{ The shepherds dogge
{ The mastiue or Bandogge.
These two are the principall.
alterum ad propellendas injurias ferarum, alterum adversus insidias
hominum utile.
The first kinde, namely the shepherds hounde is very necessarye and
profitable for the auoyding of harmes and inconueniences which may
come to men by the meanes of beastes. The second sort serue to
succour against the snares and attemptes of mischiefous men.
[Pastoralis.] Pastorale nostrum mediocre est, quòd illi cum Lupo,
naturali pecori inimico, res non est, cum apud nos nullus est,
beneficio optimi principis Edgari, qui, quò genus universum
deleretur, Cambris (apud quos in magna copia erant) vectigalis
nomine in annos imperavit trecentos lupos.
Our shepherdes dogge is not huge, vaste, and bigge, but of an
indifferent stature and growth, because it hath not to deale with
the bloudthyrsty wolf, sythence there be none in England, which
happy and fortunate benefite is to be ascribed to the puisaunt
Prince _Edgar_, who to thintent y^t the whole countrey myght be
euacuated and quite cleered from wolfes, charged & commaunded the
welshem[en] (who were pestered with these butcherly beastes aboue
measure) to paye him yearely tribute which was (note the wisedome of
the King) three hundred Wolfes.
[Lupi nulli in Britannia.] Sunt qui scribunt Ludwallum Cambriæ
principem pendisse annuatim Edgaro regi 3000 luporum tributi nomine,
atque ita annis quatuor omnem Cambriam atque adeo omnem Angliam
orbasse lupis.
Some there be which write that _Ludwall_ Prince of Wales paide
yeerely to King _Edgar_ three hundred wolfes in the name of an
exaction (as we haue sayd before.) And that by the meanes hereof,
within the compasse and tearme of foure yeares, none of those
noysome, and pestilent Beastes were left in the coastes of England
and Wales.
[Edgarus.] Regnavit autem Edgarus circiter annum Domini 959. A quo
tempore non legimus nativum in Anglia visum lupum: advectum tamen
quæstus faciundi causa ex alienis regionibus, ut spectetur tantum,
tanquam animal rarum & incognitum, sæpius vidimus.
This _Edgar_ wore the Crowne royall, and bare the Scepter imperiall
of this kingdome, about the yeere of our Lorde, nyne hundred fifty,
nyne. Synce which time we reede that no Wolfe hath bene seene in
England, bred within the bounds and borders of this countrey, mary
there have bene diuers brought ouer from beyonde the seas, for
greedynesse of gaine and to make money, for gasing and gaping,
staring, and standing to see them, being a straunge beast, rare,
and seldom seene in England.
Sed ad canem pastoralem. Is ad certam heri jubentis vocem, aut ex
pugno concluso & inflato clariorem sibilum, errantes oves in eum
locum redigit, in quem pastor maximè desiderat; sic ut levi negotio,
& immoto ferè pede, pastor quo velit modo ovibus moderetur, vel ut
se promoveant, vel gradum sistant, pedem referant, vel in hanc
illamve partem se inclinent.
But to returne to our shepherds dogge. This dogge either at the
hearing of his masters voyce, or at the wagging and whisteling in
his fist, or at his shrill and horse hissing bringeth the wandring
weathers and straying sheepe, into the selfe same place where his
masters will and wishe is to haue th[em], wherby the shepherd
reapeth this benefite, namely, that with litle labour and no toyle
or mouing of his feete he may rule and guide his flocke, according
to his owne desire, either to haue them go forward, or to stand
still, or to drawe backward, or to turne this way, or to take that
way.
Etenim non ut in Gallia & Germania, non ut in Syria & Tartaria, sic
in Anglia quoque oves pastorem sequuntur, sed contra, pastor oves.
Quandoque etiam nullo procurrente aut circumeunte cane, ad solum ex
pugno sibilum sese congregant palantes oves, metu canis credo,
memores unà cum sibilo prodire quoque & canem solere.
