus overthrew him & dissolved the government. There are divers proverbs of the villainy of this people. Diogen. Lydi mali & improbi, post hos Aegyptii, ac demum pessimi omnium Cares. They were wont to adorn their heads with Hoods. Whence the Proverb upon effeminate people Lydio more. They gave their minds wholly to riot and dainties. Carica Lydorum, also Lydus cauponator. Then for unseasonable amours, Lydus in meridie. Their Country is now called by the Turks, to whom they are subject, Carafia, and Carafieli.  
Maceti. The limits of Macedonia at this time were large, having been reduced into the hands of the Romans, when it fell to be their Province out of the power of so potent a Prince as Perseus. I shall not consult with any Geographer either ancient or modern to circumscribe that Country, but excerpt it out of the Annals of Titus Livius, Book 45. as it is reported from the Authentic decree of Paulus the Consul for settling the Macedonian affairs. In the first place it was ordained that the Macedonians be free having the same Cities and Lands, using their own Laws, creating yearly magistrates: that they should pay the people of Rome half that Tax which they were wont to pay their Kings. Then that Macedonia should be divided into four Cantons. Whereof one and the first part to be that land which lies between the Rivers Strymon and Nessus, taking in whatever Villages, Castles, Towns, were formerly held by Perseus over Nessus to the Eastward, except Aenos, and Maronea, and Abdera, as also over Strymon to the Westward all the Bisaltique region with Heraclea which is called Sintique. The second Canton to be that which the River Strymo embraces from the East, excepting Heraclea Sintice, and the Bisaltae, and which the River Axius bounds on the West, adding thereto the Paeonians, who dwelled near the River Axius to the quarter of the East. The third Canton that to be made which the river Axius surrounds on the East, and the River Peneus on the West: the North of which is bounded by the Mountain Bora. Thereunto was added that quarter of Paeonia that runs up along by the River Axius to the West. Edessa also and Beraea fell to that part. The fourth Canton to be beyond the Mountain Bora, bounding upon Illyricum on the one side, on the other upon Epirus. That the provincial Towns where their assemblies should meet, be for the first Canton Amphipolis, for the second Thessalonica, for the third Pella, for the fourth Pelagonia. It was ordained that the assemblies of their respective Provinces should be summoned thither, that Assessments should be there imposed, that there the Magistrates should be created.  
Maenalus. A famous Mountain of Arcadia by the City Tegea where is a Town of that name and Maenalis ora.  
Mareoticum. This is a white Muscatel much affected by the Egyptian Kings; thus Horace of Cleopatra, Mentemque lymphatam Mareotico. It hath its name from Mareotis pali●s a great Fen of Egypt by Alexandria containing in circuit 600 miles, and in breadth 30. called Lago di Buchiara, that it is a white Grape appears from Virgil. sunt & Mareotides albae; some leaning upon the authority of Columella, say that this is a Greek Wine receiving its name from a Region of Epirus called likewise Mareotica, others (and those most Greek likewise) absolutely express it to have been of the growth of Egypt and called Alexandrian. Ulitius contends for this, nor without good ground.  
Massicum. This wine is from Mons Massicus (Monte Masso) a Mountain of Campania celebrated for excellent Wine, it is joined upon the Mountains Falernus and Gaurus, between Suessa, Calenum, and Sinuessa. Hence Martial lib. 13. Ep. 108. De Sinuessanis venerunt Massica praelis, where the title is Falernum.  
Medus. Media is a Region of Asia, between Armenia major on the West; Parthia and Hyrcania on the East, touching upon the Caspian Sea at the North, and Assyria, and Shushan at the South, called vulgarly Madai Their Dog is fierce, not unlike their neighbour the Hyrcanian.  
Melitesius. It is the judgement of Ulitius that this Coral is from Melita by Pachynus, forhe finds in Pliny a commendation of Coral that grows in the Sicilian Sea; and indeed it is a production found in many places, even in our Seas there is a sort of Corallines. There are two Melita's, the one an Island of the Adriatic, near Dalmatia, from whence are called Canes Melitaei. Vulgarly Melida. The other an Island of the African Sea, between Sicily and Africa lying off from the Promontory of Paehynus 70. miles, from Camarina 84. we call it Malta, this seems to be the Island meant by the Author.  
Molossus From a Country of Epirus, called anciently Molossia, at the present Pandosia (of their City Pandosia) comes a noble race of Dogs celebrated by all antiquity, and preferred before those of any other Nation whatsoever for matchless stoutness, until Britain being discovered, and our Dogs brought to trial, the Molossians were found to be surpassed in courage by the British Mastiffs, and here it is acutely observed by Ulitius, that the Molossian is not that deepmouthed hound, as Lucan denotes him to be: but so staunch and silent besides his courage, that his mixture with the bawling Etolian Bitch will rectify that ill quality. For more is to be presumed upon the Testimony of Gratius an approved Huntsman, than either Lucan or Martial do appear to deserve.  
Murcibii. Ulitius reads in this place Murcinii and understands Thracian horses; those may well be denoted for that quality. Sophocles in his Electra, makes the Aenian to be carried away with his hard-mouthed Steeds, and Aenos is a City of Thracia upon the border of the Aegean Sea, by the mouth of Hebrus.  
