The manifest seruices which we receiue by our legges and feete, in

_warre_ for glorie, to pursue or saue, in _game_ for pleasure to winne

and weare, in _Physick_ for health to preserue and heale, do giue

parentes to vnderstand, that they do suffer their children to be more

then halfe maymed, if they traine them not vp in their youth to the vse

and exercise therof. To polishe out this point with those effectuall

reasons, which auaunce and set forth nature, when she sayeth in plaine

termes, that she meanes to do good: or with those argumentes, wherwith

the best authors do amplifie such places, when they finde nature so

freindly and forward, (as the anatomistes which suruey the workmanship

of our bodie, and histories, which note the effectes of swiftnesse,

do wonder at nature, and wish exercise to helpe her, for that which

they see) were to me nothing needefull, considering my ende is not

the praise, but the practise of that which is praiseworthy: neither

to tell you, what _Alexander_ the _Macedonian_, nor what _Papyrius_

the _Romain_ did by swifte foote, nor that _Homere_ gaue _Achilles_

his epithete of his footmanship, but to tell you that _running_ is an

exercise for health, which if reason cannot winne, wherof euery one

can iudge, sure historie will not, where the authors credit may be

called in question as to much fauoring the partie whom he praiseth,

wherefore I will leaue of all manner of by ornamentes, wherwith such

as be in loue with running do vse, to set it forth, and directly fall

to the seuerall kindes there of which differ one from an other, both

in the mouing it selfe, and also in the manner of the mouing whervpon

the effectes, which follow must needes proue diuers according to that

diuersitie. Running of it selfe is helde by the Physicians generally

to be a swift exercise which needeth neither much strength, nor great

violence, and in what sorte so euer it is vsed, it is ill for agues.

1. The first kinde of _running_ which beareth his name of the verie

motion vehement swift, and withall outright, hindereth health, rather

then helpeth it: and if it helpe it any waye, it is in that it abateth

the fleshinesse, and corpulence of the body: which if it chaunce to

be moyst, swift running will empty it of humours, and stay it also

quickly. It hath bene found so wholesome in some diseases of the splene

or mylt, as _Ætius_ a learned Physician writeth, that he knew some

which by walking and running onely were deliuered from all greife and

peine there. But it is verie vnwholesome for such as haue ill heades.

Whervpon _Aristotle_[29] in his Problemes, asking the question why

running which is thought to driue all excrementes downward, if it be

vehement and swift should be offensiue to the head, not in men and

wymen alone, but also in beastes, aunswereth thus: that the swift

motion, bycause it strayneth the strength, and stayeth the breath,

heates the head with all, and swelles the veines therein: so that they

draw vnto them forreine meane as cold or heat: and besides that, it

enforceth what so euer is in the breast to ascend vpwarde, whereby

the head cannot chuse but ake, which is the cause, that swift running

is naught for the falling euill. _Galene_[30] thinketh so basely of

this kinde of running, as he termeth it, a thing both an enemie to

health, to great a thinner of the whole bodie, and such a one, as

hath no manner of manly exercise in it. Besides this, it putteth him

which runneth so vehemently in daunger of some great conuulsion, if he

fortune to encounter any violent stop by the way.

2. The second kinde of _running_ which taketh his name of the gentle

and moderate mouing, warmes the body very well, strengthens the

naturall actions, prouokes appetite, helpes and turnes rewmes, and

catarres, some other waye. And therfore it is commended for a remedie

against the swiming of the head, against the drie cough, if ye holde

your breath withall, against exulcerations in the inner side of the

iawes, and the distortion or writhing of the mouth, which the Greekes

call κυνικὸν σπὰσμα. For though at the first it seeme to prouoke

defluxions and distilling of humours, yet within a small time it

stayeth them: and therfore it is thought to be good for those, which

are pained with the _Ischiatica_, which haue much a do to stirre their

legges at the first, but after that they haue runne a while, they be

so nimble and quicke, as if they had neuer felt any paine in those

partes. It strengtheneth the stomacke mightely, and deliuereth the

bellie from winde, and cold passions: whereby it is thought, and that

not without great cause to be verie good for the colike and dropsie:

it delayeth the swelling of the milt. For the gnawing of the guttes,

and some diseases of the kidneis it is exceeding good, so the kidneies

be not either presently, or haue not bene of late, subiect to some

exulceration. To saye that it is wholesome for the legges and feete,

were to make a doubt, where none can be, considering _running_ is their

proper and peculiar action. This exercise for all that it is such a

freind to health: yet bringes with it some inconueniences: for it is

verie laborious: it cooleth the flesh and furthereth not the feeding.

And as naturally of it selfe, it breadeth no great harme, so if it

meete with an ill head, or a weake bulke, or burning and hoat vrine,

it helpes to draw on diuers diseases. He that hath any rupture in the

twiste, or els where, must forbeare running, as those also, which

haue infected liuers or gauled kidneies. If the chased deare could

speake, he would desire the hunter to giue him leaue to pisse, when he

pursueth him sorest, and that for but so litle respite, he would shew

him a great deale more pastime: but the hunter which knoweth well that

the skalding vrine will not let him runne long, wil not lend him that

leasure: bycause he careth more for the frute of his owne praie, then

the effect of the deares prayer. All the other kindes of _running_

which follow, take their names of the manner of their mouing, wherof

the first is the long outright running, which if it continue on gently

though long, it warmeth the flesh, and makes it plumpe, and is verie

good, for great feeders, though it make the bodie slow and grosse.

_Running_ streight backward, and withall not hastily, is good for the

head, the eyes, the streatchers, the stomacke and the loynes. _Running_

round about, thinnes the flesh and streaches it, but cheifly the belly,

and bycause of the quicke motion, it gathereth moysture quickly. And

therefore _Hippocrates_[31] wisheth them to vse it, which dreame of

blacke starres, as the fore warning of some forreine disease. It

troubleth the head and makes it dizie: it marreth both the bulke and

the legges, and therefore would be left. He that runnes vphill straynes

him selfe sore, and doth neither his bulke nor his legges any great

good. He that runnes downhill makes his head giddy, shakes all within

him, and tries the weaknesse, or strength of his hippes. He that

runneth in his clothes sweateth sore, and warmes his flesh more: and

therefore it is good for them, that haue the head ache to runne so: and

those that haue somewhat to do, to fetch their breath. He that runneth

out of his clothes single or naked, sweateth much, which is much more

healthful how litle so euer it be, then much more, with the clothes on.

_Hyppocrates_[32] likes running generally more in winter then sommer.

_Oribasius_[33] in both, yea though sommer be in his prime and cheife

heat. The resolution is, when most sweating is best, which _Artistotle_

sayeth is in sommer.

FOOTNOTES:

[29] 5. para. probl. 9.

[30] De parua pila. lib.

[31] Lib. de insomnijs languentium.

[32] 3. Lib. de Diæta.

[33] 2. part. proble. 21. 33. 42.

CHAPTER 22.

OF LEAPING.

_Leaping_ should seeme to be somewhat naturall, and chearfull, bycause

at any pleasant or ioyefull newes, not onely the hart will leape for

ioye, but also the body it selfe will spring liuely, to declare his

consent, with the delited minde, and that not in young folkes alone,

but also in the elder, whom we commonly say that no ground can hold:

so that leaping seemes to stand the body in such a steade for vttering

of ioy, as the tongue serues the minde to deliuer her delite by speche

with laughter. The cattell and brute beastes bewraie their contentment,

and well liking, by the selfe same meanes, leaping and galloping of

them selues in their pasture when they be lustily disposed and in good

health. Though in training of the bodie by waye of exercise, there be

not so much regard had to the mirth of the minde, as to the motion of

the bodie: and yet being an exercise it may not be vnpleasant. In which

kinde it is noted to be vehement, wherein both strength is vsed to make

the body spring, and swiftnesse to make it nimble: being naturally an

interrupted race, as running is a continued leape. It serued the olde

world in _game_ for brauerie, and shew of actiuitie: in _warfare_ to

skip ouer diches and hard passages, in _Physicke_ for an exercise of

health, whereby it became more stately and imperiall, bycause the first

famous Romain Emperor _Augustus Cæsar_,[34] being troubled with the

_Ischiatica_ and stone in his bladder, and also hauing some weaknesse

in his left legge and feet, vsed this running leape, or leaping race to

helpe himselfe thereby. There be diuers kindes of leaping wherof I will

tuch the most likely.

1. _Leaping_ and springing without intermission is good to encrease the

naturall heat, to helpe digestion, to dispatche raw humours, though

afterward it anoie the head and brest, bycause it shaketh the head

verie vehemently: and by reason of much bending and so pressing the

backe, it oftimes breaketh some canall in the breast or lungues. 2. To

_leape_ running is good for such diseases of the head, as haue troubled

it long. It helpeth the bulke, bycause it vseth no violent bending,

nor pressing of the bodie, it fetcheth downe such needeles fumes, as

otherwise would haue ben aspiring vpward: it chearisheth weake legges:

which prosper not by nurriture, thorough some trembling and benummed

flesh. 3. _Leaping_ as we do commonly call it and vse it, doth driue

idle superfluities downward thoroghly, but bycause it shaketh the bulke

to sore, both by to violent mouing and to forcible strayning, it is

not good for it: though it shew a verie deliuer and an actiue bodie:

both to stirre and to do anything else. It driueth also the stone from

the kidneies into the bladder: yet it hurteth the knees by reason of

violent and continuall bending them. The _Lacedemonian_ wymen, whose

picture _Callimachus_ the painter, for his foolish curiosity named

κακοχειρότεχνος, as _Plinie_[35] reporteth, vsed to leape so, as their

heeles did hitte their hippes, which manner of leaping doth both purge

and drie. But me thinke I here some gentlewymen saye, fye vpon them

_Rigs_. Not so. The lawes and custome of their countrey did allow,

nay did commaunde them to runne, to leape, to wrastle, and to do all

such exercises, both as well, as men, and also with men. Their reason

was. They did thinke the childe lame of the one side, whose mother

was delicate, daintie, tender, neuer stirring, neuer exercising, not

withstanding, the father were neuer so naturally strong, neuer so

artificially trained. And to preuent that infirmitie in their owne

youth, they exercised their wymen also, no lesse then their men. As

_Plato_[36] wisheth his people in his common weale, which he patterneth

for the best. _Skipping_ againe the banck, as it helpeth the hippes,

so it hurteth the breast: and the same downhill cleareth the head from

superfluities, which it fetcheth downward: It strengtheneth the legges,

but it shaketh the bowelles to sore, which is very dangerous, for

ruptures anywhere: for the crooked swelling veines in the legge: for

all gouttes: for all those, in whom the humours vpon any small occasion

will fall downe to the feete: and cause them to swell.[37] Further in

cases where it were good to let blood or to purge, if either yeares or

some other impediment wil admit neither, to auoide superfluous humours,

_leaping_ will supply the roome. As it is verie ill for those which

pisse blood: or be in a flixe: or haue weake or ouerheated kidneies:

or that haue at that time, or not long before had, some gaule or

exulceration in the kidneies. And yet though the kidneies be sound,

eaping will sometime loose a veine. Eche kinde of _leaping_ is better

accomplished by holding of some weight in the hand for steddinesse,

then with the hand emptie and without his ballace.

FOOTNOTES:

[34] Suetonius in Augusto cap. 83.

[35] 34. Lib. cap. 8.

