iniuries, and all such preuentions, as are not proper to teachers,
though in communitie more proper then to any common man: I set them
ouer to parentes, and other well willers, which will see to them,
that they faile not in those thinges: and if they do, will fly to
Physicians, by their helpe to salue that, which themselues may
forsee. For exercises I will deale, which to commend more then they
will commend them selues, when I shall shew both what they be, and
the particular profites of euery one of them, which I chuse from the
rest, were me thinke verie needlesse, and cheifly to me, which seeme
sufficiently to praise them, in that I do place them among principles
of prerogatiue. But as in the soule I did picke out certaine pointes,
whervnto I applyed the training principles: so likewise in the bodie,
may I not also seuer some certaine partes, whervnto my preceptes must
principally be conformed? that shall not neede. For as in the soule
the frute of traine doth better and make complete euen that which I
tuched not, and so consequently the whole soule: so in the bodie, those
exercises which seeme to be appointed for some speciall partes, bycause
they stirre those partes most, do qualifie the whole bodie, and make
it most actiue. Wherefore as there I did promise not to anatomise the
soule, as neither dealing with Diuines nor Philosophers: so do I not
here make profession to shew the anatomie of the bodie, as medling
neither with Physicians nor Surgeans, otherwise then any of them foure
can helpe me in exercise. To the which effect, and ende, I will onely
cull out from whence I can, such speciall notes, as both Philosophers,
and Phisicians do know to be most true, and both the learned, and
vnlearned, will confesse to be for them: and such also, as the training
maisters may easely both helpe, and encrease in their owne triall. For
both reason, and rule, do alwaye commaunde, that the maister be by,
when exercise is vsed, thorough whose ouerlooking the circunstance
is kept, which helpeth to health, and the contrarie shunned, which in
exercise doth harme. In the elder yeares, reason at the elbow must
serue the student, as in these younger, the maisters preference helpes
to direct the child.
But to ioyne close with our traine. What partes be they in our bodie,
vpon whom exercise is to shew this great effecte? or what be the
powers therof, which must still be stirred, so to say, and establish
the perpetuitie of health, not in themselues alone, but in the whole
bodie, by them? Where ioyntes be to bend, where stringes to tye, where
synewes to stirre, where streatchers to straine, there must needes
be motion: or els stifnesse will follow, and vnweildynesse withall:
where there be conduites to conuey the blood, which warmeth, canales
to carie the spirite, which quickneth, pipes to bestow the aire, which
cooleth, passage to dismisse excrements which easeth, there must needes
be spreding, to kepe the currant large, and eche waie open, for feare
of obstructions, and sudden fainting. Where to much must needes marre,
there must be forcing out, where to litle must nedes lame, there must
be letting in: where thickning threates harme, there thinning fines the
substance: where thinning is to much, there thickning must do much, and
to knit vp all in short, all those offices, whervnto our bodie serueth
naturally, either for inward bestowing of nurriture, and maintenaunce
of life: or for outward motion, and executions of vse, must be
cherished and nusled so, as that they do by nature well, and truely,
they may do by traine, both long, and strongly. I shall not neede to
name the partes, all in one ruk, as of set purpose, which be knowen by
their effectes: and the exercises also themselues will shew for whom
they serue. But for example first in the partes let vs see, whether
we can discern them by their working, and properties, that therby the
exercise may be pickte, which is most proper to helpe such effectes.
1. Who doth not streight waye conceiue, that the lunges or lightes be
ment, when he heareth of an inward part, which prouideth winde for the
harte, to allay his heat, and to minister some clammy matter vnto it,
whence he may take aire, most fit for his functions, and not at the
sudden be forced to vse any forreine?
2. Or who doth not by and by see, that the harte is implyed, when he
heareth of an other inward part, which is the spring, and fountaine, of
the vitall spirite and facultie, the seat and sender out of naturall
heat, the occasion and cause of the arteriall pulse, which by one
arterie, and way, receiueth cooling from the lunges, by an other,
sendeth the vitall spirite, the hote, and hurling blood, thorough out
the whole bodie?
3. Or who is so grosse, as not to gesse at the liuer, when he heareth
of an other inward part, which is the cheife instrument of nurriture,
the workhouse of thicke and grosse blood: that feedeth the life and
soule: when it desireth meat, and drinke, and what is els necessarie:
which conueieth blood thorough the veines to nurrish all partes of the
bodie, with the naturall spirit in it, if there be any, verie darke and
heauie?
[Sidenote: He can tel what the parte is.]
4. Nay hath he any braine, which seeth not the braine plainly laid
before him, when he heareth a part of mans bodie named, which breedeth
a sowlish, and life spirite, as most pure, so most precious, and
rather a qualitie then a bodie, and vseth it partly to further the
working of that princely, and principall part of mans soule, wherby he
vnderstandeth and reasoneth: partly to helpe the instrumentes of sense,
and motion, by meane of the sineues, neuer suffering them to lacke
spirite: which is the cheife and capitall cause, why these instrumentes
do their dueties well? And so forth in all the partes aswell without,
as within sight, whose properties when one heareth and finding that
they be helped by such a motion he can forthwith say, that such an
exercise is good for such a part.
1. Now againe for exercises. Who hearing that moderate running doth
warme the whole body, strengthneth the naturall motions, prouoketh
appetite, helpeth against distilling of humours and catarres, and
driueth them some other waie:
2. Or that daunsing beside the warmth, driueth awaye numnesse, and
certaine palsies, comforteth the stomacke, being cumbred with weaknes
of digestion, and confluence of raw humours, strengtheneth weake
hippes, fainting legges, freatishing feete:
3. Or that ryding also is healthfull for the hippes and stomacke: that
it cleareth the instrumentes of all the senses, that it thickneth
thinne shankes: that it stayeth loose bellies:
4. Or that loud speaking streatcheth the bulke exerciseth the vocalle
instrumentes, practiseth the lungues, openeth the bodie, and all the
passages therof:
5. Or that loud reading scoureth all the veines, stirreth the spirites
thorought out all the entraulles, encreaseth heat, suttileth the blood,
openeth the arteries, suffereth not superfluous humours to grow grosse
and thicke: who, say I, hearing but of these alone in taste for all, or
of all together by these alone, doth not both see the partes, which are
preserued, the exercise which preserueth, and the matter wherin?
Wherfore seing exercise is such a thing, that so much enableth the
bodie, whom the soule hath for companion in all exploites, a comfort
being lightsome, a care being lothesom, a courage being healthy, a clog
being heauie, I will, bycause I must, if I meane to do well, plat forth
the whole place of exercising the bodie, at ones for all ages.
FOOTNOTES:
[3] 1. De sani. tuen.
CHAPTER 7.
THE BRAUNCHING, ORDER, AND METHODE, KEPT IN THIS DISCOURS OF EXERCISES.
Bycause the speciall marke wherat I shoote, is to bring the minde
forward to his best, by those meanes which I take to be best, wherin
I must of force continue verie long, as in my principall and cheife
subiecte, and in no place sauing this, entreat of the bodie, but
onely how to apply that to it, which I pitche downe here: I thinke it
good therefore in this place to perfit, and handle at full the whole
title of exercises with all the cicunstances belonging thervnto, so
sufficiently and fully, as my simple skill can aspire vnto: and as the
present occasion of a position or passage vseth to require, leauing
that which I do not medle with, to those that shall professe the thing,
ether for their owne, or for their childrens health, wherin I will kepe
this methode and manner of proceeding. 1. First I wil note somewhat,
generally concerning all exercises. 2. Secondly I will chuse out some
especiall exercises, which vpon good consideration I do take to be
most proper, and propitious to schooles, and scholers. 3. Thirdly, I
will applye the circunstances, required in exercise to euerie of them,
so neare as I can, that there be no error committed in the executing.
For the better the thing is, if it hit right, the more dangerous it
proueth, if it misse of that right. 4. Last of all I will shew the
training maister, how to furnish himselfe thoroughly, in this professed
exercising: bycause he must both applie the minde with learning, and
the bodie with mouing, at diuerse times, refreshing himselfe, with
varietie and chaunge.
But in handling of these foure pointes, I meane to rippe vp no idle
question: I terme that idle, where health is the ende, and the question
no helpe to it, but cause to discours, and delaye of precept. Such
questions be these: who first found out the arte of exercise called
_Gymnastice_, or whether it belong to the Physician or no: being a
preseruatiue to health: or who first deuised the particular exercises:
or who were most famous for the executing therof, and a number of such
like discoursory argumentes, which learned men hauing leasure at will,
as a schoolemaister hath not, and willing to wade farre, as my selfe
could wish, haue mined out of the bowelles of antiquitie, and entraules
of authoritie, sometimes sadly, and saing in deede much, vpon euident
and apparent testimonies, sometimes simply, and surmising but some such
thing, by very light and slight coniectures: oftimes supported by bare
guesse, at some silly word, or some more naked warrant. Wherfore to the
matter.
CHAPTER 8.
OF EXERCISE IN GENERALL AND WHAT IT IS. AND THAT IT IS ATHLETICALL
FOR GAMES, MARTIALL FOR THE FIELDE, PHYSICALL FOR HEALTH, PRÆPARATIUE
BEFORE, POSTPARATIUE AFTER THE STANDING EXERCISE: SOME WITHIN DAORES,
FOR FOULE WHETHER, SOME WITHOUT FOR FAIRE.
[Sidenote: The diuision of exercises.]
All exercises were first deuised, and so in deede serued, either for
games and pastime, for warre and seruice, or for suretie of health
and length of life, though somtime all the three endes did concurre
in one, sometimes they could not. For why might not an healthfull,
and a sound body, both serue in the fielde for a soldiar, and in the
sand for a wrastler? But we seldom reade, that the _athleticall_
constitution whose ende was gaming, whose exercise was pastime, whose
diet was vnmeasurable for any man to vse, did either deliuer the world
an healthfull body, being strained beyond measure, or a courageous
soldiar, being vnweildy to fight, as one compounded and made of fat and
fog, brawnie and burdenous.
[Sidenote: Athleticall.]
The _athleticall_ and gaming exercises, were in generall assemblies, to
winne some wager, to beare awaie the prise, to be wondered at of the
world, or to set foorth the solemnities of their festiuall seruice,
and ceremonies in the honour of their idoles: or in publike spectacle
to adourne and set foorth, the triumphant and victorious shewes, the
sumptuous and costly deuises of their princes and states. Wherin we
reade, that particular men haue shewed such effectes of strength, and
sturring, by the helpe of exercise, and traine, as nature her selfe
could neuer attaine vnto, though she furthered the feat, and got her
selfe the worst, both by empairing of health, and hastning on of death,
thorough straining to much. It is more then marueilous to thinke on,
and yet we finde it of verie good recorde, what and how incredible
weight, both of liuing creatures, and massier mettal, one mans force
hath bene noted to haue borne, by being only vsed to that burthen.