Morini A people of Belgium lying in Picardy and Artois, they were esteemed the extremity of the world. Freta Morinu dub●o refluentia ponto, by that infallibly is designed the narrow Sea between Calais and Dover, which our Mariners can tied through being some 20. miles in breadth, called by the ancients Fretum Gallicum, Britannicum, Occani.  
Mycenae. A Town of Peloponnesus in the Country of Argos between Corinth (as distant 15. miles) and Argos (as ten) now called Agios Adrianos.  
Nasamonia. This is a name common to several regions of Africa. Some dwell about the Atlantic Ocean. Others upon the great Syrtis. Others in Libya Marmarica, and are all called Nasamones.  
Nebrodes. A very high mountain of Sicily, in the midwa between Enna towards the East, and Thermae Himerae to the West, now called Madonia; out of this Gelas the River flows to the South. It is higher than any other Mountain in Sicily, except Aetna, spreading far and abounding with springs of water, so called from the multitude of Dear. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Numidae. Are a great part of Africa, the one country which they denominate is now called Billedulgerid; and this is inland. Another is Maritime upon the Numidian Bay: Numidia nova, or Regno di Constantino, and corrupted by the Arabian inhabitants into Cuzuntina, or Guzuntina; they spread over no small tract; their horse is famous for very good temper, and trained up to an excellent management, so as they can turn and wind, check, or put him on by their switch alone: they are called in Virgil, Numidae Inf●aeni.  
Parthus. A known people of Asia, lying between Media, Aria, Persia, and Hyrcania; their country is of a soft mould, and the Horse which is bred upon it hath a tender hoof. Where it is worth the observing, that according to our institution of horses; we shall find even their nature to answer. Those horses which have trod delicately from their first running ever since they were foaled become to have a soft hoof, nor can afterwards be brought to travel upon ragged and stony wales; but the hardy Genua that was brought forth and bred up amidst the Ligurian Alps through continual beating upon cragged rocks, in the issue hardens and (if I may be permitted to use the expression) even pave her hoof, insomuch that she will break in pieces any other that shall contend with her upon that native ground. So that it is not all to be attributed to nature, however our Author would here intimate the contrary, saying, Sed juxta vitium posuit Deus, no, more commonly I believe sed juxta vitium posuit male cautus agaso. Either the Groom and Ostler, or the first breeder up of the horse may be thought to mar him. For some such thing may be perceived in our own education. Those who never put their hand to any labour or manly exercise, but have carefully kept it delicate, let them pull at an O●re, or draw in a coil of Cables into a ship, and their hands will contractblisters, swell and be galled, which things those are not sensible of, who through long use have their palms hardened, and fenced with a brawny firmness.  
Pellaeus. Our Poet means the Macedonian horses, and at that time Pella was the provincial Town of the most noble part of Macedonia that extended as far as Peneus, and is shut in by the Mountain Bon●: being as it were within the ●eraunians, it is now called Jeniza and Zuchria.  
Peneus. A River of Thessaly much celebrated by the Poets, now called Selampria, or Pezin, or Asababa; receiving almost all the Rivers of the Country, amongst others Salambria (with which it bathe now changed the name) Enipeus and Sperchîus, it rises from the Mountain Pindus, and through the Tempe flows into the Pagasique Bay, hence Virgil Peneia Tempe.  
Perses. Although the bordering Mede and Hyrcanian be only courageous, yet the Persian is sagacious withal. At the present, the name of Persian relating to their Empire includes Media, their Country is now by them called Farsistan.  
Pharos. The name I should believe to be Coptique. It is a Tower built by King Ptolemy at the rate of 800. Talents; so magnificent, as that it is reputed among the seven miracles of the World: it stands upon an Island almost joined to the continent, and from the top of it lights were hung out for the direction of Mariners, from whence all such promontories have been called (as we may see frequently in the Map) Faro and Fero by Portugal and Spanish Navigatours? and that I may not only propose my own fancy, Cambden hath allowed▪ that our Dover Peer is so called from being a Pharos or place for Lanterns, to direct in steering near that dangerous shore: from this place which was anciently the Palace of the Egyptian Kings, they are called Pharii tyranni, and if Pharaoh be in the old Coptique Rex, why may not Pharos be Regia?  
Pherae. A Town of Thessaly between Demetrias and Pharsalus, near the lake of Boebe, called at present Fere.  
Pisa A City of Peloponnesus upon the river Alpheus, by which the Olympian Games were celebrated.  
Pyrene. All that Region which lies upon the Pyrenean hills. Los Montes Pireneos where is Guascoigne and Aquitain divided from Navarre. These hills separate the two potent Kingdoms of France and Spain, being extended from the Cantabrian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea for the space of 80. Spanish miles▪  
Roma. This City in the time of our Author being in flore, did far transcend all the pride of other Nations in building, it was then the Imperial Seat, and is now the Pontificial Sea.  
Sabaei. A people of Arabia felix. Their Country is famous for bearing Frankincense. Jeremiah 6. 20. To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far Country? Virgil in his Georgiques'.  
— Solis est thurea virga Saboeis.  
And India mittit ebur, molles sua thura Sabae●.  
Saetabes. A people of Hispania Tarraconensis in the Kingdom of Valentia where the City Saetabis stands upon a River of the same name at this day, the place is called Xativa, it was famous amongst the ancients for the fine flax which it brought forth.  
