BRITANNI
DE
Canibus Britannicis libellus.
Scripsimus ad te (charissime Gesnere) superioribus annis variam
historiam de variis quadrupedum, avium, atque piscium formis, variis
herbarum atque fruticum speciebus & figuris. Scripsimus & de
canibus quædam ad te seorsum, quæ in libro tuo de iconibus animalium
ordine secundo mansuetorum quadrupedum, ubi de Canibus Scoticis scribis,
& in fine epistolæ tuæ ad Gulielmum Turnerum de libris a te editis,
inter libros nondum excusos, te editurum polliceris. Sed quia de Canibus
nostris quædam in eo libello mihi videbantur desiderari, editionem
prohibui, & alium promisi. Quamobrem, ut promissis meis starem,
& expectationi tuæ satisfacerem, homini omnis cognitionis cupido,
universitatem generis, differentiam atque usum, mores & ingenium,
veluti
1b
methodo quadam conabor explicare. Dispertiar in tres species, Generosam,
Rusticam, & Degenerem; sic ut de illa primò, de hac postremò, de
rustica, medio loco tibi dicam. Omnes Britannicos vocabo; tum quòd una
Insula Britannia,
4
ut Anglicos omnes, sic quoque Scoticos omnes complectatur: tum quòd
venatibus magis indulgemus, quia voluptati ex feris & venatione,
propter animalium copiam, atque hominum otium, magis Britanni sumus
dediti, quàm eorum animalium indigi & negotiosi Scoti.
Ex generosis venaticis.
Ergo cum omnis ratio generosæ venationis, vel in persequendis feris, vel
in capiendis avibus finiatur, canum, quibus hæc aguntur, duo genera
sunt: alterum quod feras investiget, alterum quod aves persequatur.
Utraque Latinis uno & communi nomine dici possunt venatica. Sed
Anglis cum aliud esse videatur feras sectari, aliud aves capere, ut
primum venationem, secundum aucupium nominant, ita canum nomina volunt
esse diversa: ut qui feras lacessunt, venatici; qui aves, aucupatorii
dicerentur. Venaticos rursum divido in quinque genera. Aut enim odoratu,
aut visu fatigant feras, aut pernicitate vincunt, aut odoratu &
pernicitate superant, aut dolo capiunt.
Sagax.
Qui odoratu fatigat, & prompta alacritate in venando utitur, &
incredibili ad investigandum sagacitate narium valet: a qua re nos
sagacem hunc appellamus, quem Græci ab investigando ἰχνευτὴν,
à nare ῥινηλάτην dicunt. Huic labra propensa sunt, & aures ad
os usque pendulæ, corporisque
2
media magnitudo.
Leverarius.
Hunc Leverarium vocitabimus, ut universum genus in certas species atque
nomina reducamus: cum alioqui usus aut officii nomine, in unitatem
speciei adigi nullo modo queant. Nam alius leporis, alius vulpis, alius
cervi, alius platycerotis, alius taxi, alius lutræ, alius mustelæ, alius
cuniculi (quem tamen non venamur nisi casse & viverra) tantum odore
gaudet: & in suo quisque genere & desiderio egregius est. Sunt
ex his qui duos, ut vulpem atque leporem, variatis vicibus sequi
student, sed non ea felicitate, qua id quod natura sequi docuit: errant
enim sæpius.
Terrarius.
Sunt qui vulpem atque taxum solum, quos Terrarios vocamus; quod subeant
terræ cuniculos, more viverrarum in venatu cuniculorum, & ita
terrent mordentque vulpem atque taxum, ut vel in terra morsu lacerent,
vel è specu in fugam aut casses cuniculorum ostiis inductas compellant.
Sed hi in sagacium genere minimi sunt.
Sanguinarius.
Qui insequuntur, majores: propenso & hi labro atque aure, nec vivas
tantum uti memorati omnes, sed &
5
mortuas quoque conspersi sanguinis odore persequuntur. Sive enim vivæ
sauciantur feræ, atque è manibus venatorum elabuntur, sive mortuæ ex
vivario sublatæ sunt (sed profusione sanguinis utræque) isti canes odore
facilè persentiscunt, & subsequuntur. Eam ob causam ex argumento
sanguinarii appellantur. Cum tamen fieri solet ut furum astutia nullo
consperso sanguine abripiatur fera, etiam sicca hominis vestigia
2b
per extentissima spatia nullo errore sequi nôrunt, in quantalibet
multitudine secernere, per abditissima & densissima loca appetere,
& si flumina tranent etiam persequi, cumque ad ulteriorem ripam
perventum est, circuitu quodam qua fugitum est investigare, si primo
statim odore in vestigium furis non inciderint. Sic enim arte inveniunt,
quod fortuna nequeunt, ut rectè videatur ab Æliano scriptum lib. 6.
cap. 59. de animalibus, τὸ ἐνθυμητικὸν καὶ διαλεκτικὸν, καὶ μέντοι καὶ
τὸ αἱρετὸν, hoc est, considerationem, ratiocinationem, atque etiam
participationem seu arbitrium canibus hisce venaticis inesse; nec ante
cessant persequi, quàm sunt fures comprehensi. Eos luce in tenebris
habent heri, nocte producunt, quo alacriores in persequendo sint assueti
tenebris, quibus prædones delectantur maximè. Iidem, cum fures
insequuntur, non ea donantur libertate qua cum feras, nisi in magna
celeritate fugientium furum, sed loro retenti herum ducunt qua velit
ille celeritate, sive pedes sit, sive eques. In confiniis Angliæ atque
Scotiæ propter frequentia pecorum & jumentorum spolia, multus usus
hujus generis canum est, & principio discit pecudem & armentum
persequi, postea furem relicto armento. In hoc genere nullus est
aquaticus naturaliter, nisi eos ita nominare placeat, qui Lutram
insequuntur, qui subinde ripas, subinde aquas frequentant. Non recusant
tamen omnes, aviditate prædæ tranantis flumina, etiam aquis se
committere. Sed hoc desiderii potius est, quàm naturæ. Quod autem ex
3
his aliquas Brachas nostri, Rachas Scoti sua lingua nominant, in causa
sexus est, non genus. Sic enim canes fœminas in venatico genere vocare
solent nostri. Ad postremum, in natura sagacium est, ut alii
pervestigando taceant ante excitatam feram, alii statim ad primum odorem
voce prodant animal, etsi remotum adhuc, & in cubili; & quo
juniores, eo
6
petulantioris oris & mendacioris sunt. Ætas enim & venandi
assiduitas experientiam in his facit & certitudinem, ut in aliis
omnibus, maximè, cum norint obtemperare domino vel inhibenti vel
animanti.
Agasæus.
Quod visu lacessit, nare nihil agit, sed oculo; oculo vulpem leporemque
persequitur, oculo seligit medio de grege feram, & eam non nisi bene
saginatam & opimam oculo insequitur, oculo perditam requirit, oculo,
si quando in gregem redeat, secernit, cæteris relictis omnibus,
secretamque cursu denuo fatigat ad mortem. Agasæum nostri abs re, quòd
intento sit in feram oculo, vocant. Usus ejus est, in septentrionalibus
Angliæ partibus magis quam meridionalibus; locis planis &
campestribus, quàm dumosis & sylvestribus; equitibus magis quàm
peditibus, quo ad cursum equos incitent (quibus delectantur magis quàm
ipsa præda) assuescantque sepes fossasque inoffensè & intrepidè
transilire & aufugere, quò insessores per necessitates &
pericula salutem fuga sibi quærant, aut hostem insequendo cum velint
cædant. At si quando canis aberraverit, dato signo quàm mox accurrit,
& feram de integro subsequens, clara voce, cursuque celeri ut ante
lacessit.
Leporarius.
Quod pernicitate vincit,
3b
leporarius dicitur, quòd præcipua ejus cura, præcipuusque usus est in
persequendo lepore. Quanquam & in capiendo platycerote, cervo,
dorcade, vulpe, & hoc genus aliis feris, & viribus &
memorata velocitate valent: sed plus minus pro suo quisque desiderio,
& corporis firmitudine aut exilitate. Est enim strigosum genus: in
quo alii majores sunt, alii minores: alii pilo sessili, alii hirto.
Majores majoribus, minores minoribus feris destinamus. Cujus naturam in
venatione, magnam; in hoc, miram deprehendi: quòd (referente Joanne
Froisarto historico lib. hist. suæ 4.) leporarius Richardi secundi
Anglorum regis, qui ante neminem præter regem agnoverat, venientem
Henricum Lancastriæ ducem ad castellum Flinti ut Richardum
comprehenderet, relicto Richardo, Henricum solitis in Richardum
favoribus exceperit; quasi adversitates Richardi futuras intellexerat
& præsentiscerat. Id quod Richardus probe animadvertit, atque ut
præsagium futuri interitus verbis non dissimulavit.
Levinarius seu lorarius.
Quod sagacitate simul & pernicitate potest, & genere, &
compositione corporis medium
7
est inter sagacem illum & leporarium, & à levitate
appellatur levinarius, à loro (quo ducitur) lorarius. Hic propter
velocitatem & gravius feram urget, & citius capit.
Vertagus.
Quod dolo agit, vertagum nostri dicunt, quòd se, dum prædatur, vertat,
&
4
circumacto corpore, impetu quodam in ipso specus ostio feram opprimit
& intercipit. Is hoc utitur astu. Cum in vivarium cuniculorum venit,
eos non lacessit cursu, non latratu terret, nec ullas inimicitias
ostentat, sed velut amicus aliud agens, taciturna solertia
prætergreditur, observatis diligenter eorum cuniculis. Eò cum
pervenerit, ita se humi componit, ut & adversum ventum semper
habeat, & cuniculum lateat. Sic enim ille revertentis aut exeuntis
cuniculi odorem facilè sentit, & suus cuniculo omnino tollitur,
& prospectu fera fallitur. Ad hunc modum compositus canis, &
prostratus, aut exeuntem cuniculum & imprudentem in ipso specus
ingressu versutè opprimit, aut revertentem excipit, atque ad latentem
herum ore perducit. Minor hic est sagaci illo, strigosior, &
erectiore aure. Corporis figura leporarium spurium diceres, si major
esset. Et quamvis eo minor multò sit, uno tamen die tot potest capere,
quot justum equi onus esse possunt. Dolus enim illi pro virtute est,
& corporis agilitas.
Canis furax.
Huic similis canis furax est, qui jubente hero noctu progreditur, &
sine latratu odore adverse persequens cuniculos, cursu prehendit quot
herus permiserit, & ad heri stationem reportat. Vocant incolæ canem
nocturnum, quòd venetur noctu. Sed hæc de iis qui feras insequuntur.
Ex generosis aucupatoriis.
Qui aves, proximum locum habent. Eos Aucupatorios dici ante proposuimus.
Hi ex generosorum numero etiam sunt, & duûm generum. Alii enim per
sicca tantum venantur:
4b
Alii per aquas tantum aves persequuntur. Qui per sicca tantum, aut
libero vestigio & latratu avem investigant & excitant, aut
tacito indicio eandem commonstrant. Primum genus Accipitri servit;
secundum reti.
Hispaniolus.
Peculiaria nomina primum genus non habet, nisi ab ave ad quam venandam
natura est propensius. Qua de causa falconarii hos phasianarios, hos
perdiciarios, vocare solent. Vulgus tamen nostrum communi nomine
Hispaniolos nominat, quasi ex Hispania productum istud genus primo
esset. Omnes maxima ex parte
8
candidi sunt: & si quas maculas habeant, rubræ sunt, raræ, &
majores. Sunt & ruffi atque nigri, sed perpauci. Est & hodie
novum genus ex Gallia advectum (ut novitatis omnes sumus studiosi) sed
ex toto in albo obfuscatum maculosè, quem Gallicanum vocitamus.
Index.
Secundum genus est, quod tacito pede atque ore avem quærit, & nutum
juvantis heri sequitur, vel promovendo se, vel reducendo, vel in
alterutram partem dextram aut sinistram declinando. Cum avem dico,
Perdicem & Coturnicem intelligo. Cum invenerit, cauto silentio,
suspenso vestigio, & occulto speculatu, humiliando se prorepit,
& cum propè est, procumbit, & pedis indicio locum stationis
avium prodit: unde canem indicem vocare placuit. Loco commonstrato,
auceps exporrectum rete avi inducit. Quo facto, canis ad consuetum heri
indicium seu vocabulum quam mox assurgit, & propinquiori præsentia
aves perturbat, atque ut inexplicabilius irretiantur, facit.
Lepus tympanum pulsat.
Quod artificium in
5
cane, animali domestico, mirum videri non debet, cum & lepus agreste
animal, & saltare, & tympanum anterioribus pedibus numero
pulsare tympanistarum more, & canem dente atque ungue petere,
pedibusque crudeliter cædere, in Anglia visus est omnium admiratione,
anno salutis nostræ 1564. Nec est vanum istud, eoque relatum lubentius,
quòd operæ pretium putarem, nihil prætereundum esse, in quo naturæ
spectanda sit providentia.
Aquaticus seu inquisitor.
Qui per aquas aucupatur propensione naturali accedente mediocri
documento, major his est, & promisso naturaliter hirtus pilo. Ego
tamen ab armis ad posteriores suffragines, caudamque extremam, ad te
(Gesnere) detonsum pinxi, ut usus noster postulat, quo pilis nudus
expeditior sit, & minus per natationes retardetur. Aquaticus à
nostris appellatur, ab aquis quas frequentat sumpta appellatione. Eo aut
aves in aquis aucupamur (& præcipue anates; unde etiam anatarius
dicitur, quod id excellenter facit) aut Scorpione occisas educimus, aut
spicula sagittasve fallente ictu recuperamus, aut amissa requirimus: quo
nomine & canes inquisitores eosdem appellamus.
Anatum fallaciæ.
Quanquam Anas & canem & aucupem quoque egregiè subinde fallat,
tum urinando, tum etiam dolo naturali. Etenim si quis hominum, ubi
incubant aut excludunt, propinquabit, egressæ matres venientibus se
9
sponte offerunt, & simulata debilitate vel pedum vel alarum,
5b
quasi statim capi possint, egressus fingunt tardiores. Hoc mendacio
sollicitant obvios, & eludunt, quoad profecti longius, à nidis
avocentur; caventque diligenter revertendo, ne indicium loci conversatio
frequens faciat.
Anaticularum providentia.
Nec anaticularum studium segnius ad cavendum. Cum enim visas se
persentiscunt, sub cespitem confugiunt aut carectum, quorum obtectu tam
callidè proteguntur, ut lateant etiam deprehensæ, nisi fraudem canis
odore detegat.
Canis piscator.
Canem piscatorem (de quo scribit Hector Boethus) qui inter saxa pisces
odore perquirit, nullum planè novi inter nostros, neque ex relatione
aliquando audivi, etsi in ea re perscrutanda perdiscendaque diligentior
fuerim inter piscatores & venatores:
Lutra.
nisi Lutram piscem dicas, ut à multis creditur:
Pupinus.
quo modo & Pupinus avis piscis esse dicitur & habetur. Sed qui
perquirit piscem (si quis perquirat) venationisne causa, an famis
faciat, more cæterorum canum, qui per inediam cadaverum morticinam
carnem appetere solent, tum demum ad te scribam, cum de ea re certior
fiam. Interim id scio, Ælianum & Aetium Lutram κύνα ποτάμιον solere
appellare. Intelligo etiam Lutram hoc habere cum cane commune, quòd per
inopiam piscium excursiones in terram faciat, atque agnos laniet,
rursusque ad aquam satur redeat. Sed inter nostros canes is non est.
Phoca.
Phoca etiam inter scopulos atque saxa prædatur piscem, sed in numero
canum nostratium habitus non est, etsi canis marinus à nostris
6
appelletur.
Ex generosis delicatis, Melitæus seu fotor.
Est & aliud genus canum generosorum apud nos, sed extra horum
ordinem, quos Melitæos Callimachus vocat, à Melita insula in freto
Siculo (quæ hodie usu derivante Malta vulgo dicitur, & christiano
milite nobilis existit) unde ortum id genus habuit maximè: atque à
Melita Siculi Pachyni, ut author Strabo est. Perexiguum id est planè,
& fœminarum lusibus ac deliciis tantum expetitum, quibus, quo minus
est, eo gratius est, ut sinu gestent in cubiculis, & manu in
pilentis, genus sanè ad omnia inutile, nisi quòd stomachi dolorem sedat,
applicatum sæpius, aut in sinu ægri gestatum frequentius, caloris
moderatione. Quin & transire quoque morbos ægritudine eorum
intelligitur, plerumque & morte: quasi malo in eos transeunte
caloris similitudine.
10
Ex rusticis.
Generosorum canum genus jam explicui: Nunc rusticum adjicio.
In eo memorabilia duo tantum genera sunt: pecuarium seu pastorale, &
villaticum seu Molossum: alterum ad propellendas injurias ferarum,
alterum adversus insidias hominum utile.
Pastoralis.
Pastorale nostrum mediocre est, quòd illi cum Lupo, naturali pecori
inimico, res non est, cum apud nos nullus est, beneficio optimi
principis Edgari, qui, quò genus universum deleretur, Cambris (apud quos
in magna copia erant) vectigalis nomine in annos imperavit trecentos
lupos.
Lupi nulli in Britannia.
Sunt qui scribunt Ludwallum Cambriæ principem pendisse annuatim Edgaro
regi 3000 luporum tributi nomine, atque ita annis quatuor omnem Cambriam
atque adeo omnem Angliam orbasse lupis.
Edgarus.
Regnavit autem Edgarus circiter annum
6b
Domini 959. A quo tempore non legimus nativum in Anglia visum
lupum: advectum tamen quæstus faciundi causa ex alienis regionibus, ut
spectetur tantum, tanquam animal rarum & incognitum, sæpius vidimus.
Sed ad canem pastoralem. Is ad certam heri jubentis vocem, aut ex pugno
concluso & inflato clariorem sibilum, errantes oves in eum locum
redigit, in quem pastor maximè desiderat; sic ut levi negotio, &
immoto ferè pede, pastor quo velit modo ovibus moderetur, vel ut se
promoveant, vel gradum sistant, pedem referant, vel in hanc illamve
partem se inclinent. Etenim non ut in Gallia & Germania, non ut in
Syria & Tartaria, sic in Anglia quoque oves pastorem sequuntur, sed
contra, pastor oves. Quandoque etiam nullo procurrente aut circumeunte
cane, ad solum ex pugno sibilum sese congregant palantes oves, metu
canis credo, memores unà cum sibilo prodire quoque & canem solere.
Id quod in itinere diligenter sæpius observavimus, ad pastoris sibilum
refrænantes equos, quo videremus rei experimentum. Eodem etiam cane ovem
vel mactandum prehendit, vel sanandum pastor capit, nulla prorsus
læsione.
Villaticus seu Catenarius.
Villaticum vastum genus est & robustum, corpore quidem grave &
parum velox, sed aspectu truculentum, voce terrificum, & quovis
Arcadico (qui tamen ex leonibus creditur provenire) potentius atque
acrius. Quòd villis fideliter custodiendis
7
destinamus, cum metus est à furibus, villaticum appellamus. His quoque
utile id est contra vulpem atque taxum, qui rem
11
pecuariam faciunt. Valet etiam ad sues agrestes persequendos, domesticos
è frugibus aut arvis abigendos, taurosque capiendos atque retinendos,
cum usus aut venatio postulat, singuli singulos, aut summum duo
singulos, quamvis intractabiles. Est enim acerrimum genus &
violentum, formidabile etiam homini, quem non reformidat. Neque enim ad
arma expavescit; quóque acrius fiat, assuescunt nostri naturam arte
& consuetudine juvare. Etenim ursos, tauros, arctylos, aliaque fera
animalia, præfectis certaminum arctophylacibus, nullo millo, nullo corio
defenses exagitare: sæpe etiam cum homine sude, clava, enseve armato
concertare decent, atque ita ferociores acrioresque reddunt, &
imperterritos faciunt. Vis illis supra fidem, & pertinax mordacitas,
usque adeo ut tres ursum, quatuor vel leonem comprehendant.
Henricus septimus.
Quod videns aliquando (ut fama est) Henricus septimus, Angliæ rex prudentissimus,
quotquot erant suspendi jussit, indignatus ut infimi & ignobilis
generis canes, generoso leoni, & animalium regi violentiam inferant:
memorabili exemplo subditorum, ne quid contra regem gens rebellis
audeat. Haud absimilis etiam historia de eo fertur, quod falconem
quendam suum, à falconariis vehementer laudatum, quòd in aquilam
quid
7b
auderet, quam mox occidi jussit, ob eandem rationem. Hoc genus canis,
etiam catenarium, à catena ligamento, qua ad januas interdiu
detinetur, ne solutum lædat, & tamen latratu terreat, appellatur.
Cicero.
Et quanquam CiceroA pro S. Ross. opinetur, si canes luce latrent, iis
crura suffringantur, nostri tamen homines propter securitatem vitæ atque
rei longe aliter sentiunt.
Fures.
Nam furum apud nos plena sunt omnia, etiam luce, neque infamem mortem
suspendia metuunt. In causa est non curta res solum, sed vestis vitæque
luxus atque fastus etiam, sed petulantia, sed otium & superbia
Salaconum μεγαλοῤῥούντων, qui nihil aliud quàm ut equi insultare solo
& gressus glomerare superbos, quàm gyro breviori flecti, qui nihil
aliud quàm cevere, quàm otiosè mendicando accusata non merente corporis
infirmitate spoliare.
Valentinianus.
Sed his Valentinianus imperator benè prospexit, legibus latis, ut qui
nullo corporis morbo laborantes, corporis infirmitatem desidiosi
ignavique prætexentes,
12
mendicarent, perpetui colono ei inservirent, qui eorum ignaviam proderet
atque accusaret, ne eorum desidia onerosa populo, odiosave sit exemplo.
Alfredi vigilantia.
Alfredus quoque regno administrando tanta vigilantia justitiaque usus
est, ut si quis per vias publicas incedens, marsupium auro plenum
vesperi perdidisset, manè, atque adeo post mensem unum, integrum &
intactum inveniret, uti Ingulphus Croylandensis in historia refert.
Nostra autem ætate, nihil ferè securum, ne in ædibus quidem, quamvis
accuratè conclusis.
Canis custos.
Custos quoque (Græcis οἰκουρὸς) a
8
custodiendis non solum villis, sed & mercatorum ædibus, & quibus
ampla res est domi, canis iste nominatur. Eam ob rem canes publicæ
alebantur Romæ in Capitolio, ut significent si fures venerint.
Canis laniarius.
Dicitur & Laniarium, quòd eorum usus multus sit laniis agendis &
capiendis bestiis.
Molossicus.
Sed & Molossicum quoque & Molossum latinis dicitur,
à Molossia Epiri regione, ubi hoc genus canes boni & acres
erant.
Mandatarius.
Est ex hoc genere quem Mandatarium ex argumento appellamus: quòd domini
mandato literas aliasve res de loco in locum transferat, vel mellio
inclusas, vel eidem alligatas. Quæ ne intercipiantur, vel pugna, vel
fuga si impar sit, diligenter cavet.
Lunarius.
Est & Lunarium, quòd nihil aliud quàm excubias agit, quàm insomnes
noctes totas protrahit baubando ad lunam, ut Nonii verbo utar.
Aquarius.
