Modern writers have been deeply indebted to old Robert Burton; but he, in
his turn, was equally indebted to earlier writers. Dr. Dibdin remarks:
"I suspect that Burton, the author of the _Anatomy of Melancholy_, was
intimately acquainted with Boiastuan's book as translated by Alday; for
there are passages in Burton's 'Love Melancholy' (the most
extraordinary and amusing part of his work), which bear a very strong
resemblance to many in the 'Gests and Countenances ridiculous of
Lovers,' at p. 195 of Boiastuan's _Theatre, or Rule of the World_."