Catullus, Sudaria Saetaba, Pliny linum Saetabum, this was commendable to make fine Linen for Ornament in wearing; though our Author do not make choice of it for Nets.  
Ser. This is a Nation of Interior Ethiopia, about the rising of Nilus among the Blemyes, and a people of Hither India between Indus and Hydaspes, but the famous Seres are a people of Asia the farthest to the East beyond China towards Scythia without Imaus. Their Country is Serica, now Cathay.  
Sicambri. Those of Gelderland and Zutphen. A people of Holland. The title of which Dukedom Count Egmond does at present bear, they dwell between the Maze and the Rhine.  
Siculi. In this Island which is the greatest of those in the Mediterranean were anciently horses famous for fleetness, and from a Country neighbouring to them, we have at this day an eminent race of horses. For the Neapolitan Courser is not unlike them.  
Sparta. The chief City of Laconia. The Fleet-hounds of this Country were famous among the old Poets. Virg. Georg. 3. Veloces Spartae catulos—  
Strymonius. The reason of this Epithet to Bisalta, will plainly appear out of Livy, 45. Book. Pars prima Bisaltas habet fortissimos viros: trans Nessum amnem incolunt, & circa Sirymonem; their Provincial Town was Amphipolis, so called because the Strymon was about it.  
Syene. Only in this place I am not hasty to consent to the learned Commentator, who attempts to alter Terrena Syene, either into Turrita, or Extrema. By which change he would destroy the Antithesis between Savi equi, and Terrena regio. The Poet seems to me to say, that the heavy bottoms of Syene were not proper for a sternacious horse; it is the farthest City of Egypt in the confines of Ethiopia, heretofore the bound of the Roman Empire, as it is now of the Turkish, called at the present Asna; the whole region derives the name of Syene from it. When the Sun is in Cancer, they cast no shadow, because the Country lies directly under that Tropic. It is situate upon the Nile, so that probably the foil is of a slimy substance, and proper only for light horses.  
Taburnus. A craggy Mountain in the borders of Samnium upon the tract of the Caudine Rock, in Campania.  
Thessalia A Region of Macedonia enclosed by the Mountains of Olympus, Ossa, Pelion, on the North, Othrys and Oeta on the South, and Pindus on the West. It is now called Com●nolitar●, Th●umnestia, and Lamina, anciently divided into four Provinces, Thessaliotis, Phthiotis, Pelasgiotis, and Estiaetis. The tradition is that horses were first taught to be broke in this Country. It is certain that at present they have an excellent race of Horses. Some of which come unto us under the notion of Turkish Horses, and are deservedly in high esteem, as they were with the ancient Poets, both Greek and Latin.  
Toletum. Toledo a City of Hispania Tarraconensis distant from Madrid 12. leagues in the heart of Castille, heretofore the most famous seat of the Gothish Kings; it is upon the River Tayo (which is Tagus) famous from Antiquity, for good mettle, wherewith they tempered the Blades of swords, which at present retain great praise as may appear by that ingenious Epigram of Grotius.  
Unda Tagi non est uno celebranda metallo  
Utilis in cives est ibi lamna suos.  
Trinacria. Is a name for Sicily out of their language which was formerly Greek; it imports a place of three Promontories from Felorus, which points upon Italy, Pachynus upon Grece, Lilyboeum upon Africa, it is in Latin called Triquetra.  
Tusci. This is written also Thusci, they are likewise named Hetrusci, a most ancient people of Italy, the Toscani; but not only that part of Florence, Pisa, and Arezzo, which is under the great Duke of Tuscany, but was in old time more large, and comprised a great part of that which is now called Peter's Patrimony, being in subjection to the Pope.  
Veneris litora. The shores of Cyprus, where was anciently Paphos, but now destroyed both the old and new, Neapaphos, and Palaepaphos, called now Baffo.  
Umbrosae Veneris p●r litora myrtus, is the same which was named by Virgil, Paphiae myrtus.  
Umber. From a province of Italy, even at the present called l'Ombria as it was anciently Ombria; it is divided by the Apennine, containing some Cisapennine, other Transapennine Cities. Here Umber is the Bracco of Italy: and as their Dog is timorous, so their Boar is not very courageous. Whence the Poet,— Thuscus aper generosior Umbro.  
Hitherto I have been employed in defining the places mentioned by this Poet, and in affixing the modern names by which they are at present known: It will be necessary to subjoin an advice concerning this matter; I would desire that no Reader should require an exactness in topographical knowledge, for it is not any way possible nor necessary; Of many countries whose names we have, there were never any Terriers delineated, the butts and boundaries were never particularised; in many others the evidences are lost, and consumed by time; but in all the marks have been removed through daily revolutions; so that this tradition is altogether confused: Empires are continually in progress, or declining, and France signifies one thing this week, and another the following; nor can we have any certainty how far the signification of that name doth extend any week, till the Gaziette for that week be come forth: The Earth indeed is stable, and abides generation after generations; the figures which adorn the heavens have not been observed to be much obnoxious to great changes; and the individuals of those species which are upon the earth, after their appointed season and age, are renewed into the same figure with those former individuals which have passed away, and resemble their kind, from whose seed they sprung; so that where the conception is permanent, simple, & individual, the passage is easy from one language into any other, nor does it perplex the understanding, but may be rendered per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or one word by another: for in saying Equus, or a Horse, we have always in all ages meant a body consisting of the same integrate parts, which is readily understood, because it is so ordinarily seen: But it is far otherwise in human and politic institutions. Cities and Empires pass away; not only the name altars, but the notion ceaseth, and is removed out of our sight.  