[36] 4. de Rep.

[37] Gal. 6. epi. commen. 3. aph. 2.

CHAPTER 23.

OF SWIMMING.

In the old time, when they would point at a fellow, in whom there was

nothing to be made account of, they were wont to saye, he neither

knoweth letter on the booke, nor yet how to _swimme_: wherby it

appeareth that _swimming_, was both in great vse, and of great price in

those daies, which either first brought forth that byword or afterward

maintained it, seing he was helde for no bodie that could not, or

but for a dastard which would not learne the sleight to _swimme_. The

traine came bycause it was then best to learne, when the iointes were

most pliable, and yet strong withall. The ende was either to saue

themselues in fightes by sea, or in flightes by lande, where they were

to passe riuers, or to assaile enemies by water, or for other such

seruices: as what if _Leander_ say it serues for loue, and bring both

_Hero_ to witnesse, which was partaker of the euill, and _Musæus_ the

Poete, which described their misfortune? Which considerations may

recommende _swimming_ to vs also: who may stand in neede of it, vpon

the same causes, and in the like euentes that they did. But bycause

it is so necessarie, it would not be vncurteously entertained, and

therefore regard must be had in what water ye swimme, for if ye swimme

in springes which are naturally hoat, it is stuffing, and yet good

for the palsie, so he that swimmeth do vse bladders, to ease him

selfe withall: and lighten his labour. To _swimme_ in marsh waters,

and pooles, infecteth both the head and all the residue of the bodie,

bycause rotten, and corrupt vapours, enter the pores of the bodie,

together with the moysture. It is reasonable good _swimming_ in lakes

and standing meres, which the larger they be and the clearer, the more

commodious and wholesome to swimme in. But no kinde of fresh water is

so good to swimme in, as the running riuer is, chiefly for them, which

be in health, to whom besides many other commodities, it serueth for

a preparative to sleepe. Yet it is not good abiding long in any fresh

water, for feare of perishing the sinues both with cold and moysture,

whose issues be the crampe, and the swimmers daunger. But nothing at

all, be it neuer so good for health, be it neuer so defensible to saue,

can be gotten without perill in prouing. And why should _swimming_

dreame of securitie, and neuer thinke to drowne? Doth it not deale with

water, where there is no warrant, but wisedome to forsee? pointe the

place, pointe the fight, pointe the daunger and a pointe for daunger:

but where you cannot appointe the particularitie, ye cannot warrant the

perill. _Cocles_,[38] scaped, it was in a small riuer, and reskue at

hand. _Scœna_ the centurion scaped, he was neare both shippe and shoar.

Nay _Cæsar_[39] himselfe saued him selfe from drowning, and helde his

lettres vp drie in the one hand. A signe of courage and cunning as that

man had enough; but his shippes were at hand, and it is not writen,

that either he swamme alone, or any long waye. But of all daungers to

drowne, there is least in the sea, where the swimming is best: for

the salt water as it is thicker then the fresh, so it beareth vp the

bodie better, that it may fleet with lesse labour. The _swimming_ in

salt water is very good to remoue the headache, to open the stuffed

nosethrilles, and therby to helpe the smelling. It is a good remedie

for dropsies, scabbes, and scurfes, small pockes, leprosies, falling

awaye of either legge, or any other parte: for such as prosper not

so, as they would, though they eate as they wishe, for ill stomackes,

liuers, miltes, and corrupt constitutions. Yet all _swimming_ must

needes be ill for the head, considering the continuall exhalation,

which ascendeth still from the water into the head. _Swimming_ in

hoat waters softeneth that which is hardened, warmeth that which is

cooled, nimbleth the iointes which are benummed, thinneth the skinne,

which is thickned, and yet it troubleth the head, weakneth the bodie,

disperseth humours, but dissolueth them not. _Swimming_ in cold water

doth strengthen the naturall heat, bycause it beates it in: it maketh

verie good and quick digestion: it breaketh superfluous humours, it

warmeth the inward partes, yet long tarying in it hurtes the sineues,

and takes awaye the hearing. Thus much concerning _swimming_, which can

neither do children harme in learning, if the maister be wise, nor the

common weale but good, being once learned, if either priuate daunger or

publike attempt do bid them auenture. For he that oweth a life to his

countrey, if he die on lande, he doeth his duetie, and if he drowne in

water, his duetie is not drowned.

FOOTNOTES:

[38] Liuius. C. Cæs.

[39] Appian.

CHAPTER 24.

OF RIDING.

If any wilbe so wilful as to denie _Riding_ to be an exercise and that

a great one, and fittest also for greatest personages, set him either

vpon a trotting iade to iounce him thoroughly or vpon a lame hakney

to make him exercise his feete, when his courser failes him. In all

times, in all countries, among all degrees of people, it hath euer

bene taken, for a great, a worthy, and a gentlemanly exercise. Though

_Aristophanes_ his testimonie, were naught against honest _Socrates_,

yet it is good to proue, that riding was a gentlemanly traine, euen

among the principles of education in Athens. And _Virgile_ in the

legacie sent to _Latinus_, describeth the same traine in the Romain

children, which, sayeth he, exercised themselues on horsebacke before

the towne. And _Horace_ accuseth the young gentleman in his time as not

able to hange on a horse. But to deale with stories, either Greeke, or

Latin, for the Romain or other nations exercise in riding in a matter

of such store, were more then needeles. The _Romains_ had their whole

citie diuided into partialities, by reason of the foure factions of

those exercising horsemen. Who of the foure colours, which they vsed,

Russet, White, Greene, and Blew, were named _Russati_, _Albati_,

_Prasini_, _Veneti_.[40] For the warres how great a traine riding is,

I would no countrey had tried, nor had cause to complaine, nor the

subdued people to be sorofull, though the conquerour do vant himselfe,

of his valiantnesse on horsebacke. For health it must needes be of

some great moment, or els why do the Physicians seeme to make so much

of it? They saye that generally it encreaseth naturall heat, and that

it purgeth superfluities, as that to the contrarie it is naught for

any sicke bodie, or that hath taken Physicke hard before, or that is

troubled with infection or inflammation of the kidneies. They vse to

deuide it into fiue kindes, _Slow_, _quicke_, _trotting_, _ambling_,

and _posting_.

1. Of _Slow riding_ they write that it wearieth the grines very sore,

that it hurteth the buttokes, and legges, by hanging downe to long,

and yet it heateth not much: that it hindreth getting of children, and

breadeth aches and lamenesse.

2. Of _quicke riding_ they saye, that of all exercises it shaketh the

bodie most, and that yet it is good for the head ache, comming of a

cold cause: for the falling euill, for deafnesse, for the stomack, for

yeaxing or hikup, for clearing and quickning the instrumentes of sense:

for dropsies: for thickning of thinne shankes: which was found true

in _Germanicus Cæsar_[41] nephew to _Tiberius_ the Emperour, which

so helped his spindle shankes. Againe quick riding is naught for the

bulke: for a weake bladder, which must forebeare all exercises, when it

hath any exulceration: for the _Ischiatica_, bycause the hippes are to

much heated and weakned, by the vehementnesse of the motion. Whervpon

the humours, which are styrred rest there: and either breede new or

augment olde aches.

Of _trotting_, it is said euen as we see, that it shaketh the bodie

to violently, that it causeth and encreaseth marueilous aches, that

it offendes the head, the necke, the shoulders, the hippes, and

disquieteth all the entrailes beyond all measure. And though it may

somewhat helpe the digestion of meate, and raw humours, loose the

belly, prouoke vrine, driue the stone or grauell from the kidneyes

downward, yet it is better forborne for greater euilles, then borne

with for some sorie small good.

_Ambling_ as it exerciseth least, so it anoyeth least, and yet looseth

it the bellie.

As for _posting_, though it come last in reading, it will be first in

riding, though for making such hast, it harme eche part of the bodie,

and specially the bulke, the lungues, the bowells generally, the

kidneyes: as what doth it not allway anoy, and oftimes either breake

or put out of ioynte by falles or straynes? It warmes and paires the

body to sore, and therfore abateth grossenes, though a grosse man be

ill either to ride post himselfe, or for a iade to beare. It infecteth

the head, it dulleth the senses, and especially the sight: euen til it

make his eyes that posteth to run with water, not to remember the death

of his friendes, but to thinke how sore his saddle shakes him, and the

ayer bites him.

FOOTNOTES:

[40] Gal. 7. meth. Pli. epist. 9. lib. 6. Martial. lib. 11. Iuuenal.

[41] Suetonius.

CHAPTER 25.

OF HUNTING.

_Hvnting_ is a copious argument, for a poeticall humour to discours of,

whether in verse, with _Homer_, or in prose, with _Heliodorus_. _Dian_

would be alleged, as so auoyding _Cupide_. _Hippolytus_, would be vsed

in commendation of continence, and what would not poetrie bring in to

auaunce it, whose musicke being solitarie and woddishe, must needes

be, nay is very well acquainted with the chace. If poets should faint,

the _Persians_ would fight, both for riding and hunting: so that if

patrocinie were in question, we neede not to enquire, they would offer

them selues, from all countries, and of all languages. But we need not

either for praise, or for prose, to vse forraine aduocats. For hunting

hath alway caried a great credit, both for exercising the bodie,

and deliting the mynde, as it semes to be verie naturall, because

it seeketh to maister, and to take beastes, and byrdes, which are

naturally appointed for mans vse, and therefore though they be taken

and killed, there is no wrong done them. The courteous _Xenophon_[42]

as delited himselfe therein, and all the auncient writers, as

subscribing to a truth, commend it marueilously, and chiefly, for a

proper elementarie to warlike vses, and _Mars_ his schoole, whether for

valiauntnes or for pollicy, because the resemblaunces of the chiefe

warlike executions do fall out in hunting, as the qualitie or courage

of the game offereth cause, either to vse force and manhoode, or to

flie to deuise and sutteltie.

The _Romain Emperours_ did exhibit publike hunting vnto the whole

people in way of pastime and pleasure. The _Physicians_ make much of

it: as being an exercise, which containeth vnder it most of the other

stirring exercises, for they that hunt, walke, runne, leape, shout,

hallow, ride, and what may they not do, hauing the whole country for

roome, and the whole day for time, to do in what they list? And though

_Galene_[43] do restraine it to men of great abilitie, as if hunting

were not for euery man to vse, which is one of the markes, whereby to

know the best exercises, that they be parable, and purchaceable euen to

meane purses: yet we see it in common to most, where restraint by law

doth not forbid it. Neither is the charge in respect of the exercise,

but in respect of the game, whereon the exercise is employed. To hunt

a hare, and course a hart, to chase a bucke, and chase a bore is not

all one, neither for prouision, nor for perill though the exercise haue

small oddes, which being compounded of those exercises that I named,

must nedes haue the same effectes, that those exercises haue besides

his owne. To warme the bodie very well, to disperse superfluites,

to abate flesh, to lessen ouerflowing moysture, to make one sleepe

soundly, to digest meat, and raw humors, to quicken both the sight and

the hearing, to keepe of old age, and finally to make the body most

healthfull, and the health most lasting.

_Rases_[44] a notable Arabicke Physician, writeth that in a great

plague there remained almost none aliue in a certaine towne, saue

hunters only, which escaped by reason of their preseruing exercise. And

_Mitbridates_ that famous king vsed hunting so much for his healthes

sake, as in seuen yeares space, it is written that he neuer came within

house, neither in citie nor countrie. And yet hunting is not good for

the head, when it is vsed with vehemence, as no other vehement exercise

is.