Would any man beleue it, if it were not of good writen credit, that one
_Milo_ so strutted himselfe, so pitcht his feet, so peysed his bodie,
as he remained vnremoueable from his place, being haled at and pulde
by a number of people. _Actiuitie_ hath wrought wonders, _swiftnesse_
incredible thinges, and what propertie what not? where nature and
ambition were backt with exercise and good will, to do but one thing
well.
[Sidenote: Martiall.]
For the vse of warre, and defence, it is more then euident, that
exercise beares the bell: Can one haue a bodie to abide cold, not to
melte with heat, not to starue for hunger, not to dye for thirst, not
to shrinke at any hardnesse, almost beyond nature, and aboue common
reache, if he neuer haue it trained? will nimblenesse of limmes awaie
with all labour, surpasse all difficulties, of neuer so diuers, and
dangerous groundes, pursue enemies to vanquish, reskue freinds to
saue, retire from danger without harme, thrust it selfe into daunger
without daunger, where no traine before made acquaintance with trauell?
Whervpon called the _Romaines_ their whole armie _Exercitus_, but
bycause it consisted of a valiant number of exercised and trained
men? which were not to seeke at a sudden, bycause they had vsed armes
before? how could common weales where the territory was but small, and
the enhabitantes few, haue still deliuered themselues from mightier
assailantes, then they seemed defendantes? or in continuall threates,
of ieleous neighbours, how could they still haue kept their owne, if
that small territorie, had not bene thoroughly employed, and that
petie paucitie gallantly trained? wherby it was able for hardnesse
and sufferance to abide what not? For actiuitie and manhood, to haue
mastered whom not? or at the least had good meanes, not to receiue any
foile, where onely the huger number, and the vntrained multitude, were
to trie the masterie in fielde against them?
[Sidenote: Physicall.]
For health it is most manifest that exercise is a mighty great
mistresse, whether it be to confirme that which we haue by nature, or
to procure that which we haue not by nature: or to recouer that by
industrie, and diligence, which we haue almost lost, by misfortune and
negligence. The exercises which do serue to this healthy end, do best
serue for this my purpose, and though an healthfull body be most apt
and actiue, both for gaming to get wagers, and for warring to winne
victories, yet in my exercises, I neither meane to dally with the
gamester, not to fight with the warrier, but to marke which way I may
best saue studentes, who haue most neede of it: being still assailed by
those enemies of health, which waxe more eager and hoat, the more weake
and cold that exercise is.
[Sidenote: What is exercise?]
This exercise of ours by forme of definition, is said to be a vehement,
and a voluntarie stirring of ones body, which altereth the breathing,
whose ende is to maintaine health, and to bring the bodie to a verie
good habit. Doth not exercise at this her first entry offer to performe
so much as I did vndertake for her? health of the body, and an healthy
habit of all the limmes: which two effectes, bycause they be good,
who doth not desire them? and being got by exercise, why is it not in
price? and being reducible to order, why should it not be in traine?
They that write of exercise, make three degrees in it, wherof they
call the first a preparatiue, in Greek παρασκευαστικόν, the next
simply by the name of exercise γυμνὰσιον the third a postparatiue, in
Greek ἀποθεραπευτικὸν. The preparatiue serued, not to passe rudely,
and roughly into the maine exercise, without qualifying the bodie by
degrees before, bycause sudden alteration workes ill disposition. The
postparatiue or apotherapeutike followeth the maine exercise, to reduce
the body by gentle degrees, to the same quietnesse in constitution,
wherin it was, before it was so moued. Which two pointes bycause they
rest most in the maisters consideration, which is to ouersee the
traine, I commit them to his care: so to applie his cunning as he shall
see cause in exercising his charge. And yet herein I entend to helpe
him, when I shall handle the circunstances which direct exercises.
[Sidenote: γυμνασιον.]
The third degree, which is enclosed betwene these two, is that same
exercise, which I praise so much, and vpon whom the other two waite,
wherof, as writers make to many, and to finely minced distinctions, so
I make account but of one at this time, wherof I do make two braunches,
or spieces, the one to be vsed within dores, and the other abroade,
that whether the weather be faire or fowle, the exercise in some kinde
may neuer faile.
CHAPTER 9.
OF THE PARTICULAR EXERCISES, WHY I DO APPOINT SO MANIE, AND HOW TO
IUDGE OF THEM, OR TO DEUISE THE LIKE.
I will not here runne thorough all the kindes of exercises that
be named either by _Galene_ or any other writer, wherof many be
discontinued, many be yet in vse, but out of the whole heape I haue
pickt out these for within dores, _lowd speaking, singing, lowd
reading, talking, laughing, weaping, holding the breath, daunsing,
wrastling, fensing, and scourging the Top_. And these for without
dores, _walking, running, leaping, swimming, riding, hunting, shooting,
and playing at the ball_. Wherof though the very most be vsed oftimes,
not in nature of exercises, but either of pleasure, or necessitie, yet
they be all such, as will serue well that waie, and be so made account
of among the best writers, that deale in this kinde: and for that some
of them maye be said to be most proper to men, and farre aboue boyes
plaie: you must remember, that I deale for all studentes, and not for
children alone, to whom it is in choice, besides all these to deuise
other for their good, as circunstance shal lead them. There may also be
reasons, to perswade some men to mislike of, I do not thinke all, but I
suppose some, of these thinges, which I do appoint, as both commendable
and profitable exercises, with whom I will not here striue, but desire
them to iudge of me, without preiudice, and to stay their sentence,
vntill they see in what sorte I allow them. For knowing the cause of
offence, I might seeme very simple, if I should simply allow that,
which is disallowed vpon reason, and not misliked without manifest shew
of probable cause: and so to reserue the thing, as I did not remoue the
blame. They must also thinke that nothing is abused, but that both may
and ought to be well vsed, which well, they must vse, and refuse the
ill: seing where misuse draweth blame, there right vse deserueth praise.
Therfore I wishe those that be of yeares, and abilitie to guide
themselues to call circunstance to counsell, and consideration to
aduise. For as consideration shapeth the circunstance, so circunstance
is a thing, which maketh all that is done, either to please or
displease: to be sent awaie with a cutting checke: or to be bid tarie,
with a cheary contenaunce. As for the child in whom wisdom wanteth, to
way with discretion, what it is that he doeth, the maister alone must
supplie all wantes, or beare all blames, though it be but a simple
recompence, to blame wante of consideration, when harme is receiued.
Some man may also say, what needes so many, and mislike the multitude.
Of many to chuse some, is vsuall in all choice, and where store is, why
should choice be stinted? he may lessen the number, that alloweth but
of one, and I haue pickt out the likest, to satisfie all in diuersities
of liking, who so shall like any of these, may vse them with me, or
vpon the like ground, may deuise himselfe other. In handling of eche
of these, I will first shew for what partes, to what end, and in what
manner, they be profitable and holesome being moderatly vsed: then for
whom, and with what daunger, they be strained to the contrarie.
CHAPTER 10.
OF LOWD SPEAKING. HOW NECESSARIE, AND HOW PROPER AN EXERCISE IT IS FOR
A SCHOLLER.
The exercise of the voice which in Latin they name _vociferatio_, in
Greek ἀναφωνησις, as them φωνασκόι which were the training maisters, in
English maye be tearmed lowd speaking, of the height: for though it vse
all the degrees, which be in the voice, yet is it most properly to take
his name, of the lowdest and shrillest, as the most audible in sound,
and therfore fittest to giue the name, as all thinges els receiue
theirs, of some one qualitie of most especiall note. The auncient
_Physicians_ entertaine it among exercises, bycause it stirreth the
bulke, and all those instrumentes, which serue for the deliuerie of
voice, and vtterance of speeche: bycause it aideth, dilateth, and
comforteth the lunges in his windworke, it encreaseth, cleanseth,
strengtheneth, and fineth the naturall heat: it maketh the sound and
soueraigne partes of the bodie strong and pure: and not lightly to
be assailed by any disease: it mendeth the colour, and cheareth the
countenaunce. Now that it hath these properties they do proue by
naturall argumentes. That it practiseth and stirreth the inward partes,
and vocall instrumentes, no man may denie, which will confesse, that
the mouth alone, is the onely port and passage for speeche. That it
encreaseth the naturall heat, the breath it selfe doth most euidently
declare, bycause it is alwaye exceeding warme, when one exerciseth
the voice, it is so thronged and crusshed with taking in and letting
out. That it cleanseth and cleareth, there be two causes to proue:
the one is, bycause it maketh the flesh more fine and thinne, and
smoother to the hand, not onely thorough stretching and straining
the skinne, but by remouing excrementes, which naturally thicken and
make rugged. The other is, for that by mouing the vocall instrumentes
the inward moysture consumeth and wasteth, as it doeth appeare by
that thicke and grosse vapour, which proceedeth out of his mouth that
speaketh alowd, and other congealed excrementes resting of olde in
other passages, which this exercise expelled from the inward partes.
That it both fines and strengthens the naturall heat, hereby it is
more then plaine. For that the inward vesselles and pipes be scoured
thereby, and sundry superfluities expelled both at the nose, and mouth,
which as they darkened, weakned, and thickned the naturall heat, when
they were within the bodie: so being dismissed themselues, they leaue
it pure, fine, and strong, whereby the partes being sound and cleare
more strength groweth on to healthward, and lesse to disease. Hervpon
it falleth out, that this exercise of the voice, must needes be a
singular helpe for them, which haue their inwarde partes troubled with
moysture, and be of cold constitution, as also for such, as be troubled
with weaknesse, or pewkishnesse of stomacke, with vomiting, or bytter
rifting, with hardnesse of digestion, with lothing of their meat, with
feeding that feedes not, with faintnesse, with naughty constitution,
that corrupteth the blood, with dropsies, with painfull fetching their
breath, or but then easely, when they sit vpright, with consumptions,
with any long disease, in the breast or midrife, with apostemes which
are broken within the bulke, with quartane agues, with fleame, and
also for all those, which be on the mending hand, after sicknesse: for
those that are troubled with the scurfe, or Egyptian lepre, called
_Elephantiasis_, or whose bellies be so weake, as they cannot avoide,
but watry and thin excrementes, for the hikup, for the voice, and her
instrumentes, whether naturally resolued, or casually empaired.