Clara fuit Sparte: magnae viguêre Mycenae.  
Necnon & Cecropis, necnon Amphionis arces.  
Vile solum Sparte est: altae cecidére Mycenae  
Oedipodioniae quid sunt nisi nomina Thebae?  
Quid Pardioniae restant nisi nomen Athenae?  
Who can precisely determine what these cities were? or how far those regions extended? By daily experience we perceive how difficult it is to preserve the bounds of parishes, and Lordships: where there is nearer concernment of interest, to watch over them that they do not pass into oblivion: But for these uncertainties of the Map, we may content ourselves with a general satisfaction, there being no absolute necessity of more precise knowledge; for Horace could content himself without any express decision even of his own country.  
— Lucanus an Appulus anceps,  
Nam Venusinus arat finem sub utrumque colonus.  
And although the modern names of places do no where exactly answer the ancient as to the bounds; yet if they do rudely as to the situation; they are to be esteemed to have given a sufficient knowledge, and to have performed what in reason may be required of them.   

CHAP. VI Of the Styles of Hunting different from the English, both Antique and Foreign.  
THe Hunting used by the Ancients in the time of our Author, as appears by this Poem, was much like that way which is at present taken with the Raindeare which is seldom hunted at force, or with hounds, but only drawn after with a bloodhound, and forestalled with Nets and Engines. So did they with all beasts; and therefore a Dog is never commended by them for opening before he hath by signs discovered where the beast lieth in his layre, as by their drawing stiff our Harbourers are brought to give right judgement. Therefore I do not find that they were curious in the Musiquc of their Hounds, or in a composition of their Kennel & pack, either for deepness or loudness, or sweetness of cry like to us. Their huntsmen were instructed to shout. Virgil▪ 3. Georgiques'.  
Ingentem clamore premes ad retia cervum So that it was only with that confusion to bring the Dear to the Nets laid for him.  
But we comfort our Hounds with loud and courageous cries and noises both of Voice and Horn, that they may follow over the same way that they▪ saw the Hart pass, without crossing or coasting.  
We have no wild-boares in England, yet it may be thought that heretofore we had, and did not think it convenient to preserve that Game. For our old Anthours of Hunting reckon it among the Beasts of Venery; and we have the proper terms belonging to it. Somewhat will not be unworthy the reciting. In an old Poem printed by Wynkyn de word (whom I have heard to have been the second that printed in England) in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord 1496. in the reign of Henry the seventh, and all the instructions of terms for hunting. Amongst them are set down these Verses.  
Now to speak of the Boor the fyrst year he is  
A pig of the sounder called as have I bliss.  
The second year an hog and so shall he be:  
And an hoggestere when he is of years three.  
And when he is of four year a boor shall he be:  
From the sounder of the Swine then departeth he,  
A singular is he so: for alone he wool go.  
This authority will not be unproper to give a right understanding of the appellation which is given to this Beast, Psalm 80. Sec. Hebr. V. 14. Exterminavit eam aper de sylva: et singularis ferus depastus est eam. And therefore called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. It is a game usual in France, they call it Sanglier, which is the same. In this sort of Hunting, the way is to use furious, terrible sounds and noises, aswell of voice as of horn, to make the chase turn and flee, because they are slow, and trust in their tusks and defence, which is agere aprum, to bait the Boor as in the halieuticon.  — Actus aper setis iram denunciat hirtis. Therefore Virgil, 
Saepe volutabris pulsos Sylvestribus apros Latratu turbabis agens— incomparably doth he express it by turbabis: yet this must be done after his Den or Hold is discovered, and the Nets be pitched, or else it is blamed (as in the Aetolian Dog) to rear him, and give him warning to escape. The Huntsmen give judgement of the Wildbore by the print of his foot, by his rooting: a wild swine roots deeper than our ordinary Hogs, because their snouts are longer; and when he comes into a corn-field (as the Calydonian Boar in Ovid) turns up one continued furrow; not as our Hog's root here and there, and then by his soil, he soils and wallows him in the mire: these are his Volutabra sylvestria, where his greatness is measured out, then coming forth he rubs against some tree which marks his height; as also when he sticks his tusk into it, that shows the greatness of it. They observe likewise the depth of his Den, with the bigness of his Loesses; for so they call the Dung of those beasts. Whensoever the Boar is hunted and stands at Bay, the Huntsmen ride in, and with Swords and spears striking on that side which is from their horse wound or kill him: This is in the French hunting; but the ancient Romans standing on foot, or setting their knees to the ground, and charging directly with their spear, did opponere ferrum, and excipere aprum: for the nature of the Boar is such, that he spits himself with fury, running upon the weapon to come at his adversary, till he press his very Bowels upon it, and sink down dead.  
There are no Roe-Deer in England, but there are plenty of them in Scotland. An old Scotch Poet, Sir James Lindsay, who flourished in the time of King James the fifth, wrote this, much about 1550. in the praise of his own country.  
The rich River's plesand and profitabill:  
The lusty Lochis with fish of sundry kandis:  
Hunting, Halking, for Nobilis convenabill  
Forrestis full of Da, Ramires, Hartis and Hyndis.  