There be but two kindes of _Hunting_ to my purpose, the one on

horsebacke, the other one foote.

1. They that _Hunt_ on horsebake, for so much as they sometime gallop,

sometime ride fast, sometime hallow, sometime be stil, and varie so in

most actions, seeme to trauel euery part of their body, and therefore

it is thought, that thereby the brest, the stomacke, the entrailes,

the backe and legges be strengthened: but it is ill for them, which

are troubled with any paine in their head, and daungerous for feare of

breaking some veine in the breast: for the stone in the kidneyes, for

those that be of hoate constitution of body: for weake bellicawles,

and for feare of ruptures, because such thinges fall out oftentimes in

hunting on horsebacke: not without losse sometime of life.

2. _Hunting_ on foote, hath all the commodities, and incommodities to,

that hunting on horsebacke hath, sauing the daunger whereunto it is not

so much subiecte. And yet the trauell of the bodie is more, the body

hoater, the legges and feete more strengthened, the appetite to meat

more, to make children lesse. Neither of then is good but for strong

and healthful bodies, neither can hunting be but harmefull vnto them,

which vse it vnaduisedly, without consideration how they runne, by

way of pleasure and ordinarie exercise, or at the suddaine of a head,

for by tarying abroade all day, and feeding so vncertainely, and so

vnseasonably, there come sundrie inconueniences.

But of all _Hunting_ that is still best, wherein we exercise our

selues and our owne bodies most, not our hauks of howndes, because

exercises be meanes to make men healthfull, and other thinges be

meanes to bring that meane about. Such a kinde of hunting was it which

_Chiron_, _Machaan_, _Podalyrius_, _Æsculapius_, the parentes and

patrones of physike did vse, whose delite thererin, is our warrant in

choyce, bycause they being so great physicians, as physicke went then

in _Platoes_ opinion, did trie that in their owne persons, which they

deliuered to posteritie for the same vse.

FOOTNOTES:

[42] Lib de venat. 1. παιδ.

[43] De par pila lib.

[44] 3 Commen. 13 tract. cap. 3.

CHAPTER 26.

OF SHOOTING.

The physicians seeme to commend shooting for the vse of health

sufficiently, in that they make _Apollo_ and _Æsculapius_ the

presidentes and protectors of _Archerie_, which both be the greatest

gods, and chiefest patrones of ther owne profession. And that it is

a thing to be beloued, and liked, what argument is there that can be

alleadged of comparable force to that of _Cupide_ himselfe, which in

the matter of loue, doth bend with his bow, and enamour with his arrow?

But in sadnes to say enough of this exercise in few wordes, which no

wordes can praise enough for the commodities which it bringeth to the

health of the body: as it hath bene vsed by diuers nations, in diuerse

sortes, both on horsebacke and on foote, both for peace and warre,

for healthfull exercise and pleasant pastime: so none either now doth

vse it, or heretofore hath vsed it, more to health, and bettering of

the body then our owne countrimen do. As if it were a thing somewhat

naturall to _Ilandes_, bycause they of _Crete_ and _Cyprus_ in olde

stories, they of the _Indian_ Ilandes in new stories are noted also for

neare _Shooting_, strong _Darting_, and streight _Slinging_, whereof

the _Balear Ilandes_ seeme to take their name. Nay by all auncient

monumentes _Shooting_ should seeme to be both the eldest, and the

vsuallest defence in fighting a farre of, which though it haue now, and

tofore, haue had great place in the fielde for warfare: yet hath it

a great deale better place in our fields for wellfare: and therefore

the more, because it consisteth both of the best exercises, and the

best effectes of the best exercises. For he that shooteth in the

free and open fields may chuse, whether betweene his markes he will

runne or walke, daunce or leape, hallow or sing or do somewhat els,

which belongeth to the other, either vehement or gentle exercises.

And whereas _hunting_ on foote is so much praised, what mouing of the

body hath the foote _hunter_ in hilles and dales, which the rouing

_Archer_ hath not in varietie of growndes? Is his naturall heate

more stirred then the _Archers_ is? Is his appetite better then the

_Archers_ is though the prouerbe helpe the hungrie _hunter_? Nay in

both these the _Archer_ hath the vantage. For both his howers be much

better to eate, and all his mouing is more at his choice: because

the _hunter_ must follow his game of necessitie, the _Archer_ neede

not but at his owne leasure. For his pastime will tarystil, till he

come to it, the hunters game is glad to get from him. In fine what

good is there in any particular exercise, either to helpe natural

heat, or to cleare the body, or to prouoke appetite, or to fine the

senses, or to strengthen the sinewes, or to better all partes, which

is not altogither in this one exercise? Onely regard to vse it in a

meane doth warrant the _archer_ from daunger to himselfe: and an eye

to looke about, doth defende the passager from perill by him. I could

here speake much, if it were not to much, to say euen so much in

such a thing, being so faire a pastime, so pleasant to al people, so

profitable to most, so familiar to our country, so euery where in eye,

so knowne a defence, such a meane to offende, as there is no man but

knoweth it to be a preseruatiue to health, and therefore well to be

numbred among the trayning exercises. And chiefly as it is vsed in this

Iland, wherein the rouing must nedes be the best and most healthful,

both for varieties of motion in diuersities of soile, and by vsing all

_archery_, in exercising one kinde. For in rouing, you may vse either

the butte, or the pricke by the way for your marke, as your pleasure

shalbe. This exercise do I like best generally of any rownde stirring

without the dores, vpon the causes before alleadged, which if I did

not, that worthy man our late and learned countrieman maister _Askam_

would be halfe angrie with me, though he were of a milde disposition,

who both for trayning the _Archer_ to his bow, and the scholler to his

booke, hath shewed him selfe a cunning _Archer_, and a skilfull maister.

In the middest of so many earnest matters, I may be allowed to

entermingle one, which hath a relice of mirth, for in praysing of

_Archerie_, as a principall exercise, to the preseruing of health,

how can I but prayse them, who professe it throughly, and maintaine

it nobly, the friendly and franke fellowship of prince _Arthurs_

knightes in and about the citie of _London_, which of late yeares haue

so reuiued the exercise, so countenaunced the artificers, so enflamed

emulation, as in themselues for friendly meting, in workemen for good

gayning, in companies for earnest comparing, it is almost growne to an

orderly discipline, to cherishe louing society, to enrich labouring

pouertie, to maintaine honest actiuity, which their so encouraging the

vnder trauellours, and so encreasing the healthfull traine, if I had

sacred to silence, would not my good friend in the citie maister _Hewgh

Offly_, and the same my noble fellow in that order Syr _Launcelot_,

at our next meeting, haue giuen me a sowre nodde, being the chiefe

furtherer of the fact, which I commend, and the famosest knight, of the

fellowship, which I am of? Nay would not euen prince _Arthur_ himselfe

maister _Thomas Smith_, and the whole table, of those wel known

knights, and most actiue _Archers_ haue layd in their chaleng against

their fellow knight, if speaking of their pastime, I should haue spared

their names? whereunto I am easily led, bycause the exercise deseruing

such praise, they that loue so praiseworthie a thing neither can of

them selues, neither ought at my hand to be hudled vp in silence.

CHAPTER 27.

OF THE BALL.

The play at the _Ball_ seemeth compound, bycause it may be vsed, both

within dores, and without. Wherof good writers haue deliuered vs thus

much: that in the olde time there were diuers kindes of _balles_ and

diuers kindes of exercise therwith, according to the diuers vse of

the _ball_ either small or great: both amongst the _Romaines_ and

_Greekes_, whose names I vse so much, bycause they were best acquainted

both with the thinges, and with the right vse therof. _Galene_ in his

first booke of maintaining health, speaking of the _Germains_, who

vsed then to dippe their new borne children into extreme cold water

ouer head and eares, to trie their courage and to harden their skinne,

sayeth that he wrate those lessons of health and exercise, no more to

the _Dutch_ and such rude people as we also were then, then to beares,

boares and lyons: but to _Greekes_ and such people, as though barbarous

in nature, yet by traine and learning, were become greekish as we now

are, and the _Romains_ then were. So that our examples be fetcht from

these two nations, which either vsed the thinges most, and handled them

best: or else enriched their owne tongues with all that was best, and

when they had so done set them ouer vnto vs. But of all their exercises

with the _Ball_, we haue not any so farre as I can gesse, by their

notes, though we retaine the name: and yet our playing with the _Ball_

worketh the same effectes, which theirs did, as it appeareth by their

descriptions. Wherfore seeing they be so farre different from ours, and

almost worne out of knowledge euen to curious coniectures, which seeke

to sift them out, I will neither trouble my selfe with studying to set

downe their names: nor my reader with reading to gesse what they were,

and how they were vsed.

Three kindes shall content me, which our time knoweth, wherein all the

properties of their _balles_, and all the effectes of their exercises,

be most euidently seene. The _hand ball_, the _footeball_, the

_armeball_.

1. The litle _hand ball_ whether it be of some softer stuffe, and vsed

by the hand alone, or of some harder, and vsed with the rackette,

whether by tennice play with an other, or against a wall alone, to

exercise the bodie with both the handes, in euerie kinde of motion,

that concerneth any, or all the other exercises, is generally noted,

to be one of the best exercises and the greatest preseruations of

health. In so much as _Galene_ bestoweth an whole treatise vpon the vse

and praise of it, wherein he compareth it with other exercises, and

preferreth it before all, for parabilitie, to be all mens game: for

profitablenesse, to do all men good: for pleasauntnesse, to quicke all

mens spirites, and in short knits vp the some of his conclusion thus.

That the vse of the litle _ball_ doth plant in the minde _courage_,

in the bodie _health_, in all the limmes a trim and wel proportionate

_constitution_: so it be moderately and aduisedly executed. Playing at

the _ball_ in generall is a strong exercise, and maketh the bodie very

nimble, and strengtheneth all the vitall actions. The litle _handball_

is counted to be a swift exercise, without violence, and therefore the

rakketters in tennyse play, if they vse it in that kinde, which is

thought to be most healthfull, must shew them selues nymble without

strayning, and yet it falleth out most conmonly contrarie, while desire

to wynne some wager makes the winners loose a benefit, which they wish

for more, and would gladly get to better their health by. This playing

abateth grossenes and corpulence, as al other of the same sort do:

it maketh the flesh sownd and soft, it is very good for the armes,

the greene and growing ribbes, the back, and by reason the legges are

mightely stirred ther by, it is a great furtherer to strength, it

quickneth the eyes by looking now hither, now thither, now vp, now

downe, it helpeth the ridgebone, by stowping, bending and coursing

about: it is verie good for bellies and stomakes, that be troubled with

winde or any paine which proceedeth from colde. Now to the contrary

it is not good for ill and bleare eyes raw stomakes, vndigested meat,

which haue more neede of rest then stirring, and for such as will

soone be turnesicke, which the oft turning about of the head and eyes

cannot but cause. The playing at tennyse is more coastly and strayning

to aunswere an aduersary, but the playing against the wall is as

healthfull, and the more ready, bycause it needeth no aduersary, and

yet practiseth euery kinde of motion, euery ioynt of the body, and

all without danger. Children vse this ball diuersly, and euery way

healthfully, in regard of the exercise: if accidentarie faultes fall

out among children, in the vse of the play, the parties must beare the

blame, and not the play.