For it is not in Englande, as it is in _Fraunce_, as it is in
_Flaunders_, as it is in _Syria_, as it in _Tartaria_, where the
sheepe follow the shepherd, for heere in our country the sheepherd
followeth the sheepe. And somtimes the straying sheepe, when no
dogge runneth before them, nor goeth about & beside them, gather
themselues together in a flocke, when they heere the sheepherd
whistle in his fist, for feare of the Dogge (as I imagine)
remembring this (if vnreasonable creatures may be reported to haue
memory) that the Dogge commonly runneth out at his masters warrant
which is his whistle.
Id quod in itinere diligenter sæpius observavimus, ad pastoris
sibilum refrænantes equos, quo videremus rei experimentum. Eodem
etiam cane ovem vel mactandum prehendit, vel sanandum pastor capit,
nulla prorsus læsione.
This haue we oftentimes diligently marcked in taking our journey
from towne to towne, when wee haue hard a sheepherd whistle we haue
rayned in our horse and stoode styll a space, to see the proofe and
triall of this matter. Furthermore with this dogge doth the
sheepherd take sheepe for y^e slaughter, and to be healed if they be
sicke, no hurt or harme in the world done to the simple creature.
Of the mastiue or Bandogge called in Latine _Villaticus_ or
_Cathenarius_.
[Villaticus seu Catenarius.] Villaticum vastum genus est & robustum,
corpore quidem grave & parum velox, sed aspectu truculentum, voce
terrificum, & quovis Arcadico (qui tamen ex leonibus creditur
provenire) potentius atque acrius.
This kinde of Dogge called a mastyue or Bandogge is vaste, huge,
stubborne, ougly, and eager, of a heuy and burthenous body, and
therfore but of litle swiftnesse, terrible, and frightfull to
beholde, and more fearce and fell then any _Arcadian_ curre
(notwithstãding they are sayd to ha{n}e their generation of the
violent Lyon.)
Quòd villis fideliter custodiendis destinamus, cum metus est à
furibus, villaticum appellamus. His quoque utile id est contra
vulpem atque taxum, qui rem pecuariam faciunt.
They are called _Villatici_, because they are appoynted to watche
and keepe farme places and co[un]try cotages sequestred from commõ
recourse, and not abutting vpon other houses by reason of distaunce,
when there is any feare conceaued of theefes, robbers, spoylers,
and night wanderers. They are seruiceable against the Foxe and the
Badger,
Valet etiam ad sues agrestes persequendos, domesticos è frugibus aut
arvis abigendos, taurosque capiendos atque retinendos, cum usus aut
venatio postulat, singuli singulos, aut summum duo singulos, quamvis
intractabiles.
to drive wilde and tame swyne out of Medowes, pastures, glebelandes
and places planted with fruite, to bayte and take the bull by the
eare, when occasion so requireth. One dogge or two at the vttermost,
sufficient for that purpose be the bull neuer so monsterous, neuer
so fearce, neuer so furious, neuer so stearne, neuer so vntameable.
Est enim acerrimum genus & violentum, formidabile etiam homini, quem
non reformidat. Neque enim ad arma expavescit; quóque acrius fiat,
assuescunt nostri naturam arte & consuetudine juvare.
For it is a kinde of dogge capeable of courage, violent and
valiaunt, striking could feare into the harts of men, but standing
in feare of no man, in so much that no weapons will make him
shrincke, nor abridge his boldnes. Our Englishe men (to th' intent
that theyr dogges might be the more fell and fearce) assist nature
with arte, vse, and custome,
Etenim ursos, tauros, arctylos, aliaque fera animalia, præfectis
certaminum arctophylacibus, nullo millo, nullo corio defenses
exagitare: sæpe etiam cum homine sude, clava, enseve armato
concertare decent, atque ita ferociores acrioresque reddunt,
& imperterritos faciunt.
for they teach theyr dogges to baite the Beare, to baite the Bull
and other such like cruell and bloudy beastes (appointing an
ouerseer of the game) without any collar to defend theyr throtes,
and oftentimes they traine them vp in fighting and wrestling with
a man hauing for the safegarde of his lyfe, eyther a Pikestaffe,
a clubbe, or a sworde and by vsing them to such exercises as these,
theyr dogges become more sturdy and strong.
Vis illis supra fidem, & pertinax mordacitas, usque adeo ut tres
ursum, quatuor vel leonem comprehendant.