Yet it may be thought that they have been more common in England, because our ancient Huntsmen acknowledge the proper terms for this chase; and in the first place we have distinct ages for these Dorces in Dame julian's precepts to her Berne.  
And if ye of the Roo-Bucke wol know the same,  
The fyrst year he is a Kid, souking on his dame  
The second year he is a gerl, & so been such all:  
The third year an hemule look ye him call.  
Roo-Buck of the first heed heis at the fourth year:  
The fifth year a Roo-buck him call I you lere.  
These make good chase, stand long, and fly endway. Compellere Dorcas, is to force the Bevy, & to drive them into the Toils.  
Although we have no Wolves in England, yet it is certain that heretofore we had routs of them, as they have at this present in Ireland; in that country is bred a race of greyhounds, which is fleet, strong, and bears a natural enmity to the Wolf. Here I would take the boldness to examine that 77. Epistle of the second book of Symmachus, where he speaks of Canes Scotici. It is well enough known, that in the age of Claudian, which was near to his, the Irish man had the name of Scotus.  — totam cum Scotus Jernen Moverit. 
Now in the greyhouds of that natio, e there is incredible force and boldness, so that they are much sought for in foreign parts; and the King of Poland makes use of them in his hunting of great beasts by force: wherefore it may well be intended of the great fierceness which these Dogs have in assaulting, that when the Romans saw them play, they thought them so wonderful violent, as that they must needs have been ferreis' caveis advecti. Or, if it will better fit any other sort of Dogs in Scotland, I am only not as yet informed what that other sort of Dogs is, especially seeing it must not be understood of the British Mastiffs, which for a long time, even from the age of our Poet, had been no strange and unknown novelty to the Romans. From the experience of this country that Semifera proles, or Whelps that come of the commixture of a Bitch with a Dog-Wolfe is verified, called anciently Lyciscae, and this ill quality they find inherent to that sort of Dogs, that they can by no way of bringing up be restrained from preying upon cattle, by which vice they have merited to be esteemed criminal before they be Whelped, and there is a Law in that behalf, which straight enjoins, that if any Bitch be jimed with a Wolf, either she must be hanged immediately, or her puppies must be made away: this may serve to avouch somewhat, all that character which he gives of the Semiferous Mongrels, of his Hyrcanian, and the Tiger.  
In Poland when the King hunts, his servants are wont to surround a wood, though to the space of a mile or better in compass, with toils, which are pitched upon firm stakes: This being done, the whole Town, all sexes and ages promiscuously rush into the Enclosure, and with their loud shouts rear all the beasts within that wood, which making forth, are intercepted in the Nets. There small and great beasts are together entangled, after the same manner as when amongst us, we draw a net over a pond, and after beating it all over with Poles, we bring out not only Pike and Carp, but lesser fry: So they enclose at once, Dear, and Boars, and Roe-Bucks, and Hares: for so they order their Nets, that the space of those Meshes which are twisted with greater cords, for the entangling of greater beasts; that space I say is made up with smaller whipcord, for the catching lesser prey. He hath a great race of English Mastiffs, which in that country retain their generosity: they are brought to play upon the greater beasts. It is not counted amongst them disagreeable to the Laws of the chase, to use guns.  
Tempesta hath described the manner of Italian hunting in a fair Book, in Taille douce  
The Spaniards have a bloodhound which is called un podenco, he is exactly as is here described Vulpina Specie, and genus exiguum; with him they do montear▪  
— montesque per alt●s.  
Ingentem clamore premes ad retia cervum, or ca●ar, and pr●ck through the woods, or follow any chase.  
The Romans had another sort of pugnacious assailing beasts, which was in shows to entertain the people. After they had spread their arms into the countries of Elephants, Tigers, and Lions; those beasts being sent to Rome, were either baited by other beasts, or assaulted by Fencers: Which sights were at first presented in the open Cirque, till afterwards Titus built an Amphitheatre for them, which answers to our Bear-Garden. These reflections I hope will not be unprofitable, and may conduce to a proper end: I hope it will not be unpleasant also, if I communicate to the Reader a civility sent me by an ingenious friend, and fellow collegiat. Now he is prepared with the History of Hunting, and hath been abroad to view the diversity of game: I hope he may be in good humour for it.  

Come Lads and wind your Horn, and Summon up  
Your well-tuned hounds unto yond mountain's top:  
There lurks the pride o'th' woods, the Lion fell,  
At whose decease our troops shall yelp a Knell.  
In yonder vale a jumping Stag I spy,  
Whose feet will shame the winds celerity,  
Whose branched Horns being crowned with sturdy threats  
Contemn our Dogs, our javelins, & our nets.  
In this thick sedge there lies a tusked Boar  
Who challenges free quarter, and all'ore  
The fens and woods he domineers to see  
N●ne is so strong, none is so stout as he.  
Let's on the hills, the vales, the fens to beat,  
Nor Claw, nor Horn, nor Tusk shall makes retreat.  
We're armed with force, we're cataphract with Art,  
The one our Troops, the other Books impart.  
Books, did I say? one book hath taught us all:  
'Tis Gratius does all Author's praise forestall.  
Whose name, whose age, whose stile, whose argument  
Is Pleasant, Reverend, Candid, Innocent.  
All current are; but what's obscure and blind  
None but this Mighty Nimrod-wit can find.  
