With us ther was a Doctour of Phisik,
In al this world ne was ther non him lyk
To speke of phisik and of surgerye.
* * * * *
He knew the cause of every maladye,
Were it of hoot or colde, or moyste or drye,
And wher engendered and of what humour;
He was a verrey parfight practisour.
Canterbury Tales: Prologue. CHAUCER.
'T is not amiss, ere ye're giv'n o'er.
To try one desp'rate med'cine more;
For where your case can be no worse,
The desp'rat'st is the wisest course.
Hudibras to Sidrophel. S. BUTLER.
Take a little rum,
The less you take the better,
Pour it in the lakes
Of Wener or of Wetter.
Dip a spoonful out
And mind you don't get groggy,
Pour it in the lake
Of Winnipissiogie.
Stir the mixture well
Lest it prove inferior,
Then put half a drop
Into Lake Superior.
Every other day
Take a drop in water,
You'll be better soon—
Or at least you oughter.
Lines on Homoeopathy. BISHOP G.W. DOANE.
By medicine life may be prolonged, yet death
Will seize the doctor too.
Cymbeline, Act v. Sc. 5. SHAKESPEARE.