Now as this exercise aduisedly, and orderly vsed, is verie good for
those effectes in these partes, so rashly and rudely ventured vpon, it
is not without daunger of doing harme, and cheifly to those which neuer
vsed it before: it filleth the head and makes it heauie, it dulleth
the instrumentes of the senses, which are in the head. It hurtes the
voice, and breakes the smaller veines, and is verie vnwholesome for
such, as are subiect to the falling sicknesse, bycause it shaketh
the troubled partes too sore: it is daungerous when one is troubled
with ill, and corrupt humours, or when the stomacke is cumbred, with
great and euident crudities, and rawnes, bycause thorough much chafing
of the breath, and the breath instrumentes, it disperpleth, and
scattereth corrupt humours, thorough out the whole bodie. And as the
gentle exercising of the voice, who oft enterlacing of graue soundes,
is wholesome, so to much shrilnesse straynes the head, causeth the
temples pante, the braines to beate, the eyes to swell, the eares to
tingle. Further it is verie vnwholesom after meat, bycause the breath
being chafed partly by reason of late eating, partly by lowdnesse
of the voice as it passeth thorough, gawlleth the throte, and so
corrupteth the voice. It is also enemie to repletion, to wearinesse,
to sensualitie: for that in those people, which are subiect to those
infirmities, the great and forcible straining of the voice, doth
oftimes cause ruptures and conuulsions, so that the commodities, and
incommodities of the exercise do warne the training maister to vse
it wisely and with great discretion. The vse of it for the motion
is this, that I haue said, but for the helpe of learning, it is to
some other verie good and great purpose, to pronounce without booke,
with that kinde of action which the verie propertie of the subiect
requireth, orations and other declamatory argumentes, either made by
the pronouncer him selfe, or borowed of some other, but cheifly the
hoatest _Philippik_, _Catilinarie_, and _Verrine_ argumentes, and the
rest of that race, either out of many Greeke oratours, or our one and
onely Latin _Tullie_, and whether ye list to prose alone, or to be bold
with Poetes, and vse their meeter. _Cælius Aurelianus_[4] an auncient
_Romane_ Physician, though borne at _Sicca_ in _Aphricke_ speaking of
this exercise vseth these wordes. They did vtter their beginninges
or prohemes with a gentle and a moderate voice, their narrations,
and reasoning discourses with more straining, and louder: their
perorations, and closinges, with a discent, and fall of the voice. And
is not that to my saying?
The manner of this exercise, which _Antyllus_ a verie olde Physician
doth shew in _Oribasius_[5], that wrate his bookes vnto _Iulian_ the
apostate, whose Physician he was, agreeth also with mine opinion. For
hauing appointed certaine preparatiues for nimbling, and spreding the
vocall powers, he sayth, that such, as exercised the voice, did first
begin lowe, and moderatly, then went on to further strayning, of their
speeche: sometimes drawing it out, with as stayed, and graue soundes,
as was possible, sometimes bringing it backe, to the sharpest and
shrillest, that they could, afterward not tarying long in that shrill
sound, they retired backe againe, slacking the straine of their voice,
till they fell into that low, and moderate tenour, wherwith they first
began. Which wordes do not onely shew, that it was thus vsed, but also
how the voice is to be vsed, in this exercise generally. But vpon
what matter, and argument was all this paines bestowed? Those which
were vnlearned said such things as they could remember, which were to
be spoken aloud, and admitted any change of voice in the vttering,
now harshe and hard, now smoothe and sweete. Those that were bookish
recited either _Iambike_ verses or _Elegies_, or such other numbers,
which with their currant carie the memorie on, but all without booke,
as farre surmounting any kinde of reading. I haue dwelt the longer in
this exercise, bycause it is both the first in rancke, and the best
meane to make good pronouncing of any thing, in any auditorie, and
therfore an exercise not impertinent to scholers.
FOOTNOTES:
[4] Libro. 1. Χρονίων, cap. 5. de furore.
[5] Lib. 6, cap. 8. De sanit. tuen.
CHAPTER 11.
OF LOUDE SINGING, AND IN WHAT DEGREE IT COMMETH TO BE ONE OF THE
EXERCISES.
It were to much to wishe, that _Musick_ were the most healthy exercise,
as it is the most pleasaunt profession, bycause either to much delite
would drowne men in it alone, or to much cloying would cause it be
quite contemned. Wherfore as it may not diminish other of their due, by
occupying to much roome, so by change after other, and distance in it
selfe, it continueth in her owne credit. For both varietie refresheth,
and distance reneweth, where still the same dulles, and continuance
wearies. As Musick is compounde of number, melodie, and harmonie, it
hath nothing to do with _gymnastick_ and _exercise_, but serueth in
that sense either for delite and pleasure, and exerciseth desire: or
in some respectes concerneth the manering and training vp of youth
in matter of knowledge, as I said before. Whervnto I was induced not
onely by argument, and nature of the thing, but by great authorities
of _Plato_,[6] and _Philo_, of _Aristotle_,[7] and _Galene_,[8] and
whom not? out of all antiquitie, which both allow of the thing in
nature, and admit it in pollicie, into the best common weales, as a
great worker of much good. But for as much as _singing_ vseth the
voice for her meane, and the voice instrumentes for her vtteraunce,
and medleth with all sortes, and degrees in sounde base, meane, and
triple, which in deliuerie do labour, and trauell the pipes, it is
receiued among exercises of health, though it be not so forcible,
nor can pearce so farre, as loude speaking doth, which doth not much
care for any fine concent, so it vtter strongly, and straine within
compasse: wheras Musick to the contrary standes not much vpon straining
or fullnesse of the voice, so it be delicate and fine in concent. And
yet in _Aristotles_[9] opinion, it both exerciseth, and preserueth the
naturall strength bycause it standeth vpon an ordinate, and degreed
motion of the voice. We finde in our owne experience, that it sturreth
the voice, spreadeth the instrumentes therof, and craueth a cleare
passage, as it also lightneth the laborer, and encreaseth his courage,
in carying of burdens. It was vsed in the olde time Physicklike, to
stay mourning and greife, for the losse of deare freindes, or desired
thinges. In curing diseases, which rise vpon some distemperature of the
minde, the temperature of time iudicially applyed, hath bene found both
a straunge and a strong remedie. Alwaye prouided, that whether ye say
loud, or sing loud, ye neither say to long, nor sing to much, for feare
of a worse turne, if any entraill teare, with to much straining, as
some times hath proued to true, for the afflicted partie. But to make
an ende of _Musick_ at this time, though it be neither so strong, nor
so stirring an exercise, yet it hath made a great purchace, that it is
allowed for one, and therby esteemed a double principle, of more value,
where her force is more, in matters of the minde, of very good worth,
though of much lesse worke in the health of the bodie. Which seeing it
is an exercise within dore, it gaineth with the place a good footing
to grow fairer: for whether ye allow it for a cunning exercise, or an
exercised cunning, it exerciseth cunning, and encreaseth by exercise.
FOOTNOTES:
[6] Pla. 2, 3, 4, de Repub. Phil. περὶ τῆς εἰς τὰ προπαιδεὺματα συνόδου.
[7] Aristot. 8, polit.
[8] Galen. 1. De sanit. tuen.
[9] 19 part. probl. 38.
CHAPTER 12.
OF LOUDE AND SOFT READING.
Reading is a thing so familiarly knowne, as there needeth no great
proofe, that it exerciseth the voice, and therwith all the health,
wherof the Physicians admit two kindes, into the raunge of exercises,
which be furtherers to health. The one quicke, cleare, and straining,
the other quiet, caulme, and staing. The cleare and straining kinde
of _reading_, bycause it stirreth the breath, not sleightly nor
superficially, but sheweth what it can do, in the verie fountaine
and depth of all the entrailles, it encreaseth the naturall health,
maketh the blood suttle and fine, purgeth all the veines, openeth all
the arteries, suffereth not superfluous humours to thicken, neither to
congeale and freese to a dreggie residence within any of those places,
which do either receiue and lodge, or distribute and dispose, the meat
and nurriture. Whervpon _Cornelius Celsus_[10] an eloquent Romain
Physician accounteth it one of the finest and fairest exercises. To
proue that it is holesome for the head, what more credible witnesses
neede we, then _Cœlius Aurelianus_[11] a diligent Physician, and
_Annæus Seneca_[12] a deepe Philosopher? _Cœlius_ holdeth this kinde
of _reading_ to be verie soueraine not onely in headaches, but also in
frensies and troubled mindes. _Seneca_ vsed it to stay the rewme, and
distillation from the head, which troubled him sore, as a man being
both of eager conceit, and earnest studie, where by the waye, _Cœlius_
giueth this note, whether ye meane to reskew the patient, from the
headache, or the frantike from madnesse, by this exercise of _reading_,
that the matter which is read, be pleasaunt and plaine, and nothing
hard to vnderstand, to cause the witte to muse. For that such obiectes
do no lesse trouble the weake braine, then sore shaking or hard iogging
doth the wearied body. Moreouer cleare _reading_ and loude, doth
refreshe not onely the inward partes of the breast, but the stomack
also: and comforteth it in feeblenesse, bycause therby phelgmatike
excrementes, are without paine both thinned and consumed: whervpon it
is held to be verie holesome, to mend a feeble voice, to helpe the
colicke, occasioned by cold humours, and to check some consumptions.
And to that ende the young _Plinie_ writeth, that his vncle did vse
it. When I haue said that it is also good for the drie cowghe, I
neede not say any more good of it here. _Auicen_[13] the Arabian and
princely Physician speaking herof, sayth that in the beginning, this
_reading_ must be soft and caulme, then mount by degrees, and when the
voice seemeth to be in his strength, growing, and long, that then it
is hie time, to staie for that time, nor to straine till ye sticke,
but to leaue with some list, and abilitie to do more. The quiet and
staid kinde of _reading_, sauing that the working is weaker, doth the
best that it can, about all this that is said: and in one pointe it
hath obtained a prerogatiue aboue the loude, that it is admitted and
allowed streight after meat, when the other is licensed and allowed
to depart. The maister may so vse these two exercises of _reading_
and _speaking_ as besides the health of the bodie, whervnto they are
deputed, they may proue excellent and great deliuerers of cunning,
and well beseeme the schoole: as to much in either doth trouble the
scholer to much, which yet boyes would defend, by the countenaunce of a
commended exercise, were it not, that in boyes exercises, I do require
the maisters presence, who will refourme that exercise against their
will to his owne discretion. Thus much concerning this exercise, wherby
the training maister may perceiue, both what the learned haue thought
of it, and how much the learners are like to gaine by it.
FOOTNOTES:
[10] Lib. 1. c. 2.
[11] Libro 1. Χρονίων, cap. 1.
[12] Lib. 11. Epist. 97.
[13] Lib. de remed.
CHAPTER 13.
OF MUCH TALKING AND SILENCE.