The force which is in them surmounteth all beleefe, the fast holde
which they take with their teeth exceedeth all credit, three of them
against a Beare, fowre against a Lyon are sufficient, both to try
masteryes with them and vtterly to ouermatch them.
[Henricus septimus.] Quod videns aliquando (ut fama est) HENRICUS
septimus, Angliæ rex prudentissimus, quotquot erant suspendi jussit,
indignatus ut infimi & ignobilis generis canes, generoso leoni, &
animalium regi violentiam inferant: memorabili exemplo subditorum,
ne quid contra regem gens rebellis audeat.
Which thing _Henry_ the seuenth of that name, King of England (a
Prince both politique & warlike) perceauing on a certaine time (as
the report runneth) commaunded all such dogges (how many soeuer they
were in number) should be hanged, beyng deepely displeased, and
conceauing great disdaine, that an yll fauoured rascall curre should
with such violent villany, assault the valiaunt Lyon king of all
beastes. An example for all subiectes worthy remembraunce, to
admonishe them that it is no aduantage to them to rebell against y^e
regiment of their ruler, but to keepe them within the limits of
Loyaltie.
Haud absimilis etiam historia de eo fertur, quod falconem quendam
suum, à falconariis vehementer laudatum, quòd in aquilam quid
auderet, quam mox occidi jussit, ob eandem rationem. Hoc genus
canis, etiam catenarium, à catena ligamento, qua ad januas interdiu
detinetur, ne solutum lædat, & tamen latratu terreat, appellatur.
I reede an history aunswerable to this of the selfe same _Henry_,
who hauing a notable and an excellent fayre Falcon, it fortuned that
the kings Falconers, in the presence and hearing of his grace,
highly commended his Maiesties Falcon, saying that it feared not to
intermeddle with an Eagle, it was so venturous a byrde and so
mighty, which when the King harde, he charged that the Falcon should
be killed without delay, for the selfe same reason (as it may seeme)
which was rehersed in the cõclusion of the former history concerning
the same king. This dogge is called, in like maner, _Cathenarius_,
_a Cathena_, of the chaine wherwith he is tyed at the gates, in y^e
day time, least beyng lose he should doe much mischiefe and yet
might giue occasion of feare and terror by his bigge barcking.
[Cicero.] Et quanquam Cicero pro S. Ross. opinetur, si canes luce
latrent, iis crura suffringantur, nostri tamen homines propter
securitatem vitæ atque rei longe aliter sentiunt.
And albeit _Cicero_ in his oration had _Pro. S. Ross._ be of this
opinion, that such Dogges as barcke in the broade day light shoulde
haue their legges broken, yet our countrymen, on this side the seas
for their carelessnes of lyfe setting all at cinque and sice, are of
a contrary iudgement.
[Fures.] Nam furum apud nos plena sunt omnia, etiam luce, neque
infamem mortem suspendia metuunt.
For theefes roge vp & down in euery corner, no place is free from
them, no not y^e princes pallace, nor the country mans cotage. In
the day time they practise pilfering, picking, open robbing, and
priuy stealing, and what legerdemaine lacke they? not fearing the
shamefull and horrible death of hanging.
In causa est non curta res solum, sed vestis vitæque luxus atque
fastus etiam, sed petulantia, sed otium & superbia Salaconum
#megalorrhountôn#, qui nihil aliud quàm ut equi insultare solo &
gressus glomerare superbos, quàm gyro breviori flecti, qui nihil
aliud quàm cevere, quàm otiosè mendicando accusata non merente
corporis infirmitate spoliare.
The cause of which inconuenience doth not onely issue from nipping
neede & wringing want, for all y^t steale, are not pinched with
pouerty, but som steale to maintaine their excessiue and prodigall
expences in apparell, their lewdnes of lyfe, their hautines of hart,
theyr wantonnes of maners, theyr wilfull ydlenes, their ambitious
brauery, and the pryde of the sawcy _Salacones'_ #megalorrhountôn#
vaine glorious and arrogant in behauiour, whose delight dependeth
wholly to mount nimbly on horsebacke, to make them leape lustely,
spring and praunce, galloppe and amble, to runne a race, to wynde in
compasse, and so forthe, liuing all together vpon the fatnesse of
the spoyle. Othersom therbe which steale, being thereto prouoked by
penury & neede, like masterlesse m[en] applying themselues to no
honest trade, but raunging vp and downe impudently begging, and
complayning of bodily weakenesse where is no want of abilitie.