The second kinde I make the _Footeball_ play, which could not

possibly haue growne to this greatnes, that it is now at, nor haue

bene so much vsed, as it is in all places, if it had not had great

helpes, both to health and strength, and to me the abuse of it is a

sufficient argument, that it hath a right vse: which being reuoked to

his primatiue will both helpe, strength, and comfort nature: though

as it is now conmonly vsed, with thronging of a rude multitude, with

bursting of shinnes, and breaking of legges, it be neither ciuil,

neither worthy the name of any traine to health. Wherin any man may

euidently see the use of the trayning maister. For if one stand by,

which can iudge of the play, and is iudge ouer the parties, and hath

authoritie to commaunde in the place, all those inconueniences haue

bene, I know, and wilbe I am sure very lightly redressed, nay they wil

neuer entermedle in the matter, neither shall there be complaint, where

there is no cause. Some smaller number with such ouerlooking, sorted

into sides and standings, not meeting with their bodies so boisterously

to trie their strength: nor shouldring or shuffing one an other so

barbarously, and vsing to walke after, may vse _footeball_ for as much

good to the body, by the chiefe vse of the legges, as the _Armeball_,

for the same, by the vse of the armes. And being so vsed, the

_Footeball_ strengtheneth and brawneth the whole body, and by prouoking

superfluities downeward, it dischargeth the head, and vpper partes, it

is good for the bowells, and to driue downe the stone and grauell from

both the bladder and kidneies. It helped weake hammes, by much mouing,

beginning at a meane, and simple shankes by thickening of the flesh no

lesse then riding doth. Yet rash running and to much force oftentimes

breaketh some inward conduit, and bringeth ruptures.

3. The third kind I call the _Armeball_ which was inuented in the

kingdom of _Naples_, not many yeares agoe, and answereth most of the

olde games, with the great ball, which is executed with the armes

most, as the other was with the feete, and be both very great helpers

vnto health. The arme in this is fensed with a wooden brace, as the

shin in the other with some other thing for meeting with a shrew. The

_armeball_ encreaseth the naturall heate, maketh way for superfluities,

causeth sound sleepe, digesteth meate wel, and dispatcheth raw humors,

though it stuffe the head, as all vehement exercises do. It exerciseth

the armes and backe chiefly, and next to them the legges, and therfore

it must needs be good for such, as desire to haue those partes strong

and perfit, to digest their meate at will, to distribute profitable

iuice to the whole body, and to auoide needelesse matter, as well by

sweate, as by any other kinde of secret euacuation. And yet it is very

ill for a naughtie backe, for hoat kidneyes, for sharp vrine, and

generally for any that is troubled with infirmities and diseases in

those parts which are strained with stirring.

Thus much concerning the particular exercises, which I haue pickt out

from the rest, as most reducible to our time and countrie, wherein I

haue not followed the ordinarie diuision, which the training maisters

and Physicians do vse, but I deuised such a one, as I tooke to be

fittest for myne owne purpose regarding our soyle and our seasons.

Neither haue I rekened vp the other _antique_ exercises, but haue let

them rest with their friends and fauorers, which be long ago at rest.

For the tumbling _Cybistike_, the thumping _Pugillate_, the buffeting

_Cestus_, the wrastling _Pancrace_, the quayting _Discus_, the barlike

_Halteres_, the swinging _Petawre_, and such old memorandums, they

are to auncient and to farre worne from the vse of our youth: the

considering whereof may rather stirre coniecture, then stai assurance,

what they were, when they were. And of these which I haue named, many

be farre beyond boyes plaie, for whom alone I do not deale, but for all

studentes in generall, neither yet do I exclude either any age, or any

person, if I may profit any else beside studentes and scholers. Neither

do I tie the trayne to these exercises alone, but alway to some though

not alway to one kinde. The cause and consideration must leade all,

which may bring forth the like, and why not the better vpon due and wel

obserued circunstance? For though the general cause do direct much, yet

the particular circunstance directeth more, being it self enformed in

the generall iudgement. The most of these notes, which I haue alleaged,

were giuen in _Italie_, _Greece_ & _Spaine_, and that climate farre

distant, and much differing from our degree. Wherefore our traine vpon

consideration of the degrees in soyle, in temperature, in constitution,

and such like, must appropriate it selfe where the difference is

apparent. Therefore both to vse these exercises which I haue named, to

the best, and to deuise other by comparison and circumstance, as cause

shal offer, I will runne thorough those particularities, which either

make by right, or marre by wrong applying, both all that I haue said,

or that can be deuised in this kinde, to preserue health.

CHAPTER 28.

OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH ARE TO BE CONSIDERED IN EXERCISE.

There be six circumstances, which leade and direct all exercises, and

are carefully to be considered of, by the trayning maister. For either

the missing or mistaking of any one of them, may do harme to more

then one, and the vsing of them with circumspection and warynes, doth

procure that good to health, which this whole discourse hitherto hath

promised.

The sixe circumstances be these, the _nature_ of the exercise which

ye entend to vse: the _person_ and _body_ which is to be exercised,

the _place_ wherin, the _time_ when, the _quantitie_ how much, the

_maner_ how, whereof I do meane to giue some particular aduertisements

so as I do finde the learned physicianes, and wise health maisters

to haue handled them in their writings, yet by the way least any man

either dispaire of the good, and therefore spare the prouing, because

the forme of exercise doth seeme so intricate, and there with all to

much: or if he be entred in triall, and thinke he shall faile, if

he misse in some litle, bycause the charge is giuen so precisely,

to keepe al that is enioyned: I wish him not to thinke either the

errour vnpardonable, to regard, or the thing vnauailable to health,

if either all, or any one of these circumstances be not absolutely

hyt. For as a perfit healthfull body is not to be found by enquirie,

which is not to be hoped for in nature, bycause in so continuall a

chaunge such a perfitnes cannot chaunce, our bodyes being subiect to

so many imperfections: so is it no wonder for men to do what they may,

and to wish for the best, though still beyond their reach. If any

can come neare them, he breakes no right of vse, though he misse the

rule of art, which alwaye enioyneth in the precisest sort, but yet

resteth content with that which falleth within compasse of ordynarie

circumstance. The reason is, _art_ weyeth the matter abstracte,

and free from circumstaunce, and therefore hauing the whole obiect

at commaundemet, she may set downe her precept, according to that

perfitnes, which she doth conceiue: but the execution being chekt with

a number of accidentarie occurrences, which _art_ cannot comprehend, as

being to infinite to collect, must haue one eye to her precept, and an

other to hir power, and aske consideration counsell, how to performe

that with a number of lettes, and thwartings which, art did prescribe,

either without any, or at the lest, with not so many.

CHAPTER 29.

THE NATURE AND QUALITIE OF THE EXERCISE.

The _nature_ of the exercise which we vse, either to recouer health and

strength, if they be feebled: or to preserue them, that they feeble

not, as it is verie forcible to worke this healthfull effect: so it

deserueth verie circumspect consideration, in applying and fitting it

to the effect: that the exercise in his degree of motion may aunswere

the partie in his kinde of constitution: least by iarring that way too

farre, they fall into a greater discord. _Galene_[45] examining the

thinges, which do please the displeased infantes, findes out that all

their naturall vnquietnesse is appeased by three natural meanes, which

the nurse vseth, the _pappe_ to feede, the _voice_ to still, the _arme_

to moue. Whervpon he concludeth that _meat_ to nourish, _Musicke_ to

delite, _motion_ to exercise be most naturall, which being so, then

for the preseruation of nature, she must needes haue her owne motion,

which agreeth best with her owne disposition. For as some exercises go

before the maine to prepare the bodie, and some follow to retourne it

by degrees into his former state and temper: so some be verie vehement,

strong, and strainable: other verie gentle, curteous, and remisse:

which must haue echone their application, according vnto the qualitie,

and state of the bodie, wherunto they are to be applyed. They be also

as far distinct and different, as particular circunstance can worke

alteration in any respect, as their particular titles before did shew

in their particular braunching and diuision. And yet therein they

swarue not from the generalitie of Physicke, which leaning vpon some

vnfallible groundes, yet lighteth still vpon some fallible euentes,

which make the whole profession to seeme coniecturall, though in the

best and surest kinde of coniecture, if the professour haue studied

to sufficiencie and obserued so long, till discretion haue saide, the

thing is thus. I will not therfore spend any more labour, about a

matter of so great confusion, but as they shall fall out, so will I

apply them, that by their proper vse, their propertie maye appeare.

FOOTNOTES:

[45] 1. Sanit. tuen.

CHAPTER 30.

OF THE BODIES WHICH ARE TO BE EXERCISED.

In the bodie which is to take good of exercise, there be three pointes

to be considered: 1. for either it is _sickly_ hauing his operations

tainted and weake: 2. or it is _healthy_ and without any extraordinarie

and sensible taint: 3. or it is _valetudinarie_, neither pure sicke nor

perfit whole.

To speake first of the weake and sickish bodie, it is to be noted, as

hath bene already in parte marked before, that sicknesse assaileth vs

three wayes: By distemperature, when either the whole bodie, or some

parte therof is anoyed with vnproportionate heat, cold, drynesse, or

moysture: or by misfashioning, when either the whole bodie, or some

parte therof, wanteth his due forme, his iumpe quantitie, his iust

number, his naturall seat: or by diuision, when any part of the bodie

being naturally vnited vpon some weaknesse is dissolued and sundred.

And as diseases come by one, or all these three wayes, so health doth

defend it selfe by the contrarie, good temperature, good forme, good

vniting of partes. It is graunted by the best though contraried by some

of the soryest Physicians, that sicke bodies may be put to exercise:

so it be well considered before, what kinde of weaknesse the body

is in: and what kinde of helpe may be hoped for by the exercise. As

for example in sicknesse which commeth by distemperature: if a bodie

be distempered with to much heat, it may not be put to any great or

earnest exercise, for ouer heating. If it be to drie and withered, it

must forbeare much exercise for feare of ouerdrying. If it be to hoat

and dry both, or to hoat and to moyste both, it must quite abandon

exercise, as in the first kinde enflaming, in the second choking. If

it be cold and drie it must either neuer be exercised or verie gently.

If it be cold or moyst, then exercise can do it no harme. If it be

cold and moyst, it maye boldly abide exercise: which variety commeth

vpon the effectes, that are wrought by exercises, either in augmenting

heat, and stirring humours, or auoiding superfluities. Whervpon the

generall conclusion is: that no distempered bodie may vse, any great or

vehement exercise though some there be, which may venture vp on some

meane and gentle kinde of stirring, whether the infirmitie concerne the

whole bodie, or be so in some parte, as it shake not the whole. If the

infirmitie in _fashion_ be casuall and come by late misfortune, (for in

this kinde naturall weaknesse is euer excepted) exercise maye do good,

bycause it will make that streight, which was croked, that smooth,

which was rugged, lay that which was swollen, raise that which was

layd, emptie that which was full, fill that which was emptie, open that

which was close and shut: and so forth, still working the contrarie to

the defect, and thereby the amendment. If the faulte be in _quantitie_,

great and swift exercises will abate, and pull downe the flesh, small

and slow will fat and thicken it. If the fault be in _number_, exercise

helpeth, as vehement mouing driueth the stone and grauell from the

straite passages of the kidneyes to the broader, and from thence downe

into the bladder. If the fault be in _seat_, no exercise is good,

bycause till the part be restored to his place and site, there is no

mouing to be vsed, nor yet long after, for feare of displacing it

againe. If the fault come by _disvnion_, _exulration_, or _gaule_,

the disvniting of the nobler partes, as the braine, the stomacke,

the liuer, and such other, specially if it be ioyned with any ague

excludeth all exercises. The baser partes refuse not meane stirring,

as the skinne being deuided and disvnited with scabbes, which come of

salt and sharp humours, by motion is freed and deliuered of them. This

consideration is to be had in the exercising of sicke bodies, whether

the sicknesse come by distemperature of humours, by deformitie in

composition, or by disvnion of partes.

