Q. Why do serpents shun the herb rue? A. Because they are very cold, dry, and full of sinews, and that herb is of a contrary nature.
Q. Why is a capon better to eat than a cock? A. Because a capon loses not his moisture by treading the hens.
Q. Why is our smell less in winter than summer? A. Because the air is thick, and less moveable.
Q. Why does hair burn so quickly? A. Because it is dry and cold.
Q. Why is love compared to a labyrinth? A. Because the entry and coming in is easy, and the going out impossible, or very hard.
DISPLAYING
THE SECRETS OF NATURE,
RELATING TO
PHYSIOGNOMY.
CHAPTER I.
Sect. I Of Physiognomy, showing what it is, and from whence it is derived.
Physiognomy is an ingenious science, or knowledge of nature, by. which the inclinations and dispositions of every creature are understood, and because some of the members are uncompounded and entire of themselves, as the tongue, the heart, &c. and some are of a mixed nature, as the eyes, the nose, and others; we therefore say that there are signs which agree and live together, which inform a wise man how to make his judgment before he be too rash to deliver it to the world.
Nor is it to be esteemed a foolish or idle art, seeing it is derived from superior bodies; for there is no part of the face of man but what is under the peculiar influence or government not only of the seven planets, but also of the twelve signs of the Zodiac, and the dispositions, vices, virtues, and fatility, either of a man or woman, are plainly foretold, if the person pretending to the knowledge thereof be an artist, which, that my reader may hereby attain to, I shall set these things in a clearer light.