28. Vespasian: T. Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus, Roman emperor, A.D. 70-79; sent by Nero in 66 to conduct the war against the Jews; when proclaimed emperor, left his son Titus to continue the war.
24-33. his ardent scientific interest has caused him to brave all dangers.
49. The Syrian runagate: perhaps I’m writing for nothing in trusting my letter to him.
60. Thou hadst: wouldst have. Zoar: one of the “cities of the plain”, S. E. of the Dead Sea (Gen. 19:22).
65-78. Though he’s deeply impressed with the subject, he approaches it with extreme diffidence, writing to the “all-sagacious” Abib.
82. exhibition: used in its medical sense of administering a remedy.
103. fume: vaporish fancy.
106. As saffron tingeth: Chaucer uses “saffron” metaphorically as a verb:—
“And in Latyn I speke a wordes fewe,
To saffron with my predicacioun,
And for to stire men to devocioun.”—‘The Pardoner’s Prologue’.
113. Think, could WE penetrate by any drug.