Ex quibus grandiores atque graviores, etiam rotæ amplioris circumactu,
aquam ex altis puteis ad usus rusticos hauriunt, quos Aquarios
appellamus ex officio:
Sarcinarius.
& sarctores ærarios vagos manticis ferendis memorabili patientia
levant; à qua re sarcinarios nuncupamus. Præter has villaticorum
qualitates atque usus, hanc unam habent præcipuam, quòd amantes
dominorum sunt, & odium gerant in externos.
Defensor.
Quo fit ut per itinera dominis in præsidio sunt, quos à furibus
defendunt, vivos salvosque conservant: a qua re etiam canes
defensores jure dici possunt.
Canum amor & fides.
At si quando vel multitudine, vel majori vi opprimatur dominus atque
concidat, usu compertum
8b
est, herum non deserere ne mortuum quidem, sed eum ad multos dies per
famis & cœli injuriæ patientiam peramanter observare, &
homicidam, si occasio dabitur, interficere, aut saltem prodere vel
latratu, vel ira, vel hostili insultu, quasi
13
mortem heri ulturum.
Kingestoune.
Hujus rei exemplo fuit nostra memoria canis cujusdam viatoris, qui
Londino recta Kingestonum, octo regum coronatione percelebre oppidum,
profecturus, cum bonam itineris partem confecisset, latronum insidiis in
Comparco, valli amplo & spatioso, nemoribus obsito, &
latrociniis infami loco, occubuit. Canis item ille Britannus genere,
quem Blondus sua memoria scribit, non longe Parisiis hero à rivali
interempto, & homicidam prodidisse, & ni canis ultionem homicida
deprecatus esset, jugulaturum fuisse. In incendiis quoque in conticinio
seu intempesta nocte incidentibus, eo usque latrant annosi canes, etiam
prohibiti, dum à domesticis excitatis percipiatur focus; & tum sua
sponte cessant à latratu, quod usu compertum est in Britannia. Nec minor
erat fides in eo cane qui domino profundam foveam per venatum incidenti
nunquam abfuit, dum sui unius indicio sublatus is per funem fuit: in
quem, cum oris cavernæ proximus esset, insiliebat canis, tanquam ulnis
amplexurus revertentem herum, impatiens longioris moræ.
Canum ingenia.
Sunt qui focum non patiuntur dissipari, sed prunas in focum pede
removent, prius cogitabundi
9
aspicientes qua ratione id possit à se fieri. Quod si pruna ardentior
fuerit, cinere obruunt, ac dein nare in locum promovent. Sunt quoque qui
noctu villici officium præstant. Cum enim lectum petit herus, &
omnia centum ærei claudunt vectes, æternaque ferri robora, nec custos
absistit limine Janus (ut scribit Virgilius) tum si prodire jubeat herus
canem, is per fundos omnes oberrat, quovis villico diligentior, & si
alienum quid invenerit sive hominem, sive bestiam, abigit, domesticis
relictis animalibus atque servis. Sed quanta in his fidelitas, tanta
varietas in ingeniis. Nam sunt qui ore infræno latrent tantum nullo
morsu; verum hi minus tremendi, quòd timidiores sunt. Canes enim timidi
vehementius latrant, ut est in proverbio. Sunt qui latrent atque
mordeant. Ab his cavendum quidem, quia admonent futuræ injuriæ, sed non
lacessendum, quoniam ira concitantur ad dentem, ipsi etiam natura
acerbiores. Sunt qui sine voce prosiliunt, impetu involant, jugulum
petunt, & crudelius lacerant. Hos formidato, quia ammosiores sunt,
& incautos opprimunt.
Notæ ignaviæ aut audaciæ.
Istis notis
14
ignavum genus a strenuo, audax a timido discernunt nostri. Etenim ex
malo genere, ne catulum quidem habendum existimant, quòd nullum
necessariis usibus humanis commodiorem canem isto putent. Nam si quis
commemoratos eorum usus ad summas velit revocare, quis hominum clarius
aut tanta vociferatione bestiam vel furem prædicat, quam iste latratu?
quis domitor ferarum potentior? quis famulus
9b
amantior domini? quis fidelior comes? quis custos incorruptior? quis
excubitor vigilantior? quis ultor aut vindex constantior? quis nuncius
expeditior? quis aquarius laboriosior? quis denique sarctor ærarius
gestandis sarcinis tolerantior? Atque hæc quidem de canibus Britannicis
generosis atque rusticis, qui genus suum servant, diximus.
Ex degeneribus.
De degeneribus, & ex horum diverso genere mixtis, quòd nullam
insignem veri generis qualitatem formamque referant, non est quod velim
plura scribere, sed ut inutiles ablegare, nisi quòd vel advenas latratu
excipiant, etiam luce, & eorum adventus domesticos commonefaciant,
Admonitor.
unde canes admonitores appellamus: vel quòd in officio culinario, cum
assandum est, inserviant, & rota minore gradiendo, verua
circumagant, pondereque suo æquabiliter versent, ut ne calo aut lixa
quidem artificiosius;
Versator.
quos hinc canes versatores, seu veruversatores nostrum vulgus nominat:
postremos omnium generum, quæ primo memoravimus.
Tympanista.
Sunt etiam canes nostri degeneres & ad tympanum saltare, & ad
lyræ modos se movere docti, multaque alia erecti pronique facere, quæ à
vagis quæstuosisque heris exequi didicerunt.
Lyciscus.
LyciscumB nullum istic in Anglia habemus nativum, ut ne lupum
quidem ut est ante comprehensum, nec aliud genus ullum præter Lacænam
& Urcanum:
Lacæna.
illam ex cane & vulpe (quam multam habet Anglia, & domi inter
canes vel animi vel morbi causa sæpè alit)
Urcanus.
hunc ex urso & cane catenario; quos licet inimicos, pruriens tamen
libido sæpè ita hic conjungit, ut alibi solet. Nam cum tigride Hircanos,
cum leone Arcadicos, cum lupo Gallicos commiscuisse
10
legimus. In hominibus quoque quibus ratio est, inimicos animos conciliat
stulta illa res & naturalis, ut Moria loquitur. Est hic urcanus,
sæva bestia, & intractabilis iræ (ut
15
Gratii poetæ verbis utar) cæteros canes nostros omnes feroci crudelitate
superans, vel aspectus torvitate terribilis, in pugna acris &
vehemens, tantaque mordacitate, ut citius discerpas quàm dissolvas; nec
lupum nec taurum, ursum aut leonem reformidat: vel cum cane illo
Alexandri Indico certe conferendus. Sed de his hactenus ut de
Britannicis verba fecimus.
Externi canes.
Externos aliquos & eos majusculos, Islandicos dico &
Littuanicos, usus dudum recepit: quibus toto corpore hirtis, ob
promissum longumque pilum, nec vultus est, nec figura corporis.
Externa prælata.
Multis tamen quòd peregrini sunt, & grati sunt, & in Melitæorum
locum assumpti sunt: usque adeo deditum est humanum genus etiam sine
ratione novitatibus. ἐρῶμεν ἀλλοτρίων, παρορῶμεν συγγενεῖς, miramur
aliena, nostra non diligimus. Neque hoc in canibus solum, sed in
artificibus quoque usu venit. Nostros enim licet doctos & peritos
fastidimus, belluam è longinqua barbarie alienoque solo profectam
10b
tanquam asinum Cumani, aut hominem Thalem, nostri suspiciunt. Id quod
Hippocrates sub initio libri sui περὶ ἀγμῶν recte sua ætate observavit,
& nos libello nostro seu consilio de Ephemera Britannica ad populum
Britannicum copiosius explicuimus. Atque in hoc genere quo quisque
indoctior, audacior, incogitantior, hoc pluris fit apud nostros, atque
etiam apud torquatos istos principes atque proceres. Cæterum de externis
canibus nihil dico, quòd de Britannicis tantum voto tuo satisfacere
studeo, Conrade vir doctissime.
Canis Getulus.
Inter ea tamen quæ aliàs ad te dedi, de cane Getulo seorsum scripsi,
quòd rara species ejus videbatur. De cætero genere, ipse plenissimè
scribis. Verum cum longius jam produximus hunc libellum quàm priorem ad
te, brevius tamen quam pro natura rei, quòd habuimus rationem studiorum
tuorum, memoriæ causa quæ de canibus Britannicis diximus, in diagramma
reducemus. Et quia vulgaribus nominibus delectaris, ut ex literis tuis
didici, ea quoque Latinis apponemus, & singulorum rationes
exponemus, quo nihil tibi sit incognitum aut desideratum.
16
|
|
Nomina |
|
|
|
Latina |
Anglica |
Venatici. |
|
Sagax. |
Terrarius.
Leverarius.
Sanguinarius. |
Hunde |
Terrare.
Harier.
Blud-hunde. |
|
|
Agasæus.
Leporarius.
Levinarius seu
Lorarius.
Vertagus.
|
|
Gasehunde.
Grehunde.
Leviner, or
Lyemmer.
Tumbler.
|
|
|
|
Generosi. |
Aucupatorii. |
|
Hispaniolus.
Index.
Aquaticus, seu
Inquisitor. |
|
Spainel.
Setter.
Water-spainel, or Fynder.
|
Canes ergo Britannici,
aut sunt |
|
Delicati. |
|
Melitæus,
seu Fotor. |
|
Spainel-gentle, or Comforter. |
Rustici. |
|
|
Pastoralis.
Villaticus, seu Catenarius.
|
|
Shepherd’s Dog.
Mastive, or Bandedog.
|
|
Degeneres. |
|
|
Admonitor.
Versator.
Saltator. |
|
Wappe.
Turn-spit.
Dancer. |
Ista vocabula nostratia cum nihil apud te, hominem
11
peregrinum, loquantur sine interpretatione, ut Latinorum vocabulorum
rationem prius reddidimus, ita Anglicorum jam reddemus, quo tibi pateant
universa, eo etiam quo prius observato ordine.
Sagax.
Hunde igitur (quem inter venaticos sagacem diximus) a verbo nostro
hunte, quod apud nostros venari significat, unica tantum immutata litera
derivata appellatione, nomen habet. Quod si a vocabulo vestrati hunde,
(quod canem in universum apud vos significat) propter vocum
similitudinem appellari credas (mi Gesnere) ut non magnopere repugnabo,
cum adhuc retinemus multa Germanica vocabula, a Saxonibus cum
Angliam occuparunt nobis relicta, ita illud admonebo, commune quidem
nomen canis apud nos dogge esse, venatici vero canis hunde.
Agasæus.
Similiter à verbo nostrati, Gase, (quòd fixius rem aliquam &
attentius contueri est) Gasehunde appellatur nostris, quem
17
ante Agasæum nominari diximus. Neque enim odoratu, sed prospectu attento
& diligenti feram persequitur iste canis, ut jam ante memoravimus;
etsi non sum nescius etiam apud Latinos Agasæi vocabulum inter canum
nomina reperiri.
Leporarius.
A Gre quoque, Grehunde apud nostros invenit nomen, quod præcipui gradus
inter canes sit, & primæ generositatis.
11b
Gre enim apud nostros gradum denotat. Hunc latinè Leporarium
dicebamus.
Levinarius.
A levitate Leviner, à loro Lyemmer, appellatur is quem Levinarium &
Lorarium latinè nominavimus. Nam Lyemme nostra lingua, Lorum significat.
Quod autem a levitate Leviner, hoc est a latina voce Britannicam,
diducimus: cur in libris nostris sparsim a Græcis dictionibus &
Latinis Italicis & Germanicis, Gallicis & Hispanicis nostratia
multa derivamus, unde ortum eadem multa habuerunt:
Lib. de symphonia.
& quemadmodum ab origine sua etiam multa per corruptionem jam
declinarunt, libello nostro de symphonia seu consonantia vocum
Britannicarum fusius explicabimus.
Vertagus.
Postremus inter venaticos Vertagus est, quem Tumbler vocitamus; quòd
tumble apud nos vertere est Latinis, & tumbiere Gallis, unde ortum
habet id nomen Tumbler, mutata vocali in liquidam nostro more: contra
quàm in lingua Gallica & Italica, in quibus liquida ante vocalem,
magna ex parte in aliam vocalem vertitur, ut impiere & piano, pro
implere & plano, quæ exempli gratia adduce, cum infinita sint.
Aucupatorii.
Post Venaticos sequuntur Aucupatorii; inter quos primus est Hispaniolus,
quem ab Hispania voce nomen accepisse prius diximus. Nostri omissa
aspiratione & prima vocali, Spainel & Spaniel expediti sermonis
causa proferunt.
Index.
Secundus Index, quem nostri a Setter nominare solent, a verbo
sette, quod locum designare nostris Britannis significat.
12
Aquaticus.
Post hunc subsequitur aquaticus, hoc est a Waterspainel, a vocibus
Water & Spaine (hoc est aqua & Hispania) deducto nomine. Nam
aqua, in qua se exercet canis iste, Water; & Hispania (unde primum
genus hoc tractum ex nomine creditur) Spaine apud nostros vocitatur. Non
quòd isti canes
18
non sint etiam nativi in Britannia, sed quòd generale & commune
nomen canum, qui ex Hispania primò profecti putantur, istæ canum species
(ut & cæteri Aucupatorii) adhuc vulgo referunt, etsi in Britannia
oriantur, & peculiari aliqua vocis nota, aut qualitatis indicio
secernantur apud nos; ut est ista species vocis Water, hoc est aquæ,
appositione.
Inquisitor.
Alio etiam nomine a Finder canis iste appellatur, quòd quærendo invenit
res deperditas, quæ res nostris, fynde, hoc est invenire, dicitur. Nos
tamen ab inquirendo latinum nomen huic fecimus, quòd præcipua pars
inventionis in inquirendo est.
A venaticis & aucupatoriis transitus est ad Delicatos, Rusticos,
& Degeneres.
Delicati.
Delicatum, Melitæum & Spainel gentle, hoc est Hispaniolum generosum,
nominavimus, à generositatis nomine data appellatione, quòd inter
nobiles viros atque fœminas versari, & iis in deliciis atque ad
lusus esse consuevit: ut erat illud Gorgonis κυνίδιον apud Theocritum in
Syracusiis, quod discedens servæ diligentiæ pari cura cum infante
commiserat, ut catellum quidem illa intro revocaret, puerum verò
vagientem placaret. Ad alia omnia
12b
inutilis canis iste est, nisi ad ea quæ jam ante diximus, nisi ad
fovendum stomachum debilitatum frigore, nisi ad prodendum adulterium,
quod fecisse hujus generis catellum quendam Siculum refert Ælianus,
libro septimo, capite vicesimo quinto animalium.
Rustici.
Rusticos, Shepeherdes dogges, Mastives, & Bandedogges nominavimus:
illorum quidem deducto nomine a pastore, qui Shepeherde apud nos
dicitur, quòd custodit oves, quæ nostris, Shepe, appellantur: istorum a
ligamento, quod Bande, & Sagina, quod maste, villicis nostris
hominibus dicitur. Est enim crassum genus canum, & bene saginatum
catenarium hoc. Etsi non sum nescius Augustinum Niphum, Mastinum
(mastivum nostri dicunt) pecuarium existimare: & Albertum Lyciscum
ex cane & lupo genitum esse scribere: quamvis idem pro Molosso magna
ex parte vertat.
Versator.
Ad postremum, degeneres Wappe & Turnespete nominari dicebamus: hunc
a verbo nostrati turne, quòd est verto & spete, seu spede ad
imitationem Italorum, quod veru dicitur;
19
illum a naturali canis voce Wau, quam in latratu edit admonendo. Unde,
originaliter Waupe dicendum fuit. Sed euphoniæ bonæque consonantiæ
gratia, vocali in consonantem mutata, Wappe a nostris vocitatur. Etsi
non me fugit Nonium, a voce naturali Bau, formare suum baubari, non
a Wau, quemadmodum & Græci à suo βαύζειν.
Saltator.
13
Jam verò quod dansare nostris, saltare sit Latinis, si didiceris, non
est de canis saltatoris nostrati nomine amplius quod ipse expetas.
Ita habes (mi Gesnere) non solum canum nostratium genera, sed &
nomina quoque Latina atque Anglica, officia atque usus, differentias
atque mores, naturas & ingenia, ut non sit quod desideres in hoc
argumento amplius. Et quanquam forsan omni ex parte non satisfecerim
tibi in edendo (cui in desideriis omnis festinatio in mora esse
videatur) quòd inhibuerim editionem rudioris illius libelli, quem ad te
tanquam ad privatum amicum, non ad editionem publicam ante annos quinque
dederim; tamen in hoc spero me satisfecisse tibi, quòd mora fecit
aliquanto meliorem, & δεύτεραι φροντίδες lectu commodiorem.
Joannis Caii Britanni de Canibus Britannicis libelli finis.
Iste liber scriptus fuit ante mortem Gesneri, etsi non ante
publicatus, ut est ille de rariorum animalium atque stirpium
historia.
20
A |
A |
dmonitor. |
Fol. 9.a |
Agasæus. |
3.a. 11.a |
Alfredi iustitia in fures. |
7.b |
Anatis providentia. |
5.a |
Anaticularum fallatiæ. |
5.b |
Aquaticus canis. |
5.a. 12.a |
Aquarius. |
8.a |
Aucupatorij. |
11.b |
B |
B |
londus. |
8.b |
Bracha. |
2.b |
C |
C |
anis cathenarius. |
6.b |
Canis tympanista. |
9.b |
Canis custos. |
7.b |
Canes externi. |
10.a |
Canis defensor. |
8.a |
Canis Lucernarius. |
8.a |
Canis mandatarius. |
8.a |
Canis piscator. |
5.b |
Canis pastoralis. |
6.a |
Canis Getulus. |
10.a |
Canis sarcinarius. |
8.a |
Canis timidus quo modo à strenuo
discernendus. |
9.a |
Canis ultor. |
8.b |
Canis index. |
4.b |
Canis excubitor. |
8.a |
Canis furax. |
4.a |
Comparcum. |
8.b |
D |
D |
egeneres canes. |
9.a |
Delicatus canis. |
6.a. 12.a |
Defensor. |
8.a |
E |
E |
dgarus rex lupos
sustulit. |
6.b |
Excubitor canis. |
8.a |
Externi canes. |
10.a |
Externa prælata. |
10.a |
F |
F |
otor. |
6.a |
Furum plena omnia. |
7.b |
G |
G |
enerosi venatici. |
1.b |
Generosi aucupatorij. |
4.a |
Generosi delicati. |
6.a |
Getulus canis. |
10.a |
H |
H |
enrici septimi exemplum
castigatæ rebellionis. |
7.a |
Hispaniolus. |
4.b |
I |
I |
ndex canis. |
4.b. 11.b |
Ingulphus Croylandensis historicus. |
7.b |
Inquisitor. |
5.a. & 12.a |
Islandicus canis. |
10.a |
K |
K |
yngeston, seu
Kingestoune, octo regum (Edwardi primi, Athelstani, Edmundi, Aldredi,
Edwini, Edgari, Edeldredi, Edwardi cognomento ferrei lateris)
coronatione percelebre oppidum. |
|
8.b |
21
L |
L |
aniarius. |
8.a |
Lacæna. |
9.b |
Leverarius. |
2.a |
Leporarius. |
3.b. 11.a |
Henrici secundi. |
3.b |
Levinarius. |
3.b. 11.b |
Lepus tympanista. |
5.a |
Liber de symphonia vocum Britannicarum. |
11.b |
Littuanicus canis. |
10.a |
Lorarius. |
3.b |
Lupos ex Anglia sustulit Edgarus rex. |
6.a |
Lupi nulli in Britannia. |
6.a |
Lutra an piscis? an canis piscator? |
5.b |
Lucernarius. |
8.a |
Lunarius. |
8.a |
Lyciscus. |
9.a |
M |
M |
andatarius. |
8.a |
Melitæus. |
6.a |
Mendici valentes. |
7.b |
Molossus. |
6.a. &. b. &.
8.a |
O |
οἰκουρός. |
8.a |
Oves pastorem sequentes. |
6.b |
P |
P |
astoralis canis. |
6.a |
Phoca. |
5.b |
Pupinus piscis & avis. |
5.b |
Pervigil canis. |
8.a |
R |
R |
ustici canes. |
6.a. 11.b |
Rebellionis exemplum castigatum. |
7.a |
S |
S |
agax. |
1.b. 11.a |
Saltator. |
9.a. 12.b |
Salacones. |
7.b |
Sanguinarius. |
2.a |
Sarcinarius. |
8.a |
T |
T |
errarius. |
2.a |
Tympanista. |
9.a |
V |
V |
alentiniani imperatoris in
validos mendicos lex. |
7.b |
Venatici canes. |
1.b |
Vertagus. |
3.b. 11.b |
Versator. |
9.b. 12.b |
Villaticus. |
6.b |
Vrcanus. |
9.b |
Indicis finis.
1
1
¶ The Preamble or entraunce, into
this treatise.
I wrote vnto you (well beloued friende Gesner) not many yeares
past, a manifolde historie, contayning the diuers formes and figures of
Beastes, Byrdes, and Fyshes, the sundry shapes of plantes, and the
fashions of Hearbes, &c.
I wrote moreouer, vnto you seuerally, a certayne abridgement of
Dogges, which in your discourse vpon the fourmes of Beastes in the
seconde order of mylde and tameable Beastes, where you make mencion of
Scottishe Dogges, and in the wynding vp of your Letter written and
directed to Doctour Turner, comprehending a Catalogue or
rehersall of your bookes not yet extant, you promised to set forth in
print, and openly to publishe in the face of the worlde among such your
workes as are not yet come abroade to lyght and sight. But, because
certaine circumstaunces were wanting in my breuiary of Englishe Dogges
(as seemed vnto mee) I stayed the publication of the same, making
promise to sende another abroade, which myght be commytted to the
handes, the eyes, the eares, the mindes, and the iudgements of the
Readers. Wherefore that I myght perfourme that preciselye, which I
promised solempnly, accomplishe my determination, and satisfy your
expectacion: which art a man desirous and
2
capeable of all kinde of knowledge, and very earnest to be acquaincted
with all experimentes: I wyll expresse and declare in due order, the
grand and generall kinde of Englishe Dogges, the difference of them, the
vse, the propertyes, and the diuerse
2
natures of the same, making a tripartite diuision in this sort and
maner.
All Englishe Dogges be eyther of,
|
A gentle kinde, seruing the game.
A homely kind, apt for sundry necessary vses.
A currishe kinde, meete for many toyes.
|
Of these three sortes or kindes so meane I to entreate, that the
first in the first place, the last in the last roome, and the myddle
sort in the middle seate be handled. I cal thẽ vniuersally all by the
name of English dogges, as well because England only, as it hath in it
English dogs, so it is not without Scottishe, as also for that wee are
more inclined and delighted with the noble game of hunting, for we
Englishmen are adicted and giuen to that exercise, & painefull
pastime of pleasure, as well for the plenty of fleshe which our Parkes
and Forrests doe foster, as also for the oportunitie and conuenient
leasure which we obtaine, both which, the Scottes want. Wherfore seeing
that the whole estate of kindly hunting consisteth principally,
In these two pointes,
|
In chasing the beast
In taking the byrde
|
that is in
|
hunting
fowleing
|
It is necessary and requisite to vnderstand, that there are two
sortes of Dogges by whose meanes, the feates within specifyed are
wrought, and these practyses of actiuitie cunningly and curiously
compassed,
Two kindes of Dogges
|
One which rouseth the beast and continueth the chase,
Another which springeth the byrde and bewrayeth flight by
pursuite,
|
Both which kyndes are tearmed of the Latines by one common name that
is, Canes Venatici, hunting dogges. But
3
because we Englishe men make a difference betweene hunting and fowleling, for that they
are called by these seuerall wordes, Venatio &
Aucupium, so they tearme the Dogges whom they vse in these sundry
games by diuers names, as
those which
3
serue for the beast, are called Venatici, the other which are
vsed for the fowle are called Aucupatorij.