Talking in Latin _Sermo_, as it is accounted an exercise for succouring
some partes, so both for eagernesse, and heat, in the nature of
speeche, though not of passion, it comes farre behinde others, and is
therfore regestred among the meane, and weake exercises. It is thought
verie fit for such, as be drousely giuen: which haue their senses
daunted, either thorough dreaming melancholie, or dulling phleame. For
such kinde of people by talking be cleared, their mindes awaked, their
senses freed from the burden of their bodies. That _talking_ spendes
phleame there is no plainer proofe, then that they which talke much
spit stil, which as it commeth partly from the head, partly from the
stomacke, partly from the chest: so it declareth, that those partes
delite in speeche, and receiue comfort from speeche, which makes roome
for health, where reume kept residence. But as in these cases, it is
counted healthfull: so hath it a force to fill the head, with somwhat
more then dinne, and to make it dumpishe. And therefore in aches, and
distemperatures of the head, clattering is commended to the cloakbag
by Physick. It is also a poyson to the pained eyes: ill for them that
voide blood either at the nose or from the bulke. Whervpon in any
such bleading silence is enioyned. And as silence is a meane both to
stay bleading, and to slake thirst, so talking dryes the toungue and
prouockes thirst, openeth the passage, and promoteth bleading. In
so much as _Pline_[14] writeth, that one _Mecenas Messius_, a noble
Romain, betooke him selfe to voluntarie silence, the space of three
yeares, to staie the casting of blood, which he fell into by reason of
some straine. To be short, as silence remedyeth the cough and hikup: so
talking pulleth downe, and paines the patient, when agues grow vpward,
and be in the encrease. Herevpon I conclude, that talking hath great
meane either to make or marre, not onely for the subiect, wheron the
toungue walketh, but also for the obiect, wherin health resteth.
FOOTNOTES:
[14] Lib. 27, cap. 6.
CHAPTER 14.
OF LAUGHING, AND WEEPING. AND WHETHER CHILDREN BE TO BE FORCED TOWARD
VERTUE AND LEARNING.
If _laughing_ had no more wherfore to be enrouled in the catalogue of
exercises, then _weeping_ hath, they might both be crossed out. And
yet as they be passions, that tende in some pointes, to the purging of
some partes, so some may thinke it, a verie strange conceit, to laugh
for exercise, or to weepe for wantonnesse. For as laugh one may, with
an hartie good will, so weepe none can, but against their wil, to whom
it is allotted in the nature of an exercise, and not quite questuarie,
as to those wailing women, which wepte for the deade, whom they knew
not aliue. There be manie and very easie, and much desired meanes, to
make one laugh though they haue small cause, and lesse deuotion to be
mery at all, but to make one weepe, is stil againe the haire. For ill
newes or matter to weepe for, neither children, nor olde folkes, will
thanke you at all. If you meane to make them weepe for ioye, or crye
for kindenesse, that is an other matter. If the maister should beate
his boye, and bring no cause why, but that he sought to haue him weepe,
so to exercise him to health, and to ridde him of some humours, which
made him to moist, the boye would beshrew him, and thinke his maister
beate him so, to exercise himselfe, though at the verie conceit of his
maisters mad reason, he might brust out in _laughing_ streight after
his stripes, and so become a patrone to the contrary exercise: a great
deale more gracious and more desired in nature, whose enemie greife
is, and _weeping_ also: as a plaine argument of an vnpleasaunt guest.
Howbeit seing they be both set downe, by the name of pettie, and pretie
exercises, let them haue that is giuen them, seeing they are thought to
stirre, and cleare some partes: _laughing_ more and better: _weeping_
lesse and worse. And therfore the more children laugh for exercise, the
more light some they be, the more they weepe if it be not in ieast,
so much the worse in very good earnest. For I can hardly beleue that
much _laughter_ can auoide a foole, if it be not for exercise, which is
also somwhat rare: or that but a foole can weepe for exercise, which
deserues the bat, to make him weepe in earnest.
But for _laughing_ in the nature of an exercise and that healthful,
can there be any better argument, to proue that it warmeth, then the
rednesse of the face, and flush of highe colour, when one laugheth
from the hart, and smiles not from the teethe? or that it stirreth
the hart, and the adiacent partes, then the tickling and panting of
those partes themselues? which both beare witnesse, that there is some
quicke heat, that so moueth the blood. Therfore it must needs be good
for them to vse _laughing_, which haue cold heades, and cold chestes,
which are troubled with melancholie, which are light headed by reason
of some cold distemperature of the braine, which thorough sadnesse, and
sorrow, are subiecte to agues, which haue new dined, or supped: which
are troubled with the head ache: for that a cold distemperature being
the occasion of the infirmitie, _laughing_ must needes helpe them,
which moueth much aire in the breast, and sendeth the warmer spirites
outward. This kinde of helpe wil be of much more efficacie, if the
parties which desire it, can suffer themselues to be tickled vnder the
armepittes, for in those partes there is great store of small veines,
and litle arteries, which being tickled so, become warme themselues,
and from thence disperse heat thorough out the whole bodie. But as
moderate _laughing_ is holesome, and maketh no too great chaunge, so to
much is daungerous, and altereth to sore. For besides the immoderate
powring, and pressing out of the spirites: besides to much mouing and
heating, it oftimes causeth extreame resolution and faintnesse, bycause
the vitall strength and naturall heat driue to much outward. Whervpon
they that laugh do sweat so sore, and haue so great a colour, by the
ascending of the blood. And as the naturall heat, and fire it selfe do
still couet vpward, as to their naturall place, so must it needes be,
that the lower roomes lie open, and emptie in their absence, wherby
whether soeuer motion be marred, the naturall heat dyeth, and the
vitall force faileth. Besides this, no man wil denie, but that this
kinde of _laughing_, doth both much offende the head, and the bulke, as
oftimes therewith both the papbones be loosed, and the backe it selfe
perished. Nay what say ye to them that haue dyed _laughing_? where
gladnesse of the minde to much enforcing the bodie, hath bereft it of
life.
[Sidenote: Weeping.]
For _weeping_ in the nature of an exercise, there is not much to be
said, but that it is accompanied with crying, sobbing groning and
teares, wherby the head, and other partes are rid of some needlesse
humour: though the disquieting do much more harme, then the purging can
do good, and the humour were a great deale better auoided some other
waye. Wherof some children seeme to be exceeding full, when feare of
beating makes them straine their pipes. _Aristotle_ must beare both
most blame for this exercise, if it displease any, and most praise,
if it profit any, who in the last chapter[15] of the seuenth booke of
his politikes writeth thus of it, and for it. That they do not well
which take order, that children straine not themselues, with crying
and weeping, bycause that is a meane to their growing, in the nature
of an exercise. And that as holding the breath doth make one stronger
to labour: so crying and weeping in children, do worke the same or
the like effectes. And yet me thinke it should be no exercise, by the
verie definition. For if it were vehement, yet is it not voluntarie,
and though it did alter the breath, yet it bettereth not the bodie,
howsoeuer it serue the soule.
But seeing the _gymnastikes_ haue it, let vs lend it them for their
pleasure, though we like it not for our owne. It is generally banished
by all Physicians as being the mother to manie infirmities, both in
the eyes and other partes: neither if it could be auoided in schooles
were it worthy the looking on: being the heauy signe of torture and
trouble. And though it somtime ease the greiued minde to shedde a few
teares, as some for extreme anguish cannot let fall one, yet children
would be lesse greiued if they might shedde none, as some hold it a
signe of a verie shrewd boye, when he deserues stripes, not to shew
one trikle. Some Physicians thinke by waye of a conserue to the minde,
that it ought to be vsed in schooles sometimes, though not voluntarie,
yet in forme of an exercise to warme shrewd boyes, and to expell the
contagious humours of negligence, and wantonnesse, the two springes of
many streaming euilles: as playing would be daily, at some certaine
houres, then to vse these exercises, when bookes be out of season.
The greatest patron of weeping that I finde, leauing _Heraclitus_ to
his contemplation of miseries, is a soure centurion in _Xenophon_,[16]
which sat at the table with _Cyrus_ in his pauilion. He commendeth
weeping, wherto he had no great deuotion, to discountenaunce _laughing_
which he saw allowed, and his reason is: bycause _awe_, _feare_,
_correction_, _punishements_, which commonly haue _weeping_, either
companion, or consequent, be vsed in pollicy, to kepe good orders
in state, and good manners in stay, wheras _laughing_ is neuer, but
vpon some foolish ground. And yet both _laughing_ for exercise may be
for a good obiecte, and occasion to make laughter, may well deserue
praise, when the minde being wearied either about great affaires that
are alreadie past, or about preuenting of some anquish which is to
ensue, doth call _laughing_ to helpe, to ease the one, and to auert
the other. And this kinde of _weeping_, which the soldiar settes out
so, concerneth no exercise, though it commonly follow all vnpleasaunt
exercises, where the partie had rather be idle with pleasure, then so
occupyed to his paine: but it tendeth to the impression, or continuing
of vertue in the minde: which should be so much the worse, bycause that
waye it seemeth vnwilling, where feare is the forcer, and not free
will. Which free will is the principall standard to know vertue by,
which is voluntary, and not violent: as it is not the beast meane, to
bring boyes neither to learning, nor to vertue.
_Socrates_ in _Plato_[17] thinketh, that an absolute witte in the
best sorted kinde, and aboue all common sorte, for ciuill societie,
ought not to be forced, as in deede what needes he, being such a
paragon? and that free will in such a one so sifted is the right receit
of voluntarie traine. But we neither haue such common weales, as
_Socrates_ sets forth, nor such people to plant in them, as _Socrates_
had, which he made with a wishe: nor any but subiecte to great
infirmities, though some more, some lesse, by corruption in nature,
which runneth headlong to vnhappinesse, and needeth no beating for not
being nought. And therfore we must content our selues with that which
we haue, and in our countrey which is not so absolute, in our children
which be no _Socraticall_ saintes, in our learning which will not
proue voluntarie, if the child playe voluntarie we must vse correction
and awe, though more in some, then some, bycause in illnesse there be
steps, as in excellencie oddes. Wherof there is no better argument then
that which this verie place offereth, not for the soldiars saying,
which so commendeth awe, bycause his authoritie is to campishe, though
he that brought him in, and platted the best prince were himselfe no
foole: but for mine owne collection. For if one neede not to beat
children to haue them do ill, whervnto they are prone, we must needes
then beat them for not doing wel, where nature is corrupt. Onelesse we
meete with one, that will runne as swift vphill against nature, to do
that which is good, as we all runne downe bancke, with the swinge of
nature, to do that which is ill. Which when I finde, I will honour him,
as I do none, though I do oft beare with some, in whome there appeareth
but some shew of such a one. If vnder doing well, ye comprehend not
learning, ye must needes comprise vertue, and make her meane violence,
against all both heauenly _Diuinitie_, and earthly _Philosophie_, with
whom all vertues be voluntarie, when reason is in ruffe: but not in
children euen for compassing of the best effectes, whom custome and
traine must now and then force foreward, to be ready for reason, when
she maketh her entrie, which requireth some yeares. For howsoeuer
_religion_, _wisdome_, _duetie_, and reasonable _consideration_ do
worke in riper age, sure if awe be absent, in the younger yeares, it
will not be well. And who can tell, what euen he that vnder lawe is
most obsequious and ciuill, would of him selfe proue, if lawe, which
emportes awe, would leaue him at libertie?
