Análisis FODA

(The King is ſitting in a Vaporous Bath, and is freed from the Black Gall by the Phyſitian Pharut.)

E

XXVIII.

Rex Duenech (uiridis cui fulgent arma Leonis) Bile tumen rigidis moribus uſus erat. Hinc Pharut ad ſeſe medicum uocat, ille ſalutem

Spondet, & aërias fonte minſtrat aquas: His lauat & relavat, uitreo ſub fornice, donec

D

XXVIII.

As there are three concoctions in man, the firſt in the Stomach, the ſecond in the Liver, the third in the Veins, there are likewiſe as many univerſall Evacuations of Excrements which are correſpondent to them and daily carry of their ſuperfluityes; namely, the firſt by ſtool which is proper to the firſt concoction, the ſecond by Urine which belongs to the ſecond, the third by Expiration through the pores of the Whole Body or by ſweat which is peculiar to the third. In the firſt the Chylus, in the next Chymus, in the third a Dew or dewy ſubſtance is Elaborated and applied to every part of the Body. The Excrements or Faeces of the firſt are Thick, Bilious and Fat, which are carryed through the Bowells backward, and if they be at any time obſtructed they are gently, moderately or ſtrongly expelled by purgations. The Excrements of the ſecond are liquid, more thin, bilious and ſaltiſh, which are brought out of the Veins by the Kidneys and Bladders as Aqueducts. The ſuperfluityes of the third are yet more thin and therefore do for the moſt part expire of themſelves through the ſmalleſt pores, or are carryed out together with the Serum of the Humors as ſweat. Theſe are helped by Sudorificks, as the former are by Diureticks. The Ancient Greeks and Romans took a great deal of pains for the evacuating of this latter ſort of Faeces, and to this End did ſo many ſports and exerciſes, ſuch as the Chafing of all parts in the morning, Anointing with oyle and Wreſtling, Fencing, Running, Hand-ball, Tennis, daily Waſhing and Bathing in Rivers or Artificiall Baths. And for the convenience of theſe thinges ſo many Magnificent ſtructures were built at Rome, which we may rather admire than imitate; ſuch as were the Baths of Diocleſian, which are for the moſt part ſtill remaining (and unleſſe I am miſtaken dedicated to the Arch Angels), an Aſpiring, Superb and Splendid Work.

The ſame kinds of concoction as we have before mentioned are likewiſe in the Elaboration of Metalls. For the firſt is made after its manner in the Magnus Annus or great year, that is in the Revolution of the Higheſt Sphere, the ſecond in the Revolution of the loweſt ſphere, the third in that of the middle one. But that the Philoſophers may by the help of Art more Eaſily draw forth this maſſe of Excrements and Superfluityes, they invent ſeverall methods ſuch as Waſhings, Purgations, Bathings and Laconica or Vaporous Baths, by which they perform that in the Philoſophickal Work which Phyſicians do in human Bodyes. Duenech therefore is by Pharut introduced into his Laconicum that there He may ſweat and evacuate through his Pores the Faeces of the third concoction; for this King's diſtemper is melancholick or atrabilious by which he is in leſſe Authority and Eſteem than all the other Princes, as being charged with the moroſſneſſe of Saturn

and the Choler and Fury of Mars. He therefore has a deſire to dye or be cured if it be poſſible. Amongſt many Phyſicians one is found who undertakes this charge, being induced to it by rewards and entreatyes. This Allegorye is very frequent in the writings of the Philoſophers, as of Bernhardus, Alanus in the Treatiſe of Duenech, and innumerable others.

Therefore we don't add ſeverall other Circumſtances which may be found in them, but would here obſerve only what Excrement and of which Concoction it is that ought to be evacuated by Bathing, for hereupon the whole matter will turn. In Stoves or Hot Baths that Heat which is included in the Body is uſually, together with the Blood, brought to the ſuperficies of the ſkin whereby a Beautyfull complexion is made in the Face and whole Body; and if this appears it will be a ſign that the Melanchollye Blackneſſe which infects the ſkin may inſenſibly be evacuated, and all the humors corrected ſo that a pure and Roſy blood may afterwards be generated. For it is neceſſary that the whole temperament of his body be amended, becauſe being Cold and Dry it is repugnant to the bittering of his blood, whereas He on the contrary is Hot and Moiſt; and whether this can be done or no it is neceſſary for the Philoſopher to foreknow and foretell by Prognoſticks.

There have been ſome men who have taken a Cobbler for a great Prince or King's Son, but they have at length from certain ſigns perceived what he was in his Deſcent and Education. Leaſt this ſhould happen the Artiſt in the firſt place muſt be carefull to chooſe the true offſpring of the King, who although he does not appear ſplendid with golden Attire, but is deſpicable and mean in his clothing as likewiſe of a Livid and Melanchollye complexion, yet let him not reject him or take another in his ſtead. For if he be very well waſhed his Royall Genius will ſoon appear, as in Cyrus, Paris and Romulus who were educated among Ruſticks. But it is further to be obſerved that the Bath muſt be a Laconicum, that is Vaporous and Sudorifick, leaſt the water ſhould parch his Tender fleſh or obſtruct the Pores, from whence would proceed more Harm than Advantage, nor could the Effect of it be remedied. Let no perſon be ſollicitory what clothes the King ſhould put on after his bathing; for as the Daughter of King Alcinoi preſented Garments to Ulyſſes who was ſhipwrecked and naked, ſo there ſhall be one who will ſend him thoſe which are moſt precious, whereby he may be acknowlegded deſervedly to be the offſpring of the Sun.

EM B L E M A XXIX.