Who having stripped his Cynegetick wight  
Makes him appear an English Adamite.  
No Sectary, but Orthodox and true,  
Whether you'd range in th' Park, or hunt purlue.  
Such high-born fancy, quick, and nobly bred,  
Would make Diana leave her sport to read;  
As do the Muses in Diana's Chase  
Delight to rove, and her wild games embrace.  
William Price Fellow of King's College in Cambridge.    

CHAP. VII. Of the Modern Authors who have written upon this subject.  
ALthough I were very much experienced in any art, and were apt to conceive a good opinion of my own ability therein, yet being to publish a discourse concerning it, I were obliged to inform myself of what others have formerly proposed in the same matter, as far as may conveniently be attained: there are some who esteem it glory to be thought to have declined any other helps, but their own wit, which I should charge upon myself as negligence. It might have been thought sufficient that this excellent Author hath come out lately in Holland, with the learned notes of Janus Ulitius; and although I have not since that time found the fame of this Poet to have been much celebrated amongst us, with whom hunting is in very high esteem, yet that judicious commentator hath deserved very highly of him, and withal infallibly raised himself a monument of late and lasting honour.  
This learned Ulitius hath compared our Author with the Latin, and Greek writers which have handled this subject ex professo, which or touched upon it: so that if I should make that my business, it would seem that I did in alienam messem falcem mittere. I shall endeavour to reduce this Poem to the instructions that I find in the modern, both French and English.  
The chief amongst the French is La Venery per jaques de Foüilloux. This is translated into English by Mr Turbervill: it was indeed done into very proper English with great care and judgement, some forty years since: But now the book is hardly to be met with: That discourse too of Hunting that is in La Maison Rustic is but an abridgement of this former. There is another in French who may merit the name of an Author with Foüilloux his Contemporary under Charles the 9 and that is jean de Clamorgan, who hath written a particular treatise of La chasse du loup.  
In our language there have been divers old writers, that have delivered rather some proper terms for hunting, then that have compiled the Art. I read cited Sir Tristram, and the book of St. Alban; I have seen Dame julian's Bernes doctrine in her book of hunting: But these Authors are not to be procured publicly; as they are indeed of less use. I set a far higher esteem upon a late writer, many of whose works are frequently to be had. Mr. Gervas' Markham may undoubtedly be compared with any of the ancients, who have written de Re Rustica, and if his style be not so pleasant as that of Pliny, yet certainly his experiments are more certain and profitable; he hath reported the fruits of his own experience, as in the whole Cycle of Husbandry accurately; so in Cynegetiques excellently. The former French Author, and this English Master of Economical Philosophy, I look upon as fountains: With these I have been conversant, that so I might draw from experienced men, if they delivered any thing which might more largely explicate that upon which Gratias may happen to touch. With this preparation I shall in the threefollowing Chapters examine the difficult words, and obscure passages as they lie in order in this Poem. In the Citations I have abbridged 

Clamorgan by Cl.  
Foüiloux by F.  
Markham by M.     

CHAP. VIII. Of Nets, the line to fright Dear, snares, and spears with the Bow.  
BIS vicenos passus) Columella lib. 5. de R. R. Passus pedes ha●et quinque. So that 40 Paces make 200 feet. This must be understood of the Roman standard, which comes short of the English: The most exact and minute deduction of the Roman foot is by Mr. john Greaves, who prefers the foot on the monument of Cossutius before others, and finds it to be to the English as 967 to 1000 So that two hundred foot Roman, comes precisely short of 200 foot English by 6 English feet, half a foot and one tenth of a foot.  
Nodis. Meshes.  
Optima Cyniphiae. The soil fittest to sow Hemp upon must be a rich mingled earth of clay and sand, or clay and gravel well tempered, and so on, as is worthy to be observed in M. The English housewife's skill, B. 2. From this place I reconcile Gratius, who says Optima C. paludes lina dabunt, with Pliny, saying, Seritur sabulosis maximè. Ulitius being somewhat graveled at it, is so hardy as to propound that the place be altered into Paludosis: but he should rather diffide his own experience, and suspend such rash judgements till farther inquiry. Simple sand is too barren, hot, and light, bringing forth withered increase: simple clay again is too tough, rich, and heavy, bringing forth all bun and no rind; so that the Sabulum of Pliny is a mingled gravel, or the red hazel ground.  
Stupea Messis. We should know that to speak properly, they say Vellere linum: To pull Hemp or Flax, which is the manner of gathering it; for it is not cut as Corn is, either with Sith or Sickle, but it is pulled up by the roots.  
Sonipes turba. Those of the East used to wear bells about their legs in ornament: thus the Jews, Isa. 3. 16. 18. And the leaping about with bells tied on the legs after an Oboe, and a Horse, is not originally an European frolic, though brought amongst us by Spain: but the name imports to dance Alla Moresca.  
Vix velatur. Like our Cambrics, Lawns, and Tiffanies, which serve rather to transmitt nakedness, then to hide or cover it; as by drawing a transparent chassée of glass or crystal over any rarities, we rather allure the gazing of an eager spectator, then keep off his sight. Includas retibus ursos. Comme on doit chasser et prendre les loups avec les rets et fil●ts. Cl. Chap. 9  
Primas linorum tangere messes. The best time for the pulling of it is when the leaves fall, or it is yellow at the tops, for than it is full ripe; which for the most part will be in July, and about Mary Maudlin's day▪ Pliny. astate vellitur.  