[Sidenote: Valetudinarie.]

Concerning _valetudinarie_ bodies, which be neither alwaye sicke, nor

euer whole, and such as be vpon recouerie after sicknesse, and aged

men, whom yeares make weake and sickish, thus I read: that exercise

is verie necessarie for the two first, to strengthen their limmes,

to dispatche superfluities, to stirre heat, to restore the bodie to

his best habite, alwaye prouided that the exercise rise from some

mediocritie and slownes by degrees to that height, which the parties

may well abide. For to earnest and rash exercise will empaire their

health more. Olde men, as by want of naturall heat, they grow full of

superfluities, so they must haue some pleasant and gentle kinde of

exercise, both to stirre the heat, and to ridde awaye those needlesse

necessities, which of force inferre sicknes, if they be not enforced

awaye. And as they be naturally drie, so they must vse no exercise,

which dryeth to much. Wherein these foure circunstances are to be

considered, 1. First their strength, which being not great, requireth

but quiet and gentle exercises. For though _Prodicus_ the warie

Philosopher in _Plato_, _Antiochus_ the healthy Physician in _Galene_,

_Spurina_ the considerate counsellour in _Plinie_, could do straunge

thinges in their olde age, by good forsight in their former yeares, yet

they be no generall presidentes. 2. Secondly the forme of their bodies.

For as good constitutions, can do that meanly and pretily well in

their olde age, which they did strongly and stowtly in their youth, so

the weake and misfashioned are vnfit for exercise. For loude speaking

will hurt to narrow bulkes, and any walking fainteth weake legges, and

so forth in all imperfections of the like sorte. 3. Thirdly how they

haue bene vsed: bycause they will better awaie with their acquainted

exercises, then with other, wherunto they haue neuer bene vsed, the

vehemencie and courage of their yong dayes onely excepted. 4. Fourthly

what infirmities they be subiect vnto, as if their heades will soone be

giddy, or their eyes sore, or if they be in daunger of sudden falling,

then they must auoide all exercises which be offensiue to the head. And

this rule is generally to be obserued in all bodies, that the partes

pacient maye not be pressed to sore.

[Sidenote: Healthy bodyes.]

As for healthy and strong bodies, they are to be esteemed not by

absolute perfitnesse in measure and rule, which will not be found, but

by performing all naturall functions, without any greife or painfull

let: wherof in some places there is good plentie. For as generally in

so many wayes to weaknesse, our bodies neuer continuyng any one minute

in the same state, perfit health in the absolutest degree is not to

be hoped for: so in the second degree of perfection, where no sensible

let is, no felt feeblenesse, but all ordinaries excellent, though no

excellent extraordinarie, there be many bodies to be found healthfull,

lustie, and lasting verie long: as the soile wherin they brede and be

is of healthfulnesse, and wholesomnesse. Such a praise doth _Galene_

giue to his owne, and _Hipocrates_[46] his country: Nay that is

the common proofe, where small diet, and much labour accompanieth

necessitie in state and good constitution in body. Now these

healthfull bodyes, as they dayly feede, and digest well, so to auoide

superfluities, which come thereby, bycause no meat is so meete with the

body, as it turneth all into nurriture, they must of necessitie pray

ayde of exercise, which must be neither to violent, nor to immoderate,

but sutable to their constitution, as in the priuate description the

particular exercise bewrayeth it selfe, and generally the generall

reason suffiseth such a trayner, as can vse the consideration of

circumstance wisely. In exercising of healthy bodies, there be fiue

speciall thinges to be obserued. 1. The first is how they haue bene

vsed, for looke wherewith they haue bene most acquainted, and therein,

or in the like they will best continew, and with most ease. 2. The

second is what age they be of, for old men must haue gentle exercises,

children somewhat more stirring, yong men more then they, and yet but

in a meane, bycause they are subiect to more harme by violence then

either children or old men, for that hauing strong and drie bodyes,

thicke and stiffe flesh, fast cleauing to the bone, and the skinne

stretched accordingly, they are in great daunger of strong conuulsions,

and diuers ruptures, both of flesh and veines, through extremities of

exercise. 3. The third is the state of their body, because fat and

grosse men, may abyde much more exercise, then leane may and so in

other. 4. The fourth is their kinde of liuing, for he that eateth much,

and sleepeth much, must either exercise much or liue but a while. And

to the contrary, the spare feeder or great waker, needeth not any such

kinde of physicke. 5. The fift is the temperature of their bodyes, for

small exercise satisfieth drie or hoat bodyes, in any degree of eager

heat. Againe colde bodyes may away with both vehement and very much,

for moyst bodyes to auoide superfluities, exercise and labour is very

good, so the bodies be not hoat withall, the humor very much and very

soone turned into vapour, and that also neare to the lungues for feare

of choking after much stirring. Hoat and dry admit no exercise, hoat

and moyste, cold and dry admit some litle. But of all constitutions

none is more helpt by exercise then the colde and moyst: because heat

and clearing, the two effectes of exercise haue their owne subiect

whereon to worke, which must be weyed in complexions, and states of the

body.

FOOTNOTES:

[46] 2. De tu. vali.

CHAPTER 31.

OF THE EXERCISING PLACES.

That the place, wherein any thing is done, is of great force to the

well or ill performing therof, and specially in natural executions,

there can be no better profe, then that we se, not onely plantes and

trees, not onely brute beastes and cattell, but also euen the bodies

and myndes of men to be altered and chaunged, with the varietie and

alteration of the place and soyle, so that for the better exercising

of the bodies to the preseruing or recouering of health, it is verie

materiall to limit some certainety concerning the place. Wherin not to

dwell long at this time, bycause in the common place both for learning

and exercising togither, I shall haue occasion to say more of this

matter: these foure qualities are to be obserued in the place. 1. First

the place where ye exercise, must haue his ground flowred so, as it

be not offensiue to the body, as in wrastling not hard to fall on, in

daunsing soft, and not slipperie. How angrie would a boie be to be

driuen to scourge his _top_ in sand, grauell, or deepe rushes? and so

forth in the rest: as is most fit for the body exercised, with lest

daunger and best dispatch. 2. The second, that the place be either free

from any wind at all, or if be not possible to auoide some, that it be

not subiect to any sharpe and byting winde: which may do the body some

wrong, being open, and therefore ready to receiue forreine harme by the

ayer. 3. Thirdly that the place be open, and not close nor couered,

to haue the best and purest ayre at will, whereby the body becommeth

more quicke and liuely, and after voyding noysom superfluities, may

proue lightsome by the very ayer and soyle. 4. Fourthly that there be

no contagious nor noysome stenche neare the place of exercise, for

feare of infecting that by new corruption, which was lately cleared

by healthful motion. Generally if the place connot be so fit and

fauourable to exercise, as wish would it were, yet wisedom may win thus

much, that he may be as well appointed, to preuent the ill of euery

both season and circumstance, as possibility can commonly performe.

When great conquests had made states almost, nay in deede to wealthie,

and libertie of soyle giuen them place to chuse, they builded to this

end meruelous and sumptuous monuments, which time and warres haue

wasted, but we which must doe as we may, must be content with that,

which our power can compasse, and if the worst fall, thinke that he

which placed vs in the world, hath appointed the world for vs for an

exercising place, not onely for the body against infections, but also

for the mynde against affections, which being herselfe well trayned,

doth make the bodie yeelde to the bent of her choice.

CHAPTER 32.

OF THE EXERCISING TIME.

_Time_ is deuided into _accidentarie_ and _naturall_, and _naturall_

againe into _generall_ and _particular_. The _naturall time_

generally construed is ment by the spring, the summer, the haruest

and the wynter: particularly by the howers of the day and night. The

_accidentarie time_ chaungeth his name still, sometime faire, sometime

foule, sometime hoat, sometime colde and so forth. Of this _accidentary

time_ this rule is giuen, that in exercise we chuse, as neare as we

can, faire weather, cleare and lightsome to confirme the spirites,

which naturally reioice in light and are refreshed thereby: not

cloudy, darke and thicke, wherein grosse humours make the bodie dull

and heauie: againe when there is either no great, or no verie noysome

winde to pearce the open pored body, nor to much forreine heat to

enflame the naturall: nor to much cold to stiffen it to sore.

For the _naturall_ time generally taken, _Aristotle_[47] would haue the

bodie most exercised in sommer, bycause the naturall heat being then

least, and the bodie therefore most burdened with superfluities, then

exercise most helpes: both to encrease the inward heat, and to send out

those outward dettes. _Hippocrates_[48] againe giuing three principall

rules to be kept in exercise, to auoide wearinesse, to walke in the

morning, maketh this the third to vse both more and longer exercise

in the winter and cold weather, and most of his fauourites hold that

opinion. The reason is, bycause in sommer the heat of the time dryeth

the bodie enough, so that it needeth no exercise to wither it to much,

where the aire it selfe doth drie it enough. _Galene_[49] a man of

great authoritie in his profession, pronounceth thus in generall, that

as temperate bodies are to be exercised in a temperate season which

he countes to be spring: so cold bodies are in hoat weather: hoat in

cold, moyst in drie, drie in moyst: meaning thereby that whensoeuer the

bodie seemeth to yeeld towardes any distemperature, then the contrarie

both time and place must be fled to for succour. Of these opinions

iudgement is to chuse, which it best liketh. Me thinke vpon diuers

considerations, they maye all stand well without any repugnance, seing

neither _Hippocrates_ nor _Galene_, deny exercise in sommer simply, and

_Aristotle_ doth shew what it worketh in sommer.

For the _naturall time_ particularly taken, thus much is said, that it

is vnwholesome to exercise after meat, bycause it hindereth digestion

by dispersing the heat, which should be assembled wholly to further and

helpe digestion. And yet both _Aristotle_ and _Auicene_, allow some

gentle walking after meat, to cause it so much the sooner setle downe

in the stomacke, specially if one meane to sleepe shortly after. But

for exercise before meate, that is excedingly and generally commended,

bycause it maketh the naturall heat strong against digesting time,

and driuing away vnprofitable humours, disperseth the better and

more wholesome, thorough out the whole bodie, whereas after meate it

filleth it with rawnesse, and want of digestion: bycause mouing marres

concoction, and lets the boyling of the stomacke. Now in this place

there be three thinges to be considered.

1. First that none venture vpon any exercise, before the bodie be

purged naturally, by the nose, the mouth, the belly, the bladder,

bycause the contrarie disperseth that into the bodie, which should

be dismissed and sent awaie: nor before the ouernightes diet be

thoroughly digested, for feare of to much superfluitie, besides crudity

and cholere. Belching and vrine be argmentes of perfit or vnperfit

digestion. The whiter vrine the worse and weaker digestion, the

yealower, the better.