The first kind
called Venatici
I deuide into
fiue sortes.
|
The first in perfect smelling
The second in quicke spying
The thirde in swiftnesse and quicknesse
The fourth in smelling & nymblenesse
The fifte in subtiltie and deceitfulnesse,
|
excelleth.
|
Of the Dogge called a Harier, in Latine Leuerarius.
That kinde of Dogge whom nature hath indued with the vertue of
smelling, whose property it is to vse a lustines, a readines, and a
couragiousnes in hunting, and draweth into his nostrells the ayre or
sent of the beast pursued and followed, we call by this word
Sagax, the Græcians by thys word ιχνευτήν of tracing or chasing by
ye foote, or ῥινηλάτην, of the nostrells, which be the
instrumentes of smelling. Wee may knowe these kinde of Dogges by their
long, large, and bagging lippes, by their hanging eares, reachyng downe
both sydes of their chappes, and by the indifferent and measurable
proportion of their making. This sort of Dogges we call
Leuerarios Hariers, that I may comprise the whole nũber of them
in certaine specialties, and apply to them their proper and peculier
names, for so much as they cannot all be reduced
4
and brought vnder one sorte, considering both the sundrye uses of them,
and the difference of their seruice wherto they be appointed.
|
The Hare
The Foxe
|
|
Some for
|
The Wolfe
The Harte
The Bucke
The Badger
The Otter
The Polcat
The LobsterC
|
Some for one thing and some for another.
|
|
The Weasell
The Conny, &c.
|
|
4
As for the Conny, whom we haue lastly set downe, wee use not to hunt,
but rather to take it, somtime with the nette sometime with a ferret,
and thus euery seuerall sort is notable and excellent in his naturall
qualitie and appointed practise. Among these sundry sortes, there be
some which are apt to hunt two diuers beasts, as the Foxe otherwhiles,
and other whiles the Hare, but they hunt not with such towardnes and
good lucke after them, as they doe that whereunto nature hath formed and
framed them, not onely in externall composition & making, but also
in inward faculties and conditions, for they swarue oftentimes, and doo
otherwise then they should.
Of the Dogge called a Terrar, in Latine Terrarius.
Another sorte there is which hunteth the Foxe and the Badger or Greye
onely, whom we call Terrars, because they (after the manner and custome
of ferrets in searching for Connyes) creepe into the grounde, and by
that meanes make afrayde, nyppe, and byte the Foxe and the Badger in
such
5
sort, that eyther they teare them in peeces with theyr teeth beyng in
the bosome of the earth, or else hayle and pull them perforce out of
their lurking angles, darke dongeons, and close caues, or at the least
through cõceaued feare, driue them out of their hollow harbours, in so
much that they are compelled to prepare speedy flight, and being
desirous of the next (albeit not the safest) refuge, are otherwise taken
and intrapped with snares and nettes layde ouer holes to the same
purpose. But these be the least in that kynde called Sagax.
Of the Dogge called a Bloudhounde in Latine
Sanguinarius.
The greater sort which serue to hunt, hauing lippes of a large syze,
& eares of no small lenght, doo, not onely chase the beast whiles it
liueth, (as the other doo of whom mencion aboue is made) but beyng dead
also by any maner of casualtie,
5
make recourse to the place where it lyeth, hauing in this poynt an
assured and infallible guyde, namely, the sent and sauour of the bloud
sprinckled heere and there vpon the ground. For whether the beast beyng
wounded, doth notwithstanding enioye life, and escapeth the handes of
the huntesman, or whether the said beast beyng slayne is conuayed clenly
out of the parcke (so that there be some signification of bloud shed)
these Dogges with no lesse facilitie and easinesse, then auiditie and
greedinesse can disclose and bewray the same by smelling, applying to
their pursute, agilitie and nimblenesse, without tediousnesse, for which
consideration, of a singuler specialtie they deserued to bee called
Sanguinarij bloudhounds. And albeit peraduenture it may chaunce,
(As whether it chaunceth sealdome or sometime I am ignorant) that a
peece of fleshe be subtily stolne and cunningly conuayed away with such
prouisos and precaueats as thereby all apparaunce
6
of bloud is eyther preuented, excluded, or concealed, yet these kinde of
dogges by a certaine direction of an inwarde assured notyce and priuy
marcke, pursue the deede dooers, through long lanes, crooked reaches,
and weary wayes, without wandring awry out of the limites of the land
whereon these desperate purloyners prepared their speedy passage. Yea,
the natures of these Dogges is such, and so effectuall is their
foresight, that they cã bewray, seperate, and pycke them out from among
an infinite multitude and an innumerable company, creepe they neuer so
farre into the thickest thronge, they will finde him out
notwithstandying he lye hidden in wylde woods, in close and ouergrowen
groues, and lurcke in hollow holes apte to harbour such vngracious
guestes. Moreouer, although they should passe ouer the water, thinking
thereby to auoyde the pursute of the houndes, yet will not these Dogges
giue ouer their attempt, but presuming to swym through the streame,
perseuer in their pursute, and when they be arriued and gotten the
further bancke, they hunt vp and downe, to and fro runne they, from
place to place shift they, vntill they haue attained to that plot of
grounde where they passed ouer. And this is their practise, if perdie
they cãnot at ye first time smelling, finde out the way which
the deede
6
dooers tooke to escape. So at length get they that by arte, cunning, and
diligent indeuour, which by fortune and lucke they cannot otherwyse
ouercome. In so much as it seemeth worthely and wisely written by
Ælianus in his sixte Booke, and xxxix. Chapter. Τὸ ἐνθυμητικον καὶ
διαλεκτικὸν. to bee as it were naturally instilled and powred
into these kinde of Dogges. For they wyll not pause or breath from their
pursute vntill such tyme as they bee apprehended and taken which
committed the facte. The owners of such houndes vse to keepe them in
close and darke channells in the day time, and let them lose at liberty
in the night season, to th’intent that they myght with more courage and
boldnesse practise to follow the fellon in the euening and solitarie
houres of darkenesse, when such yll disposed varlots are principally
purposed
7
to play theyr impudent pageants, & imprudent pranckes. These houndes
(vpon whom this present portion of our treatise runneth) when they are
to follow such fellowes as we haue before rehersed, vse not that liberty
to raunge at wil, which they have otherwise when they are in game,
(except upon necessary occasion, wheron dependeth an urgent and
effectuall perswasion) when such purloyners make speedy way in flight,
but beyng restrained and drawne backe from running at randon with the
leasse, the ende whereof the owner holding in his hand is led, guyded,
and directed with such swiftnesse and slownesse (whether he go on foote,
or whether he ryde on horsebacke) as he himselfe in hart would wishe for
the more easie apprehension of these venturous varlots. In the borders
of England & Scotland, (the often and accustomed stealing of cattell
so procuring) these kinde of Dogges are very much vsed and they are
taught and trayned up first of all to hunt cattell as well of the
smaller as of the greater grouth, and afterwardes (that qualitie
relinquished and lefte) they are learned to pursue such pestilent
persons as plant theyr pleasure in such practises of purloyning as we
have already declared. Of this kinde there is none that taketh the water
naturally, except it please you so to suppose of them whych follow the
Otter, whych sometimes haunte the lande, and sometime vseth the water.
And yet neuerthelesse all the kind of them
7
boyling and broyling with greedy desire of the pray which by swymming
passeth through ryuer and flood, plung amyds the water, and passe the
streame with their pawes. But this propertie proceedeth from an earnest
desire wherwith they be inflamed, rather then from any inclination
issuyng from the ordinance and appoyntment of nature. And albeit some of
this sort in English be called Brache, in Scottishe Rache,
the cause hereof resteth in the shee sex and not in the generall kinde.
For we English men call bytches, belonging to the
8
hunting kinde of Dogges, by the tearme aboue mencioned. To bee short it
is proper to the nature of houndes, some to keepe silence in hunting
untill such tyme as there is game offered. Othersome so soone as they
smell out the place where the beast lurcketh, to bewray it immediatly by
their importunate barcking, notwithstanding it be farre of many furlongs
cowchyng close in his cabbyn. And these Dogges the younger they be, the
more wantonly barcke they, and the more liberally, yet, oftimes without
necessitie, so that in them, by reason of theyr young yeares and want of
practise, small certaintie is to be reposed. For continuance of tyme,
and experience in game, ministreth to these houndes not onely cunning in
running, but also (as in the rest) an assured foresight what is to bee
done, principally, being acquainted with their masters watchwordes,
eyther in reuoking or imboldening them to serue the game.
Of the Dogge called the Gasehounde, in Latine Agaseus.
This kinde of Dogge which pursueth by the eye, preuayleth little, or
neuer a whit, by any benefite of the nose that is by smelling, but
excelleth in perspicuitie and sharpenesse of sight altogether, by the
vertue whereof, being singuler and notable, it hunteth the Foxe and the
Hare. Thys Dogge will choose and seperate any beast from among a great
flocke or hearde, and such a one will it take by election as is not
lancke, leane and hollow, but well spred, smoothe, full, fatte, and
round, it
8
followes by the direction of the eyesight, which in deede is cleere,
constant, and not uncertaine, if a beast be wounded and gone astray this
Dogge seeketh after it by the stedfastnes of the eye, if it chaunce
peraduenture to returne & bee mingled with the residue of the
flocke, this Dogge spyeth it out by the vertue of his eye, leauing the
rest of the cattell vntouched, and after he hath set sure sight upõ it
he seperateth it from among the company and hauing so done neuer ceaseth
9
untill he haue wearyed the Beast to death. Our countrey men call this
dogge Agasæum. A gasehounde because the beames of his sight are
so stedfastly setled and vnmoueably fastened. These Dogges are much and
vsually occupyed in the Northern partes of England more then in the
Southern parts, & in fealdy landes rather then in bushy and wooddy
places, horsemen vse them more then footemen to th’intent that they
might prouoke their horses to a swift galloppe (wherwith they are more
delighted then with the pray it selfe) and that they myght accustome
theyr horse to leape ouer hedges & ditches, without stoppe or
stumble, without harme or hassard, without doubt or daunger, and so
escape with safegard of lyfe. And to the ende that the ryders themselues
when necessitie so constrained, and the feare of further mischiefe
inforced, myght saue themselues vndamnifyed, and preuent each perilous
tempest by preparing speedy flight, or else by swift pursute made vpon
theyr enimyes, myght both ouertake them, encounter with them, and make a
slaughter of them accordingly. But if it fortune so at any time that
this Dogge take a wrong way, the master making some vsuall signe and
familiar token, he returneth forthwith, and taketh the right and ready
trace, beginning his chase a fresh, & with a cleare voyce, and a
swift foote followeth the game with as much courage and nimblenesse as
he did at the first.
Of the Dogge called the Grehounde, in Latine Leporarius.
There is another kinde of Dogge which for his incredible swiftnesse
is called Leporarius a Grehounde, because the
9
principall seruice of them dependeth and consisteth in starting and
hunting the hare, which Dogges likewyse are indued with no lesse
strength then lightnes in maintenance of the
10
game, in seruing the chase, in taking the Bucke, the Harte, the Dowe,
the Foxe, and other beastes of semblable kinde ordained for the game of
hunting. But more or lesse, each one according to the measure and
proportion of theyr desire, and as might and habilitie of theyr bodyes
will permit and suffer. For it is a spare and bare kinde of Dogge, (of
fleshe but not of bone) some are of a greater sorte, and some of a
lesser, some are smooth skynned, & some are curled, the bigger
therefore are appoynted to hunt the bigger beasts, & the smaller
serue to hunt the smaller accordingly. The nature of these dogges I
finde to be wonderful by ye testimoniall of histories. For,
as Iohn Froisart the Historyographer in his 4. lib. reporteth. A
Grehound of King Richard, the second yt wore the Crowne, and
bare the Scepter of the Realme of England, neuer knowing any man, beside
the kings person, whẽ Henry Duke of Lancaster came to the
castle of Flinte to take King Richarde. The Dogge
forsaking his former Lord & master came to Duke Henry, fawned
upon him with such resemblaunces of goodwyll and conceaued affection, as
he fauoured King Richarde before: he followed the Duke, and
vtterly left the King. So that by these manifest circumstances a man
myght iudge this Dogge to haue bene lightened wyth the lampe of
foreknowledge & vnderstãding, touchyng his olde masters miseryes to
come, and vnhappinesse nye at hand, which King Richarde himselfe
euidently perceaued, accounting this deede of his Dogge a Prophecy of
his ouerthrowe.
Of the Dogge called the Leuiner, or Lyemmer in Latine
Lorarius.
Another sort of dogges be there, in smelling singuler, and in
swiftnesse incomparable. This is (as it were) a myddle kinde betwixt the
Harier and the Grehounde, as well for his kinde, as for the frame of his
body. And it is called in latine Leuinarius, a Leuitate,
of lyghtnesse, and therefore may well
10
be called a lyghthounde, it is also called by this worde
Lorarius, a Loro, wherwith it is led. This Dogge for the
11
excellency of his conditions, namely smelling and swift running, doth
followe the game with more eagernes, and taketh the pray with a iolly
quicknes.
Of the Dogge called a Tumbler, in Latine Vertagus.
This sorte of Dogges, which compasseth all by craftes, fraudes,
subtelties and deceiptes, we Englishe men call Tumblers, because in
hunting they turne and tumble, winding their bodyes about in circle
wise, and then fearcely and violently venturing upõ the beast, doth
soddenly gripe it, at the very entrance and mouth of their receptacles,
or closets before they can recouer meanes, to saue and succour
themselues. This dogge vseth another craft and subteltie, namely, when
he runneth into a warren, or setteth a course about a connyburrough, he
huntes not after them, he frayes them not by barcking, he makes no
countenance or shadow of hatred against them, but dissembling
friendship, and pretending fauour, passeth by with silence and
quietnesse, marking and noting their holes diligently, wherin (I warrant
you) he will not be ouershot nor deceaued. When he commeth to the place
where Connyes be, of a certaintie, he cowcheth downe close with his
belly to the groũd, Prouided alwayes by his skill and polisie, that
ye winde bee neuer with him but against him in such an
enterprise. And that the Connyes spie him not where he lurcketh. By
which meanes he obtaineth the sent and sauour of the Connyes, carryed
towardes him with the wind & the ayre, either going to their holes,
or cõming out, eyther passing this way, or running that way, and so
prouideth by his circumspection, that the selly simple Conny is debarred
quite from his hole (which is the hauen of their hope and the harbour of
their health) and fraudulently circumuented and taken, before they can
get the aduantage
12
of their hole. Thus hauing caught his pray he carryeth it speedily to
his Master, wayting his Dogges returne in some conuenient lurcking
corner. These Dogges are somewhat
11
lesser than the houndes, and they be lancker & leaner, beside that
they be somwhat prick eared. A man that shall marke the forme and
fashion of their bodyes, may well call them mungrell Grehoundes if they
were somwhat bigger. But notwithstanding they counteruaile not the
Grehound in greatnes, yet will he take in one dayes space as many
Connyes as shall arise to as bigge a burthen, and as heauy a loade as a
horse can carry, for deceipt and guile is the instrument wherby he
maketh this spoyle, which pernicious properties supply the places of
more commendable qualities.
Of the Dogge called the theeuishe Dogge in Latine
Canis furax.
The like to that whom we have rehearsed, is the theeuishe Dogge,
which at the mandate and bydding of his master steereth and leereth
abroade in the night, hunting Connyes by the ayre, which is leuened with
their sauour and conueyed to the sense of smelling by the meanes of the
winde blowing towardes him. During all which space of his hunting he
will not barcke, least he shoulde bee preiudiciall to his owne
aduantage. And thus watcheth and snatcheth up in course as many Connyes
as his Master will suffer him, and beareth them to his Masters standing.
The farmers of the countrey and uplandishe dwellers, call this kinde of
Dogge a nyght curre, because he hunteth in the darke. But let thus much
seeme sufficient for Dogges which serue the game and disport of
hunting.
13
¶ A Diall pertaining to the
first Section.
|
|
Hariers
Terrars
|
|
|
Dogges seruing
ye pastime
of hunting
beastes.
|
are
diuided
into
|
Bloudhounds
Gasehounds
Grehounds
Leuiners or
Lyemmers
|
|
In Latine
called
Venatici.
|
|
|
Tumblers
Stealers
|
|
|
12
14
Of gentle Dogges seruing the hauke, and first
of the Spaniell, called in Latine
Hispaniolus.
Svch Dogges as serue for fowling, I thinke conuenient and requisite
to place in this seconde Section of this treatise. These are also to bee
reckoned and accounted in the number of the dogges which come of a
gentle kind, and of those which serue for fowling.
There be two sortes
|
The first findeth game on the land.
The other findeth game on the water.
|
Such as delight on the land, play their partes, eyther by swiftnesse
of foote, or by often questing, to search out and to spring the byrde
for further hope of aduauntage, or else by some secrete signe and priuy
token bewray the place where they fall.
The first kinde
of such serue
|
|
The Hauke,
|
The seconde,
|
{ |
The net, or, traine,
|
The first kinde haue no peculier names assigned vnto them, saue onely
that they be denominated after the byrde which by naturall appointment
he is alotted to take, for the which consideration.
15
Some be called Dogges,
|
For the Falcon
The Phesant
The Partridge
|
and such like,
|
The common sort of people call them by one generall word, namely
Spaniells. As though these kinde of Dogges
13
came originally and first of all out of Spaine, The most part of their
skynnes are white, and if they be marcked with any spottes, they are
commonly red, and somewhat great therewithall, the heares not growing in
such thicknesse but that the mixture of them maye easely bee perceaued.
Othersome of them be reddishe and blackishe, but of that sorte there be
but a very few. There is also at this day among vs a newe kinde of dogge
brought out of Fraunce (for we Englishe men are maruailous greedy gaping
gluttons after nouelties, and couetous coruorauntes of things that be
seldom, rare, straunge, and hard to get.) And they bee speckled all ouer
with white and black, which mingled colours incline to a marble blewe,
which bewtifyeth their skinnes and affordeth a seemely show of
comlynesse. These are called French dogges as is aboue declared
already.
The Dogge called the Setter, in Latine Index.
Another sort of Dogges be there, seruiceable for fowling, making no
noise either with foote or with tounge, whiles they followe the game.
These attend diligently vpon theyr Master and frame their conditions to
such beckes, motions, and gestures, as it shall please him to exhibite
and make, either going forward, drawing backeward, inclining to the
right hand, or yealding toward the left, (In making mencion of fowles,
my meaning is of the Partridge & the Quaile) when he hath founde the
byrde, he keepeth sure and fast silence, he stayeth his steppes and wil
proceede no further, and with a
16
close, couert, watching eye, layeth his belly to the grounde and so
creepeth forward like a worme. When he approcheth neere to the place
where the birde is, he layes him downe, and with a marcke of his pawes
betrayeth the place of the byrdes last abode, whereby it is supposed
that this kinde of dogge is called Index, Setter, being in deede
a name most consonant and agreable to his quality. The place being
knowne by the meanes of the dogge, the fowler immediatly
14
openeth and spreedeth his net, intending to take them, which being done
the dogge at the accustomed becke or vsuall signe of his Master ryseth
vp by and by, and draweth neerer to the fowle that by his presence they
might be the authors of their owne insnaring, and be ready intangled in
the prepared net, which conning and artificiall indeuour in a dogge
(being a creature domesticall or householde seruaunt brought vp at home
with offalls of the trencher & fragments of victualls,) is not much
to be maruailed at, seing that a Hare (being a wilde and skippishe
beast) was seene in England to the astonishment of the beholders, in the
yeare of our Lorde God, 1564, not onely dauncing in measure, but playing
with his former feete vppon a tabberet, and obseruing iust number of
strokes (as a practicioner in that arte) besides that nipping &
pinching a dogge with his teeth and clawes, & cruelly thumping him
with ye force of his feete. This is no trumpery tale, nor
trifling toye (as I imagine) and therefore not vnworthy to bee reported,
for I recken it a requitall of my trauaile, not to drowne in the seas of
silence any speciall thing, wherin the prouidence and effectuall working
of nature is to be pondered.
Of the Dogge called the water Spaniell, or finder, in Latine
Aquaticus seu Inquisitor.
That kinde of Dogge whose seruice is required in fowling vpon the
water, partly through a naturall towardnesse, and partly by diligent
teaching, is indued with that property.
17
This sort is somewhat bigge, and of a measurable greatnesse, hauing
long, rough, and curled heare, not obtayned by extraordinary trades, but
giuen by natures appointment, yet neuerthelesse (friend Gesner) I
have described and set him out in this maner, namely powlde and netted
from the shoulders to the hindermost legges, and to the end of his
tayle, which I did for vse and customs cause, that beyng as it were made
somewhat bare and naked, by shearing of
15
such superfluitie of heare, they might atchiue the more lightnesse, and
swiftnesse, and be lesse hindered in swymming, so troublesome and
needelesse a burthen being shaken of. This kinde of dogge is properly
called, Aquaticus, a water spaniel because he frequenteth and
hath vsual recourse to the water where all his game & exercise
lyeth, namely, waterfowles, which are taken by the helpe & seruice
of them, in their kind. And principally duckes and drakes, wherupon he
is lykewise named a dogge for the ducke, because in that quallitie he is
excellent. With these dogges also we fetche out of the water such fowle
as be stounge to death by any venemous worme, we vse them also to bring
vs our boultes & arrowes out of the water, (missing our marcke)
whereat we directed our leuell, which otherwise we should hardly
recouer, and oftentimes they restore to vs our shaftes which we thought
neuer to see, touche or handle againe, after they were lost, for which
circumstaunces they are called Inquisitores, searchers, and
finders. Although the ducke otherwhiles notably deceaueth both the dogge
and the master, by dyuing vnder the water, and also by naturall
subtilty, for if any man shall approche to the place where they builde,
breede, and syt, the hennes go out of their neastes, offering themselues
voluntarily to the hãds, as it were, of such as draw nie their neasts.
And a certaine weaknesse of their winges pretended, and infirmitie of
their feete dissembled, they go so slowely and so leasurely, that to a
mans thinking it were no masteryes to take them. By which deceiptfull
tricke they doe as it were
18
entyse and allure men to follow them, till they be drawne a long
distaunce from theyr neastes, which being compassed by their prouident
conning, or conning prouidence, they cut of all inconueniences which
might growe of their returne, by using many carefull and curious
caueates, least theyr often haunting bewray ye place where
the young ducklings be hatched. Great therfore is theyr desire, &
earnest is theyr study to take heede, not only to theyr broode but also
to themselues. For when they haue an ynckling that they are espied they
hide themselues vnder turfes or sedges, wherwith they couer and shrowde
themselues so closely and so craftely,
16
that (notwithstanding the place where they lurcke be found and perfectly
perceaued) there they will harbour without harme, except the water
spaniell by quicke smelling discouer theyr deceiptes.