Terribiles Species. The ancients did formerly set up feathers on a line in their hunting to fray the beasts.  
We know that if one set up a piece of white paper, it will make the Dear blanche, and balk that way.  
Turbat odor silvas. A deer is of most dainty sent, and upon the least fault will fly and leave his seed. When a deer smelleth or venteth any thing, than we say he hath this, or that in the wind. Nam fuit et laqueis. At the present our Deer-stealers have such inventions: In France they use the same for Wolves. De la forme de prendre les loups par pieges, et autres instruments, Cl. Chap. 10. Also Maniere de tendre le piege. In the same place Dentatae pedicae were gins that had pegs in them, like that of a rake or harrow, which left the print of their steps when they fled.  
Dente induit. Dens is the piqued end of a staff: Dentale, and Dens ancorae. So Bidens a prong, Tridens a Fork with three grains.  
Hastilia furcas. Our old English writers who lived in the time of Jousts and Tournaments, when the Lance was in request, divide it into the Truncheon Hastile, and the Socket, Orbis clausus ferro. Ipsa arcu We use more ordinarily in hunting the cross-Bow. Of shooting in the longbow, M. in his country contentments Chap. 8.  
Lutoser. Vlitius hath made a fair conjecture to solve this difficult place; for either it is likely that Cupressus should be read, or that the Cypress is intended; and he makes it appear out of Virgil, that it was used by the Wheel-wrights of Italy.  
Luxuriam fetusque nocentes detrahe. Of the right dressing of Trees, William Lawson, an Orchard. set out at the latter end of some of M. works collected into one volume of 6 Books.   

CHAP. IX. Of Dogs, their sorts, breeding, entering, and of the Huntsman.  
HAving already recited the several places mentioned in the Poem, that which was to be said of Dogs in relation to their Country hath already had its place.  
Ille tibi & pecudum multo cum sanguine crescet] It is not possible to reclaim that natural ill quality in this semiferous breed of the Tiger, they are like those Dogs which the French call Forcenants: ils sont fort subjects a bestail priué. Excitat apros. As we say in proper terms to Harbour and Unharbour a Stag which lies in his layre, or to kennel and unkennel a Fox; so saith Turbervill, it is required to say to Couch, and Rear a Boar.  
Versuta vestigia leporis parvi.] The footing of an Hare is diversely expressed: for when she is in plain field, she soreth, when she casteth about to deceive the Hounds, than she doubleth, and when she beateth a hard high way, where you may yet find and perceive her footing, there she pricketh: also in time of Snow, we say the Trace of an Hare: thus the accurate Turbervill, these deceits of the Hare are called in French Les malices d'un lieure. At large, des finesses et malices (ruses) des lieures. F. Ch. 56.  
Petron●i canes] from Petrones, a special name of Dogs which seems to have been much used in Spain, may be deduced their common appellation of a Dog, which they call un perro. Vertraha. The Italians call un leuriere, veltro or Can di giugnere. Of Grayhounds Xenophon the younger hath written excellently, and amongst us of coursing with Gray-hounds, and the excellency of that sport. M. C. C. Cap. 6.  
Metagontes'] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Dogs that draw after a beast. Limiers, Chiens qui ne parlent point. F. in his Interpretation des mots de Venery.  
Lex dicta Officiis. Observations in the entering of whelps. M. C. C. Chap. 3.  
In partem praedae veniat comes & sua nôrit Praemia. This custom does yet abide amongst our Huntsmen to preserv their Hounds in courage after they have slain a Hart or Boar, they give the Hounds the Bowels for a Reward, it is called Curée in French, which must be the same with the Italian Curata or Corata; and that signifies the inwards of a Beast. Coradella the Giblets of a Goose or, Fowl, or small beast: so that by this Curée which is called Droict de Limier, we may see what is the natural and primary sense of Quarry. In ancient English writers, it is also called the Halow.  
This is done with much formality, it is prescribed how to blow the Horn, a la curée; and how with the voice to halow the Hounds a la curée; how to speak to the Dogs while they are eating it, & what to do to them. How to blow the Bugle after the Curée. F. Chap. 42. Also how to make the Reward after killing the Hare. Chap. 59 Ordering Dogs after coursing. M. C. C. chap. 6.  
Thoes. These beasts are still brought in by the Poets slaying of a Hind, from which enmity they are named Lupi cervarii. The French call that Un loup cervier, which we call a Cat o' Mountain, and that the old Authors of Latin understood the same by that name appears from the description of it in Pliny. It hath the spots of a Leopard or Hyaena, it is longer in shape, but shorter legged than a wolf, nimble in leaping, lives upon hunting, and such like.  
junge pares. Hounds must suit one another. M. C. C. Chap. 3.  
Expertos animi q. g. p. est in venerem jungunt. De l' Eslection d'une belle Lyce pour porter chiens. F. Chap. 7. Here it will not be unpleasant to see how Lice came to signify a Bitch in French. Though it have a touch of Lycisca as Vlitius observes: yet it is derived from the plain primitive Lice; so Horace,  Audivere Lyce dij mea vota, dij 
Audivere Lice— He gives his old Mistress whom he desires to abuse the name of Bitch: which was with them proper, but is with the French Appellative. He calls her Lupa. The old Greeks make it Epicene 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. But it seems in some Age and Place it was said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Sint hirtae frontibus aures. He falls in to describe the Tal●ot-like bloodhound, which sort of Dogs is likewise described by M. C. C. Cap. 1. The shape and proportion of Hounds. His ears exceeding large, thin, and down hanging much lower than his chaps.  