FOOTNOTES:
[15] 7 Polit. cap. vlt.
[16] Lib. 2 παιδ.
[17] 7 De Rep.
CHAPTER 15.
OF HOLDING THE BREATH.
Though all men can tell, what a singular benefit breathing is,
whervnder the vse of our life is comprehended: yet they can best tell,
which haue it most at commaundement. For as they liue with others, in
societie of common dealinges, so they can execute any thing by the
bodie, farre better then others, whether it be politike in the towne,
or warlike in the fielde. And all exercises haue this ende, most
peculiar and proper, by helping the naturall heat, to digest the good
nurriture, and to auoide the offall, thorough out the whole bodie.
Which what is it els, but to set the breathing at most libertie, being
best discharged of impediment and let? And as the libertie of breathing
maketh the soldiar to abide in fight long, the runner to continue his
race long, the daunser to endure his labour long, and so forth in the
rest, which must either haue breath at their will, or els shrinke in
the midest: so the restraint and binding of the breath, euen where it
is most at will, (for else it could not abide the restraint,) hath his
commoditie, by waye of exercise to assist our health.
Now in breathing there be three thinges to be considered, the taking
in, the letting out, and the holding in of the breath, wherof euerie
one hath his priuate office to great effect, in the vpholding of
health, and maintaining of life. For when we take in our breath, by
the working of the lungues thorough such passages, as be appointed for
the vse of breathing, we conueigh and fetch in aire into the roomy and
large places of the bulke, to coole the harte and fine the spirites.
When we let out our breath by those same passages, by which we tooke
it in, we discharge the hart of a certaine smoky substance engendred
in it, which is conueyed thence, thorough the same hollow, and roomie
places of the bulke. When we hold and kepe in our breath which is
of iudgement, and not of such neede as the other two, and done vpon
cause to helpe nature therby: we must neither fetch aire inward, nor
sende those smokie excrementes outwarde, bycause the belly and breast
muscles and such fleshy partes as be about the ribbes being violently
and vehemently strained and stretched, do for the time as it were mure
vp, and stop the passage. This keeping in of the breath, by reason
of the straine offered to those partes, and heating of the bowells,
is therfore heeld for one of the vehement exercises, as it is also
a postparatiue, called before apotherapeutike, bycause after maine
stirringes it helpeth to expell those residences, which lynger within
the bodie as being lothe to depart: and furthereth those, that are
in good waye, and make hast to be gone. They that vsed this exercise
by waye of traine to health, did it in two sortes: for either they
strayted onely those muskles, which appertaine to the breast and bulke,
and let those be at libertie which belong to the midrife and belly,
that the excrementes might haue the readier waye downward, being once
forced on: or they strayned both all the partes, and all their muscles
at one time, that the bowelles also which are beneth the midrife might
enioye the benefit of the exercise, and be as ready to discharge, as
the other to driue downe. But for the better and more daungerlesse
performing therof, they were wont to swadle the chest, the ribbes,
and the belly. Bycause the holding of ones breath vnaduisedly and
with to much strayning causeth ruptures and diuers other infirmities
in the interiour vesseles of the bodie. Their meaning was hereby,
sometime to strengthen the inward and naturall heat being encreased
by exercise: sometime to helpe the breathing partes: sometime to
discharge the breast and bellie of needlesse burden. For the breath
being so violently strayted, when it findeth issue forceth his owne
passage, and caryeth with him some finish and thinne excrement, either
driuing it before, if it lye in his waye, or drawing it with him,
if he catch it by the waye. Being of it selfe such a strainer, and
expeller, it is good for to open the pipes, to fine the skinne, to
driue out moysture from vnder the skinne: to warme, to strengthen and
to scoure the spirituall and breathing partes, to make the places of
receit more roomy, to encrease strength in labour, to helpe the eare
in listening, to remoue coldnes or inflations from the entrailles, to
stay the hikup and the cowgh: which commeth of some cold distemperature
in the windepipes, to remedie the colick, the weaknesse of stomacke,
the want or difficultie of breath. So that all those ought to esteeme
of it, which haue their breathing and spirituall partes either cold
or weake, or cloyed with excrementes, or whose bodies can either with
much adoe or with none at all expell and ridde superfluous humours,
or that be cumbred with much gaping and yawning, with resolution or
weaknesse of the tongue, or any vocalle instrument. If it were to be
perceiued by no waye els, verie children let vs see, that holding of
the breath doth stirre and strengthen that power in vs, wherwith we
expell superfluities. For let them staye their breath either laughing
long, or weeping fiercely, or vpon some such other occasion, and they
will either presently or verie shortly after, disburden themselues
one waie or other, by ordure, vrine, or some other matter at the nose
and eares. Now as this exercise is healthful to manie in good order:
so contrariewise to some in disorder it is verie daungerous, bycause
oftimes while the breath is to forcibly stopt, the arteries in the
iawes, and baulles of the eyes swell so, as they will never come in
temper againe. It filleth the head also with a grosse and stuffing
humour, as maie easely be seene by the swelling of the vaines and
arteries in the neck, by the puffing about the eyes, by the rednesse
of the face, and by the strutting of the whole head, all which be
manifest signes of repletion. It is daungerous for those which be
subiect to the falling sicknesse, bycause it encreaseth the disease
by that recourse, which the blood hath vp into the head: as also to
them which spit or cast vp blood, for that both the sound and whole
inward vesseles do burst with stretching, if they be but weake: or
being broken once before, and healed againe, they will then breake
out againe, by reason of heat which is encreased in the hollow of the
breast, and the ouerstraining of the said vesselles withall. Moreouer
such as from their birth haue small entraulles and thinne, or the rim
of their bellie tender and weake: or that be troubled with renting and
ruptures must in no case minde this exercise, bycause it straineth
those partes to sore, and lightly teareth them, as it proueth oftimes
to pitifull true in young children, which by holding their breath to
long, either weeping or otherwise, oftimes breake either the rim of
their belly, or the call of their cods, wherby the bowelles and guttes
falling downward, they become miserably tormented with incurable
ruptures and burstinges: If trumpetters, and those that play vpon winde
instruments were asked the question, whether they feele not the effect
herof somtime, they would shake the head, and so sooth the demaunde,
though they said no more. They do write of _Milo_[18] the _Crotoniate_,
a great champion in those achleticall exercises, that he vsed to binde
his forehead, his breast, and his ribbes with verie strong tapes,
and would neuer let his breath goe, till the vaines were swelled so
full, as they burst the tapes. But this fellow had no fellow in any
of those pastimes. It was he that bare the bull vpon his shoulder in
the _Olympian_ assemblie by vsing to cary him of a litle young calfe.
So great thinges be easely compassed, if they be set in hand with,
when they be but litle, or medled with, by litle and litle. The best
waye to auoide perill in this exercise is to beginne gently, and so to
grow on by degrees, and to leaue be times before extremitie bidde hoe,
and while ye be yet able to do more, neither to force nature to the
furthest.
FOOTNOTES
[18] Hier. Mercu. lib. 3, cap. 6.
CHAPTER 16.
OF DAUNSING, WHY IT IS BLAMED, AND HOW DELIUERED FROM BLAME.
Daunsing of it selfe declareth mine allowance, in that I name it among
the good and healthfull exercises: which I must needes cleare from some
offensiue notes, wherwith it is charged by some sterne people: least
if I do not so, it both continue it selfe in blame still, and draw me
thither also with it, for allowing of a thing, that is disliked, and
by me not deliuered from iust cause of misliking, which by my choice
do seeme to defend it. And yet I meane not here to rippe vp, what
reading hath taught me of it, though it seeme to haue serued for great
vses in olde time, both athleticall for spectacle and shew: militare
for armour and enemie: and Physicall for health and welfare: so many
and so notable writers, make so much and so oftimes mention therof in
all these three kindes. Some dedicate whole volumes to this argument
onely, some enterlace their brauest discourses with the particularities
therof, and those no meane ones. And in deede a man, that neuer red
much, and doth but marke the thing cursorily, would scant beleue,
that it were either of such antiquitie, or of such account, or so
generally entreated of by learned men, all those their writinges stil
sounding to the praise and aduancement therof: howsoeuer in our dayes
either we embase it in opinion: or it selfe hath giuen cause of iust
embasement, by some peoples misvse. Many sortes of it I do reade of,
but most discontinued, or rather quite decayed, that onely is reserued,
which beareth oftimes blame, machance being corrupted by the kinde of
_Musick_, as the olde complaint was: machance bycause it is vsed but
for pleasure and delite onely, and beareth no pretense or stile of
exercise, directly tending to health, which is our peoples moane now in
our dayes. For where honest and profitable reasons be not in the first
front, to commend a thing, but onely pleasaunt and deliteful causes,
which content not precise surueiours, there groweth misliking, the
partie that exerciseth, not pretending the best, which is in the thing,
and the partie that accuseth, marking nothing else but that, which
maye moue offence. The sad and sober commodities, which be reaped
by _daunsing_ in respect of the motion applyed to health be these,
by heating and warming, it driueth awaie stifnes from the ioyntes,
and some palsilike trembling from the legges and thighes, whom it
stirreth most, it is a present remedie to succour the stomacke against
weaknesse of digestion, and rawnesse of humours: it so strengtheneth
and confirmeth aching hippes thinne shankes, feeble feete, as nothing
more: in deliuering the kidneys or bladder from the stone, it is beyond
comparison good: but now such as haue weake braines, swimming heades,
weeping eyes, simple and sory sight, must take heede of it, and haue
an eye to their health, for feare they be disie when they daunce, and
trip in their turning, or rather shrinke downe right when they should
cinquopasse. Such as haue weake kidneys and ouerheated, may displease
them selues, if it please then [them] to daunce, and encrease their
diseases, by encreasing their heat.
[Sidenote: The blame that daunsing beareth.]
The _daunsing_ in armour, called by the Greekes πυῤῥιχὴ, as it is of
more motion in exercise, so it worketh more nimblenesse in executing,
when ye deale in the field with your enemies. These be the frutes which
are reaped by _daunsing_ well and orderly vsed, for the benefit of
health, and the contrary displeasures, which are caught by it, thorough
inconsiderate applying of it, by the partie which is not made for it.
The blames which it beareth be these. That it reuelleth out of time,
wherewith Physick is offended: That it serueth delite to much, whereat
good manners repine. For these two faultes there is but one generall
aunswere: that daunsing is healthfull, though the daunsers vse it not
healthfully, as other things of greater countenaunce be verie good,
though the professours do not so, as their professions do enioine them.