2. The second consideration is, that no exercise be medled withall the

stomacke being verie emptie, and wearie hungrie, least rauening cause

ouerreaching, and _Hippocrates_[50] condemne you, for linking labour

with hunger, a thing by him in his _aphorismes_ forbid.

The third consideration is not to eate streight after the exercise,

before the bodie be reasonably setled. Yet corpulent carcases, which

labour to be lightened of their cariage, be allowed their vittail,

though they be puffing hoat. The cause why this distance betwene mouing

and meate is enioyned, is this, for that the bodie is still a clearing,

while it is yet hoat: and the excrementes be but fleeting: so that

neither the partie can yet be hungrie, nor the heat entend digestion.

Whervpon they counsell him that is yet hoat after exercise, neither

to washe himselfe in cold water: nor to drinke wine, nor cold water.

Bycause washing will hurt the open body, wine will streight way steeme

vp into the head, cold water will offend the belly and lyver, yea

sometime gaule the sinewes, nay sometime call for death.

[Sidenote: Houres.]

What _houres_ of the daie were best for exercise, the auncient

_Physicians_ for their soile, in their time, and to their reason,

appointed it thus. In the spring about noone, for the temperatenesse of

the aire: in sommer in the _morning_, to preuent the heat of the daie:

in haruest and winter towardes night: bycause the _morninges_ be cold,

the dayes short, and to be employed otherwise: and the meat before that

time will lightly be well digested. But now in our time, the diet being

so farre altered, and neuer a circumstance the same, no time is fitter

for exercise then the _Muses_ not to wonder and muse at it, that we

be so boulde with our and their common friend, I meane the _morning_,

seeing we seeke to haue learning and health ioyned together. Which

falling both most fit in the _morning_, doth lend vs an argument to

proue that they were ill sundred, whom the samenes of time so vniteth

together. In the _morning_ the bodie is light, being deliuered of

excrementes, strong after sleepe, free from common lettes and without

any perill of indigestion, all which fall out quite contrarie in the

_euening_. If any writer allow any other houre after meate, it is in

some extremitie of sicknesse, not in respect of exercise: as when the

weather is most lowring, and children most heauie and dumpish, why is

not then the fittest time to play, by chearing the minde, to lighthen

the bodie?

FOOTNOTES:

[47] 2. Part. proble. 21. 33. 42.

[48] 3. De diæta.

[49] 2. De tuen. vali.

[50] 2. Aph. 16.

CHAPTER 33.

OF THE QUANTITIE THAT IS TO BE KEPT IN EXERCISE.

All they which vse exercises vse them either not so much as they

should, and that doeth small good, or more then they should, and that

doeth much harme, or so as they should, and that doeth much good.

Wherupon he that hath skill to crie ho, when he is at the height of

his exercise, wherwith nature feeleth her selfe to be best content,

knoweth best wherein the best measure consisteth. But how may one

know the verie pitche in exercise, and when it were best for one to

crie ho? principally by these two generall limittes. 1. Wherof the

first is, when a _vapour_ mingled with sweat is sensibly perceiued to

proceede from the bodie: when the _vaines_ begin to swell, and the

_breathing_ to alter. For wheras the ende of exercise is to strengthen

the bodie, and to encrease the naturall heat, whereby the wholesome

iuyce is digested, and distributed to the nurriture of the other

partes: and vnprofitable residences discharged: if the exercise come

not to these degrees of _sweat_, _swelling_, and _breathing_, it is to

weake to worke those effectes, which it doth vndertake. 2. The second

generall limit is, to continue the _exercise_ so long, as the _face_

and bodie shall haue a fresh colour, the _motion_ shalbe quicke and in

proportion, and no _wearynesse_ worth the speaking shalbe felt. For if

the _colour_ begin to faint, or the bodie to be gaunt, or _wearynesse_

to wring, or the _motion_ to shrinke, or the sweat to alter in

_qualitie_ from hoat to cold, in _quantitie_ from more to lesse, which

should naturally encrease with the exercise, then crie ho, for feare

of thinning the bodye to much, of consuming the good and ill iuyces

together, of weakning the naturall heat, of destroying in steade of

strengthning: bycause these be euident shewes, that the bodie wasteth,

cooleth and dryeth more then it should.

Now as these be generall staies not to proceede further, but to rest

when we are well: so there be other more particuler, wherein there is

regard to be had, to the _strength_ or _weakenes_ of the partie, to the

_age_, to the _time_ of the yeare, to the _temperature_ of the body,

to the _kinde_ of life. For in all these measure is a mery meane, and

immoderatenes a remeadilesse harme.

They that be of good _strength_ may continue longer in exercise,

then any other, without some great occasion to the contrary: though

they faint, and feele some litle _lassitude_ and _wearines_, bycause

they will quickly recouer themselues. Those that be but _weake_ must

exercise but a while, bycause any small taint in them, is long and hard

to be recouered, and therefore their limit is to be warme, and to be

ware of sweating.

2. As touching the difference in age. Olde men, yea though they vse the

same exercises, wherewith they were acquainted when they were yong, yet

must leaue ear they either sweat or begin to be wearie, bycause they

are drye and wythered. Men of middle _age_ must of necessitie keepe the

meane lymit, bycause too much offendes them, to litle doth them litle

good, both hinder the state of their bodies. _Youth_ from seuen till

one and twenty, will abyde much exercising, very well: wherefore they

are allowed without daunger to be hoat and chafe, to puffe and blow,

to sweat, to be wearie also to some degree of _lassitude_: for being

full of excrementes by reason of ther reacheles diet, they finde great

ease in labour and sweat: and being strong withall, a litle _wearines_

makes them litle worse. And yet there must be great eye had to them,

that they keepe within compasse, and so much the more, the lesse they

be aboue seuen yeare old. For too much exercise in those yeares marres

their growing, and alters the constitution of their bodies to the worse.

3. For the _time_ of the yeare. In _Winter_ the exercise may be great,

till the body be hotte: but yet sweat not, lest the cold do harme. In

the _Spring_ more euen till it sweat, in the _Haruest_ lesse, in the

_Sommer_ least: because the ayre which enuironeth the body, doth then

of it selfe so wearie and weaken it, as it needeth neither sweating,

nor heating, nor wearying with exercise, wherein _Hippocrates_ and his

_Phisicke_ will preuaile against _Aristotle_ and his _Philosophie_.

4. For the temperature of the body: _Moyst_ bodies may abide much

exercise, by much stirring to drie vp much moisture, so that they may

sweat, and yet they must take heede of wearynes. Dry _bodies_ may

very ill away with any exercise, and if with any, it must be such as

will neither cause heat nor sweat. Could _bodies_ may moue till they

be throughly warme. Hoat _bodies_ must be deintily dealt withall. For

_heat_, _sweat_, and great chaunge of their breathing be enemies to

their complexion. Hoat and dry for feare of encreasing their qualities

to much must be content with either no exercise at all, or with verie

litle. Cold and dry may abyde stirring in respect of their coldnes,

till they be warme: but for feare of ouerdrying they must not venture

vpon sweat. Hoat and moyst must vse moderate exercise, bycause to litle

dyminisheth not their superfluous moysture: to much melteth to fast,

and warmth to much. Whereupon daungerous flixes ensue: so that they

must needes auoid great alteration of breath, and to much warmeth. Cold

and moyst may exercise them selues till they blow, till they be hoat,

and till they sweat. To be short, of any constitution this may best

abide exercise, to emptie it of needlesse humors, to stirre the natural

heat, and to procure perfit digestion. _Sicke-men_ may not dreame of

any definite _quantitie_ in their exercises, bycause according to the

variety of their infirmities, both their exercises, and the quantities

thereof must be proportionally applyed: so that there can be no

certaine rule set for them.

Such as be newly recouered from sicknes, or that be on the mending

hand, bycause their strength is feeble, their heat weake, their lymes

dried vp, must content themselues with small and competent exercise,

for feare of no small inconuenience. Their limit therefore must be to

stirre, but not to change breath, to warme, but not to heat, to labour,

but not to be wearie: yet as their health growes, their exercise may

encrease.

5. For the kinde of life. Such as liue moderately and with great

continencie, though they be not full of superfluities, and therefore

neede not exercise much: yet they must not abandon it quite, least

their bodies for want therof, becomming vnweildie, lease both the

benefit of naturall heat, and good constitution, and auoid not such

residence, as of force breedes in them, and in the ende will cause

some sicknes crepe on, which comes without warning, bycause _Iupiter_,

as both _Hesiode_ sayeth, and _Plutarch_ subscribeth, hath cut her

tongue out, least she tell, when she comes, for that he would haue

her come stealing, eare she be perceiued, as _Galene_ also maketh

the litle vnperceiued, or for the smallnesse contemned to be mother

to all illes both of bodie and soule. _Incontinence_ breedes much

matter for exercise: and therefore requireth much, cheifly to procure

sound sleepe, the captaine cause of good digestion. Such as haue not

vsed exercises before, and be nouices in the trade, must first be

purged, then by _meane_ and _moderate_ ascents, day by day be well

applyed, till they come to that degree, wherein those are, which haue

bene acquainted therewith before. But in all those _degrees_ and

_mediocrities_, _immoderate_ exercise must alway be eschewed, as a

very capitall enemie to health causing _children_ not to prosper nor

grow: _lustie men_ to fall into vnequall distemperatures, and oftimes

agues: _oldmen_ to become dry and ouerwearied. To conclude who is it,

to whom it doth not some harme, and from whom it keepeth not some great

good. These be the tokens, whereby immoderate exercises be discerned,

if ye feele your ioyntes to be very hoat: if you perceiue your body

to be drie and vnequall: if in your trauell you feele some pricking

in your flesh, as if it were of some angrie push: if after sweating

your colour become pale: if you finde your selfe faint and wearie

more than ordinary, which wearines, fayntnesse and pricking, occupy

the credit of a great circumstance in physicke, of _Galene_,[51] and

greeke physicianes called κόπος of the _latines_ and our _Linacer

lassitudines_, and come vpon dissolution and thinning of grosse

humours, being to many at that time to cleare the body of, and pricking

as they passe like some angrie bile within the body, whereby the

body is both forced to make an end of exercise, and withall is verie

wearysome, and stif oftymes after.

FOOTNOTES:

[51] 4. De tuenda sanita.

CHAPTER 34.

OF THE MANNER OF EXERCISING.

_Galene_ in the second booke of his preseruatiue to health knitteth vp

three great thinges in verie few wordes, that who so can handle the

exercises in due _maner_, with the _apotherapeutike_, or gouerning the

body after exercise, and his _frictions_ to rubbe it and chafe it as

it should be, is an absolute trayner in his kinde. Wherein we may see

the vse of _chafing_, and rubbing the body both to be verie auncient,

and very healthfull, to warme the outward partes, to open the passages

for superfluitie, and to make one actiue and chearie to deale with any

thing afterward. It hath his place euery day at tymes, euery yeare

in seasons, altering vpon circumstance, but still both needefull and

healthfull, and clearith where it chafeth. For the _apotherapeutike_

much hath bene saide already: wherefore this place must serue

peculiarly for the _maner_ of exercising.