[Valentinianus.] Sed his Valentinianus imperator benè prospexit,
legibus latis, ut qui nullo corporis morbo laborantes, corporis
infirmitatem desidiosi ignavique prætexentes, mendicarent, perpetui
colono ei inservirent, qui eorum ignaviam proderet atque accusaret,
ne eorum desidia onerosa populo, odiosave sit exemplo.
But valiaunt _Valentine_ th'emperour, by holsome lawes prouided that
suche as hauing no corporall sicknesse, solde themselues to begging,
pleded pouerty wyth pretended infirmitie, & cloaked their ydle and
slouthfull life with colourable shifts and cloudy cossening, should
be a perpetuall slaue and drudge to him, by whom their impudent
ydlenes was bewrayed, and layde against them in publique place,
least the insufferable slouthfullnes of such vagabondes should be
burthenous to the people, or being so hatefull and odious, should
growe into an example.
[Alfredi vigilantia.] Alfredus quoque regno administrando tanta
vigilantia justitiaque usus est, ut si quis per vias publicas
incedens, marsupium auro plenum vesperi perdidisset, manè, atque
adeo post mensem unum, integrum & intactum inveniret, uti Ingulphus
Croylandensis in historia refert.
_Alfredus_ likewise in the gouernment of his common wealth, procured
such increase of credite to Justice and vpright dealing by his
prudent actes and statutes, that if a mã trauailing by the hygh way
of the countrey vnder his dominion, chaunced to lose a budget full
of gold, or his capcase farsed with things of great value, late in
the euening, he should finde it where he lost it, safe, sound, and
vntouched the next morning, yea (which is a wonder) at any time for
a whole monethes space if he sought for it, as _Ingulphus
Croyladensis_ in his History recordeth.
Nostra autem ætate, nihil ferè securum, ne in ædibus quidem, quamvis
accuratè conclusis.
But in this our vnhappy age, in these (I say) our deuelishe dayes
nothing can scape the clawes of the spoyler, though it be kept neuer
so sure within the house, albe it the doores bee lockt and boulted
round about.
[Canis custos.] Custos quoque (Græcis #oikouros#) a custodiendis non
solum villis, sed & mercatorum ædibus, & quibus ampla res est domi,
canis iste nominatur. Eam ob rem canes publicæ alebantur Romæ in
Capitolio, ut significent si fures venerint.
This dogge in like maner of _Græcians_ is called #oikouros#. Of the
latinists _Canis Custos_, in Englishe the Dogge keeper.
Borrowing his name of his seruire, for he doth not onely keepe
farmers houses, but also merchaunts maisons, wherin great wealth,
riches, substaunce, and costly stuffe is reposed. And therfore were
certaine dogges founde and maintained at the common costes and
charges of the Citizens of _Rome_ in the place called _Capitolium_,
to giue warning of theefes comming.
[Canis laniarius.] Dicitur & Laniarium, quòd eorum usus multus sit
laniis agendis & capiendis bestiis.
This kind of dogge, is also called, In latine _Canis Laniarius_ in
Englishe the Butchers Dogge.
So called for the necessity of his vse, for his seruice affoordeth
great benefite to the Butcher as well in following as in taking his
cattell when neede constraineth, vrgeth, and requireth.
[Molossicus.] Sed & Molossicum quoque & Molossum latinis dicitur,
à Molossia Epiri regione, ubi hoc genus canes boni & acres erant.
This kinde of dogge is likewise called, In latine _Molossicus_ or
_Molossus_.
After the name of a countrey in _Epirus_ called _Molossia_, which
harboureth many stoute, stronge, and sturdy Dogges of this sort, for
the dogges of that countrey are good in deede, or else their is no
trust to be had in the testimonie of writers.
[Mandatarius.] Est ex hoc genere quem Mandatarium ex argumento
appellamus: quòd domini mandato literas aliasve res de loco in locum
transferat, vel mellio inclusas, vel eidem alligatas. Quæ ne
intercipiantur, vel pugna, vel fuga si impar sit, diligenter cavet.