Of the Dogge called the Fisher, in Latine Canis
Piscator.
The Dogge called the fisher, wherof Hector Boethus writeth,
which seeketh for fishe by smelling among rockes & stones, assuredly
I knowe none of that kinde in Englande, neither haue I receaued by
reporte that there is any suche, albeit I haue bene diligent & busie
in demaunding the question as well of fishermen, as also of huntesmen in
that behalfe being carefull and earnest to learne and vnderstand of them
if any such were, except you holde opinion that the beauer or Otter is a
fishe (as many haue beleeued) & according to their beliefe affirmed,
and as the birde Pupine, is thought to be a fishe and so
accounted. But that kinde of dogge which followeth the fishe to
apprehend and take it (if there bee any of that disposition and
property) whether they do this for the game of hunting, or for the heate
of hunger, as other Dogges do which rather then they wil be famished for
want of foode, couet the carckases of carrion and putrifyed fleshe. When
I am fully resolued and disburthened of this doubt I wil send you
certificate in writing. In the meane season I am not ignorant of that
both Ælianus, and Ælius, call the Beauer
19
κύνα ποτάμιον a water dogge, or a dogge fishe, I
know likewise thus much more, that the Beauer doth participate this
propertie with the dogge, namely, that when fishes be scarse they leaue
the water and raunge vp and downe the lande, making an insatiable
slaughter of young lambes vntil theyr paunches be replenished, and whẽ
they haue fed themselues full of fleshe, then returne they to the water,
from whence they came. But albeit so much be graunted that this Beauer
is a dogge, yet it is to be noted that we recken it not in the beadrowe
of Englishe dogges as we haue done the rest. The sea Calfe, in
17
like maner, which our country mẽ for breuitie sake call a Seele, other
more largely name a Sea Vele, maketh a spoyle of fishes betweene
rockes and banckes, but it is not accounted in the catalogue or nũber of
our Englishe dogges, notwithstanding we call it by the name of a Sea
dogge or a sea Calfe. And thus much for our dogges of the second sort
called in Latine Aucupatorij, seruing to take fowle either by
land or water.
¶ A Diall pertaining to the
second Section.
Dogges
seruing the
disport of
fowling.
|
are
diuided
into
|
Land spaniels
Setters
Water spaniels
or finders.
|
called
in latine
Canes
Aucupatorij
|
The fisher
is not of
their number,
but seuerall.
|
18
20
Nowe followeth in due order and conuenient place our Englishe Dogges
of the thirde gentle kinde, what they are called to what vse they serue,
and what sort of people plant their pleasure in thẽ, which because they
neede no curious canuassing and nye syfting, wee meane to bee so much
the briefer.
Of the delicate, neate, and pretty kind of dogges
called the Spaniel gentle, or the comforter,
in Latine Melitæus
or Fotor.
There is, besides those which wee haue already deliuered, another
sort of gentle dogges in this our Englishe soyle but exempted from the
order of the residue, the Dogges of this kinde doth Callimachus
call Melitæos, of the Iseland Melita, in the sea of
Sicily, (what at this day is named Malta, an Iseland in
deede, famous and renoumed, with couragious and puisaunt souldiours
valliauntly fighting vnder the banner of Christ their vnconquerable
captaine) where this kind of dogges had their principall beginning.
These dogges are litle, pretty, proper, and fyne, and sought for to
satisfie the delicatenesse of daintie dames, and wanton womens wills,
instrumentes of folly for them to play and dally withall, to tryfle away
the treasure of time, to withdraw their mindes from more commendable
exercises, and to content
21
their corrupted concupiscences with vaine disport (A selly shift to
shunne yrcksome ydlnesse.) These puppies the smaller they be, the more
pleasure they prouoke, as more
19
meete play fellowes for minsing mistrisses to beare in their bosoms, to
keepe company withal in their chambers, to succour with sleepe in bed,
and nourishe with meate at bourde, to lay in their lappes, and licke
their lippes as they ryde in their waggons, and good reason it should be
so, for coursnesse with fynenesse hath no fellowship, but featnesse with
neatenesse hath neighbourhood enough. That plausible prouerbe verified
vpon a Tyraunt, namely that he loued his sowe better then his sonne, may
well be applyed to these kinde of people who delight more in dogges that
are depriued of all possibility of reason, then they doe in children
that be capeable of wisedome and iudgement. But this abuse peraduenture
raigneth where there hath bene long lacke of issue, or else where
barrennes is the best blossome of bewty.
The vertue which remaineth in the Spainell gentle otherwise called
the comforter.
Notwithstanding many make much of those pretty puppies called
Spaniels gentle, yet if the question were demaunded what propertie in
them they spye, which shoulde make them so acceptable and precious in
their sight, I doubt their aunswere would be long a coyning. But seeing
it was our intent to trauaile in this treatise, so that ye
reader might reape some benefite by his reading, we will communicate
vnto you such coniectures as are grounded upon reason. And though some
suppose that such dogges are fyt for no seruice, I dare say, by their
leaues, they be in a wrong boxe. Among all other qualities therfore of
nature, which be knowne (for some conditions are couered with continuall
and thicke clouds, that the eye of our capacities can not pearse through
thẽ) we
22
find that these litle dogs are good to asswage the sicknesse of the
stomacke being oftentimes thervnto applyed as a plaster preseruatiue, or
borne in the bosom of the diseased and weake person, which effect is
performed by theyr moderate heate. Moreouer the disease and sicknesse
chaungeth his place and entreth (though it be not precisely marcked)
into
20
the dogge, which to be no vntruth, experience can testify, for these
kinde of dogges sometimes fall sicke, and sometime die, without any
harme outwardly inforced, which is an argument that the disease of the
gentleman, or gentle woman or owner whatsoeuer, entreth into the dogge
by the operation of heate intermingled and infected. And thus haue I
hetherto handled dogges of a gentle kinde whom I haue comprehended in a
triple diuisiõ. Now it remaineth that I annex in due order such dogges
as be of a more homely kinde.
A Diall pertaining to the
thirde Section.
In the third
section is
cõtained
one kind of
dog which is
called the
|
Spaniell
gentle
or the
cõforter,
|
It is
also
called
|
A chamber cõpanion,
A pleasaunt playfellow,
A pretty worme,
|
generally
called
Canis
delicatus.
|
21
23
Dogges of a course kind seruing for many necessary
vses called in Latine Canes rustici, and first of
the shepherds dogge called in Latine
Canis Pastoralis.
Dogges of
the courser
sort are
|
The shepherds dogge
The mastiue or Bandogge.
|
These two are
the principall.
|
The first kinde, namely the shepherds hounde is very necessarye and
profitable for the auoyding of harmes and inconueniences which may come
to men by the meanes of beastes. The second sort serue to succour
against the snares and attemptes of mischiefous men. Our shepherdes
dogge is not huge, vaste, and bigge, but of an indifferent stature and
growth, because it hath not to deale with the bloudthyrsty wolf,
sythence there be none in England, which happy and fortunate benefite is
to be ascribed to the puisaunt Prince Edgar, who to thintent
yt the whole countrey myght be euacuated and quite cleered
from wolfes, charged & commaunded the welshemẽ (who were pestered
with these butcherly beastes aboue measure) to paye him yearely tribute
which was (note the wisedome of the King) three hundred Wolfes. Some
there be which write that Ludwall Prince of Wales paide yeerely
to King Edgar three hundred wolfes in the name of an exaction (as
we haue sayd before.) And that by the meanes hereof, within the compasse
and tearme of
24
foure yeares, none of those noysome, and pestilent Beastes were left in
the coastes of England and Wales. This Edgar
22
wore the Crowne royall, and bare the Scepter imperiall of this kingdome,
about the yeere of our Lorde, nyne hundred fifty, nyne. Synce which time
we reede that no Wolfe hath bene seene in England, bred within the
bounds and borders of this countrey, mary there have bene diuers brought
ouer from beyonde the seas, for greedynesse of gaine and to make money,
for gasing and gaping, staring, and standing to see them, being a
straunge beast, rare, and seldom seene in England. But to returne to our
shepherds dogge. This dogge either at the hearing of his masters voyce,
or at the wagging and whisteling in his fist, or at his shrill and horse
hissing bringeth the wandring weathers and straying sheepe, into the
selfe same place where his masters will and wishe is to haue thẽ, wherby
the shepherd reapeth this benefite, namely, that with litle labour and
no toyle or mouing of his feete he may rule and guide his flocke,
according to his owne desire, either to haue them go forward, or to
stand still, or to drawe backward, or to turne this way, or to take that
way. For it is not in Englande, as it is in Fraunce, as it is in
Flaunders, as it is in Syria, as it in Tartaria,
where the sheepe follow the shepherd, for heere in our country the
sheepherd followeth the sheepe. And somtimes the straying sheepe, when
no dogge runneth before them, nor goeth about & beside them, gather
themselues together in a flocke, when they heere the sheepherd whistle
in his fist, for feare of the Dogge (as I imagine) remembring this (if
vnreasonable creatures may be reported to haue memory) that the Dogge
commonly runneth out at his masters warrant which is his whistle. This
haue we oftentimes diligently marcked in taking our journey from towne
to towne, when wee haue hard a sheepherd whistle we haue rayned in our
horse and stoode styll a space, to see the proofe and triall of this
matter. Furthermore with this dogge doth the sheepherd take sheepe for
ye slaughter, and to be
25
healed if they be sicke, no hurt or harme in the world done to the
simple creature.
23
Of the mastiue or Bandogge called in Latine Villaticus or
Cathenarius.
This kinde of Dogge called a mastyue or Bandogge is vaste, huge,
stubborne, ougly, and eager, of a heuy and burthenous body, and therfore
but of litle swiftnesse, terrible, and frightfull to beholde, and more
fearce and fell then any Arcadian curre (notwithstãding they are
sayd to hane their generation of the violent Lyon.) They
are called Villatici, because they are appoynted to watche and
keepe farme places and coũtry cotages sequestred from commõ recourse,
and not abutting vpon other houses by reason of distaunce, when there is
any feare conceaued of theefes, robbers, spoylers, and night wanderers.
They are seruiceable against the Foxe and the Badger, to drive wilde and
tame swyne out of Medowes, pastures, glebelandes and places planted with
fruite, to bayte and take the bull by the eare, when occasion so
requireth. One dogge or two at the vttermost, sufficient for that
purpose be the bull neuer so monsterous, neuer so fearce, neuer so
furious, neuer so stearne, neuer so vntameable. For it is a kinde of
dogge capeable of courage, violent and valiaunt, striking could feare
into the harts of men, but standing in feare of no man, in so much that
no weapons will make him shrincke, nor abridge his boldnes. Our Englishe
men (to th’ intent that theyr dogges might be the more fell and fearce)
assist nature with arte, vse, and custome, for they teach theyr dogges
to baite the Beare, to baite the Bull and other such like cruell and
bloudy beastes (appointing an ouerseer of the game) without any collar
to defend theyr throtes, and oftentimes they traine them vp in fighting
and wrestling with a man hauing for the safegarde of his lyfe, eyther a
Pikestaffe, a
26
clubbe, or a sworde and by vsing them to such exercises as these, theyr
dogges become more sturdy and strong. The force which is in them
surmounteth all beleefe, the fast holde which they take with their teeth
exceedeth all credit, three of them against a Beare, fowre against a
Lyon are sufficient, both to try masteryes with them and vtterly to
ouermatch
24
them. Which thing Henry the seuenth of that name, King of England
(a Prince both politique & warlike) perceauing on a certaine time
(as the report runneth) commaunded all such dogges (how many soeuer they
were in number) should be hanged, beyng deepely displeased, and
conceauing great disdaine, that an yll fauoured rascall curre should
with such violent villany, assault the valiaunt Lyon king of all
beastes. An example for all subiectes worthy remembraunce, to admonishe
them that it is no aduantage to them to rebell against ye
regiment of their ruler, but to keepe them within the limits of
Loyaltie. I reede an history aunswerable to this of the selfe same
Henry, who hauing a notable and an excellent fayre Falcon, it
fortuned that the kings Falconers, in the presence and hearing of his
grace, highly commended his Maiesties Falcon, saying that it feared not
to intermeddle with an Eagle, it was so venturous a byrde and so mighty,
which when the King harde, he charged that the Falcon should be killed
without delay, for the selfe same reason (as it may seeme) which was
rehersed in the cõclusion of the former history concerning the same
king. This dogge is called, in like maner, Cathenarius, a
Cathena, of the chaine wherwith he is tyed at the gates, in
ye day time, least beyng lose he should doe much mischiefe
and yet might giue occasion of feare and terror by his bigge barcking.
And albeit CiceroA in his oration had Pro. S. Ross. be of
this opinion, that such Dogges as barcke in the broade day light shoulde
haue their legges broken, yet our countrymen, on this side the seas for
their carelessnes of lyfe setting all at cinque and sice, are of a
contrary iudgement. For theefes roge vp & down in euery corner, no
place is free from them, no not ye princes pallace,
27
nor the country mans cotage. In the day time they practise pilfering,
picking, open robbing, and priuy stealing, and what legerdemaine lacke
they? not fearing the shamefull and horrible death of hanging. The cause
of which inconuenience doth not onely issue from nipping neede &
wringing want, for all yt steale, are not pinched with
pouerty, but som steale to maintaine their excessiue and prodigall
expences in apparell, their lewdnes of lyfe, their hautines of hart,
theyr wantonnes
25
of maners, theyr wilfull ydlenes, their ambitious brauery, and the pryde
of the sawcy Salacones’ μεγαλορρούντων
vaine glorious and arrogant in behauiour, whose delight dependeth wholly
to mount nimbly on horsebacke, to make them leape lustely, spring and
praunce, galloppe and amble, to runne a race, to wynde in compasse, and
so forthe, liuing all together vpon the fatnesse of the spoyle. Othersom
therbe which steale, being thereto prouoked by penury & neede, like
masterlesse mẽ applying themselues to no honest trade, but raunging vp
and downe impudently begging, and complayning of bodily weakenesse where
is no want of abilitie. But valiaunt Valentine th’emperour, by
holsome lawes prouided that suche as hauing no corporall sicknesse,
solde themselues to begging, pleded pouerty wyth pretended infirmitie,
& cloaked their ydle and slouthfull life with colourable shifts and
cloudy cossening, should be a perpetuall slaue and drudge to him, by
whom their impudent ydlenes was bewrayed, and layde against them in
publique place, least the insufferable slouthfullnes of such vagabondes
should be burthenous to the people, or being so hatefull and odious,
should growe into an example. Alfredus likewise in the gouernment
of his common wealth, procured such increase of credite to Justice and
vpright dealing by his prudent actes and statutes, that if a mã
trauailing by the hygh way of the countrey vnder his dominion, chaunced
to lose a budget full of gold, or his capcase farsed with things of
great value, late in the euening, he should finde it where
28
he lost it, safe, sound, and vntouched the next morning, yea (which is a
wonder) at any time for a whole monethes space if he sought for it, as
Ingulphus Croyladensis in his History recordeth. But in this our
vnhappy age, in these (I say) our deuelishe dayes nothing can scape
the clawes of the spoyler, though it be kept neuer so sure within the
house, albe it the doores bee lockt and boulted round about. This dogge
in like maner of Græcians is called οἰκουρος.
26
Of the latinists Canis Custos, in Englishe the Dogge
keeper.
Borrowing his name of his seruire, for he doth not onely keepe
farmers houses, but also merchaunts maisons, wherin great wealth,
riches, substaunce, and costly stuffe is reposed. And therfore were
certaine dogges founde and maintained at the common costes and charges
of the Citizens of Rome in the place called Capitolium, to
giue warning of theefes comming. This kind of dogge, is also called,
In latine Canis Laniarius in Englishe the Butchers
Dogge.
So called for the necessity of his vse, for his seruice affoordeth
great benefite to the Butcher as well in following as in taking his
cattell when neede constraineth, vrgeth, and requireth. This kinde of
dogge is likewise called,
In latine Molossicus or Molossus.
After the name of a countrey in Epirus called Molossia,
which harboureth many stoute, stronge, and sturdy Dogges of this sort,
for the dogges of that countrey are good in deede, or else their is no
trust to be had in the testimonie of writers. This dogge is also
called,
In latine Canis Mandatarius a Dogge messinger or
Carrier.
Upon substanciall consideration, because at his masters voyce and
commaundement, he carrieth letters from place to place, wrapped vp
cunningly in his lether collar, fastened therto, or sowed close therin,
who, least he should be hindered in his passage vseth these helpes very
skilfully, namely resistaunce
29
in fighting if he be not ouermatched, or else swiftnesse
27
& readinesse in running away, if he be vnable to buckle with the
dogge that would faine haue a snatch at his skinne. This kinde of dogge
is likewise called,
In latine Canis Lunarius, in Englishe the Mooner.
Because he doth nothing else but watch and warde at an ynche, wasting
the wearisome night season without slombering or sleeping, bawing &
wawing at the Moone (that I may vse the word of Nonius)
a qualitie in mine opinion straunge to consider. This kinde of
dogge is also called.
In latine Aquarius in Englishe a water drawer.
And these be of the greater and the waighter sort drawing water out
of wells and deepe pittes, by a wheele which they turne rounde about by
the mouing of their burthenous bodies. This kinde of dogge is called in
like maner.
Canis Sarcinarius in Latine, and may aptly be englished a
Tynckers Curre.
Because with marueilous pacience they beare bigge budgettes fraught
with Tinckers tooles, and mettall meete to mend kettels, porrige pottes,
skellets, and chafers, and other such like trumpery requisite for their
occupacion and loytering trade, easing him of a great burthen which
otherwise he himselfe should carry vpon his shoulders, which condition
hath challenged vnto them the foresaid name. Besides the qualities which
we haue already recounted, this kind of dogges hath this principall
property ingrafted in them, that they loue their masters liberally, and
hate straungers despightfully, wherevpon it followeth that they are to
their masters, in traueiling a singuler safgard, defending them
forceably from the inuasion of villons and theefes, preseruing their
lyfes from losse, and their health from hassard, theyr
28
fleshe from hacking and hewing with such like desperate daungers. For
which consideration they are meritoriously
30
tearmed,
In Latine Canes defensores defending dogges in our mother
tounge.
If it chaunce that the master bee oppressed, either by a multitude,
or by the greater violence & so be beaten downe that he lye
groueling on the grounde, (it is proued true by experience) that this
Dogge forsaketh not his master, no not when he is starcke deade: But
induring the force of famishment and the outragious tempestes of the
weather, most vigilantly watcheth and carefully keepeth the deade
carkasse many dayes, indeuouring, furthermore, to kil the murtherer of
his master, if he may get any aduantage. Or else by barcking, by
howling, by furious iarring, snarring, and such like meanes betrayeth
the malefactour as desirous to haue the death of his aforesayde Master
rigorouslye reuenged. An example hereof fortuned within the compasse of my
memory. The Dogge of a certaine wayefaring man trauailing from the Citie
of London directly to the Towne of Kingstone (most famous and renowned
by reason of the triumphant coronation of eight seuerall Kings) passing
ouer a good portion of his iourney was assaulted and set vpon by
certaine confederate theefes laying in waight for the spoyle in
Comeparcke, a perillous bottom, compassed about wyth woddes
to well knowne for the manyfolde murders & mischeefeous robberies
theyr committed. Into whose handes this passinger chaunced to fall, so
that his ill lucke cost him the price of his lyfe. And that Dogge whose
syer was Englishe (which Blondus registreth to haue bene within
the banckes of his remẽbrance) manifestly perceauyng that his Master was
murthered (this chaunced not farre from Paris) by the handes of
one which was a suiter to the same womã, whom he was a wooer vnto, dyd
both bewraye the bloudy butcher, and attempted to teare out the villons
throate if he had not sought meanes to auoyde the reuenging rage of the
Dogge. In fyers also which fortune in the silence
29
31
and dead time of the night, or in stormy weather of the sayde season,
the older dogges barcke, ball, howle, and yell (yea notwithstandyng they
bee roughly rated) neyther will they stay their tounges till the
householde seruauntes, awake, ryse, searche, and see the burning of the
fyre, which beyng perceaued they vse voluntary silence, and cease from
yolping. This hath bene, and is founde true by tryall, in sundry partes
of England. There was no faynting faith in that Dogge, which when his
Master by a mischaunce in hunting stumbled and fell toppling downe a
deepe dytche beyng vnable to recouer of himselfe, the Dogge signifying
his masters mishappe, reskue came, and he was hayled up by a rope, whom
the Dogge seeyng almost drawne up to the edge of the dytche, cheerefully
saluted, leaping and skipping vpon his master as though he woulde haue
imbraced hym, beyng glad of his presence, whose longer absence he was
lothe to lacke. Some Dogges there be, which will not suffer fyery coales
to lye skattered about the hearthe, but with their pawes wil rake up the
burnyng coales, musying and studying fyrst with themselues how it myght
conueniently be done. And if so bee that the coales cast to great a
heate then will they buyry them in ashes and so remoue them forwarde to
a fyt place wyth theyr noses. Other Dogges bee there which exequute the
office of a Farmer in the nyghte tyme. For when his master goeth to
bedde to take his naturall sleepe, And when,
A hundred barres of brasse and yron boltes,
Make all things safe from startes and from reuoltes.
VVhen Ianus keepes the gate with Argos eye,
That daungers none approch, ne mischiefes nye.
As Virgill vaunteth in his verses, Then if his master byddeth him go
abroade, he lingereth not, but raungeth ouer all his lands lying there
about, more diligently, I wys, then any farmer himselfe. And if he finde
anything their that is straunge and pertaining to other persons besides
his master,
32
whether it be man, woman, or beast, he driueth them out of the ground,
not medling with any thing which doth belong to the possession and vse
of his master. But how much faythfulnes, so much diuersitie there is in
their natures,
30
For there
be some,
|
Which barcke only with free and open throate but will not bite,
Which doe both barcke and byte,
Which bite bitterly before they barcke,
|
The first are not greatly to be feared, because they themselues are
fearefull, and fearefull dogges (as the prouerbe importeth) barcke most
vehemently.
The second are daungerous, it is wisedome to take heede of them
because they sounde, as it were, an Alarum of an afterclappe, and
these dogges must not be ouer much moued or prouoked, for then they take
on outragiously as if they were madde, watching to set the print of
their teeth in the fleshe. And these kinde of dogges are fearce and
eager by nature.
The thirde are deadly, for they flye upon a man, without vtteraunce
of voyce, snatch at him, and catche him by the throate, and most cruelly
byte out colloppes of fleashe. Feare these kind of Curres, (if thou be
wise and circumspect about thine owne safetie) for they bee stoute and
stubberne dogges, and set vpon a man at a sodden vnwares. By these
signes and tokens, by these notes and argumentes our men discerne the
cowardly curre from the couragious dogge the bolde from the fearefull,
the butcherly from the gentle and tractable. Moreouer they coniecture
that a whelpe of an yll kinde is not worthe the keeping and that no
dogge can serue the sundry vses of men so aptly and so conueniently as
this sort of whom we haue so largely written already. For if any be
disposed to drawe the aboue named seruices into a table, what mã more
clearely, and with more vehemency of voyce giueth warning eyther of a
wastefull beast, or of a spoiling theefe then this? who by his barcking
(as good as a burning beacon)
33
foreshoweth hassards at hand? What maner of beast stronger? what seruaũt
to his master more louing? what companion more trustie? what watchman
more vigilant? what reuenger more constant? what messinger more speedie?
what water bearer more painefull? Finally what packhorse more patient?