Os magnum. The flews of his upper lips, almost two inches lower than his nether chaps, which shows a merry deep mouth, and a loud ringer.  
Cauda brevis. M. saith long, and rush-grown, that is, big at the setting on, and small downward.  
Longumque latus. For a large bed to hold her young ones: So Virgil in his Cow for Breed. Et longolateri nullus modus. Siccis dura lacertis Crura. His legs lar●e & lean, which shows nimbleness in leaping or climbing.  
Solidos Calces. His foot round, high knuckled, and well clawed, with a dry, hard, sole, which shows he will never surbait.  
Percensere notis, jamque inde excernere parvos. Parquels indices et signs on peut connoistre si les petits chiens seront bons, E. Ch. 9  
Cultus alios et debita faetae Blandimenta. Ordering of Braches after Whelping, M. C. C. Chap. 3.  
Foetae cum desunt operi. When to wean whelps, M. C. C. Chap. 3.  
Lacte novam pubem facilique tuebere maza. Comme on doit nourrir les petits chiens apres quo'n les a tirez de la tetine de leur mere Nourrice, F. Ch. 10. 11.  
Sensus Tollit. To feed them for perfectness of hunting, and to keep their scents fine and clean, the best food is to give them Mang, made either of ground Oats, Barly-meal, Bran, or Mill-dust well scalded, and boiled together. Cavis potant M. gemmis. He speaks not only of their crystallina as Lucan. gemm●que capaces Excepere merum—  
Martial— quot digitos exuit iste calix.  
Juvenal,— Virro gemmas ad pocula transfert  
— Quas in vagin● fronte solebat  
Ponere Zelotyp● juvenis praelatus jarbae.  
Imperium catulis, unusque Magister Additur.  
Du valet des chiens & comme il doit penser, conduire, & dresser les chiens. F. Chap 13.  
Accessus noverit. How to find a deer, where to find hares, M. C. C. Chap. 4.  
Toletanus Coulter. A Woodknife. Coulter venatorius, Curvo solves viscera cultro.   

CHAP. X. Of the diseases of Dogs, and their Cure. Of Horses.  
THE subject of curing the diseases of Dogs, hath not been omitted by our late Authors, though no where handled so largely, with so much Philosophical solidity, and such Poetical ornament as by Gratius.  
Mavortia bello Vulnera et errantes morbos tua cura tueri est. At the latter end of F. are Receipts to heal sundry diseases and infirmities in Dogs. There is likewise in M. C. C. the whole second Chapter of the curing of all manner of infirmities in hounds.  
Licet alti vulneris ora Abstit●rint atroque cadant cum sanguine fibrae. This is in use to this very day: If a Dog be hurt in the belly, and so that his guts fall out, and yet the guts not broken nor pierced; let the varlet of the Kennel take the Dog quickly, and put up his guts softly into his belly with the ends of his finger; then let him cut a slice of Lard, and put it within the belly right against the hole that is made, and he must have a Lyngell in readiness to sow up the skin, and at every stitch that he takes, let him knit his third: for else, assoon as the third should ●ot or break in one place, all the rest would slip, and so the wound would open again, before it be throughly healed. Always anoint the wound which you stitch up with fresh butter, and put lard in it, for that will make him lick it. The needle wherewith a Dog should be sowed, should be foursquare at the point: and the varlet of the Kennel should never go on field to hunt either Boar, Bear, or Wolf, without such a needle, lingels, and lard in readiness.  
Plurima per catulos rabbiss. It is a frequent disease Les sept especes de rage. Rage chaude & desesperée.  
Courante, move, ●ombante, flastrée, endormie, rheumatic.  
Vermiculum dix●re. The opinion and practice of worming Dogs we see very ancient, and popular: yet for the certain benefit of it, see it questioned by a very experienced Master in this knowledge. F. saith  
Il y a plusieurs homm▪ s qui ont voulu dire que le ver qui vient sous la langue du chien est la cause de le fair enrager. ●eque ie leur nigh. Combien quo'n die que le chien ne court pas si tost en cette malady, quand il a le ver host de la langue. je m'en rapporte a ce qui en est.  
Lapis vivus. He means Gypsum, or more plainly Calx viva, lime.  
Corpus persequitur scabies. There are quatre especes de galies. The Mange, Tetters, Ring worms, and Scabs.  
Oleum vivum. By this he seems to mean Petroleum.  
Restat equos finire not is. This I have only seen spoken upon by English writers, (I mean in the body of hunting) and by our exact Poet. M. besides that he writes of the ordering and dieting of the hunting horse, in his cheap and good Husbandry, Book 1. Ch. 5. he hath likewise spent one whole book in his Cavalerice (as he entitles it) in treating of the hunting Nag. After such exquisite treatises of the Courser, I shall not be bold to inquire farther; being desirous not to seem to have miss altogether those things which I esteem very difficult, yet worthy to be pursued, either a felicity of speaking, or at least the time and place of silence.  
FINIS