This dogge is also called, In latine _Canis Mandatarius_ a Dogge
messinger or Carrier.
Upon substanciall consideration, because at his masters voyce and
commaundement, he carrieth letters from place to place, wrapped vp
cunningly in his lether collar, fastened therto, or sowed close
therin, who, least he should be hindered in his passage vseth these
helpes very skilfully, namely resistaunce in fighting if he be not
ouermatched, or else swiftnesse & readinesse in running away, if he
be vnable to buckle with the dogge that would faine haue a snatch at
his skinne.
[Lunarius.] Est & Lunarium, quòd nihil aliud quàm excubias agit,
quàm insomnes noctes totas protrahit baubando ad lunam, ut Nonii
verbo utar.
This kinde of dogge is likewise called, In latine _Canis Lunarius_,
in Englishe the Mooner.
Because he doth nothing else but watch and warde at an ynche,
wasting the wearisome night season without slombering or sleeping,
bawing & wawing at the Moone (that I may vse the word of _Nonius_)
a qualitie in mine opinion straunge to consider.
[Aquarius.] Ex quibus grandiores atque graviores, etiam rotæ
amplioris circumactu, aquam ex altis puteis ad usus rusticos
hauriunt, quos Aquarios appellamus ex officio:
This kinde of dogge is also called. In latine _Aquarius_ in Englishe
a water drawer.
And these be of the greater and the waighter sort drawing water out
of wells and deepe pittes, by a wheele which they turne rounde about
by the mouing of their burthenous bodies.
[Sarcinarius.] & sarctores ærarios vagos manticis ferendis
memorabili patientia levant; à qua re sarcinarios nuncupamus.
This kinde of dogge is called in like maner. _Canis Sarcinarius_ in
Latine, and may aptly be englished a Tynckers Curre.
Because with marueilous pacience they beare bigge budgettes fraught
with Tinckers tooles, and mettall meete to mend kettels, porrige
pottes, skellets, and chafers, and other such like trumpery
requisite for their occupacion and loytering trade, easing him of a
great burthen which otherwise he himselfe should carry vpon his
shoulders, which condition hath challenged vnto them the foresaid
name.
Præter has villaticorum qualitates atque usus, hanc unam habent
præcipuam, quòd amantes dominorum sunt, & odium gerant in externos.
[Defensor.] Quo fit ut per itinera dominis in præsidio sunt, quos à
furibus defendunt, vivos salvosque conservant: a qua re etiam canes
defensores jure dici possunt.
Besides the qualities which we haue already recounted, this kind of
dogges hath this principall property ingrafted in them, that they
loue their masters liberally, and hate straungers despightfully,
wherevpon it followeth that they are to their masters, in traueiling
a singuler safgard, defending them forceably from the inuasion of
villons and theefes, preseruing their lyfes from losse, and their
health from hassard, theyr fleshe from hacking and hewing with such
like desperate daungers. For which consideration they are
meritoriously tearmed,
In Latine _Canes defensores_ defending dogges in our mother tounge.
[Canum amor & fides.] At si quando vel multitudine, vel majori vi
opprimatur dominus atque concidat, usu compertum est, herum non
deserere ne mortuum quidem, sed eum ad multos dies per famis & coeli
injuriæ patientiam peramanter observare, & homicidam, si occasio
dabitur, interficere, aut saltem prodere vel latratu, vel ira,
vel hostili insultu, quasi mortem heri ulturum.
If it chaunce that the master bee oppressed, either by a multitude,
or by the greater violence & so be beaten downe that he lye
groueling on the grounde, (it is proued true by experience) that
this Dogge forsaketh not his master, no not when he is starcke
deade: But induring the force of famishment and the outragious
tempestes of the weather, most vigilantly watcheth and carefully
keepeth the deade carkasse many dayes, indeuouring, furthermore, to
kil the murtherer of his master, if he may get any aduantage. Or
else by barcking, by howling, by furious iarring, snarring, and such
like meanes betrayeth the malefactour as desirous to haue the death
of his aforesayde Master rigorouslye reuenged.