And thus much concerning English Dogges, first of the gentle kinde,
secondly of the courser kinde. Nowe it remaineth that
31
we deliuer vnto you the Dogges of a mungrell or a currishe kinde, and
then will wee perfourme our taske.
¶ A Diall pertaining to the
fourth Section.
|
|
|
|
The keeper or watch man
|
|
Dogs comprehended
in ye fourth section
are these
|
The shepherds dogge
The Mastiue or Bandogge,
|
which hath
sundry names
diriued frõ
sundry
circũstances as
|
|
The butchers dogge
The messinger or carrier
The Mooner
The water drawer
|
called
in Latine
Canes
Rustici.
|
|
|
|
|
The Tinckers curr
The fencer,
|
|
32
34
Containing Curres of the mungrell and rascall sort and
first of the Dogge called in Latine, Admonitor,
and of vs in Englishe VVappe
or VVarner.
Of such dogges as keepe not their kinde, of such as are mingled out
of sundry sortes not imitating the conditions of some one certaine
spice, because they resẽble no notable shape, nor exercise any worthy
property of the true perfect and gentle kind, it is not necessarye that
I write any more of them, but to banishe them as vnprofitable
implements, out of the boundes of my Booke, vnprofitable I say for any
vse that is commendable, except to intertaine straũgers with their
barcking in the day time, giuyng warnyng to them of the house, that such
& such be newly come, wherevpon we call them admonishing Dogges,
because in that point they performe theyr office.
Of the Dogge called Turnespete in Latine Veruuersator.
There is comprehended, vnder the curres of the coursest kinde, a
certaine dogge in kytchen seruice excellent. For whẽ any meate is to bee
roasted they go into a wheele which they turning rounde about with the
waight of their bodies, so
35
diligently looke to their businesse, that no drudge nor skullion can doe
the feate more cunningly. Whom the popular sort herevpon call
Turnespets, being the last of all those which wee haue first
mencioned.
33
Of the Dogge called the Daunser, in Latine Saltator or
Tympanista.
There be also dogges among vs of a mungrell kind which are taught and
exercised to daunce in measure at the musicall sounde of an instrument,
as, at the iust stroke of the drombe, at the sweete accent of the
Cyterne, & tuned strings of the harmonious Harpe showing many pretty
trickes by the gesture of their bodies. As to stand bolte upright, to
lye flat vpon the grounde, to turne rounde as a ringe holding their
tailes in their teeth, to begge for theyr meate, and sundry such
properties, which they learne of theyr vagabundicall masters, whose
instrumentes they are to gather gaine, withall in Citie, Country, Towne,
and Village. As some which carry olde apes on their shoulders in
coloured iackets to moue men to laughter for a litle lucre.
Of other Dogges, a short conclusion, wonderfully ingendredB within the
coastes of this country.
Three sortes
of them,
|
The first bred of a bytch and a wolfe,
The second of a bytche and a foxe,
The third of a beare and a bandogge,
|
In Latine Lyciscus.
In Latine Lacæna.
In Latine Vrcanus.
|
Of the first we haue none naturally bred within the borders of
England. The reason is for the want of wolfes, without whom no such
kinde of Dogge can bee ingendred. Againe
36
it is deliuered vnto thee in this discourse, how and by what meanes, by
whose benefite, and within what circuite of tyme, this country was
cleerely discharged of rauenyng wolfes, and none at all left, no, not to
the least number, or the beginnyng of a number, which is an
Vnari.
Of the second sort we are not vtterly voyde of some, because this our
Englishe soyle is not free from foxes (for in deede we are not without a
multitude of them in so much as diuerse keepe, foster, and feede them in
their houses among
34
their houndes and dogges, eyther for some maladie of mind, or for some
sicknesse of body,) which peraduenture the savour of that subtill beast
would eyther mitigate or expell.
The thirde kinde which is bred of a Beare and a Bandogge we want not
heare in England, (A straunge & wonderfull effect, that cruell
enimyes should enter into ye worke of copulation & bring
forth so sauage a curre.) Undoubtedly it is euen so as we haue reported,
for the fyery heate of theyr fleshe, or rather the pricking thorne, or
most of all, the tyckling lust of lechery, beareth such swinge and sway
in them, that there is no contrairietie for the time, but of constraint
they must ioyne to ingender. And why should not this bee consonant to
truth? why shoulde not these beastes breede in this lande, as well as in
other forreigne nations? For wee reede that Tigers and dogges in
Hircania, that Lyons and Dogges in Arcadia, and that
wolfes and dogges in Francia, couple and procreate. In men and
women also lyghtened with the lantarne of reason (but vtterly voide of
vertue) that foolishe, frantique, and fleshely action, (yet naturally
sealed in vs) worketh so effectuously, yt many tymes it doth
reconcile enimyes, set foes at freendship, vnanimitie, & atonement,
as Moria mencioneth. The Vrcane which is bred of a beare
and a dogge,
Is fearce, is fell, is stoute and stronge,
And byteth sore to fleshe and bone,
His furious force indureth longe
In rage he will be rul’de of none.
That I may vse the wordes of the Poet Gratius, This
37
dogge exceedeth all other in cruell conditions, his leering and fleering
lookes, his stearne and sauage vissage, maketh him in sight feareful and
terrible, he is violent in fighting, & wheresoeuer he setteth his
tenterhooke teeth, he taketh such sure & fast hold that a man may
sooner teare and rende him in sunder, then lose him and seperate his
chappes. He passeth not for the Wolfe, the Beare, the Lyon, nor the
Bull, and may wortherly (as I thinke) be companiõ with Alexanders
dogge which came out of India. But of these, thus much, and thus
farre may seeme sufficient.
35
A starte to outlandishe Dogges in this conclusion, not impertinent
to the Authors purpose.
Vse and custome hath intertained other dogges of an outlandishe
kinde, but a fewe and the same beyng of a pretty bygnesse, I meane
Iseland, dogges curled & rough al ouer, which by reason of the
lenght of their heare make showe neither of face nor of body. And yet
these curres, forsoothe, because they are so straunge are greatly set
by, esteemed, taken vp, and made of many times in the roome of the
Spaniell gentle or comforter. The natures of men is so moued, nay rather
marryed to nouelties without all reason, wyt, iudgement or
perseueraunce. Ἐρῶμεν ἀλλοτριῶν, παρορῶμεν συγγενεῖς.
Outlandishe toyes we take with delight,
Things of our owne nation we haue in despight.
Which fault remaineth not in vs concerning dogges only, but for
artificers also. And why? it is to manyfest that wee disdayne and
contempne our owne workmen, be they neuer so skilfull, be they neuer so
cunning, be they neuer so excellent. A beggerly beast brought out of
barbarous borders, frõ the vttermost countryes Northward, &c., we
stare at, we gase at, we muse, we maruaile at, like an asse of
Cumanum, like Thales with the brasen shancks, like the man in the
Moone.
38
The which default Hippocrates marcked when he was alyue, as
euidently appeareth in the beginnyng of his booke περὶ ἀγμῶν, so intituled and named:
And we in our worcke entituled De Ephemera Britannica, to
the people of England haue more plentifully expressed. In this kinde
looke which is most blockishe, and yet most waspishe, the same is most
esteemed, and not amonge Citizens onely and iolly gentlemen, but among
lustie Lordes also, and noble men, and daintie courtier ruffling in
their ryotous ragges. Further I am not to wade in the foorde of this
discourse, because it was my purpose to satisfie your expectation with a
short treatise (most learned Conrade) not wearysome for me to
wryte, nor tedious for you to peruse. Among other
36
things which you haue receaued at my handes heretofore, I remember that
I wrote a seuerall description of the Getulian Dogge, because there are
but a fewe of them and therefore very seldome scene. As touching Dogges
of other kyndes you your selfe haue taken earnest paine, in writing of
them both lyuely, learnedly and largely. But because wee haue drawne
this libell more at length then the former which I sent you (and yet
briefer than the nature of the thing myght well beare) regardyng your
more earnest and necessary studdies. I will conclude makyng a rehearsall
notwithstanding (for memoryes sake) of certaine specialties contayned in
the whole body of this my breuiary. And because you participate
principall pleasure in the knowledge of the common and vsuall names of
Dogges (as I gather by the course of your letters) I suppose it not
amysse to deliuer vnto you a shorte table contayning as well the Latine
as the Englishe names, and to render a reason of euery particular
appellation, to th’intent that no scruple may remaine in this point, but
that euery thing may bee sifted to the bare bottome.
39
A Diall pertaining to the
fifte Section.
Dogges contained
in this last
Diall or Table are
|
The wapp or warner,
The Turnespet,
The dauncer,
|
called in Latine Canes Rustici
|
37
A Supplement or Addition, contai-
ning a demonstration of Dogges
names how they had their
Originall.
The names contayned in the generall table, for so much as they
signifie nothing to you being a straunger, and ignoraunt of the Englishe
tounge, except they be interpreted: As we haue giuen a reason before of
ye latine words so meane we to doe no lesse of the Englishe
that euery thing maye be manyfest vnto your vnderstanding. Wherein I
intende to obserue the same order which I haue followed before.
The names of such Dogges as be contained in the first section.
Sagax, in Englishe Hunde, is deriued of our English word
40
hunte. One letter chaunged in another, namely, T, into D, as Hunt,
Hunde, whom (if you coniecture to be so named of your country worde
Hunde which signifieth the generall name Dogge, because of the
similitude and likenesse of the wordes I will not stand in contradiction
(friende Gesner) for so much as we retaine among vs at this day
many Dutche wordes which the Saxons left at such time as they
occupyed this country of Britane. Thus much also vnderstand, that as in
your language Hunde is the common word, so in our naturall tounge
dogge is the vniuersall, but Hunde is perticuler and a speciall,
for it signifieth such a dogge onely as serueth to hunt, and therfore it
is called a hunde.
Of the Gasehounde.
The Gasehounde called in latine Agasæus, hath his name of the
sharpenesse and stedfastnesse of his eyesight. By which vertue he
compasseth that which otherwise he cannot by
38
smelling attaine. As we haue made former relation, for to gase is
earnestly to viewe and beholde, from whence floweth the deriuation of
this dogges name.
Of the Grehounde.
The Grehounde called Leporarius, hath his name of this word,
Gre, which word soundeth, Gradus in latine, in Englishe degree.
Because among all dogges these are the most principall, occupying the
chiefest place, and being simply and absolutely the best of the gentle
kinde of houndes.
Of the Leuyner or the Lyemmer.
This dogge is called a Leuyner, for his lyghtnesse, which in latine
soundeth Leuitas, Or a Lyemmer which worde is borrowed of Lyemme,
which the latinists name Lorum: and wherefore we call him a
Leuyner of this worde Leuitas? (as we doe many things besides)
why we deriue and drawe a thousand of our tearmes, out of the
Greeke, the Latine, the Italian, the Dutch,
the French, and the Spanishe tounge? (Out of which
fountaines in deede, they had their originall issue.) How many words are
buryed in the graue of forgetfulnes? growne out of vse? wrested awrye?
and peruersly corrupted by diuers
41
defaultes? we wil declare at large in our booke intituled, Symphonia
vocum Britannicarum.
Of the Tumbler.
Among houndes the Tumbler called in latine Vertagus, is the
last, which commeth of this worde Tumbler flowyng first of al out of the
French fountaine. For as we say Tumble so they, Tumbier,
reseruing one sense and signification, which the latinists comprehende
vnder this worde Vertere, So that we see thus much, that Tumbler
commeth of Tumbier, the vowell, I, chaunged into the
Liquid, L, after ye maner of our speache. Contrary to
the French and the Italian tounge. In which two languages, A
Liquid before a Vowell for the most part is
39
turned into another Vowell, As, may be perceaued in the example
of these two wordes, Implere & plano, for
Impiere & piano, L, before, E, chaunged into, I, and
L, before A, turned into I, also. This I thought conuenient for a
taste.
The names of such Dogges as be contained in the second Section.
After such as serue for hunting orderly doe follow such as serue for
hawking and fowling, Among which the principall and chiefest is the
Spaniell, called in Latine Hispaniolus, borrowing his name of
Hispania Spaine, wherein wee Englishe men not pronouncing the
Aspiration H, Nor the Vowell I, for quicknesse and redinesse of
speach say roundly A Spaniell.
Of the Setter.
The second sort of this second diuision and second section, is called
a Setter, in latine Index, Of the worde Set which signifieth in
Englishe that which the Latinistes meane by this word Locum
designare, ye reason is rehersed before more largely, it
shall not neede to make a new repetition.
42
Of the water Spaniell or Finder.
The water Spaniell consequently followeth, called in Latine
Aquaticus, in English a waterspaniell, which name is compounde of two
simple wordes, namely Water, which in Latine soũdeth Aqua,
wherein he swymmeth. And Spaine, Hispania, the country frõ
whence they came, Not that England wanted such kinde of Dogges, (for
they are naturally bred and ingendred in this country.) But because they
beare the generall and common name of these Dogges synce the time they
were first brought ouer out of Spaine. And wee make a certaine
difference in this sort of Dogges, eyther for some thing which in theyr
voyce is to be marked, or for some thing which in their qualities is to
be considered, as for an example in this kinde called the Spaniell by
the apposition and putting to of this word water, which two coupled
together sounde
40
waterspaniell. He is also called a fynder, in Latine Inquisitor,
because that by serious and secure seeking, he findeth such things as be
lost, which word Finde in English is that which the Latines meane
by this Verbe Inuenire. This dogge hath this name of his property
because the principall point of his seruice consisteth in the
premisses.
The names of such Dogges as be contained in the thirde Section.
Now leauing the suruie we of hunting and hauking dogs, it remaineth
that we runne ouer the residue, whereof some be called, fine dogs, some
course, other some mungrels or rascalls. The first is the Spaniell
gentle called Canis Melitæus, because it is a kinde of dogge
accepted among gentles, Nobles, Lordes, Ladies, &c. who make much of
them vouchsafeing to admit them so farre into their company that they
will not onely lull them in theyr lappes, but kysse them with their
lippes, and make them theyr prettie playfellowes. Such a one was
Gorgons litle puppie mencioned by Theocritus in
Siracusis,
43
who taking his iourney, straightly charged & commaunded his mayde to
see to his Dogge as charely and warely as to his childe: To call him in
alwayes that he wandred not abroade, as well as to rock the babe a
sleepe, crying in the cradle. This puppitly and peasantly curre, (which
some frumpingly tearme fysteing hounds) serue in a maner to no good vse
except, (As we haue made former relation) to succour and strengthen
quailing and quammning stomackes to bewray bawdery, and filthy
abhominable leudnesse (which a litle dogge of this kinde did in
Sicilia) As Ælianus in his .7. booke of beastes and .27. chapter
recordeth.
The names of such dogges as be contained in the fourth Section.
Of dogges vnder the courser kinde, wee will deale first with the
shepherds dogge, whom we call the Bandogge, the Tydogge, or the Mastyue,
the first name is imputed to him
41
for seruice Quoniam pastori famulatur, because he is at the
shepherds his masters commaundement. The seconde a Ligamento of
the band or chaine wherewith he is tyed, The thirde a Sagina, Of
the fatnesse of his body.
For this kinde of dogge which is vsually tyed, is myghty, grosse, and
fat fed. I know this that Augustinus Niphus, calleth this
Mastinus (which we call Mastiuus.) And that Albertus
writeth how the Lyciscus is ingendred by a beare and a wolfe.
Notwithstanding the self same Author taketh it for the most part pro
Molosso. A dogge of such a countrey.
The names of such dogges as be contained in the fifte Section.
Of mungrels and rascalls somwhat is to be spoken. And among these, of
ye VVappe or Turnespet, which name is made of
two simple words, that is, of Turne, which in latine soundeth
Vertere, and of spete which is Veru, or
spede, for the Englishe word inclineth closer to the Italian
imitation: Veruuersator, Turnspet. He is called also VVaupe, of
the naturall noise of
44
his voyce VVau, which he maketh in barcking. But for the better
and the redyer sounde, the vowell, u, is chaunged into the cõsonant, p,
so yt for waupe we say wappe. And yet I wot well that
Nonius boroweth his Baubari of the natural voyce
Bau, as the Græcians doe their βάυζειν of wau.
Now when you vnderstand this that Saltare in latine signifieth
Dansare in Englishe. And that our dogge therevpon is called a
daunser and in the latine Saltator, you are so farre taught as
you were desirous to learne, And now suppose I, there remaineth nothing,
but that your request is fully accomplished.
The winding vp of this worke, called the
Supplement, &c.
Thus (Friend Gesner) you haue, not only the kindes of our
countrey dogges, but their names also, as well in latine as in
42
Englishe, their offices, seruices, diuersities, natures, &
properties, that you can demaunde no more of me in this matter. And
albeit I haue not satisfied your minde peraduẽture (who suspectest al
speede in the performaunce of your requeste employed, to be meere
delayes) because I stayde the setting fourth of that vnperfect pamphlet
which, fiue yeares ago, I sent to you as a priuate friende for your owne
reeding, and not to be printed, and so made common, yet I hope (hauing
like the beare lickt ouer my younge) I haue waded in this worke to your
contentation, which delay hath made somewhat better and δευτέραι φροντίδες, after
witte more meete to be perused.
The ende of this treatise.
FINIS.
Alphabetization is unchanged. The body text consistently spells
“Master”; the Index uses “Maister”.
|
The first Section of this discourse.
¶ The Preamble or entraunce, into this treatise.
|
Scripsimus ad te (charissime Gesnere) superioribus annis variam
historiam de variis quadrupedum, avium, atque piscium formis, variis
herbarum atque fruticum speciebus & figuris.
|
I wrote vnto you (well beloued friende Gesner) not many yeares
past, a manifolde historie, contayning the diuers formes and figures of
Beastes, Byrdes, and Fyshes, the sundry shapes of plantes, and the
fashions of Hearbes, &c.
|
Scripsimus & de canibus quædam ad te seorsum, quæ in libro tuo de
iconibus animalium ordine secundo mansuetorum quadrupedum, ubi de
Canibus Scoticis scribis, & in fine epistolæ tuæ ad Gulielmum
Turnerum de libris a te editis, inter libros nondum excusos, te editurum
polliceris.
|
I wrote moreouer, vnto you seuerally, a certayne abridgement of Dogges,
which in your discourse vpon the fourmes of Beastes in the seconde order
of mylde and tameable Beastes, where you make mencion of Scottishe
Dogges, and in the wynding vp of your Letter written and directed to
Doctour Turner, comprehending a Catalogue or rehersall of your
bookes not yet extant, you promised to set forth in print, and openly to
publishe in the face of the worlde among such your workes as are not yet
come abroade to lyght and sight.
|
Sed quia de Canibus nostris quædam in eo libello mihi videbantur
desiderari, editionem prohibui, & alium promisi. Quamobrem, ut
promissis meis starem, & expectationi tuæ satisfacerem, homini omnis
cognitionis cupido, universitatem generis, differentiam atque usum,
mores & ingenium, veluti methodo quadam conabor explicare.
|
But, because certaine circumstaunces were wanting in my breuiary of
Englishe Dogges (as seemed vnto mee) I stayed the publication of the
same, making promise to sende another abroade, which myght be commytted
to the handes, the eyes, the eares, the mindes, and the iudgements of
the Readers. Wherefore that I myght perfourme that preciselye, which I
promised solempnly, accomplishe my determination, and satisfy your
expectacion: which art a man desirous and capeable of all kinde of
knowledge, and very earnest to be acquaincted with all experimentes: I
wyll expresse and declare in due order, the grand and generall kinde of
Englishe Dogges, the difference of them, the vse, the propertyes, and
the diuerse natures of the same, making a tripartite diuision in this
sort and maner.
|
Dispertiar in tres species, Generosam, Rusticam, & Degenerem; sic
ut de illa primò, de hac postremò, de rustica, medio loco tibi
dicam.
|
All Englishe Dogges be eyther of, |
A gentle kinde, seruing the game.
A homely kind, apt for sundry necessary vses.
A currishe kinde, meete for many toyes.
|
Of these three sortes or kindes so meane I to entreate, that the
first in the first place, the last in the last roome, and the myddle
sort in the middle seate be handled.
|
Omnes Britannicos vocabo; tum quòd una Insula Britannia, ut Anglicos
omnes, sic quoque Scoticos omnes complectatur: tum quòd venatibus magis
indulgemus, quia voluptati ex feris & venatione, propter animalium
copiam, atque hominum otium, magis Britanni sumus dediti, quàm eorum
animalium indigi & negotiosi Scoti.
|
I cal thẽ vniuersally all by the name of English dogges, as well
because England only, as it hath in it English dogs, so it is not
without Scottishe, as also for that wee are more inclined and delighted
with the noble game of hunting, for we Englishmen are adicted and giuen
to that exercise, & painefull pastime of pleasure, as well for the
plenty of fleshe which our Parkes and Forrests doe foster, as also for
the oportunitie and conuenient leasure which we obtaine, both which, the
Scottes want.
|
Ex generosis venaticis.
Ergo cum omnis ratio generosæ venationis, vel in persequendis feris,
vel in capiendis avibus finiatur, canum, quibus hæc aguntur, duo genera
sunt: alterum quod feras investiget, alterum quod aves persequatur.
|
Wherfore seeing that the whole estate of kindly hunting consisteth
principally,
In these two pointes, |
In chasing the beast
In taking the byrde
|
that is in |
hunting
fowleing
|
|
Utraque Latinis uno & communi nomine dici possunt venatica.
|
It is necessary and requisite to vnderstand, that there are two
sortes of Dogges by whose meanes, the feates within specifyed are
wrought, and these practyses of actiuitie cunningly and curiously
compassed,
Two kindes of Dogges |
One which rouseth the beast and continueth the chase,
Another which springeth the byrde and bewrayeth flight by
pursuite,
|
Both which kyndes are tearmed of the Latines by one common name that
is, Canes Venatici, hunting dogges.
|
Sed Anglis cum aliud esse videatur feras sectari, aliud aves capere,
ut primum venationem, secundum aucupium nominant, ita canum nomina
volunt esse diversa: ut qui feras lacessunt, venatici; qui aves,
aucupatorii dicerentur.
|
But because we Englishe men make a difference betweene hunting and
fowleling, for that
they are called by these seuerall wordes, Venatio &
Aucupium, so they tearme the Dogges whom they vse in these sundry
games by diuers names, as those which serue for the beast, are called
Venatici, the other which are vsed for the fowle are called
Aucupatorij,
|
Venaticos rursum divido in quinque genera. Aut enim odoratu, aut visu
fatigant feras, aut pernicitate vincunt, aut odoratu & pernicitate
superant, aut dolo capiunt.
|
The first kind called Venatici I deuide into fiue sortes. |
The first in perfect smelling
The second in quicke spying
The thirde in swiftnesse and quicknesse
The fourth in smelling & nymblenesse
The fifte in subtiltie and deceitfulnesse,
|
excelleth. |
|
Sagax. |
Of the Dogge called a Harier, in Latine Leuerarius.
|
Qui odoratu fatigat, & prompta alacritate in venando utitur,
& incredibili ad investigandum sagacitate narium valet: a qua
re nos sagacem hunc appellamus, quem Græci ab investigando ἰχνευτὴν,
à nare ῥινηλάτην dicunt. Huic labra propensa sunt, & aures ad
os usque pendulæ, corporisque
media magnitudo.
|
That kinde of Dogge whom nature hath indued with the vertue of
smelling, whose property it is to vse a lustines, a readines, and a
couragiousnes in hunting, and draweth into his nostrells the ayre or
sent of the beast pursued and followed, we call by this word
Sagax, the Græcians by thys word ιχνευτήν of tracing or chasing by
ye foote, or ῥινηλάτην, of the nostrells, which be the
instrumentes of smelling. Wee may knowe these kinde of Dogges by their
long, large, and bagging lippes, by their hanging eares, reachyng downe
both sydes of their chappes, and by the indifferent and measurable
proportion of their making.
|
Leverarius.