For the first in particular, the rule of health condemnes not daunsing,
but the mistyming of it: that it is vsed after meat, when rest is most
holesome: with full stomacke, when digestion should haue all the helpe
of naturall heat: that to please the beholders, such as vse daunsing
do displease them selues. And sure if _daunsing_ be an exercise, as
both all antiquitie doth commend it for, and I my selfe do allow of
it by that name: it would by rule of Physick go before meat, and not
be vsed but long after, as a preparatiue against a new meale: and a
disburdener of superfluities, against a surcharge of new diet: Howbeit
there be in it some more violent measures then some: and in beginning
with the most staydest and most almanlike, and so marching on, till the
springing galliard and quicker measures take place, choice in euerie
one, vpon knowledge of his owne bodie, and his emptinesse or saturitie
maye helpe health, though the custome of eche countrey commaunde not
onely health, though to her harme, but euen the verie science which
professeth the preseruation of health, if desire egge delite, to shew
it selfe in place. Wherevpon the second blame of _daunsing_, doth
especially builde, and take her hold.
To keepe thinges in order, there is in the soule of man but one,
though a verie honorable meane, which is the direction of reason: to
bring things out of order there be two, the one strongheaded, which
is the commaundement of courage, the other many headed, which is the
enticement of desires. Now _daunsing_ hath properties to serue eche of
these, _exercise_ for health, which _reason_ ratifieth, _armour_ for
agilitie, which _courage_ commendeth, _liking_ for allowance, which
_desire_ doth delite in. But bycause it yeildeth most to delite, and
in most varietie of pleasures, desire ministreth most matter to blame,
_daunsing_ by pleasing desire to much, hath pleased reason to litle,
and when reason obiecteth inconueniences, it turneth the deafe side,
and followeth her owne swinge. For when the tailour hath braued, where
nature hath beawtified: when amiablenesse of person hath procured
agilitie by cunning, what gallant youthes in whom there is any courage,
can abide not to come to shew, hauing such qualities so worthy the
beholding? here will courage shew her selfe, though repentance be
her port, here will desire throng in prease, though it praise not in
parting. All this doth confesse that _daunsing_ is become seruant to
desire, though not _daunsing_ alone: and yet companions in blame be
no dischargers of fault. What then? for the generall, seing thinges
which man vseth, cannot be quite free from misuse, it is halfe a
vertue to winne so much, as there be as litle misuse, as may be: and
to charge the partie that deserues blame, with hinderance of health,
with corruption of manners, with ill losse of good time: which if he
care not for, the precept may passe, though he passe not for it. But
howsoeuer _daunsing_ be or be thought to be, seing it is held for an
exercise, we must thinke there is some great good in it, though we
protecte not the ill, if any come by it. Which good we must seeke to
get, and praie those maisters, which fashion it with _order_ in time,
with _reason_ in gesture, with _proportion_ in number, with _harmonie_
in _Musick_, to appoint it so, as it may be thought both seemely and
sober, and so best beseeme such persons, as professe sobrietie: and
that with all, it may be so full of nimblenesse and actiuitie, as
it may proue an exercise of health, being vsed in wholesome times,
and not seeking to supplant rest, as the rule of health at this daie
complaineth. And generally of all ages, me thinke it beseemeth children
best, to enable, and nimble their iointes therby, and to stay their
ouermuch deliting therin in further yeares. The very definition of
it declareth, what it was then, when it was right, and what it is
now, when it seemes to be wronge, if right in such thinges be not
creature to vse, and maye change with time, without challenge for the
change. They define _daunsing_ to be a certaine cunning to resemble
the manners, affections, and doinges of men and women, by motions and
gestures of the bodie, artificially deuised in number and proportion.
This was to them a kinde of deliuerie, to vtter their mindes, by
signes and resemblances, of that which came nearest to the thing, and
was most intelligible to the lookers on. But now with vs, there is
nothing left to the dauncer ordinarily, but the bare motion, without
that kinde of hand cunning (for so I terme their χειρονομία) bycause
the skill seemed then to rest most in the vse of the vpper partes, and
gesturing by the hand. The credit of our _daunsing_ now is to represent
the Musick right, and to cause the bodye in his kinde of action to
resemble and counterfet that liuely, which the instrument in his kinde
of composition deliuereth delicately: and with such a grace to vse the
legges and feete, as the olde daunsers vsed their armes and handes. And
as in the olde time both men, wymen and children did vse _daunsing_ to
helpe and preserue their health, to purchace good hauiour and bearing
of their bodies: so in these our dayes, being vsed in time, by order,
and with measure, it will worke the same effectes of health, hauiour
and strength, and may well auoide the opinion of either lewdnesse, or
lightnesse. Thus much for _daunsing_, as the motion is for health, and
the meaning for good.
CHAPTER 17.
OF WRASTLING.
For wrastling as it is olde and was accounted cunning sometimes, so
now both by Physicians in arte, and by our countreymen in vse, it
seemeth not to be much set by, being contemned by the most, and cared
for but by the meanest. Yet the auncient _Palestra_ a terme knowen to
the learned, and ioined with letters, and Musick, to proue the good
bringing vp of youth as a most certaine argument of abilitie well
qualified, fetcht that name of the Greeke πάλη, which we in English
terme wrastling, and was alwaye of good note, as wrastling it selfe in
games gat victories, in warre tried forces, in health helpt hauiour,
in the bodye wrought strength, and made it better breathed. _Clemens
Alexandrinus_[19] which liued at _Rome_ in _Galenes_ time in the
third booke of his Pædagogue, or training maister, in the title of
exercise, reiecting most kindes of wrastling yet reserueth one, as
verie well beseeming a ciuill trained man, whom both seemelinesse for
grace, and profitablenesse for good health, do seeme to recommende.
Then an exercise it is, and healthfully it may be vsed: if discretion
ouerlooke it, our countrey will allow it. Let vs therefore vse it so,
as _Clement_ of _Alexandria_ commendes it for, and make choice in our
market. Wherfore not to deale with the catching pancraticall kinde
of wrastling, which vsed all kindes of hould, to cast and ouercome
his aduersarie, nor any other of that sort, which continuance hath
reiected, and custome refused, I haue picked out two, which be both
ciuill for vse, and in the vsing vpright without any great stouping,
the one more vehement, the other more remisse. The vehement vpright
wrastling chafeth the outward partes of the bodie most, it warmeth,
strengthneth, and encreaseth the fleshe, though it thinne and drie
withall. It taketh awaie fatnesse, puffes, and swellinges: it makes the
breath firme and strong, the bodie sound and brawnie, it tightes the
sinews, and backes all the naturall operations. If they that wrastle do
breath betwene whiles, it prouoketh sweat, bycause the humours, which
were gathered together by rest, are egde out by exercise. If they go
on still without intermission, it dryeth vp the bodie in such sort as
the sonne doth. It is good for the head ache, it sharpneth the senses,
it is enemie to melancholie, it whetteth the stomacke being troubled
with any cold distemperature. And bycause the attemptes to get vantage
in wrastling be very eager and earnest wherwith the whole bodie is
warmed and set in a heat, it must of force be good for the bellie,
being anoyed and cumbred with any kinde of cold. Now contrarie it is
daungerous to be delt with in agues, as to vehement and conspiring with
the quiuerer, in naturall moysture as to filling, where it spreadeth.
For the necke and iawes perillous whom it harmes by rowgh handling, and
strangleth by much ouerstraining. For the breast and bulke not of the
best, as either bursting some conduit, or stopping some windcourse.
Weake kidneis, and wearie loynes may be but lookers vpon wrastlers.
They that be gawled or byled within, may neither runne nor wrastle, for
eagering the inward, being in way to amendement, or in will to proue
worse. If weake legges become wrastlers, of their owne perill be it,
for they do it without warrant. The remisse kinde of vpright wrastling,
as it is a more gentle exercise, so it breadeth much flesh, and is
therfore verie commodious for such as be vpon the recouerie after
sicknesse, as a kinde of motion, which without any danger, bringeth
strength and stowtnesse. It is freind to the head, bettereth the bulke,
and strengthened the sinewes. Thus much for wrastling, wherin as in all
other exercises, the training maister must be both cunning to iugde of
the thing: and himselfe present to preuent harme, when the exercise is
in hand.
FOOTNOTES
[19] παιδαγ. 3. De exercitijs.
CHAPTER 18.
OF FENSING, OR THE VSE OF THE WEAPON.
The vse of the weapon is allowed for an exercise, and may stand vs at
this daie now liuing, and our posteritie in great stede, as wel as it
did those which went before vs. Who vsed it _warlike_ for valiauntnesse
in armes, and actiuitie in the field, _gamelike_ to winne garlandes and
prices, and to please the people in solemne meetinges: _Physicklike_
to purchace therby a good hauiour of body and continuance of health.
Herof they made three kindes, one to fight against an aduersarie in
deede, an other against a stake or piller as a counterfet aduersarie,
the third against any thing in imagination, but nothing in sight,
which they called σκιομαχία, a fight against a shadow. All these were
practised either in armes, or vnarmed. The armed fensing is to vehement
for our trade, let them trie it, that entend to be warriers, which
shall finde it their freinde, if they meane to follow the fielde,
where, as in all other thinges vse worketh maisterie. But we scholers
minde peace, as our muses professe that they will not medle, nor haue
to do with _Mars_. All these sortes of fensing were vsed in the olde
time, and none of them is now to be refused, seing the same effectes
remaine, both for the health of our bodies, and the helpe of our
countries. That kinde of fensing or rather that misuse of the weapon,
which the _Romane_ swordplayers vsed, to slash one an other yea euen
till they slew, the people and princes to looking on, and deliting
in the butcherie, I must needes condemne, as an euident argument of
most cruell immanitie, and beyond all barbarous, in cold blood, to be
so bloodie. For their allegation, to harten their people against the
enemie, and not to feare woundes: no not death it selfe in the verie
deadly fight, that caryeth small countenaunce, where the _Athenian_[20]
comes in, which in cokfights and quailefightes, did so harten their
people: bycause those birdes will fight till they fall: without either
embrewing their youth with blood, or acquainting their citisens eyes
with such sanguinarie spectacles.