[Kingestoune.] Hujus rei exemplo fuit nostra memoria canis cujusdam
viatoris, qui Londino recta Kingestonum, octo regum coronatione
percelebre oppidum, profecturus, cum bonam itineris partem
confecisset, latronum insidiis in Comparco, valli amplo & spatioso,
nemoribus obsito, & latrociniis infami loco, occubuit.
An example hereof fortuned within the compasse of my memory. The
Dogge of a certaine wayefaring man trauailing from the Citie of
London directly to the Towne of Kingstone (most famous and renowned
by reason of the triumphant coronation of eight seuerall Kings)
passing ouer a good portion of his iourney was assaulted and set
vpon by certaine confederate theefes laying in waight for the spoyle
in _Comeparcke_, a perillous bottom, compassed about wyth woddes to
well knowne for the manyfolde murders & mischeefeous robberies theyr
committed. Into whose handes this passinger chaunced to fall, so
that his ill lucke cost him the price of his lyfe.
Canis item ille Britannus genere, quem Blondus sua memoria scribit,
non longe Parisiis hero à rivali interempto, & homicidam prodidisse,
& ni canis ultionem homicida deprecatus esset, jugulaturum fuisse.
And that Dogge whose syer was Englishe (which _Blondus_ registreth
to haue bene within the banckes of his rem[em]brance) manifestly
perceauyng that his Master was murthered (this chaunced not farre
from _Paris_) by the handes of one which was a suiter to the same
womã, whom he was a wooer vnto, dyd both bewraye the bloudy butcher,
and attempted to teare out the villons throate if he had not sought
meanes to auoyde the reuenging rage of the Dogge.
In incendiis quoque in conticinio seu intempesta nocte incidentibus,
eo usque latrant annosi canes, etiam prohibiti, dum à domesticis
excitatis percipiatur focus; & tum sua sponte cessant à latratu,
quod usu compertum est in Britannia.
In fyers also which fortune in the silence and dead time of the
night, or in stormy weather of the sayde season, the older dogges
barcke, ball, howle, and yell (yea notwithstandyng they bee roughly
rated) neyther will they stay their tounges till the householde
seruauntes, awake, ryse, searche, and see the burning of the fyre,
which beyng perceaued they vse voluntary silence, and cease from
yolping. This hath bene, and is founde true by tryall, in sundry
partes of England.
Nec minor erat fides in eo cane qui domino profundam foveam per
venatum incidenti nunquam abfuit, dum sui unius indicio sublatus is
per funem fuit: in quem, cum oris cavernæ proximus esset, insiliebat
canis, tanquam ulnis amplexurus revertentem herum, impatiens
longioris moræ.
There was no faynting faith in that Dogge, which when his Master by
a mischaunce in hunting stumbled and fell toppling downe a deepe
dytche beyng vnable to recouer of himselfe, the Dogge signifying his
masters mishappe, reskue came, and he was hayled up by a rope, whom
the Dogge seeyng almost drawne up to the edge of the dytche,
cheerefully saluted, leaping and skipping vpon his master as though
he woulde haue imbraced hym, beyng glad of his presence, whose
longer absence he was lothe to lacke.
[Canum ingenia.] Sunt qui focum non patiuntur dissipari, sed prunas
in focum pede removent, prius cogitabundi aspicientes qua ratione id
possit à se fieri. Quod si pruna ardentior fuerit, cinere obruunt,
ac dein nare in locum promovent. Sunt quoque qui noctu villici
officium præstant.
Some Dogges there be, which will not suffer fyery coales to lye
skattered about the hearthe, but with their pawes wil rake up the
burnyng coales, musying and studying fyrst with themselues how it
myght conueniently be done. And if so bee that the coales cast to
great a heate then will they buyry them in ashes and so remoue them
forwarde to a fyt place wyth theyr noses. Other Dogges bee there
which exequute the office of a Farmer in the nyghte tyme.
Cum enim lectum petit herus, & omnia centum ærei claudunt vectes,
æternaque ferri robora, nec custos absistit limine Janus (ut scribit
Virgilius) tum si prodire jubeat herus canem, is per fundos omnes
oberrat, quovis villico diligentior, & si alienum quid invenerit
sive hominem, sive bestiam, abigit, domesticis relictis animalibus
atque servis.
For when his master goeth to bedde to take his naturall sleepe,
And when,
A hundred barres of brasse and yron boltes,
Make all things safe from startes and from reuoltes.
