2 Phys. We finde the spirits often suffisticated By many accidents, but yet not mortified; A sudden feare will doe it.
1 Phys. Very right;
But there's no malitious humour mixt
As in the king: Sir, you must understand
A Scorpion stung him: now a Scorpion is
A small compacted creature in whom Earth
Hath the predominance, but mixt with fire,
So that in him Saturne and Mars doe meet.
This little Creature hath his severall humours,
And these their excrements; these met together,
Enflamed by anger, made a deadly poison;
And by how much the creatures body's lesse
By so much is the force of Venome more,
As Lightning through a windows Casement
Hurts more than that which enters at the doore.
2 Phys. But for the way to cure it?
1 Phys. I know none;
Yet Ancient Writers have prescrib'd us many:
As Theophrastus holds most excellent
Diophoratick[160] Medicines to expell
Ill vapours from the noble parts by sweate;
But Avices and also Rabby Roses[161]
Doe thinke it better by provoking Urin,
Since by the Urine blood may well be purg'd,
And spirits from the blood have nutriment,
But for my part I ever held opinion
In such a case the Ventosities are best.
2 Phys. They are indeed, and they doe farre exceede—
1 Phys. All the great curious Cataphlasmes,
Or the live taile of a deplum[e]d Henne,
Or your hot Pigeons or your quartered whelpes;[162]
For they by a meere forc'd attractive power
Retaine that safely which by force was drawne,
Whereas the other things I nam'd before
Do lose their vertue as they lose their heat.
2 Phys. The ventosities shall be our next intensions.
Anton. Pray, Gentlemen, attend his Highnesse.
King. Your next intentions be to drowne your selves:
Dogge-leaches all! I see I am not mortall,
For I with patience have thus long endur'd
Beyond the strength of all mortality;
But now the thrice heate furnace of my bosome
Disdaineth bounds: doe not I scorch you all?
Goe, goe, you are all but prating Mountebankes,
Quack-salvers and Imposures; get you all from me.
2 Phys. These Ventosities, my lord, will give you ease.