Hunc Leverarium vocitabimus, ut universum genus in certas species
atque nomina reducamus: cum alioqui usus aut officii nomine, in unitatem
speciei adigi nullo modo queant.
|
This sort of Dogges we call Leuerarios Hariers, that I may
comprise the whole nũber of them in certaine specialties, and apply to
them their proper and peculier names, for so much as they cannot all be
reduced and brought vnder one sorte, considering both the sundrye uses
of them, and the difference of their seruice wherto they be
appointed.
|
Nam alius leporis, alius vulpis, alius cervi, alius platycerotis,
alius taxi, alius lutræ, alius mustelæ, alius cuniculi (quem tamen non
venamur nisi casse & viverra) tantum odore gaudet: & in suo
quisque genere & desiderio egregius est.
|
Some for |
The Hare
The Foxe
The Wolfe
The Harte
The Bucke
The Badger
The Otter
The Polcat
The LobsterC
The Weasell
The Conny, &c.
|
Some for one thing and some for another. |
As for the Conny, whom we haue lastly set downe, wee use not to hunt,
but rather to take it, somtime with the nette sometime with a ferret,
and thus euery seuerall sort is notable and excellent in his naturall
qualitie and appointed practise.
|
Sunt ex his qui duos, ut vulpem atque leporem, variatis vicibus sequi
student, sed non ea felicitate, qua id quod natura sequi docuit: errant
enim sæpius.
|
Among these sundry sortes, there be some which are apt to hunt two
diuers beasts, as the Foxe otherwhiles, and other whiles the Hare, but
they hunt not with such towardnes and good lucke after them, as they doe
that whereunto nature hath formed and framed them, not onely in
externall composition & making, but also in inward faculties and
conditions, for they swarue oftentimes, and doo otherwise then they
should.
|
Terrarius. |
Of the Dogge called a Terrar, in Latine Terrarius.
|
Sunt qui vulpem atque taxum solum, quos Terrarios vocamus; quod
subeant terræ cuniculos, more viverrarum in venatu cuniculorum, &
ita terrent mordentque vulpem atque taxum, ut vel in terra morsu
lacerent, vel è specu in fugam aut casses cuniculorum ostiis inductas
compellant. Sed hi in sagacium genere minimi sunt.
|
Another sorte there is which hunteth the Foxe and the Badger or Greye
onely, whom we call Terrars, because they (after the manner and custome
of ferrets in searching for Connyes) creepe into the grounde, and by
that meanes make afrayde, nyppe, and byte the Foxe and the Badger in
such
sort, that eyther they teare them in peeces with theyr teeth beyng in
the bosome of the earth, or else hayle and pull them perforce out of
their lurking angles, darke dongeons, and close caues, or at the least
through cõceaued feare, driue them out of their hollow harbours, in so
much that they are compelled to prepare speedy flight, and being
desirous of the next (albeit not the safest) refuge, are otherwise taken
and intrapped with snares and nettes layde ouer holes to the same
purpose. But these be the least in that kynde called Sagax.
|
Sanguinarius. |
Of the Dogge called a Bloudhounde in Latine
Sanguinarius.
|
Qui insequuntur, majores: propenso & hi labro atque aure, nec
vivas tantum uti memorati omnes, sed & mortuas quoque conspersi
sanguinis odore persequuntur.
|
For whether the beast beyng wounded, doth notwithstanding enioye
life, and escapeth the handes of the huntesman, or whether the said
beast beyng slayne is conuayed clenly out of the parcke (so that there
be some signification of bloud shed) these Dogges with no lesse
facilitie and easinesse, then auiditie and greedinesse can disclose and
bewray the same by smelling, applying to their pursute, agilitie and
nimblenesse, without tediousnesse, for which consideration, of a
singuler specialtie they deserued to bee called Sanguinarij
bloudhounds.
|
Sive enim vivæ sauciantur feræ, atque è manibus venatorum elabuntur,
sive mortuæ ex vivario sublatæ sunt (sed profusione sanguinis utræque)
isti canes odore facilè persentiscunt, & subsequuntur. Eam ob causam
ex argumento sanguinarii appellantur.
|
The greater sort which serue to hunt, hauing lippes of a large syze,
& eares of no small lenght, doo, not onely chase the beast whiles it
liueth, (as the other doo of whom mencion aboue is made) but beyng dead
also by any maner of casualtie, make recourse to the place where it
lyeth, hauing in this poynt an assured and infallible guyde, namely, the
sent and sauour of the bloud sprinckled heere and there vpon the
ground.
|
Cum tamen fieri solet ut furum astutia nullo consperso sanguine
abripiatur fera, etiam sicca hominis vestigia per extentissima spatia
nullo errore sequi nôrunt,
|
And albeit peraduenture it may chaunce, (As whether it chaunceth
sealdome or sometime I am ignorant) that a peece of fleshe be subtily
stolne and cunningly conuayed away with such prouisos and precaueats as
thereby all apparaunce of bloud is eyther preuented, excluded, or
concealed, yet these kinde of dogges by a certaine direction of an
inwarde assured notyce and priuy marcke, pursue the deede dooers,
through long lanes, crooked reaches, and weary wayes, without wandring
awry out of the limites of the land whereon these desperate purloyners
prepared their speedy passage.
|
in quantalibet multitudine secernere, per abditissima &
densissima loca appetere, & si flumina tranent etiam persequi,
cumque ad ulteriorem ripam perventum est, circuitu quodam qua fugitum
est investigare, si primo statim odore in vestigium furis non
inciderint.
|
Yea, the natures of these Dogges is such, and so effectuall is their
foresight, that they cã bewray, seperate, and pycke them out from among
an infinite multitude and an innumerable company, creepe they neuer so
farre into the thickest thronge, they will finde him out
notwithstandying he lye hidden in wylde woods, in close and ouergrowen
groues, and lurcke in hollow holes apte to harbour such vngracious
guestes. Moreouer, although they should passe ouer the water, thinking
thereby to auoyde the pursute of the houndes, yet will not these Dogges
giue ouer their attempt, but presuming to swym through the streame,
perseuer in their pursute, and when they be arriued and gotten the
further bancke, they hunt vp and downe, to and fro runne they, from
place to place shift they, vntill they haue attained to that plot of
grounde where they passed ouer. And this is their practise, if perdie
they cãnot at ye first time smelling, finde out the way which
the deede dooers tooke to escape.
|
Sic enim arte inveniunt, quod fortuna nequeunt, ut rectè videatur ab
Æliano scriptum lib. 6. cap. 59. de animalibus, τὸ ἐνθυμητικὸν καὶ
διαλεκτικὸν, καὶ μέντοι καὶ τὸ αἱρετὸν, hoc est, considerationem,
ratiocinationem, atque etiam participationem seu arbitrium canibus hisce
venaticis inesse; nec ante cessant persequi, quàm sunt fures
comprehensi.
|
So at length get they that by arte, cunning, and diligent indeuour,
which by fortune and lucke they cannot otherwyse ouercome. In so much as
it seemeth worthely and wisely written by Ælianus in his sixte Booke,
and xxxix. Chapter. Τὸ ἐνθυμητικον καὶ διαλεκτικὸν. to bee as it were
naturally instilled and powred into these kinde of Dogges. For they wyll
not pause or breath from their pursute vntill such tyme as they bee
apprehended and taken which committed the facte.
|
Eos luce in tenebris habent heri, nocte producunt, quo alacriores in
persequendo sint assueti tenebris, quibus prædones delectantur
maximè.
|
The owners of such houndes vse to keepe them in close and darke
channells in the day time, and let them lose at liberty in the night
season, to th’intent that they myght with more courage and boldnesse
practise to follow the fellon in the euening and solitarie houres of
darkenesse, when such yll disposed varlots are principally purposed
to play theyr impudent pageants, & imprudent pranckes.
|
Iidem, cum fures insequuntur, non ea donantur libertate qua cum
feras, nisi in magna celeritate fugientium furum, sed loro retenti herum
ducunt qua velit ille celeritate, sive pedes sit, sive eques.
|
These houndes (vpon whom this present portion of our treatise
runneth) when they are to follow such fellowes as we haue before
rehersed, vse not that liberty to raunge at wil, which they have
otherwise when they are in game, (except upon necessary occasion, wheron
dependeth an urgent and effectuall perswasion) when such purloyners make
speedy way in flight, but beyng restrained and drawne backe from running
at randon with the leasse, the ende whereof the owner holding in his
hand is led, guyded, and directed with such swiftnesse and slownesse
(whether he go on foote, or whether he ryde on horsebacke) as he
himselfe in hart would wishe for the more easie apprehension of these
venturous varlots.
|
In confiniis Angliæ atque Scotiæ propter frequentia pecorum &
jumentorum spolia, multus usus hujus generis canum est, & principio
discit pecudem & armentum persequi, postea furem relicto
armento.
|
In the borders of England & Scotland, (the often and accustomed
stealing of cattell so procuring) these kinde of Dogges are very much
vsed and they are taught and trayned up first of all to hunt cattell as
well of the smaller as of the greater grouth, and afterwardes (that
qualitie relinquished and lefte) they are learned to pursue such
pestilent persons as plant theyr pleasure in such practises of
purloyning as we have already declared.
|
In hoc genere nullus est aquaticus naturaliter, nisi eos ita nominare
placeat, qui Lutram insequuntur, qui subinde ripas, subinde aquas
frequentant. Non recusant tamen omnes, aviditate prædæ tranantis
flumina, etiam aquis se committere. Sed hoc desiderii potius est, quàm
naturæ.
|
Of this kinde there is none that taketh the water naturally, except
it please you so to suppose of them whych follow the Otter, whych
sometimes haunte the lande, and sometime vseth the water. And yet
neuerthelesse all the kind of them
boyling and broyling with greedy desire of the pray which by swymming
passeth through ryuer and flood, plung amyds the water, and passe the
streame with their pawes. But this propertie proceedeth from an earnest
desire wherwith they be inflamed, rather then from any inclination
issuyng from the ordinance and appoyntment of nature.
|
Quod autem ex
his aliquas Brachas nostri, Rachas Scoti sua lingua nominant, in causa
sexus est, non genus. Sic enim canes fœminas in venatico genere vocare
solent nostri.
|
And albeit some of this sort in English be called Brache, in
Scottishe Rache, the cause hereof resteth in the shee sex and not
in the generall kinde. For we English men call bytches, belonging to the
hunting kinde of Dogges, by the tearme aboue mencioned.
|
Ad postremum, in natura sagacium est, ut alii pervestigando taceant
ante excitatam feram, alii statim ad primum odorem voce prodant animal,
etsi remotum adhuc, & in cubili; & quo juniores, eo
petulantioris oris & mendacioris sunt. Ætas enim & venandi
assiduitas experientiam in his facit & certitudinem, ut in aliis
omnibus, maximè, cum norint obtemperare domino vel inhibenti vel
animanti.
|
To bee short it is proper to the nature of houndes, some to keepe
silence in hunting untill such tyme as there is game offered. Othersome
so soone as they smell out the place where the beast lurcketh, to bewray
it immediatly by their importunate barcking, notwithstanding it be farre
of many furlongs cowchyng close in his cabbyn. And these Dogges the
younger they be, the more wantonly barcke they, and the more liberally,
yet, oftimes without necessitie, so that in them, by reason of theyr
young yeares and want of practise, small certaintie is to be reposed.
For continuance of tyme, and experience in game, ministreth to these
houndes not onely cunning in running, but also (as in the rest) an
assured foresight what is to bee done, principally, being acquainted
with their masters watchwordes, eyther in reuoking or imboldening them
to serue the game.
|
Agasæus. |
Of the Dogge called the Gasehounde, in Latine Agaseus.
|
Quod visu lacessit, nare nihil agit, sed oculo; oculo vulpem
leporemque persequitur, oculo seligit medio de grege feram, & eam
non nisi bene saginatam & opimam oculo insequitur,
|
This kinde of Dogge which pursueth by the eye, preuayleth little, or
neuer a whit, by any benefite of the nose that is by smelling, but
excelleth in perspicuitie and sharpenesse of sight altogether, by the
vertue whereof, being singuler and notable, it hunteth the Foxe and the
Hare. Thys Dogge will choose and seperate any beast from among a great
flocke or hearde, and such a one will it take by election as is not
lancke, leane and hollow, but well spred, smoothe, full, fatte, and
round, it followes by the direction of the eyesight, which in deede is
cleere, constant, and not uncertaine,
|
oculo perditam requirit, oculo, si quando in gregem redeat, secernit,
cæteris relictis omnibus, secretamque cursu denuo fatigat ad mortem.
Agasæum nostri abs re, quòd intento sit in feram oculo, vocant.
|
if a beast be wounded and gone astray this Dogge seeketh after it by
the stedfastnes of the eye, if it chaunce peraduenture to returne &
bee mingled with the residue of the flocke, this Dogge spyeth it out by
the vertue of his eye, leauing the rest of the cattell vntouched, and
after he hath set sure sight upõ it he seperateth it from among the
company and hauing so done neuer ceaseth untill he haue wearyed the
Beast to death. Our countrey men call this dogge Agasæum. A
gasehounde because the beames of his sight are so stedfastly setled and
vnmoueably fastened.
|
Usus ejus est, in septentrionalibus Angliæ partibus magis quam
meridionalibus; locis planis & campestribus, quàm dumosis &
sylvestribus; equitibus magis quàm peditibus, quo ad cursum equos
incitent (quibus delectantur magis quàm ipsa præda) assuescantque sepes
fossasque inoffensè & intrepidè transilire & aufugere,
|
These Dogges are much and vsually occupyed in the Northern partes of
England more then in the Southern parts, & in fealdy landes rather
then in bushy and wooddy places, horsemen vse them more then footemen to
th’intent that they might prouoke their horses to a swift galloppe
(wherwith they are more delighted then with the pray it selfe) and that
they myght accustome theyr horse to leape ouer hedges & ditches,
without stoppe or stumble, without harme or hassard, without doubt or
daunger, and so escape with safegard of lyfe.
|
quò insessores per necessitates & pericula salutem fuga sibi
quærant, aut hostem insequendo cum velint cædant.
|
And to the ende that the ryders themselues when necessitie so
constrained, and the feare of further mischiefe inforced, myght saue
themselues vndamnifyed, and preuent each perilous tempest by preparing
speedy flight, or else by swift pursute made vpon theyr enimyes, myght
both ouertake them, encounter with them, and make a slaughter of them
accordingly.
|
At si quando canis aberraverit, dato signo quàm mox accurrit, &
feram de integro subsequens, clara voce, cursuque celeri ut ante
lacessit.
|
But if it fortune so at any time that this Dogge take a wrong way,
the master making some vsuall signe and familiar token, he returneth
forthwith, and taketh the right and ready trace, beginning his chase a
fresh, & with a cleare voyce, and a swift foote followeth the game
with as much courage and nimblenesse as he did at the first.
|
Leporarius. |
Of the Dogge called the Grehounde, in Latine Leporarius.
|
Quod pernicitate vincit, leporarius dicitur, quòd præcipua ejus cura,
præcipuusque usus est in persequendo lepore. Quanquam & in capiendo
platycerote, cervo, dorcade, vulpe, & hoc genus aliis feris, &
viribus & memorata velocitate valent: sed plus minus pro suo quisque
desiderio, & corporis firmitudine aut exilitate.
|
There is another kinde of Dogge which for his incredible swiftnesse
is called Leporarius a Grehounde, because the principall seruice
of them dependeth and consisteth in starting and hunting the hare, which
Dogges likewyse are indued with no lesse strength then lightnes in
maintenance of the game, in seruing the chase, in taking the Bucke, the
Harte, the Dowe, the Foxe, and other beastes of semblable kinde ordained
for the game of hunting. But more or lesse, each one according to the
measure and proportion of theyr desire, and as might and habilitie of
theyr bodyes will permit and suffer.
|
Est enim strigosum genus: in quo alii majores sunt, alii minores:
alii pilo sessili, alii hirto. Majores majoribus, minores minoribus
feris destinamus.
|
For it is a spare and bare kinde of Dogge, (of fleshe but not of
bone) some are of a greater sorte, and some of a lesser, some are smooth
skynned, & some are curled, the bigger therefore are appoynted to
hunt the bigger beasts, & the smaller serue to hunt the smaller
accordingly.
|
Cujus naturam in venatione, magnam; in hoc, miram deprehendi: quòd
(referente Joanne Froisarto historico lib. hist. suæ 4.) leporarius
Richardi secundi Anglorum regis, qui ante neminem præter regem
agnoverat, venientem Henricum Lancastriæ ducem ad castellum Flinti ut
Richardum comprehenderet, relicto Richardo, Henricum solitis in
Richardum favoribus exceperit;
|
The nature of these dogges I finde to be wonderful by ye
testimoniall of histories. For, as Iohn Froisart the Historyographer in
his 4. lib. reporteth. A Grehound of King Richard, the second
yt wore the Crowne, and bare the Scepter of the Realme of
England, neuer knowing any man, beside the kings person, whẽ Henry
Duke of Lancaster came to the castle of Flinte to take
King Richarde. The Dogge forsaking his former Lord & master
came to Duke Henry, fawned upon him with such resemblaunces of
goodwyll and conceaued affection, as he fauoured King Richarde
before: he followed the Duke, and vtterly left the King.
|
quasi adversitates Richardi futuras intellexerat &
præsentiscerat. Id quod Richardus probe animadvertit, atque ut præsagium
futuri interitus verbis non dissimulavit.
|
So that by these manifest circumstances a man myght iudge this Dogge
to haue bene lightened wyth the lampe of foreknowledge &
vnderstãding, touchyng his olde masters miseryes to come, and
vnhappinesse nye at hand, which King Richarde himselfe euidently
perceaued, accounting this deede of his Dogge a Prophecy of his
ouerthrowe.
|
Levinarius seu lorarius. |
Of the Dogge called the Leuiner, or Lyemmer in Latine
Lorarius.
|
Quod sagacitate simul & pernicitate potest, & genere, &
compositione corporis medium est inter sagacem illum & leporarium,
& à levitate appellatur levinarius, à loro (quo ducitur)
lorarius. Hic propter velocitatem & gravius feram urget, &
citius capit.
|
Another sort of dogges be there, in smelling singuler, and in
swiftnesse incomparable. This is (as it were) a myddle kinde betwixt the
Harier and the Grehounde, as well for his kinde, as for the frame of his
body. And it is called in latine Leuinarius, a Leuitate,
of lyghtnesse, and therefore may well be called a lyghthounde, it is
also called by this worde Lorarius, a Loro, wherwith it is
led. This Dogge for the excellency of his conditions, namely smelling
and swift running, doth followe the game with more eagernes, and taketh
the pray with a iolly quicknes.
|
Vertagus. |
Of the Dogge called a Tumbler, in Latine Vertagus.
|
Quod dolo agit, vertagum nostri dicunt, quòd se, dum prædatur,
vertat, & circumacto corpore, impetu quodam in ipso specus ostio
feram opprimit & intercipit.
|
This sorte of Dogges, which compasseth all by craftes, fraudes,
subtelties and deceiptes, we Englishe men call Tumblers, because in
hunting they turne and tumble, winding their bodyes about in circle
wise, and then fearcely and violently venturing upõ the beast, doth
soddenly gripe it, at the very entrance and mouth of their receptacles,
or closets before they can recouer meanes, to saue and succour
themselues.
|
Is hoc utitur astu. Cum in vivarium cuniculorum venit, eos non
lacessit cursu, non latratu terret, nec ullas inimicitias ostentat, sed
velut amicus aliud agens, taciturna solertia prætergreditur, observatis
diligenter eorum cuniculis.
|
This dogge vseth another craft and subteltie, namely, when he runneth
into a warren, or setteth a course about a connyburrough, he huntes not
after them, he frayes them not by barcking, he makes no countenance or
shadow of hatred against them, but dissembling friendship, and
pretending fauour, passeth by with silence and quietnesse, marking and
noting their holes diligently, wherin (I warrant you) he will not be
ouershot nor deceaued.
|
Eò cum pervenerit, ita se humi componit, ut & adversum ventum
semper habeat, & cuniculum lateat. Sic enim ille revertentis aut
exeuntis cuniculi odorem facilè sentit, & suus cuniculo omnino
tollitur, & prospectu fera fallitur.
|
When he commeth to the place where Connyes be, of a certaintie, he
cowcheth downe close with his belly to the groũd, Prouided alwayes by
his skill and polisie, that ye winde bee neuer with him but
against him in such an enterprise. And that the Connyes spie him not
where he lurcketh.
|
Ad hunc modum compositus canis, & prostratus, aut exeuntem
cuniculum & imprudentem in ipso specus ingressu versutè opprimit,
aut revertentem excipit, atque ad latentem herum ore perducit.
|
By which meanes he obtaineth the sent and sauour of the Connyes,
carryed towardes him with the wind & the ayre, either going to their
holes, or cõming out, eyther passing this way, or running that way, and
so prouideth by his circumspection, that the selly simple Conny is
debarred quite from his hole (which is the hauen of their hope and the
harbour of their health) and fraudulently circumuented and taken, before
they can get the aduantage of their hole. Thus hauing caught his pray he
carryeth it speedily to his Master, wayting his Dogges returne in some
conuenient lurcking corner.
|
Minor hic est sagaci illo, strigosior, & erectiore aure. Corporis
figura leporarium spurium diceres, si major esset. Et quamvis eo minor
multò sit, uno tamen die tot potest capere, quot justum equi onus esse
possunt. Dolus enim illi pro virtute est, & corporis agilitas.
|
These Dogges are somewhat lesser than the houndes, and they be
lancker & leaner, beside that they be somwhat prick eared.
A man that shall marke the forme and fashion of their bodyes, may
well call them mungrell Grehoundes if they were somwhat bigger. But
notwithstanding they counteruaile not the Grehound in greatnes, yet will
he take in one dayes space as many Connyes as shall arise to as bigge a
burthen, and as heauy a loade as a horse can carry, for deceipt and
guile is the instrument wherby he maketh this spoyle, which pernicious
properties supply the places of more commendable qualities.
|
Canis furax. |
Of the Dogge called the theeuishe Dogge in Latine Canis
furax.
|
Huic similis canis furax est, qui jubente hero noctu progreditur,
& sine latratu odore adverse persequens cuniculos, cursu prehendit
quot herus permiserit, & ad heri stationem reportat. Vocant incolæ
canem nocturnum, quòd venetur noctu. Sed hæc de iis qui feras
insequuntur.
|
The like to that whom we have rehearsed, is the theeuishe Dogge,
which at the mandate and bydding of his master steereth and leereth
abroade in the night, hunting Connyes by the ayre, which is leuened with
their sauour and conueyed to the sense of smelling by the meanes of the
winde blowing towardes him. During all which space of his hunting he
will not barcke, least he shoulde bee preiudiciall to his owne
aduantage. And thus watcheth and snatcheth up in course as many Connyes
as his Master will suffer him, and beareth them to his Masters standing.