They of old time to whom these rules were first giuen hauing all

thinges at their will, and sparing for no cost, neither straited for

want of time, which they disposed as they listed, and to whom the

traine bycause of their libertie and leasure was properly bequeathed,

did vse many circumstances both ear they entred into their exercise,

and when they were in it, and also after that they had ended it, ear

they went to meat. Which their curious course, I will briefly runne

through, onely to let them see it, which can do no more but see it,

bycause the circumstances of our time will skant suffer any to assay

it. After that they felt their former meat fully digested, and had at

leysure performed what belonged to the purging of their bodies, they

disrobed themselues, and were chafed with a gentle kinde of rubber,

till that the freshnes of their colour, and agilytie of their ioyntes

seemed to call for exercise. Then were they oynted with sweete oyle

so neatly and with such cunning, as it might sooke into their bodies,

and search euerie ioynt. That being done if they ment to wrastle, they

threw dust vpon the oyntment: if not, they went to the exercise, which

they had most fansie vnto, which being ended they rested a while, then

with certaine scrapers called _Strigiles_, they had all their filth

scrapte of their bodies: afterward they were chafed and rubbed againe,

then oynted also againe, either in the _Sunne_ or by the _fire_. Then

to the _bath_, last of all apparelling themselues they fell to their

meat. And this was not one or two, nor men of might alone, but euery

one and of euery sort, nay, shall I say it? euen of euery sex. A long

and laboriouse trauell, and an argument of much ease, and to much adoe

in that, which should be more common.

But in these our dayes, considering we neither haue such places wherin,

nor the persons by whose helpe, nor the leasure by whose sufferance we

maye entend so delicate a tendring of our selues, and yet for all that

may not neglect so great a misterie for our owne health, as exercise

is, though we cannot reatch to the olde, which perhaps we neede not,

smaller prouision and simpler fourniture, will serue our turne, and

worke the same effectes, nay may fortune better by helpe of some

circunstance peculiar to our selues. Therefore for our _maner_ and

_order_ of exercise, these few and easie considerations may seeme to

be sufficient: To _cleare_ our bodies from superfluities echewaye, to

_combe_ our heades, to _wash_ our handes and face, to _apparell_ our

selues for the purpose, to _begin_ our exercise first slowly, and so

grow on quicker, to _rebate_ softly, and by gentle degrees, to _change_

our sweatie clothes, to _walke_ a litle after, last of all our bodies

being setled, to _go_ to our meate. This is that which I promised to

note concerning the six circunstances of exercise.

CHAPTER 35.

AN ADUERTISEMENT TO THE TRAINING MAISTER. WHY BOTH THE TEACHING OF THE

MINDE, AND THE TRAINING OF THE BODIE BE ASSIGNED TO THE SAME MAISTER.

THE INCONUENIENCES WHICH ENSUE, WHERE THE BODIE AND SOULE BE MADE

PARTICULAR SUBIECTES TO SEVERALL PROFESSIONS. THAT WHO SO WILL EXECUTE

ANYTHING WELL, MUST OF FORCE BE FULLY RESOLUED OF THE EXCELLENCY OF HIS

OWNE SUBIECT. OUT OF WHAT KINDE OF WRITERS THE EXERCISING MAISTER MAY

STORE HIMSELFE WITH CUNNING. THAT THE FIRST GROUNDES WOULD BE LAID BY

THE CUNNINGEST WORKEMAN. THAT PRIUATE DISCRETION IN ANY EXECUTOR IS OF

MORE EFFICACIE THEN HIS SKILL.

I haue already spoken of the parties, which are to be exercised, and

what they are to obserue: nowe must I saye somwhat of him, and to him,

which is to direct the exercise, and how he may procure sufficient

knowledge, wherby to do it exceeding well. And yet the trainers person

is but a parcell of that person, whom I do charge with the whole. For

I do assigne both the framing of the minde, and the training of the

bodie to one mans charge, whose sufficiencie may verie well satisfie

both, being so neare companions in linke, and not to be vncoupled

in learning. The causes why I medle in this place with the training

maister, or rather the training parte of the common maister, be these:

first I did promise in my methode of exercises so to do: secondly

the late discours of exercise will somwhat lighten this matter, and

whatsoeuer shall be said here, may easely be reuiued there, where I

deale with the generall maister. Beside this, exercise being so great

a braunche of education as the sole traine of the whole bodie, maye

well commaunde such a particular labour, though in deede I seuer not

the persons, where I ioine the properties. For in appointing seuerall

executions, where the knowledge is vnited, and the successe followeth

by the continuall comparing of the partes, how they both maye, or how

they both do best procede in their best way, how can that man iudge

wel of the soule, whose trauell consisteth in the bodie alone? or how

shall he perceiue what is the bodies best, which hauing the soule

onely committed to his care, posteth ouer the bodie as to an other

mans reckening? In these cases both _fantsie_ workes _affection_,

and _affection_ ouer-weyneth, either best liking where it fantsieth

most, or most following, where it affecteth best, as it doth appeare

in _Diuines_, who punish the bodie, to haue the soule better, and in

_Physicians_, who looke a side at the soule, bycause the bodie is

there best. Where by the way I obserue, the different effectes which

these two subiectes, being seuered in charge, do offer vnto their

professours. For the health of the soule is the _Diuines_ best, both

for his honest delite, that it doth so well, and for his best ease,

that himselfe faires so well. For an honest, vertuous, godly and

well disposed soule, doth highly esteeme and honorably thinke of the

professour of diuinitie, and teacher of his religion, bycause vertuous

dealinges, godly meditations, heauently thoughtes, which the one

importeth, be the others portion, and the best food, to a well affected

minde: Whervpon in such a healthy disposition of a well both informed

and reformed soule, the _Diuine_ can neither lacke honor for his

person, nor substance for his purse.

Now to the contrarie the health of the bodie, which is the _Physicians_

subiect, is generally his worst, though it be the ende of his

profession, which though he be glad of his owne good nature, as he is

a man, or of his good conscience, as he is a Christian, that the bodie

doth wel, yet his chymny doth not smoke where no pacient smartes. For

the healthfull bodie commonly careth not for the _Physician_, it is

neede that makes him sought. And as the _Philosopher_ sayeth, if all

men were freindes, then iustice should not neede, bycause no wrong

would be offered: so if all bodies were whole that no distemperature

enforced: or if the _Diuine_ were well and duetifully heard, that no

intemperance distempered, _Physick_ should haue small place: Now the

contrary dealinges, bycause the diuine is not heard, and distemperature

not auoided, do enforce _Physick_, for the healing parte of it, as

the mother of the professours gaine: where as the preseruing part

neither will be kept by the one, neither enricheth the other. In

these two professions we do generally see what the seuering of such

neare neighbours doth bring to passe, like two tenantes in one house

belonging to seuerall lordes. And yet the affections of the one so tuch

the other, as they cause sometimes, both the _Diuine_ to thinke of

the body, for the better support of the soule: and the _Physician_ to

thinke of the soule to helpe him in his cure with comfort and courage.

The seuering of those two, sometime shew vs verie pitifull conclusions,

when the _Diuine_ diliuers the desperate sicke soule, ouer to the

secular magistrate, and a forcible death by waye of punishement: and

the _Physician_ deliuereth the desperate sicke bodie to the _Diuines_

care, and a forced ende by extremitie of disease. I dare not saye that

these professions might ioyne in one person, and yet _Galene_[52]

examining the force which a good or ill soule hath to imprint the

like affections in the bodie, would not haue the _Physician_ to tarie

for the _Phylosopher_ but to play the parte himselfe. Where to much

distraction is, and subalterne professions be made seuerall heads,

there the professions make the most of their subiectes, and the

subiectes receiue least good, though they parte from most. And seuerall

professing makes the seuerall trades to swell beyond proportion, euerie

one seeking to make the most of his owne, nay rather vanting his owne,

as simply the highest, though it creepe very low. And therefore in

this my traine I couch both the partes vnder one maister’s care. For

while the bodie is committed to one, and the soul commended to an

other, it falleth out most times, that the poore bodie is miserably

neglected, while nothing is cared for but onely the soule, as it

proueth true in very zealous _Diuines_: and that the soule it selfe is

but sillyly looked to, while the bodie is in price, and to much borne

with, as is generally seene: and that in this conflicte the diligent

scholer in great strength of soule, beares mostwhat about him, but a

feeble, weake, and a sickish bodie. Wherefore to haue the care equally

distributed which is due to both the partes, I make him but one, which

dealeth with both. For I finde no such difficultie, but that either for

the cunning he may compasse it: or for the trauell he maye beare it,

hauing all circunstances free by succession in houres. Moreouer as the

temperature of the soule smelleth of the temperature of the bodie, so

the soule being well affected, will draw on the bodie to her bent. For

will a modest and a moderate soule but cause the body obey the rule

of her temperance? or if the soule it selfe be reclaymed from follie,

doth it not constraine the bodie forth with to follow? So that it were

to much to sunder them in charge, whose dispositions be so ioyned, and

the skill of such facilitie, as may easely be attained, and so much the

sooner, bycause it is the preseruing parte, which requireth most care

in the partie, and but small in the trainer, as the healinge part of

Physicke requireth most cunning in the professour, and some obedience

in the patient.

I do make great account of the parties skill, that is to execute

matters which besides diligence require skill: for if he be skilfull

himselfe, it almost needes not to giue precept. If he be not, it

altogither bootes not. If he be skillfull he will execute well, bycause

he can helpe the thing, which he must execute if particular occurrence

pray aide at the sudden: if he want skill he will lightly mangle that,

which is wel set downe, if he be a medler. Wherefore seing I wish the

executors cunning, and yet must be content to take him as I finde him:

I will do my best both to instruct infirmitie, and to content cunning.

I must therefore haue him to thinke, that there be two properties which

he must take to be of most efficacie to make a cunning executor. The

one is to be rauished with the excellencie and worthynes of the thing

which he is to execute. The other is, if he may very easily attaine

vnto some singuler knowledge in so noble a subiect, which both concur

in this present execution.

[Sidenote: The liking of the executors subiect.]

1. For graunting the soule simply the preheminence both in substance

of being, and in traine to be bettered, can there be any other single

subiect, (which I say in respect of a communitie directed by diuine and

humaine law, that is compound, and the principall subiect of any mans

dealing,) can there be any single subiect I say of greater nobilitie,

and more worthy to be in loue with, either by the partie, that is to

finde it, or by him that is to frame it, then healthfullnes of body?

which so toucheth the soule as it shakes it withall, if it selfe be not

sownd?

What a treasure health is, they that haue it do finde, though they

feele it not till it faile, when want bewrayes what a iewell they haue

lost, and their cost discouers how they mynde the recouerie. The ende

of our being here is to serue God and our country, in obedience to

persons, and perfourmance of duties: If that may be done with health

of bodie, it is effectual and pithie: if not, then with sorow we must

shift the soner, and let other succede, with no more assurance of life,

then we had made vs, without this healthfull misterie: in perpetuall

change to let the world see, that multitude doth supply with number the

defect of a great deale better, but to sone decaying paucity.

To liue and that long of whom is it not longed for, as Gods blessing if

he know God: as the benefit of nature, if he be but a naturall man.

The state of our bodie, when we are in good health, so liuely and

lusty, so comfortable and cleare, so quicke and chearie, in part and in

hole, doth it not paint vs, and point vs the valew of so preciouse a

iewell, as health is to be esteemed?

The pitifull grones, the lamentable shrikes, the lothsome lookes, the

image of death, nay of a pyning death, yea in hope of recouery: the

rufull heauines, the wringing handes, the wayling friendes, all blacke

before blacke, when health is in despaire, do they not crie and tell

vs, what a goodly thing health is, themselues being so griesy?

