As shepheardes curre, that in darke evenings shade
Hath tracted forth some salvage beastes trade.
Ib., ii. 6, 39.
Treacle. This at present means only the sweet syrup of molasses, but was once of far wider reach and far nobler significance, having come to us from afar, and by steps which are curious to trace. They are these. The Greeks, in anticipation of modern homœopathy, called a fancied antidote to the viper’s bite, which was composed of the viper’s flesh, θηριακά—from θηρίον, a name often given to the viper (Acts xxviii. 5); of this came the Latin ‘theriaca,’ from the Old French form of which—namely, ‘triacle’—came our ‘triacle’ and ‘treacle.’ See Promptorium, and Mayhew-Skeat, Dict. of Middle English, p. 237.
For a most strong treacle against these venomous heresies wrought our Saviour many a marvellous miracle.—Sir T. More, A Treatise on the Passion, Works, p. 1357.
There is no more triacle at Galaad, and there is no phisician that can heale the hurte of my people.—Jer. viii. 22. Coverdale.
At last his body [Sir Thomas Overbury’s] was almost come by use of poisons to the state that Mithridates’ body was by the use of treacle and preservatives, that the force of the poisons was blunted upon him.—Bacon, Charge against Robert, Earl of Somerset.
The saints’ experiences help them to a sovereign treacle made of the scorpion’s own flesh (which they through Christ have slain), and that hath a virtue above all others to expel the venom of Satan’s temptations from the heart.—Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour, c. ix. § 2.
Wonderful therefore is the power of a Christian, who not only overcomes and conquers and kills the viper, but like the skilful apothecary makes antidote and triacle of him.—Hales, Sermon on Christian Omnipotence.
Treacle; a physical composition, made of vipers and other ingredients.—Phillips, New World of Words.