The farmers of the countrey and uplandishe dwellers, call this kinde of
Dogge a nyght curre, because he hunteth in the darke. But let thus much
seeme sufficient for Dogges which serue the game and disport of
hunting.
|
|
¶ A Diall pertaining to the first Section.
|
Venatici. |
Sagax. |
Hunde |
Terrarius.
Leverarius.
Sanguinarius.
|
Terrare.
Harier.
Blud-hunde.
|
Agasæus.
Leporarius.
Levinarius seu Lorarius.
Vertagus.
|
Gasehunde.
Grehunde.
Leviner, or Lyemmer.
Tumbler.
|
|
Dogges seruing ye pastime of hunting beastes.
are diuided into
|
Hariers
Terrars
Bloudhounds
Gasehounds
Grehounds
Leuiners or Lyemmers
Tumblers
Stealers
|
In Latine called Venatici.
|
|
Ex generosis aucupatoriis. |
Of gentle Dogges seruing the hauke, and first of the Spaniell,
called in Latine Hispaniolus.
|
Qui aves, proximum locum habent. Eos Aucupatorios dici ante
proposuimus.
|
Svch Dogges as serue for fowling, I thinke conuenient and requisite
to place in this seconde Section of this treatise. These are also to bee
reckoned and accounted in the number of the dogges which come of a
gentle kind, and of those which serue for fowling.
|
Hi ex generosorum numero etiam sunt, & duûm generum. Alii enim
per sicca tantum venantur: Alii per aquas tantum aves persequuntur.
|
There be two sortes |
The first findeth game on the land.
The other findeth game on the water.
|
|
Qui per sicca tantum, aut libero vestigio & latratu avem
investigant & excitant, aut tacito indicio eandem commonstrant.
|
Such as delight on the land, play their partes, eyther by swiftnesse
of foote, or by often questing, to search out and to spring the byrde
for further hope of aduauntage, or else by some secrete signe and priuy
token bewray the place where they fall.
|
Primum genus Accipitri servit; secundum reti.
|
The first kinde of such serue
The Hauke,
|
The seconde,
The net, or, traine,
|
|
Hispaniolus.
Peculiaria nomina primum genus non habet, nisi ab ave ad quam
venandam natura est propensius. Qua de causa falconarii hos
phasianarios, hos perdiciarios, vocare solent.
|
The first kinde haue no peculier names assigned vnto them, saue onely
that they be denominated after the byrde which by naturall appointment
he is alotted to take, for the which consideration.
Some be called Dogges, |
For the Falcon
The Phesant
The Partridge
|
and such like, |
|
Vulgus tamen nostrum communi nomine Hispaniolos nominat, quasi ex
Hispania productum istud genus primo esset. Omnes maxima ex parte
candidi sunt: & si quas maculas habeant, rubræ sunt, raræ, &
majores. Sunt & ruffi atque nigri, sed perpauci.
|
The common sort of people call them by one generall word, namely
Spaniells. As though these kinde of Dogges came originally and first of
all out of Spaine, The most part of their skynnes are white, and if they
be marcked with any spottes, they are commonly red, and somewhat great
therewithall, the heares not growing in such thicknesse but that the
mixture of them maye easely bee perceaued. Othersome of them be reddishe
and blackishe, but of that sorte there be but a very few.
|
Est & hodie novum genus ex Gallia advectum (ut novitatis omnes
sumus studiosi) sed ex toto in albo obfuscatum maculosè, quem Gallicanum
vocitamus.
|
There is also at this day among vs a newe kinde of dogge brought out
of Fraunce (for we Englishe men are maruailous greedy gaping gluttons
after nouelties, and couetous coruorauntes of things that be seldom,
rare, straunge, and hard to get.) And they bee speckled all ouer with
white and black, which mingled colours incline to a marble blewe, which
bewtifyeth their skinnes and affordeth a seemely show of comlynesse.
These are called French dogges as is aboue declared already.
|
Index. |
The Dogge called the Setter, in Latine Index.
|
Secundum genus est, quod tacito pede atque ore avem quærit, &
nutum juvantis heri sequitur, vel promovendo se, vel reducendo, vel in
alterutram partem dextram aut sinistram declinando. Cum avem dico,
Perdicem & Coturnicem intelligo.
|
Another sort of Dogges be there, seruiceable for fowling, making no
noise either with foote or with tounge, whiles they followe the game.
These attend diligently vpon theyr Master and frame their conditions to
such beckes, motions, and gestures, as it shall please him to exhibite
and make, either going forward, drawing backeward, inclining to the
right hand, or yealding toward the left, (In making mencion of fowles,
my meaning is of the Partridge & the Quaile)
|
Cum invenerit, cauto silentio, suspenso vestigio, & occulto
speculatu, humiliando se prorepit, & cum propè est, procumbit, &
pedis indicio locum stationis avium prodit: unde canem indicem vocare
placuit. Loco commonstrato, auceps exporrectum rete avi inducit.
|
when he hath founde the byrde, he keepeth sure and fast silence, he
stayeth his steppes and wil proceede no further, and with a close,
couert, watching eye, layeth his belly to the grounde and so creepeth
forward like a worme. When he approcheth neere to the place where the
birde is, he layes him downe, and with a marcke of his pawes betrayeth
the place of the byrdes last abode, whereby it is supposed that this
kinde of dogge is called Index, Setter, being in deede a name
most consonant and agreable to his quality.
|
Quo facto, canis ad consuetum heri indicium seu vocabulum quam mox
assurgit, & propinquiori præsentia aves perturbat, atque ut
inexplicabilius irretiantur, facit.
|
The place being knowne by the meanes of the dogge, the fowler
immediatly openeth and spreedeth his net, intending to take them, which
being done the dogge at the accustomed becke or vsuall signe of his
Master ryseth vp by and by, and draweth neerer to the fowle that by his
presence they might be the authors of their owne insnaring, and be ready
intangled in the prepared net,
|
Lepus tympanum pulsat.
Quod artificium in cane, animali domestico, mirum videri non debet,
cum & lepus agreste animal, & saltare, & tympanum
anterioribus pedibus numero pulsare tympanistarum more, & canem
dente atque ungue petere, pedibusque crudeliter cædere, in Anglia visus
est omnium admiratione, anno salutis nostræ 1564.
|
which conning and artificiall indeuour in a dogge (being a creature
domesticall or householde seruaunt brought vp at home with offalls of
the trencher & fragments of victualls,) is not much to be maruailed
at, seing that a Hare (being a wilde and skippishe beast) was seene in
England to the astonishment of the beholders, in the yeare of our Lorde
God, 1564, not onely dauncing in measure, but playing with his former
feete vppon a tabberet, and obseruing iust number of strokes (as a
practicioner in that arte) besides that nipping & pinching a dogge
with his teeth and clawes, & cruelly thumping him with ye
force of his feete.
|
Nec est vanum istud, eoque relatum lubentius, quòd operæ pretium
putarem, nihil prætereundum esse, in quo naturæ spectanda sit
providentia.
|
This is no trumpery tale, nor trifling toye (as I imagine) and
therefore not vnworthy to bee reported, for I recken it a requitall of
my trauaile, not to drowne in the seas of silence any speciall thing,
wherin the prouidence and effectuall working of nature is to be
pondered.
|
Aquaticus seu inquisitor. |
Of the Dogge called the water Spaniell, or finder, in Latine
Aquaticus seu Inquisitor.
|
Qui per aquas aucupatur propensione naturali accedente mediocri
documento, major his est, & promisso naturaliter hirtus pilo. Ego
tamen ab armis ad posteriores suffragines, caudamque extremam, ad te
(Gesnere) detonsum pinxi, ut usus noster postulat, quo pilis nudus
expeditior sit, & minus per natationes retardetur.
|
That kinde of Dogge whose seruice is required in fowling vpon the
water, partly through a naturall towardnesse, and partly by diligent
teaching, is indued with that property. This sort is somewhat bigge, and
of a measurable greatnesse, hauing long, rough, and curled heare, not
obtayned by extraordinary trades, but giuen by natures appointment, yet
neuerthelesse (friend Gesner) I have described and set him out in
this maner, namely powlde and netted from the shoulders to the
hindermost legges, and to the end of his tayle, which I did for vse and
customs cause, that beyng as it were made somewhat bare and naked, by
shearing of such superfluitie of heare, they might atchiue the more
lightnesse, and swiftnesse, and be lesse hindered in swymming, so
troublesome and needelesse a burthen being shaken of.
|
Aquaticus à nostris appellatur, ab aquis quas frequentat sumpta
appellatione. Eo aut aves in aquis aucupamur (& præcipue anates;
unde etiam anatarius dicitur, quod id excellenter facit) aut Scorpione
occisas educimus, aut spicula sagittasve fallente ictu recuperamus, aut
amissa requirimus: quo nomine & canes inquisitores eosdem
appellamus.
|
This kinde of dogge is properly called, Aquaticus, a water
spaniel because he frequenteth and hath vsual recourse to the water
where all his game & exercise lyeth, namely, waterfowles, which are
taken by the helpe & seruice of them, in their kind. And principally
duckes and drakes, wherupon he is lykewise named a dogge for the ducke,
because in that quallitie he is excellent. With these dogges also we
fetche out of the water such fowle as be stounge to death by any
venemous worme, we vse them also to bring vs our boultes & arrowes
out of the water, (missing our marcke) whereat we directed our leuell,
which otherwise we should hardly recouer, and oftentimes they restore to
vs our shaftes which we thought neuer to see, touche or handle againe,
after they were lost, for which circumstaunces they are called
Inquisitores, searchers, and finders.
|
Anatum fallaciæ.
Quanquam Anas & canem & aucupem quoque egregiè subinde
fallat, tum urinando, tum etiam dolo naturali. Etenim si quis hominum,
ubi incubant aut excludunt, propinquabit, egressæ matres venientibus se
sponte offerunt, & simulata debilitate vel pedum vel alarum, quasi
statim capi possint, egressus fingunt tardiores.
|
Although the ducke otherwhiles notably deceaueth both the dogge and
the master, by dyuing vnder the water, and also by naturall subtilty,
for if any man shall approche to the place where they builde, breede,
and syt, the hennes go out of their neastes, offering themselues
voluntarily to the hãds, as it were, of such as draw nie their neasts.
And a certaine weaknesse of their winges pretended, and infirmitie of
their feete dissembled, they go so slowely and so leasurely, that to a
mans thinking it were no masteryes to take them.
|
Hoc mendacio sollicitant obvios, & eludunt, quoad profecti
longius, à nidis avocentur; caventque diligenter revertendo, ne
indicium loci conversatio frequens faciat.
|
By which deceiptfull tricke they doe as it were entyse and allure men
to follow them, till they be drawne a long distaunce from theyr neastes,
which being compassed by their prouident conning, or conning prouidence,
they cut of all inconueniences which might growe of their returne, by
using many carefull and curious caueates, least theyr often haunting
bewray ye place where the young ducklings be hatched. Great
therfore is theyr desire, & earnest is theyr study to take heede,
not only to theyr broode but also to themselues.
|
Anaticularum providentia.
Nec anaticularum studium segnius ad cavendum. Cum enim visas se
persentiscunt, sub cespitem confugiunt aut carectum, quorum obtectu tam
callidè proteguntur, ut lateant etiam deprehensæ, nisi fraudem canis
odore detegat.
|
For when they haue an ynckling that they are espied they hide
themselues vnder turfes or sedges, wherwith they couer and shrowde
themselues so closely and so craftely, that (notwithstanding the place
where they lurcke be found and perfectly perceaued) there they will
harbour without harme, except the water spaniell by quicke smelling
discouer theyr deceiptes.
|
Canis piscator. |
Of the Dogge called the Fisher, in Latine Canis
Piscator.
|
Canem piscatorem (de quo scribit Hector Boethus) qui inter saxa
pisces odore perquirit, nullum planè novi inter nostros, neque ex
relatione aliquando audivi, etsi in ea re perscrutanda perdiscendaque
diligentior fuerim inter piscatores & venatores:
|
The Dogge called the fisher, wherof Hector Boethus writeth,
which seeketh for fishe by smelling among rockes & stones, assuredly
I knowe none of that kinde in Englande, neither haue I receaued by
reporte that there is any suche, albeit I haue bene diligent & busie
in demaunding the question as well of fishermen, as also of huntesmen in
that behalfe being carefull and earnest to learne and vnderstand of them
if any such were,
|
Lutra.
nisi Lutram piscem dicas, ut à multis creditur:
|
except you holde opinion that the beauer or Otter is a fishe (as many
haue beleeued) & according to their beliefe affirmed,
|
Pupinus.
quo modo & Pupinus avis piscis esse dicitur & habetur. Sed
qui perquirit piscem (si quis perquirat) venationisne causa, an famis
faciat, more cæterorum canum, qui per inediam cadaverum morticinam
carnem appetere solent, tum demum ad te scribam, cum de ea re certior
fiam.
|
and as the birde Pupine, is thought to be a fishe and so
accounted. But that kinde of dogge which followeth the fishe to
apprehend and take it (if there bee any of that disposition and
property) whether they do this for the game of hunting, or for the heate
of hunger, as other Dogges do which rather then they wil be famished for
want of foode, couet the carckases of carrion and putrifyed fleshe. When
I am fully resolued and disburthened of this doubt I wil send you
certificate in writing.
|
Interim id scio, Ælianum & Aetium Lutram κύνα ποτάμιον solere
appellare. Intelligo etiam Lutram hoc habere cum cane commune, quòd per
inopiam piscium excursiones in terram faciat, atque agnos laniet,
rursusque ad aquam satur redeat. Sed inter nostros canes is non est.
|
In the meane season I am not ignorant of that both Ælianus, and
Ælius, call the Beauer κύνα ποτάμιον a water dogge, or a
dogge fishe, I know likewise thus much more, that the Beauer doth
participate this propertie with the dogge, namely, that when fishes be
scarse they leaue the water and raunge vp and downe the lande, making an
insatiable slaughter of young lambes vntil theyr paunches be
replenished, and whẽ they haue fed themselues full of fleshe, then
returne they to the water, from whence they came. But albeit so much be
graunted that this Beauer is a dogge, yet it is to be noted that we
recken it not in the beadrowe of Englishe dogges as we haue done the
rest.
|
Phoca.
Phoca etiam inter scopulos atque saxa prædatur piscem, sed in numero
canum nostratium habitus non est, etsi canis marinus à nostris
appelletur.
|
The sea Calfe, in like maner, which our country mẽ for breuitie
sake call a Seele, other more largely name a Sea Vele, maketh a
spoyle of fishes betweene rockes and banckes, but it is not accounted in
the catalogue or nũber of our Englishe dogges, notwithstanding we call
it by the name of a Sea dogge or a sea Calfe. And thus much for our
dogges of the second sort called in Latine Aucupatorij, seruing
to take fowle either by land or water.
|
|
¶ A Diall pertaining to the second Section.
|
Aucupatorii. |
Hispaniolus.
Spainel.
|
Index.
Setter.
|
Aquaticus, seu Inquisitor.
Water-spainel, or Fynder.
|
|
Dogges seruing the disport of fowling.
are diuided into |
Land spaniels
Setters
Water spaniels or finders.
|
called in latine Canes Aucupatorij
The fisher is not of their number, but seuerall.
|
|
Ex generosis delicatis,
Melitæus seu fotor. |
Nowe followeth in due order and conuenient place our Englishe Dogges
of the thirde gentle kinde, what they are called to what vse they serue,
and what sort of people plant their pleasure in thẽ, which because they
neede no curious canuassing and nye syfting, wee meane to bee so much
the briefer.
Of the delicate, neate, and pretty kind of dogges called the Spaniel
gentle, or the comforter, in Latine Melitæus or Fotor.
|
Est & aliud genus canum generosorum apud nos, sed extra horum
ordinem, quos Melitæos Callimachus vocat, à Melita insula in freto
Siculo (quæ hodie usu derivante Malta vulgo dicitur, & christiano
milite nobilis existit) unde ortum id genus habuit maximè: atque à
Melita Siculi Pachyni, ut author Strabo est.
|
There is, besides those which wee haue already deliuered, another
sort of gentle dogges in this our Englishe soyle but exempted from the
order of the residue, the Dogges of this kinde doth Callimachus
call Melitæos, of the Iseland Melita, in the sea of
Sicily, (what at this day is named Malta, an Iseland in
deede, famous and renoumed, with couragious and puisaunt souldiours
valliauntly fighting vnder the banner of Christ their vnconquerable
captaine) where this kind of dogges had their principall beginning.
|
Perexiguum id est planè, & fœminarum lusibus ac deliciis tantum
expetitum, quibus, quo minus est, eo gratius est, ut sinu gestent in
cubiculis, & manu in pilentis,
|
These dogges are litle, pretty, proper, and fyne, and sought for to
satisfie the delicatenesse of daintie dames, and wanton womens wills,
instrumentes of folly for them to play and dally withall, to tryfle away
the treasure of time, to withdraw their mindes from more commendable
exercises, and to content their corrupted concupiscences with vaine
disport (A selly shift to shunne yrcksome ydlnesse.) These puppies
the smaller they be, the more pleasure they prouoke, as more meete play
fellowes for minsing mistrisses to beare in their bosoms, to keepe
company withal in their chambers, to succour with sleepe in bed, and
nourishe with meate at bourde, to lay in their lappes, and licke their
lippes as they ryde in their waggons, and good reason it should be so,
for coursnesse with fynenesse hath no fellowship, but featnesse with
neatenesse hath neighbourhood enough. That plausible prouerbe verified
vpon a Tyraunt, namely that he loued his sowe better then his sonne, may
well be applyed to these kinde of people who delight more in dogges that
are depriued of all possibility of reason, then they doe in children
that be capeable of wisedome and iudgement. But this abuse peraduenture
raigneth where there hath bene long lacke of issue, or else where
barrennes is the best blossome of bewty.
|
|
The vertue which remaineth in the Spainell gentle otherwise called
the comforter.
|
genus sanè ad omnia inutile, nisi quòd stomachi dolorem sedat,
applicatum sæpius, aut in sinu ægri gestatum frequentius, caloris
moderatione.
|
Notwithstanding many make much of those pretty puppies called
Spaniels gentle, yet if the question were demaunded what propertie in
them they spye, which shoulde make them so acceptable and precious in
their sight, I doubt their aunswere would be long a coyning. But seeing
it was our intent to trauaile in this treatise, so that ye
reader might reape some benefite by his reading, we will communicate
vnto you such coniectures as are grounded upon reason. And though some
suppose that such dogges are fyt for no seruice, I dare say, by their
leaues, they be in a wrong boxe. Among all other qualities therfore of
nature, which be knowne (for some conditions are couered with continuall
and thicke clouds, that the eye of our capacities can not pearse through
thẽ) we
find that these litle dogs are good to asswage the sicknesse of the
stomacke being oftentimes thervnto applyed as a plaster preseruatiue, or
borne in the bosom of the diseased and weake person, which effect is
performed by theyr moderate heate.
|
Quin & transire quoque morbos ægritudine eorum intelligitur,
plerumque & morte: quasi malo in eos transeunte caloris
similitudine.
|
Moreouer the disease and sicknesse chaungeth his place and entreth
(though it be not precisely marcked) into the dogge, which to be no
vntruth, experience can testify, for these kinde of dogges sometimes
fall sicke, and sometime die, without any harme outwardly inforced,
which is an argument that the disease of the gentleman, or gentle woman
or owner whatsoeuer, entreth into the dogge by the operation of heate
intermingled and infected.
|
Generosorum canum genus jam explicui: Nunc rusticum adjicio.
|
And thus haue I hetherto handled dogges of a gentle kinde whom I haue
comprehended in a triple diuisiõ. Now it remaineth that I annex in due
order such dogges as be of a more homely kinde.
|
|
A Diall pertaining to the thirde Section.
|
Delicati. |
Melitæus, seu Fotor.
Spainel-gentle, or Comforter. |
|
In the third section is cõtained one kind of dog which is called
the
|
Spaniell gentle
or the cõforter,
|
It is also called |
A chamber cõpanion,
A pleasaunt playfellow,
A pretty worme,
|
generally called Canis delicatus. |
|
Ex rusticis. |
Dogges of a course kind seruing for many necessary vses called in
Latine Canes rustici, and first of the shepherds dogge called in
Latine Canis Pastoralis.
|
In eo memorabilia duo tantum genera sunt: pecuarium seu pastorale,
& villaticum seu Molossum:
|
Dogges of the courser sort are |
The shepherds dogge
The mastiue or Bandogge.
|
These two are the principall. |
|
alterum ad propellendas injurias ferarum, alterum adversus insidias
hominum utile.
|
The first kinde, namely the shepherds hounde is very necessarye and
profitable for the auoyding of harmes and inconueniences which may come
to men by the meanes of beastes. The second sort serue to succour
against the snares and attemptes of mischiefous men.
|
Pastoralis.
Pastorale nostrum mediocre est, quòd illi cum Lupo, naturali pecori
inimico, res non est, cum apud nos nullus est, beneficio optimi
principis Edgari, qui, quò genus universum deleretur, Cambris (apud quos
in magna copia erant) vectigalis nomine in annos imperavit trecentos
lupos.
|
Our shepherdes dogge is not huge, vaste, and bigge, but of an
indifferent stature and growth, because it hath not to deale with the
bloudthyrsty wolf, sythence there be none in England, which happy and
fortunate benefite is to be ascribed to the puisaunt Prince
Edgar, who to thintent yt the whole countrey myght be
euacuated and quite cleered from wolfes, charged & commaunded the
welshemẽ (who were pestered with these butcherly beastes aboue measure)
to paye him yearely tribute which was (note the wisedome of the King)
three hundred Wolfes.
|
Lupi nulli in Britannia.
Sunt qui scribunt Ludwallum Cambriæ principem pendisse annuatim
Edgaro regi 3000 luporum tributi nomine, atque ita annis quatuor omnem
Cambriam atque adeo omnem Angliam orbasse lupis.
|
Some there be which write that Ludwall Prince of Wales paide
yeerely to King Edgar three hundred wolfes in the name of an
exaction (as we haue sayd before.) And that by the meanes hereof, within
the compasse and tearme of foure yeares, none of those noysome, and
pestilent Beastes were left in the coastes of England and Wales.
|
Edgarus.