So many monuments left by learned men, so much sumptuousnes of the

mightiest princes, so many inuentions of the noblest wittes bestowed

vpon exercises to maintaine this diamond, are they not sufficient to

enflame the executour, being a partaker him selfe, and a distributer to

others, that the subiect wherein he dealeth is both massie, most worth,

and most meruelous? let him thinke it to be so, bycause he seeth it is

so, and vpon that presumption proceede to his so healthfull, and so

honorable an execution. In whom his owne iudgement is of speciall force

to further his good speede. For being well resolued in the excellencie

of his owne subiect he will both himselfe execute the better, and

perswade other sooner to embrace that with zeale, which he professeth

with iudgement. If you will haue me weepe for you, saith the _Poet_,

then weepe you first: he shall hardly perswade an other to like of

that, which is his owne choice, who shall himselfe not seeme to set by

it, where himselfe hath set his choise.

[Sidenote: How to become a skillfull exercising maister.]

2. The knowledge wherewith, and how to deale therein is so much the

easier, bycause it is so generall, and so many wayes to be wonne. I

will not seeme to raise vp the memorie which can neuer dye, giuen to

this traine by all both old and new histories: which prayse those

vertues and valiances, which they found, but had neuer had matter

to praise, nor vertues to finde, if exercises had not made the

personages praiseworthy, whereby they did such thinges, and of so great

admiration, as had bene vnpossible to any not so trained as they were.

What _Philosopher_ describeth the fairest forme of the worthiest

common weale, either by patterne of one person, as allowing that

state best, where one steares all: or by some greater multitude, as

preferring that gouernment, where many make much stirre: but he doth

alwaye, when he dealeth with the youth, and first trayning of that

state, not onely make mention, but a most speciall matter of exercise

for health?

Who is it in any language that handleth the _Padagogicall_ argument,

how to bring vp youth, but he is arrested there, where exercise is

enfraunchised? As for the _Physicians_, it is a principall parcell

of their fairest patrimonie, bycause it is naturally subiect, and so

learnedly proued to be by _Galene_ in his booke intitled _Thrasybulus_,

to that parte of their profession which seeketh to preserue health,

and not to tarie till it come to ruine, with their gaine to repare

it, though it still remaine ruinous and rotten, which is so repared.

Therefore whensoeuer the maintenance of health, is the inscription

of the booke, this title of exercise hath some euidence to shew.

Further in the discours of _Exercises_ we finde eche where the names

of diet, of _waking_, of _sleeping_, of _mouing_, of _resting_, of

_distemperature_, of _temperature_, of _humours_, of _elementes_, of

_places_, of _times_, of _partes_ of the _bodie_, of the _vses_ therof,

of _frictions_ and _chafings_, of _lassitude_ and _wearinesse_, and a

number such, which when the training maister meeteth with among the

_Physicians_, or naturall _Philosophers_, what els say they vnto him,

but that where ye finde vs before the dore, ye may be bold to come

in? As for naturall _Philosophy_ the ground mistresse to _Physik_ it

must needes be the foundation to this whole traine. Hence the causes

be set, which proue eche thing either good or bad, either noysome or

needefull to health. All naturall _problemataries_, _dipnosophistes_,

_symposiakes_, _antiquaries_, _warmaisters_, and such as deale with any

particular occurence of exercise, if ye appose them well: you shall

finde them yours freindes. This terme _Gymnastice_, which emplyeth in

name, and professeth in deede the arte of exercise, is the verie seat,

wheron the trainer must builde. And therefore all either whole bookes,

or particular discourses in any writer by the waie, concerning this

argument, do will him to rest there. In which kinde, for the professed

argument of the whole booke, I know not any comparable to _Hieronymus

Mercurialis_, a verie learned _Italian Physician_ now in our time,

which hath taken great paines to sift out of all writers, what so euer

concerneth the whole _Gymnasticall_ and exercising argument, whose

aduice in this question I haue my selfe much vsed, where he did fit my

purpose.

By these reasons I do see, and by some proofe I haue found, that the

waye to be skilfull in the preseruatiue part of _Physick_, and so

consequently in exercises, as the greatest member therof, is very

ready and direct, bycause it is so plaine, so large, and with all so

pleasant: as it is also most honorable, bycause it seekes to saue vs

from that, which desireth our spoile. And therefore this execution

requireth a liberall courage, where the gaine is not great, but the

disposition much praised. The repairers get the pence, the preseruers

reason faire. And as the effect commendes the knowledge: so being of it

selfe thus necessarie for all, a student may with great credit trauell

in the cunning, if it were for no more but to helpe his owne health,

and vpon better affection, or some gainfull offer to empart it with

other. For to helpe himselfe he is bound in _nature_, and will do it

in deede: to do good to all if he may, he is bound by _dutie_, and so

sure he ought. But to helpe as many as he may, and himselfe to, what

_nature_ can but loue? what _dutie_ can but like? chiefly where the

thing which he must do, may be done with ease, and the good which he

shall do, shall gaine him praise, besides the surplus of profit. Some

will say perhaps to traine vp children, what needes so much cunning:

or in so petie a matter what needes so much labour? Though I entreat

of it here, where it first beginnes, yet it stretcheth vnto all, both

ages and persons: neither is the matter so meane, which is the readiest

meane to so great a good, but if it were meane, the meanest matter

requireth not the meanest maister, to haue it well done: and the first

groundworke would be layd by the best workeman. For who can better

teach to reade, then he which for skill can commaund the language?

And what had more neede to be exactly done then that principle, which

either marreth the whole sequele, with insufficiencie, or maketh all

sound, being it selfe well layd? The thing you will graunt to be of

such efficacie, such an excutor you despaire of: such a man may be had,

nay a number of such may be had, if recompence be prouided to answere

such sufficiencie. The common not opinion but error is, he hath cunning

enough for such a small trifle. It is not that small which he hath that

can do the thing well, but your skill is small, to thinke that any

small skill, can do anything well. He must know a great deale more

then he doth, which must do that well, which he doth: bycause _store_

is the deliuerer of the best effectes, _neede_ which sheweth all at

once, is but a sorie steward, and must put in band, that he hath some

credit, though verie smal substance.

For the skill of the trayner I take it to be verie euident, both

whence it may be had, and how plentiful a store house he hath for his

prouision. Thence he may haue the generall groundes, and causes of his

cunning.

[Sidenote: Discretion in the trayner.]

3. But there is a third thing yet besides these two, which is proper to

his owne person, which if he haue not, his cunning is worth nought. For

though he see and embrace the worthines of his subiect, though he haue

gathered in his whole haruest from out of all writers, yet if he want

_discretion_ how to apply it according vnto that, which is most fit to

the verie meanest not bowghes and braunches, but euen the twigges and

sprigges of the petiest circumstances, he is no skillfull trayner: but

so much the more daungerous, the more helpe of learning he hath, which

will bolden him to much. Therefore of these two other pointes, the one

being throughly resolued on, the other perfitly obtained, and all the

contemplatiue reasons well vnderstoode, he must bend his wittes to wey

the particularities, whereby both the generall conclusions be brought

to be profitable, and his owne iudgement to be thought discrete. The

want of this is the cause of such a number of discoursers, which swarm

ech where, and both like their owne choice, and can say pretily well

to the generall position, which is not denyed to any toward youthe,

but they shew themselues altogither lame in the particular applying,

which is a thing that attendeth onely vpon experience and yeares. The

hauing of it will prouide vs notable store of excellent executours, to

all their profites, vpon whom they shall execute. _Aristotle_ the great

_philosopher_ in all his _morall_ discourses tieth all those vertues

which make mens maners praiseworthie, and be subiect to circumstances,

to the rule of foresight and _discretion_, whose commendation he

placeth in skill of speciallities to direct mens doinges. Therefore

it is no dishonour to the trayner, to be reclaymed vnto _discretion_,

which hath all those so many and so manerly vertues to attend vpon

her traine. Is not death commendable, and ascribed to valiancie, when

it is voluntary for the common good, by reason of the circumstance?

and the sauing of life is it not basely thought of, when it had bene

better spent, considering the circumstance? Which circumstance is the

line to liue by, the guide to all our doinges, the tuchestone to try a

contemplatiue creature from an actiue courage.

In the course of training, a thousand difficulties not possible to be

forseene by the generall direction, will offer themselues, and appose

the maister, and at the sudden must be salued. What will the trainer

do? runne to his booke? nay to his braines. He must remember his rule,

that indiuisibles and circunstances be beyond the reach of _arte_: and

are committed to the _Artificer_ whose _discretion_ must helpe, where

_arte_ is to weake: though she giue him great light, by fitting this to

that, when he hath found wherfore. _Arte_ setteth downe the exercise

and all the knowen circunstances. The person bringes with it some

difficultie in execution, where is the succour? _Arte_ will not relent,

she can not make curtsie, her knees be groune stiffe, and her iointes

fast knit, and yet curtsie there must be. The _Artificer_ must make it,

and assist his ladie, which if she had not had a man to be her meane,

she herselfe would haue done all, and trusting to man whom she hath

made her meane, why should she be deceyued, and her clyentes be abused,

where she commendes them of trust? Children that come to schoole dwel

not in one house, not in the same streate, nay not in the same towne,

they cannot lightly come at one houre, they be not of one age, nor fit

for one exercise, and yet they must haue some. The _arte_ knoweth my

child no more then my neighbours, but the trainer must, and stay those

vncertainties vpon the arrest of _discretion_: being enstructed afore

hand in the generall skill though bound but of voluntarie: as the like

cause shall lead the like case.

The rule is, no noysome sauour neare the newly exercised: how shall

the poore boye do, that is to go home thorough stinking streates, and

filthy lanes.

The rule is, change apparell after sweat: what if he haue none other?

or not there where he sweateth? Here must the trainers _discretion_

shew it selfe, either to chuse exercises that be not subiect to any

such extremities, or to vse them with the fewest. But I am to long,

neither neede I to doubt of mens discretion, though I say thus much of

it, which many haue and moe wishe for, I shall haue occasion to supplie

the rest in the generall teacher.

Thus haue I runne thorough the whole argument of exercises, and

shewed not onely what I thinke of them in generall, but also what be

the cheife particulars, and the circunstances belonging thereunto:

and according to my promise I haue delt with the training maister,

and ouertreated him to thinke honorably of his profession, to gather

knowledge, where it is abundantly to be got: and last of all to

ioine _discretion_ as a third companion to his owne admiration and

sufficiency.

FOOTNOTES:

[52] 1. De san. tu.

CHAPTER 36.

THAT BOTH YOUNG BOYES, AND YOUNG MAIDENS ARE TO BE PUT TO LEARNE.

WHETHER ALL BOYES BE TO BE SET TO SCHOOLE. THAT TO MANY LEARNED BE

TO BURDENOUS: TO FEW TO BARE: WITTES WELL SORTED CIUILL, MISSORTED

SEDITIOUS. THAT ALL MAY LEARNE TO WRITE AND READ WITHOUT DAUNGER. THE

GOOD OF CHOICE, AND ILL OF CONFUSION. THE CHILDREN WHICH ARE SET TO

LEARNE, HAUING EITHER RICHE OR POORE FREINDES: WHAT ORDER AND CHOICE

IS TO BE VSED IN ADMITTING EITHER OF THEM TO LEARNE. OF THE TIME TO

CHUSE.