A thing complained on in the time when it was vsed, euen by them
which behelde it, as _Plinie_[21] doth note: and by the _Christianes_
which abhorred it, as _Cypriane_[22] cryeth out of it in moe places
then one. But for the credit and countenaunce of the exercise, that
was then vsed, and is now to be continued, _Plato_,[23] a man whose
authoritie is sacred among Philosophers and studentes, in his dialogue
surnamed _Laches_, where he handleth the argument of fortitude and
valiantnesse, encourageth young men to learne the vse of their weapon:
as being an exercise which needeth not to make curtsie to go with
the very best and brauest in his parish: either for trauelling or
strengthening the bodie, besides the cunning of it selfe. The profites
which health receiues by all these three kindes be these. He that
exerciseth him selfe either against an aduersarie, or against a post
or pillar as deputie to his aduersarie heateth himselfe thoroughly,
maketh way for excrementes, prouoketh sweat, abateth the abundance of
flesh, strengtheneth his armes and shoulders, exerciseth his legges
and feet marueilously. He that fighteth against a stake stirreth the
bodie, plucketh the flesh downe, and straynes the iuyce awaye, a
peculiar freind to the armes and handes: It refresheth the wearied
sense, it setleth the roming humours, it redresseth the fainting and
trembling of the sinewes, it deliuereth the breast from his ordinarie
diseases: it is good for the kidneyes: and the great gutte called
κῶλον, it furthereth such cariage as must be conueighed downward.
The same effects hath the fight against the shadow or the shadowish
nothing, but that it is a litle more valiant to light vpon somwhat then
to fight against nothing. But of all these three, the exercise against
an aduersarie is both most healthfull, and most naturall to aunswere
all assaies: and specially to canuase out a coward, that will neither
defend his freinde, nor offend his foe: the cheife frute that should
follow fensing. This is the opinion of the best writers concerning
fensing, or skill how to handle the weapon: no worse in it selfe,
though it be sometimes not worthily vsed, as it is no lesse profitable,
then hath bene said afore: though it shake and shiuer weake heades,
swimming braynes, and ill kidneys. The mo reasons any man can bring of
him selfe for any of these exercises, the more he fortifieth my choice,
which point them but out slightly.
FOOTNOTES:
[20] Solon apud Lucianum in Αναχάρσει.
[21] Lib. 28, cap. 1, & lib. 36. cap. vlt.
[22] Epist., Lib. 2.
[23] Plato in Lachete.
CHAPTER 19.
OF THE TOP AND SCOURGE.
He that will deny the Top to be an exercise, indifferently capable
of all distinctions in stirring, the verie boyes will beate him, and
scourge him to, if they light on him about lent, when Tops be in time,
as euerie exercise hath his season, both in daie and yeare, after the
constitution of bodies, and quantities in measure. Of this kinde of
Top, that we vse now a dayes, both for young and olde people, to warme
them in cold weather, I finde nothing in writing, bycause hauing no
yron ringes, nor pinnes, it can neither be the Greek κρῖκος nor τρόχος,
though the running about be bold to borrow the last name _trochus_. For
they whirled about, and along, with a marueilous great, though a pretie
noyse, and were pastimes for men euen in the midst of sommer, when our
Tops be bestowed, and laid vp against the spring. It resembleth the
Latin _Turbo_ most, and the Greeke βέμβιξ. The place of _Virgil_ in
the 7. of his _Æneis_, where he compareth _Amata_ the Queene in her
furie to this _Turbo_ which the boyes scourged about the wide haule:
declareth both what _Turbo_ is, and whose play it was, and that it best
resembleth our Top. Of βέμβιξ there was an old Greek _Epigram_, which
maketh it either the like or the same with our Top.
Οἵδ’ ἄρ ὑπὸ σκυτάλῃσι θοὰς βέμβικας ἔχοντες,
Ἒϛρεφον ἐυρείῃ παῖδες ἐνὶ τριόδῳ.
Which is to say, that children when they had their whirling gigges
vnder the deuotion of their scourges, caused them to troule about
the broad streates. The harme this exercise may bring must be to the
head and eyes, thorough stouping to much forward, or to the backe and
shoulders by bending to much downwardes, otherwise it warmeth the
bodie, and worketh all the effectes, which those exercises do that
either by mouing the legges or armes most, and with all the whole bodie
in degree, enlarge and stirre the naturall heat either to prouoke
appetite, or to expel superfluities. The more roome the Top hath to
spinne in, the better for the legges and feete, the bigger it is, the
better for the armes and handes. The vprighter one scourgeth, the
better for all partes, whom neither bending doth crushe, nor moysture
corrupt. It were to be wished, that it were whipt with both the handes,
in play to traine both the armes, seing vse makes the difference, and
no infirmitie in nature. As both _Plato_ wishing the same professeth
it to be most true and our experience teacheth vs, both in left handed
people, which vse but the left, and in double right handed which vse
both the handes a like, and beare the name of the right hand as the
more common in vse. But bycause the place of _Plato_ concerning the
left hande is verie pithie to this purpose though I vse not to auouch
much in the Greeke toungue, yet me thinke I maye not ouerpasse it. In
the seuenth booke of his lawes, allowing the indifferent vse of our
feete and legges, he complayneth of to much partialitie vsed towardes
the armes and handes, in these wordes, τάγε περὶ πόδας τε καὶ τὰ κάτω
τῶν μελῶν οὐδὲν διαφέροντα πρὸς τοὺς πόνους φαίνεται. Τὰ δὲ κατὰ χεῖρας
ἀνοίᾳ τροφῶν καὶ μητέρων οἷον χωλοὶ γεγόναμεν ἕκαστοι. τῆς φύσεως γὰρ
ἑκατέρων τῶν μελῶν σχεδὸν ἰσοῤῥοπούσης, αὐτοὶ διὰ τὰ ἤθη διάφορα αὐτὰ
πεποιήκαμεν οὔκ ὀρθῶς χρώμενοι, &c. For the performance of any kinde
of labour there is no difference, sayeth he, in the legges, and lower
partes. But for our armes, thorough ignoraunt nurses and mothers, we
be euery one of vs halfe lamed. For wheras naturally both the armes
be almost of equall strength, thorough our owne default we make the
difference. And so he passeth on still prouing the vnnaturall handling
of the left hande, when it is left weaker then the right hande is.
These be the exercises which I terme within dores, bycause they may
be practised at home vnder couert, when we cannot go abroad for the
weather: though all may be vsed abroad, if the roome and the weather do
serue abroad. Wherein I take it, that I haue kept _Galenes_[24] rule in
chusing these exercises, and that they be all both pleasant, profitable
and parable, the perfect circunstances of all good and generall
exercises, not to be costly to compasse, nor vnpleasant to loth them,
nor vnprofitable to leaue them. Those that require more libertie of
roome, to raunge at will, or to forrage in the field, be these, which
I noted before, _walking_, _running_, _leaping_, _swimming_, _riding_,
_hunting_, _shooting_, and _playing at the ball_.
FOOTNOTES:
[24] Lib. de parua pila.
CHAPTER 20.
OF WALKING.
Among those exercises which be vsed abroade, what one deserueth to be
set before walking, in the order and place of traine: what one haue
they more neede to know, which minde, the preseruation and continuaunce
of health? what one is there, which is more practised of all men, and
at all times, then walking is? I dare saye that there is none, whether
young or olde, whether man or woman, but accounteth it not onely the
most excellent exercise, but almost alone worthy to beare the name of
an exercise. When the weather suffereth, how emptie are the townes and
streates, how full be the fieldes and meadowes, of all kindes of folke?
which by flocking so abroad, protest themselues to be fauourers of that
they do, and delite in for their health. If ye consider but the vse
of our legges, how necessarie they be for the performaunce of all our
doings, _nature_ her selfe seemeth to haue appointed _walking_, as the
most naturall traine, that can be, to make them discharge their duetie
well. And sure if there be any exercise, which generally can preserue
health, which can remedie weaknesse, which can purchace good hauiour,
considering it is so generall, and neither excludeth person nor age,
certainly that is _walking_. Herevpon Physicians when they entreat
of this argument, vse alwaye to giue it, the place of preferment and
birthright in this kinde. The auncient Princes, and common weales so
highly esteemed of it, as in the places appointed for exercise, whether
within their great buildinges, or without, they seemed to minde no one
thing more: and still prouided walking roomes, to serue for all seasons
and times of the yeare, some couert and close, some vncouert and open,
some secret and hidden. The reason why they thus regarded _walking_,
was great, for as it seemeth to be, so it is in verie deede wholly
consecrate to the vse of health.
Is it euer red that the athlets or gamesters vsed walking for an
exercise: either in sportes, or in theaters, or in the solemnising of
their sacred ceremonies, whervnto they serued? did either _Plato_[25]
handling this argument, or any good writer else saye that walking
was any waye to traine vp soldiars withall? Onely _Vegetius_[26]
sayeth in his discourse of warfare, that it were good for soldiars to
accustome themselues to walke quickly and proportionately, for their
better breathing: and _Augustus Cesar_, and _Adrian_ the Emperours,
did ordeine by constitution, that soldiars both horsemen and footemen
should monthly be led abroad to walke and that not only in the plaine
fieldes, but in all kindes of soile, to be able by that acquaintaunce
with groundes, to make difficultie at none. So that _walking_ seemeth
to be onely institute both by nature and custome for the vse of health:
and that in the traine of health, no one thing deserueth better place
than it doth: bycause no other thing besides health layth claime vnto
it.
[Sidenote: The vse of slow walking after exercise.]
Herof there be two kindes, the one vsed after vehement exercises, the
other, which beareth the name of the exercise itselfe. Concerning the
former of the two, I haue but thus much to saye: bycause the latter is
my peculiar subiect. That it commeth in place, when other exercises
are dismissed, and finished, after purgations ministred by counsell of
Physick, after great vomiting: that it is good to refresh the wearied
minde: to alter and bring in order the spirites: to loose that which is
strayted, to scoure the chest: to make one fetch his breath at ease: to
strengthen the instrumentes of the senses, to confirme the stomacke,
to cleare and fine the bodie: and not to suffer it after trauaile to
melt or decaie, but to purge and cleanse it: and that, which is of most
account, to dissolue and bannish awaye all affections that procure any
feeling of weariesomnes, or disturbaunce to the bodie.
[Sidenote: The three principall kindes of walking.]
The second kinde of _walking_ hath three sortes vnder him. Wherof the
first beareth his name of the kinde of motion, how: The second of the
place, where: The thrid of the time, when the walking is vsed. Which
three also haue particular braunches vnder eche of them, as hereafter
shall appeare.
[Sidenote: Walking which is named after ye time of mouing.]
_Walkinges_ which take their names of the motion now, be either swift
or slow, vehement or gentle, much or litle, moderate, or sore, long and
outright, or short and turning: now bearing vpon the whole feete, now
vpon the toes, now vpon the heeles.
[Sidenote: Moderate walking.]
Of all these diuersities in _walking_ the moderate is most profitable,
which alone of all, that I rekened, hath no point either of to much, or
of to litle, and yet it is both much, and strayning, which be the two
properties of an healthfull walke. It is good for the head, the eyes,
the throte, the chest, when they be out of frame: so the partie spit
not blood. For distilling from the head, for difficultie of breath,
for a moyste and pained stomacke, wherin the nurriture either groweth
bitter or corrupteth: for the iaundise, costifnesse, fleeting of the
meat in the stomacke, stopping of the vrine, ache of the hippes, and
generally for all such, as either neede to prouoke any superfluitie
from the vpper partes downward, or to send that packing, which is
already in waye to depart. Now to the contrarie it is naught for agues,
bycause it encreaseth heat, and so consequently the disease: for the
falling euill, for hauking vp of blood: and in the time when one is
making water.