VVhen Ianus keepes the gate with Argos eye,
That daungers none approch, ne mischiefes nye.
As Virgill vaunteth in his verses, Then if his master byddeth him go
abroade, he lingereth not, but raungeth ouer all his lands lying
there about, more diligently, I wys, then any farmer himselfe. And
if he finde anything their that is straunge and pertaining to other
persons besides his master, whether it be man, woman, or beast, he
driueth them out of the ground, not medling with any thing which
doth belong to the possession and vse of his master.
Sed quanta in his fidelitas, tanta varietas in ingeniis.
But how much faythfulnes, so much diuersitie there is in their
natures,
Nam sunt qui ore infræno latrent tantum nullo morsu; verum hi minus
tremendi, quòd timidiores sunt. Canes enim timidi vehementius
latrant, ut est in proverbio. Sunt qui latrent atque mordeant.
For there be some,
{ Which barcke only with free and open throate but will not bite,
{ Which doe both barcke and byte,
{ Which bite bitterly before they barcke,
The first are not greatly to be feared, because they themselues are
fearefull, and fearefull dogges (as the prouerbe importeth) barcke
most vehemently.
Ab his cavendum quidem, quia admonent futuræ injuriæ, sed non
lacessendum, quoniam ira concitantur ad dentem, ipsi etiam natura
acerbiores.
The second are daungerous, it is wisedome to take heede of them
because they sounde, as it were, an _Alarum_ of an afterclappe, and
these dogges must not be ouer much moued or prouoked, for then they
take on outragiously as if they were madde, watching to set the
print of their teeth in the fleshe. And these kinde of dogges are
fearce and eager by nature.
Sunt qui sine voce prosiliunt, impetu involant, jugulum petunt,
& crudelius lacerant. Hos formidato, quia ammosiores sunt, & incautos
opprimunt.
The thirde are deadly, for they flye upon a man, without vtteraunce
of voyce, snatch at him, and catche him by the throate, and most
cruelly byte out colloppes of fleashe. Feare these kind of Curres,
(if thou be wise and circumspect about thine owne safetie) for they
bee stoute and stubberne dogges, and set vpon a man at a sodden
vnwares.
[Notæ ignaviæ aut audaciæ.] Istis notis ignavum genus a strenuo,
audax a timido discernunt nostri. Etenim ex malo genere, ne catulum
quidem habendum existimant, quòd nullum necessariis usibus humanis
commodiorem canem isto putent.
By these signes and tokens, by these notes and argumentes our men
discerne the cowardly curre from the couragious dogge the bolde from
the fearefull, the butcherly from the gentle and tractable. Moreouer
they coniecture that a whelpe of an yll kinde is not worthe the
keeping and that no dogge can serue the sundry vses of men so aptly
and so conueniently as this sort of whom we haue so largely written
already.
Nam si quis commemoratos eorum usus ad summas velit revocare, quis
hominum clarius aut tanta vociferatione bestiam vel furem prædicat,
quam iste latratu? quis domitor ferarum potentior? quis famulus
amantior domini? quis fidelior comes? quis custos incorruptior? quis
excubitor vigilantior? quis ultor aut vindex constantior? quis
nuncius expeditior? quis aquarius laboriosior? quis denique sarctor
ærarius gestandis sarcinis tolerantior?
For if any be disposed to drawe the aboue named seruices into a
table, what mã more clearely, and with more vehemency of voyce
giueth warning eyther of a wastefull beast, or of a spoiling theefe
then this? who by his barcking (as good as a burning beacon)
foreshoweth hassards at hand? What maner of beast stronger? what
serua[un]t to his master more louing? what companion more trustie?
what watchman more vigilant? what reuenger more constant? what
messinger more speedie? what water bearer more painefull? Finally
what packhorse more patient?
Atque hæc quidem de canibus Britannicis generosis atque rusticis,
qui genus suum servant, diximus.
And thus much concerning English Dogges, first of the gentle kinde,
secondly of the courser kinde. Nowe it remaineth that we deliuer
vnto you the Dogges of a mungrell or a currishe kinde, and then will
wee perfourme our taske.
¶ A Diall pertaining to the
_fourth Section_.