[Sidenote: Swift and quick walking.]
Swift _walking_ doth heat sore and abateth the flesh, whervpon to ease
the colicke, and to take awaie grossenesse, it is accounted a verie
good meane.
[Sidenote: Slow walking.]
Slow _walking_ hath the same effectes, that the apotherapeutike hath.
And therfore it is good for sickly weake olde men, and those which
delite in, or neede walking after meate, to setle it better in the
bottome of their stomacke: or that be newly awaked from sleepe, or that
prepare themselues to some greater exercise, or that feele any ache
in any part, or that haue drie bodies. When one hath the head ache it
is good to walke first slowly, and after a while a litle faster, and
stronger, strutting out the legges. Slow _walking_ is also good against
the falling sicknesse: bycause without any shaking to the head, it
fetcheth the humours downward, where it thinneth and disperseth them,
and warmes the whole bodie, without endammaging it. Finally in quartane
agues, when the fit is past, in leprosies, for tetters, ringewormes,
cankars, and to procure easie fetching of ones breath, it is verie
soueraine.
[Sidenote: Vehement and to sore.]
Vehement or to sore and to eager _walking_, is best for cold folkes,
and therfore good to driue away trembling or quaking, it encreaseth
puffing and blowing, and yet dissolueth, and disperseth winde. But
it is ill for weake heades and feete, and such as are indaunger of
the gout. For both the gout and the hippe ache do oftimes come of to
much and to sore walking. As to the contrarie gentle walking vpon soft
straw, or grasse, or vpon euen ground is good for any gout or inward
exulceration, before meat, but not after. For wearinesse is their
principall enemie: which heateth and enflameth their iointes to sore:
and thereby causeth them to draw stil more matter from the partes
further of, to feede their continuall fluxe.
[Sidenote: Much and oft.]
Much and oft _walking_ is good for them that haue a distempered bulk
or head: that perceiue small nurriture in their lower partes, that in
their exercises neede more vehement stirring.
[Sidenote: Litle and seldome.}
Litle _walking_ is good for them, that vse no bathing or washing after
exercise, which must needes walke after meate, to send it downe, to the
bottom of their stomacke, and for those which finde some heauinesse in
their bodies.
[Sidenote: Long and outright.]
Long and outright _walking_ is nothing so troublesome as the short,
that maketh many turnes. It is good for the head, and yet it sucketh vp
humours, and dryeth to fast.
[Sidenote: Long and quicke.]
Long and quicke _walking_ is goode to staye the hikup or yeaxing.
Short and soone _turning_ wearyeth sooner: and troubleth the head sorer.
Circular or _walking_ round about maketh one disie, and hurteth the
eyes.
In _walking_ to strout the legges, and beare vpon the heeles, is verie
good for an ill head, a moyst bulke, a strayned bellie, and for such of
the lower partes, as prosper not, yea, though the partie feede well:
and generally for all those, in whome superfluities steeme vpward.
To beare vpon the toes hath bene proued good for ill eyes, and to staye
loose bellies.
Bearing vpon the whole feete is alwaye incident to some of the other
kindes, and therefore ioyneth with eche of them in effectes.
[Sidenote: Walking which is named after the place.]
_Walking_which taketh the name after the place, is either on hilles
and high groundes, or in valleies and lowe groundes: againe the lowe
ground is, either euen, or vneuen: either vnder couert, or abroad:
in the sunne, or in the shade. When one walketh vp against the hill,
the bodie is marueilously wearied, bycause all the sway and poize of
it presseth downe those partes, which are first moued. And for all
that such motions be heauie and slow, yet they cause one sweat sooner
and sorer, and staye the breath more, then the _walking_ downhill
doeth: bycause heauie thinges bearing naturally downward, are forced
vpward against nature. Whervpon heat which beareth the bodie vp, as in
comming downe it trauelleth not of his owne nature, so preasing vpward
it is burthened with the bodie, whereby it both encreaseth it selfe,
prouoketh sweat, and stayeth the breath. This kinde of walke afore
meate is good for the bulke, which hath not his breath at commandement.
_Demosthenes_[27] strengthened his voice by it, pronouncing his
orations alowd, as he walked vp against the hill, whereby he gat the
benefit of breathing, to deliuer his long periodes, without paine to
himselfe, or breach to his sentence. The knees are most toiled in this
kinde of walking, being forced backward contrarie to their nature, and
therfore to their griefe.
[Sidenote: Walking downhill.]
_Walking_ downhill draweth superfluity from the head more than the
other doeth: but withall it is enemy to feeble thighes, bycause they
both moue the legges, and support all the whole weight of the bodie
aboue. The change and varietie of the motion causeth that kinde of
walking to be best liked, which is sometime vphill, sometime downhill.
When ye walke vpon euen or vneuen ground, ye walke either in medowes or
grassie places, or in rowgh and brambly, or in sandie and soft. If ye
walke in a medow, it is without all contradiction most for pleasure,
bycause nothing there anoyeth, nothing offendeth the sense, and the
head is fed both with varietie of sweet odours, and with the moysture
of such humour, as the medow yeeldeth.
Rough, brambly, and bushy groundes stuffe the head.
[Sidenote: Walking vpon sande.]
Sandie, and cheifly if it be any thing deepe, bycause the walking in
it stirreth sore, confirmeth and strengtheneth all the partes of the
bodie: and fetcheth superfluities mightily downward. This was one of
_Augustus Cæsars_ remedies, as _Suetonius_[28] writeth, to helpe his
haulting and weake legges. For to cleare the vpper partes of that which
cloyeth them, there is nothing better then to trauell in deepe sande.
[Sidenote: Walking in a close gallerie.]
_Walking_ in a close gallerie is not so good, bycause the ayre there
is not so fresh, free, and open, but pent, close, and grosse: and
therfore stuffeth the bodie, onelesse the gallerie be in the vppermost
buildinges of the house, where neither any vapour from the ground can
come: and the ayre that commeth is pure and cleare.
The close _walkes_, which were called _cryptoporticus_ were not of
choice but of necessitie, when extremitie of weather would not let them
walke abroad.
[Sidenote: Walking in an open place.]
_Walking_ in an open place, and cheifly greene, is much better and more
wholesome, then vnder any couert. First of all for the eyes, bycause a
fine and subtile ayre comming from the greene to the bodie, which is
more penetrable bycause of stirring, scourreth awaye all grosse humours
from the eyes, and so leaueth the sight fine and cleare. Further,
bycause the bodie in walking waxeth hoat, the aire sucketh humours out
of it, and disperseth whatsoeuer is in it more then it can well beare.
Now in _walking_ abroad there is consideration to be had to the soile.
For _walking_ by the sea side ye thinne and drie vp grosse humours, by
riuers and standing waters ye moyst. Howbeit both these two last be
naught, and specially standing waters. Walking not neare any water, as
it is not so good as the walke by the sea, so it is much better, then
walking neare any other water. Walking in the dew moystes and harmes.
[Sidenote: It is good to walke where birdes haunt.]
If ye _walke_ in a place where birdes haunt, it is of great efficacie
to cleare by the breath, and to disburden the bodie so, as if ye did
walke in some higher ground. If there be no winde where ye walke, it
cleareth by breath, it disperseth excrements, it slakes and nippes not,
and is good for colicks that come of a cold cause. If there be winde,
the _Northern_ causeth coughing, hurtes the bulke, and yet confirmes
the strength, soundes the senses, and strengthens the weake stomacke.
The _Southwinde_ filles the head, dulles the instrumentes of sense, yet
it looseth the bellie, and is good to dissolue. The _Westwinde_ passeth
all the rest, both for mildenesse and wholesomnesse. The _Eastwinde_ is
hurtefull and nippes.
[Sidenote: It is better to walke in the shade then in the sunne.]
[Sidenote: Daungerous walking vnder dewy trees.]
[Sidenote: What effecte the faire and cleare aire hath.]
It is better _walking_ in the shade then in the sunne: as it is naught
for the headache to walke either in the cold or in the heat. And yet
it is beter to walke in the sunne, then to stend in it, and better to
walke fast, then slowly. Of all shades, those be the best which be
vnder walles or in herboures. It is verie daungerous _walking_ neare
vnto dewye trees, for feare of infection by the sappie dew: bycause
dew in generall is not so wholesome, it abateth the flesh, as wymen
that gather it vp with wooll or linnen clothes for some purposes do
continually trye. Now if the dew come of any vnwholesome matter, what
may it proue to? The best _walking_ in shadowes simply is vnder myrtle
and baye trees, or among quicke and sweet smelling herbes, as wilde
basell, penyroyall, thyme, and mynt, which if they be wild and of their
owne growing be better to wholesome the soile, then any that be set by
hande: but if the better cannot be, the meaner must serue. Againe in
this kinde of _walke_ the faire and cleare aire lighteneth, scoureth,
fineth, procureth good breathing, and easie mouing. Darke and cloudie
aire heauyeth, scoureth not by breath, and stuffeth the head.
[Sidenote: Walking which taketh his name after the time.]
_Walking_ which is termed after the time, is either in winter or
summer: in the morning or in the euening, before meat or after. The
most of these differencies will appeare then playnest, when the
time for all exercises is generally appointed, in consideration of
circunstance, as shall be declared vnder the title of time. In the
meane while _walking_ whether in the morning or euening, ought still to
go before meat.
[Sidenote: The good of ye morning walk.]
The _morning walke_ looseth the belly, dispatcheth sluggishnes, which
comes by sleep, thinneth the spirits, encreaseth heat, and prouoketh
appetite. It is good for moyst constitutions, it nimbleth and quickneth
the head, and all the partes in it.
[Sidenote: The good and ill of the euening walk.]
The _euening walke_ is a preparatiue to sleepe, it disperseth
inflations, and yet it is ill for a weake head. Walking after meat is
not good but only for such as are vsed vnto it. Yet euen they maye not
vse it to much. It is good also for them, which otherwise cannot cause
their meat go downe to the bottome of their stomacke.
And thus much for _walking_, both regarding the manner of the motion,
the place where, and the time when. Which circunstances though they
be many and diuers: yet to purchase the commodities, which walking
is confessed to be very full of, they must needes be cared for:
considering our whole life is so delt with, as if we hastened on death,
against the which, this exercise may be rightly termed an antidote, or
counterreceit.
FOOTNOTES:
[25] 3 De Rep.
[26] Lib. 1, cap. 9 & penul.
[27] Plut. in Demost.
[28] In Augusti vita. cap. 80.
CHAPTER 21.
OF RUNNING.