Regnavit autem Edgarus circiter annum
Domini 959. A quo tempore non legimus nativum in Anglia visum
lupum: advectum tamen quæstus faciundi causa ex alienis regionibus, ut
spectetur tantum, tanquam animal rarum & incognitum, sæpius
vidimus.
|
This Edgar wore the Crowne royall, and bare the Scepter
imperiall of this kingdome, about the yeere of our Lorde, nyne hundred
fifty, nyne. Synce which time we reede that no Wolfe hath bene seene in
England, bred within the bounds and borders of this countrey, mary there
have bene diuers brought ouer from beyonde the seas, for greedynesse of
gaine and to make money, for gasing and gaping, staring, and standing to
see them, being a straunge beast, rare, and seldom seene in England.
|
Sed ad canem pastoralem. Is ad certam heri jubentis vocem, aut ex
pugno concluso & inflato clariorem sibilum, errantes oves in eum
locum redigit, in quem pastor maximè desiderat; sic ut levi negotio,
& immoto ferè pede, pastor quo velit modo ovibus moderetur, vel ut
se promoveant, vel gradum sistant, pedem referant, vel in hanc illamve
partem se inclinent.
|
But to returne to our shepherds dogge. This dogge either at the
hearing of his masters voyce, or at the wagging and whisteling in his
fist, or at his shrill and horse hissing bringeth the wandring weathers
and straying sheepe, into the selfe same place where his masters will
and wishe is to haue thẽ, wherby the shepherd reapeth this benefite,
namely, that with litle labour and no toyle or mouing of his feete he
may rule and guide his flocke, according to his owne desire, either to
haue them go forward, or to stand still, or to drawe backward, or to
turne this way, or to take that way.
|
Etenim non ut in Gallia & Germania, non ut in Syria &
Tartaria, sic in Anglia quoque oves pastorem sequuntur, sed contra,
pastor oves. Quandoque etiam nullo procurrente aut circumeunte cane, ad
solum ex pugno sibilum sese congregant palantes oves, metu canis credo,
memores unà cum sibilo prodire quoque & canem solere.
|
For it is not in Englande, as it is in Fraunce, as it is in
Flaunders, as it is in Syria, as it in Tartaria,
where the sheepe follow the shepherd, for heere in our country the
sheepherd followeth the sheepe. And somtimes the straying sheepe, when
no dogge runneth before them, nor goeth about & beside them, gather
themselues together in a flocke, when they heere the sheepherd whistle
in his fist, for feare of the Dogge (as I imagine) remembring this (if
vnreasonable creatures may be reported to haue memory) that the Dogge
commonly runneth out at his masters warrant which is his whistle.
|
Id quod in itinere diligenter sæpius observavimus, ad pastoris
sibilum refrænantes equos, quo videremus rei experimentum. Eodem etiam
cane ovem vel mactandum prehendit, vel sanandum pastor capit, nulla
prorsus læsione.
|
This haue we oftentimes diligently marcked in taking our journey from
towne to towne, when wee haue hard a sheepherd whistle we haue rayned in
our horse and stoode styll a space, to see the proofe and triall of this
matter. Furthermore with this dogge doth the sheepherd take sheepe for
ye slaughter, and to be healed if they be sicke, no hurt or
harme in the world done to the simple creature.
|
Villaticus seu Catenarius. |
Of the mastiue or Bandogge called in Latine Villaticus or
Cathenarius.
|
Villaticum vastum genus est & robustum, corpore quidem grave
& parum velox, sed aspectu truculentum, voce terrificum, &
quovis Arcadico (qui tamen ex leonibus creditur provenire) potentius
atque acrius.
|
This kinde of Dogge called a mastyue or Bandogge is vaste, huge,
stubborne, ougly, and eager, of a heuy and burthenous body, and therfore
but of litle swiftnesse, terrible, and frightfull to beholde, and more
fearce and fell then any Arcadian curre (notwithstãding they are
sayd to hane their generation of the violent Lyon.)
|
Quòd villis fideliter custodiendis destinamus, cum metus est à
furibus, villaticum appellamus. His quoque utile id est contra vulpem
atque taxum, qui rem pecuariam faciunt.
|
They are called Villatici, because they are appoynted to
watche and keepe farme places and coũtry cotages sequestred from commõ
recourse, and not abutting vpon other houses by reason of distaunce,
when there is any feare conceaued of theefes, robbers, spoylers, and
night wanderers. They are seruiceable against the Foxe and the
Badger,
|
Valet etiam ad sues agrestes persequendos, domesticos è frugibus aut
arvis abigendos, taurosque capiendos atque retinendos, cum usus aut
venatio postulat, singuli singulos, aut summum duo singulos, quamvis
intractabiles.
|
to drive wilde and tame swyne out of Medowes, pastures, glebelandes
and places planted with fruite, to bayte and take the bull by the eare,
when occasion so requireth. One dogge or two at the vttermost,
sufficient for that purpose be the bull neuer so monsterous, neuer so
fearce, neuer so furious, neuer so stearne, neuer so vntameable.
|
Est enim acerrimum genus & violentum, formidabile etiam homini,
quem non reformidat. Neque enim ad arma expavescit; quóque acrius fiat,
assuescunt nostri naturam arte & consuetudine juvare.
|
For it is a kinde of dogge capeable of courage, violent and valiaunt,
striking could feare into the harts of men, but standing in feare of no
man, in so much that no weapons will make him shrincke, nor abridge his
boldnes. Our Englishe men (to th’ intent that theyr dogges might be the
more fell and fearce) assist nature with arte, vse, and custome,
|
Etenim ursos, tauros, arctylos, aliaque fera animalia, præfectis
certaminum arctophylacibus, nullo millo, nullo corio defenses exagitare:
sæpe etiam cum homine sude, clava, enseve armato concertare decent,
atque ita ferociores acrioresque reddunt, & imperterritos
faciunt.
|
for they teach theyr dogges to baite the Beare, to baite the Bull and
other such like cruell and bloudy beastes (appointing an ouerseer of the
game) without any collar to defend theyr throtes, and oftentimes they
traine them vp in fighting and wrestling with a man hauing for the
safegarde of his lyfe, eyther a Pikestaffe, a clubbe, or a sworde
and by vsing them to such exercises as these, theyr dogges become more
sturdy and strong.
|
Vis illis supra fidem, & pertinax mordacitas, usque adeo ut tres
ursum, quatuor vel leonem comprehendant.
|
The force which is in them surmounteth all beleefe, the fast holde
which they take with their teeth exceedeth all credit, three of them
against a Beare, fowre against a Lyon are sufficient, both to try
masteryes with them and vtterly to ouermatch them.
|
Henricus septimus.
Quod videns aliquando (ut fama est) Henricus septimus, Angliæ rex prudentissimus,
quotquot erant suspendi jussit, indignatus ut infimi & ignobilis
generis canes, generoso leoni, & animalium regi violentiam inferant:
memorabili exemplo subditorum, ne quid contra regem gens rebellis
audeat.
|
Which thing Henry the seuenth of that name, King of England (a
Prince both politique & warlike) perceauing on a certaine time (as
the report runneth) commaunded all such dogges (how many soeuer they
were in number) should be hanged, beyng deepely displeased, and
conceauing great disdaine, that an yll fauoured rascall curre should
with such violent villany, assault the valiaunt Lyon king of all
beastes. An example for all subiectes worthy remembraunce, to admonishe
them that it is no aduantage to them to rebell against ye
regiment of their ruler, but to keepe them within the limits of
Loyaltie.
|
Haud absimilis etiam historia de eo fertur, quod falconem quendam
suum, à falconariis vehementer laudatum, quòd in aquilam quid
auderet, quam mox occidi jussit, ob eandem rationem. Hoc genus canis,
etiam catenarium, à catena ligamento, qua ad januas interdiu
detinetur, ne solutum lædat, & tamen latratu terreat,
appellatur.
|
I reede an history aunswerable to this of the selfe same
Henry, who hauing a notable and an excellent fayre Falcon, it
fortuned that the kings Falconers, in the presence and hearing of his
grace, highly commended his Maiesties Falcon, saying that it feared not
to intermeddle with an Eagle, it was so venturous a byrde and so mighty,
which when the King harde, he charged that the Falcon should be killed
without delay, for the selfe same reason (as it may seeme) which was
rehersed in the cõclusion of the former history concerning the same
king. This dogge is called, in like maner, Cathenarius, a
Cathena, of the chaine wherwith he is tyed at the gates, in
ye day time, least beyng lose he should doe much mischiefe
and yet might giue occasion of feare and terror by his bigge
barcking.
|
Cicero.
Et quanquam CiceroA pro S. Ross. opinetur, si canes luce latrent, iis crura
suffringantur, nostri tamen homines propter securitatem vitæ atque rei
longe aliter sentiunt.
|
And albeit CiceroC in
his oration had Pro. S. Ross. be of this opinion, that such
Dogges as barcke in the broade day light shoulde haue their legges
broken, yet our countrymen, on this side the seas for their carelessnes
of lyfe setting all at cinque and sice, are of a contrary iudgement.
|
Fures.
Nam furum apud nos plena sunt omnia, etiam luce, neque infamem mortem
suspendia metuunt.
|
For theefes roge vp & down in euery corner, no place is free from
them, no not ye princes pallace, nor the country mans cotage.
In the day time they practise pilfering, picking, open robbing, and
priuy stealing, and what legerdemaine lacke they? not fearing the
shamefull and horrible death of hanging.
|
In causa est non curta res solum, sed vestis vitæque luxus atque
fastus etiam, sed petulantia, sed otium & superbia Salaconum
μεγαλοῤῥούντων, qui nihil aliud quàm ut equi insultare solo &
gressus glomerare superbos, quàm gyro breviori flecti, qui nihil aliud
quàm cevere, quàm otiosè mendicando accusata non merente corporis
infirmitate spoliare.
|
The cause of which inconuenience doth not onely issue from nipping
neede & wringing want, for all yt steale, are not pinched
with pouerty, but som steale to maintaine their excessiue and prodigall
expences in apparell, their lewdnes of lyfe, their hautines of hart,
theyr wantonnes of maners, theyr wilfull ydlenes, their ambitious
brauery, and the pryde of the sawcy Salacones’ μεγαλορρούντων vaine glorious and arrogant in
behauiour, whose delight dependeth wholly to mount nimbly on horsebacke,
to make them leape lustely, spring and praunce, galloppe and amble, to
runne a race, to wynde in compasse, and so forthe, liuing all together
vpon the fatnesse of the spoyle. Othersom therbe which steale, being
thereto prouoked by penury & neede, like masterlesse mẽ applying
themselues to no honest trade, but raunging vp and downe impudently
begging, and complayning of bodily weakenesse where is no want of
abilitie.
|
Valentinianus.
Sed his Valentinianus imperator benè prospexit, legibus latis, ut qui
nullo corporis morbo laborantes, corporis infirmitatem desidiosi
ignavique prætexentes, mendicarent, perpetui colono ei inservirent, qui
eorum ignaviam proderet atque accusaret, ne eorum desidia onerosa
populo, odiosave sit exemplo.
|
But valiaunt Valentine th’emperour, by holsome lawes prouided
that suche as hauing no corporall sicknesse, solde themselues to
begging, pleded pouerty wyth pretended infirmitie, & cloaked their
ydle and slouthfull life with colourable shifts and cloudy cossening,
should be a perpetuall slaue and drudge to him, by whom their impudent
ydlenes was bewrayed, and layde against them in publique place, least
the insufferable slouthfullnes of such vagabondes should be burthenous
to the people, or being so hatefull and odious, should growe into an
example.
|
Alfredi vigilantia.
Alfredus quoque regno administrando tanta vigilantia justitiaque usus
est, ut si quis per vias publicas incedens, marsupium auro plenum
vesperi perdidisset, manè, atque adeo post mensem unum, integrum &
intactum inveniret, uti Ingulphus Croylandensis in historia refert.
|
Alfredus likewise in the gouernment of his common wealth,
procured such increase of credite to Justice and vpright dealing by his
prudent actes and statutes, that if a mã trauailing by the hygh way of
the countrey vnder his dominion, chaunced to lose a budget full of gold,
or his capcase farsed with things of great value, late in the euening,
he should finde it where he lost it, safe, sound, and vntouched the next
morning, yea (which is a wonder) at any time for a whole monethes space
if he sought for it, as Ingulphus Croyladensis in his History
recordeth.
|
Nostra autem ætate, nihil ferè securum, ne in ædibus quidem, quamvis
accuratè conclusis.
|
But in this our vnhappy age, in these (I say) our deuelishe
dayes nothing can scape the clawes of the spoyler, though it be kept
neuer so sure within the house, albe it the doores bee lockt and boulted
round about. This dogge in like maner of Græcians is called οἰκουρος.
|
Canis custos. |
Of the latinists Canis Custos, in Englishe the Dogge
keeper.
|
Custos quoque (Græcis οἰκουρὸς) a
custodiendis non solum villis, sed & mercatorum ædibus, & quibus
ampla res est domi, canis iste nominatur. Eam ob rem canes publicæ
alebantur Romæ in Capitolio, ut significent si fures venerint.
|
Borrowing his name of his seruire, for he doth not onely keepe
farmers houses, but also merchaunts maisons, wherin great wealth,
riches, substaunce, and costly stuffe is reposed. And therfore were
certaine dogges founde and maintained at the common costes and charges
of the Citizens of Rome in the place called Capitolium, to
giue warning of theefes comming.
|
Canis laniarius. |
This kind of dogge, is also called,
In latine Canis Laniarius in Englishe the Butchers
Dogge.
|
Dicitur & Laniarium, quòd eorum usus multus sit laniis agendis
& capiendis bestiis.
|
So called for the necessity of his vse, for his seruice affoordeth
great benefite to the Butcher as well in following as in taking his
cattell when neede constraineth, vrgeth, and requireth.
|
Molossicus. |
This kinde of dogge is likewise called,
In latine Molossicus or Molossus.
|
Sed & Molossicum quoque & Molossum latinis dicitur,
à Molossia Epiri regione, ubi hoc genus canes boni & acres
erant.
|
After the name of a countrey in Epirus called Molossia,
which harboureth many stoute, stronge, and sturdy Dogges of this sort,
for the dogges of that countrey are good in deede, or else their is no
trust to be had in the testimonie of writers.
|
Mandatarius. |
This dogge is also called,
In latine Canis Mandatarius a Dogge messinger or
Carrier.
|
Est ex hoc genere quem Mandatarium ex argumento appellamus: quòd
domini mandato literas aliasve res de loco in locum transferat, vel
mellio inclusas, vel eidem alligatas. Quæ ne intercipiantur, vel pugna,
vel fuga si impar sit, diligenter cavet.
|
Upon substanciall consideration, because at his masters voyce and
commaundement, he carrieth letters from place to place, wrapped vp
cunningly in his lether collar, fastened therto, or sowed close therin,
who, least he should be hindered in his passage vseth these helpes very
skilfully, namely resistaunce in fighting if he be not ouermatched, or
else swiftnesse & readinesse in running away, if he be vnable to
buckle with the dogge that would faine haue a snatch at his skinne.
|
Lunarius. |
This kinde of dogge is likewise called,
In latine Canis Lunarius, in Englishe the Mooner.
|
Est & Lunarium, quòd nihil aliud quàm excubias agit, quàm
insomnes noctes totas protrahit baubando ad lunam, ut Nonii verbo
utar.
|
Because he doth nothing else but watch and warde at an ynche, wasting
the wearisome night season without slombering or sleeping, bawing &
wawing at the Moone (that I may vse the word of Nonius)
a qualitie in mine opinion straunge to consider.
|
Aquarius. |
This kinde of dogge is also called.
In latine Aquarius in Englishe a water drawer.
|
Ex quibus grandiores atque graviores, etiam rotæ amplioris
circumactu, aquam ex altis puteis ad usus rusticos hauriunt, quos
Aquarios appellamus ex officio:
|
And these be of the greater and the waighter sort drawing water out
of wells and deepe pittes, by a wheele which they turne rounde about by
the mouing of their burthenous bodies.
|
Sarcinarius. |
This kinde of dogge is called in like maner.
Canis Sarcinarius in Latine, and may aptly be englished a
Tynckers Curre.
|
& sarctores ærarios vagos manticis ferendis memorabili patientia
levant; à qua re sarcinarios nuncupamus.
|
Because with marueilous pacience they beare bigge budgettes fraught
with Tinckers tooles, and mettall meete to mend kettels, porrige pottes,
skellets, and chafers, and other such like trumpery requisite for their
occupacion and loytering trade, easing him of a great burthen which
otherwise he himselfe should carry vpon his shoulders, which condition
hath challenged vnto them the foresaid name.
|
Defensor.
Præter has villaticorum qualitates atque usus, hanc unam habent
præcipuam, quòd amantes dominorum sunt, & odium gerant in externos.
Quo fit ut per itinera dominis in præsidio sunt, quos à furibus
defendunt, vivos salvosque conservant:
|
Besides the qualities which we haue already recounted, this kind of
dogges hath this principall property ingrafted in them, that they loue
their masters liberally, and hate straungers despightfully, wherevpon it
followeth that they are to their masters, in traueiling a singuler
safgard, defending them forceably from the inuasion of villons and
theefes, preseruing their lyfes from losse, and their health from
hassard, theyr fleshe from hacking and hewing with such like desperate
daungers.
|
a qua re etiam canes defensores jure dici possunt.
|
For which consideration they are meritoriously tearmed,
In Latine Canes defensores defending dogges in our mother
tounge.
|
Canum amor & fides.
At si quando vel multitudine, vel majori vi opprimatur dominus atque
concidat, usu compertum est, herum non deserere ne mortuum quidem, sed
eum ad multos dies per famis & cœli injuriæ patientiam peramanter
observare, & homicidam, si occasio dabitur, interficere, aut saltem
prodere vel latratu, vel ira, vel hostili insultu, quasi
mortem heri ulturum.
|
If it chaunce that the master bee oppressed, either by a multitude,
or by the greater violence & so be beaten downe that he lye
groueling on the grounde, (it is proued true by experience) that this
Dogge forsaketh not his master, no not when he is starcke deade: But
induring the force of famishment and the outragious tempestes of the
weather, most vigilantly watcheth and carefully keepeth the deade
carkasse many dayes, indeuouring, furthermore, to kil the murtherer of
his master, if he may get any aduantage. Or else by barcking, by
howling, by furious iarring, snarring, and such like meanes betrayeth
the malefactour as desirous to haue the death of his aforesayde Master
rigorouslye reuenged.
|
Kingestoune.
Hujus rei exemplo fuit nostra memoria canis cujusdam viatoris, qui
Londino recta Kingestonum, octo regum coronatione percelebre oppidum,
profecturus, cum bonam itineris partem confecisset, latronum insidiis in
Comparco, valli amplo & spatioso, nemoribus obsito, &
latrociniis infami loco, occubuit.
|
An example
hereof fortuned within the compasse of my memory. The Dogge of a
certaine wayefaring man trauailing from the Citie of London directly to
the Towne of Kingstone (most famous and renowned by reason of the
triumphant coronation of eight seuerall Kings) passing ouer a good
portion of his iourney was assaulted and set vpon by certaine
confederate theefes laying in waight for the spoyle in
Comeparcke, a perillous bottom, compassed about wyth woddes
to well knowne for the manyfolde murders & mischeefeous robberies
theyr committed. Into whose handes this passinger chaunced to fall, so
that his ill lucke cost him the price of his lyfe.
|
Canis item ille Britannus genere, quem Blondus sua memoria scribit,
non longe Parisiis hero à rivali interempto, & homicidam prodidisse,
& ni canis ultionem homicida deprecatus esset, jugulaturum
fuisse.
|
And that Dogge whose syer was Englishe (which Blondus
registreth to haue bene within the banckes of his remẽbrance) manifestly
perceauyng that his Master was murthered (this chaunced not farre from
Paris) by the handes of one which was a suiter to the same womã,
whom he was a wooer vnto, dyd both bewraye the bloudy butcher, and
attempted to teare out the villons throate if he had not sought meanes
to auoyde the reuenging rage of the Dogge.
|
In incendiis quoque in conticinio seu intempesta nocte incidentibus,
eo usque latrant annosi canes, etiam prohibiti, dum à domesticis
excitatis percipiatur focus; & tum sua sponte cessant à latratu,
quod usu compertum est in Britannia.
|
In fyers also which fortune in the silence and dead time of the
night, or in stormy weather of the sayde season, the older dogges
barcke, ball, howle, and yell (yea notwithstandyng they bee roughly
rated) neyther will they stay their tounges till the householde
seruauntes, awake, ryse, searche, and see the burning of the fyre, which
beyng perceaued they vse voluntary silence, and cease from yolping. This
hath bene, and is founde true by tryall, in sundry partes of
England.
|
Nec minor erat fides in eo cane qui domino profundam foveam per
venatum incidenti nunquam abfuit, dum sui unius indicio sublatus is per
funem fuit: in quem, cum oris cavernæ proximus esset, insiliebat canis,
tanquam ulnis amplexurus revertentem herum, impatiens longioris
moræ.
|
There was no faynting faith in that Dogge, which when his Master by a
mischaunce in hunting stumbled and fell toppling downe a deepe dytche
beyng vnable to recouer of himselfe, the Dogge signifying his masters
mishappe, reskue came, and he was hayled up by a rope, whom the Dogge
seeyng almost drawne up to the edge of the dytche, cheerefully saluted,
leaping and skipping vpon his master as though he woulde haue imbraced
hym, beyng glad of his presence, whose longer absence he was lothe to
lacke.
|
Canum ingenia.
Sunt qui focum non patiuntur dissipari, sed prunas in focum pede
removent, prius cogitabundi aspicientes qua ratione id possit à se
fieri. Quod si pruna ardentior fuerit, cinere obruunt, ac dein nare in
locum promovent. Sunt quoque qui noctu villici officium præstant.
|
Some Dogges there be, which will not suffer fyery coales to lye
skattered about the hearthe, but with their pawes wil rake up the
burnyng coales, musying and studying fyrst with themselues how it myght
conueniently be done. And if so bee that the coales cast to great a
heate then will they buyry them in ashes and so remoue them forwarde to
a fyt place wyth theyr noses. Other Dogges bee there which exequute the
office of a Farmer in the nyghte tyme.
|
Cum enim lectum petit herus, & omnia centum ærei claudunt vectes,
æternaque ferri robora, nec custos absistit limine Janus (ut scribit
Virgilius) tum si prodire jubeat herus canem, is per fundos omnes
oberrat, quovis villico diligentior, & si alienum quid invenerit
sive hominem, sive bestiam, abigit, domesticis relictis animalibus atque
servis.
|
For when his master goeth to bedde to take his naturall sleepe, And
when,
A hundred barres of brasse and yron boltes,
Make all things safe from startes and from reuoltes.
VVhen Ianus keepes the gate with Argos eye,
That daungers none approch, ne mischiefes nye.
As Virgill vaunteth in his verses, Then if his master byddeth him go
abroade, he lingereth not, but raungeth ouer all his lands lying there
about, more diligently, I wys, then any farmer himselfe. And if he finde
anything their that is straunge and pertaining to other persons besides
his master, whether it be man, woman, or beast, he driueth them out of
the ground, not medling with any thing which doth belong to the
possession and vse of his master.
|
Sed quanta in his fidelitas, tanta varietas in ingeniis.
|
But how much faythfulnes, so much diuersitie there is in their
natures,
|
Nam sunt qui ore infræno latrent tantum nullo morsu; verum hi minus
tremendi, quòd timidiores sunt. Canes enim timidi vehementius latrant,
ut est in proverbio. Sunt qui latrent atque mordeant.
|
For there be some, |
Which barcke only with free and open throate but will not bite,
Which doe both barcke and byte,
Which bite bitterly before they barcke,
|
The first are not greatly to be feared, because they themselues are
fearefull, and fearefull dogges (as the prouerbe importeth) barcke most
vehemently.
|
Ab his cavendum quidem, quia admonent futuræ injuriæ, sed non
lacessendum, quoniam ira concitantur ad dentem, ipsi etiam natura
acerbiores.
|
The second are daungerous, it is wisedome to take heede of them because
they sounde, as it were, an Alarum of an afterclappe, and these
dogges must not be ouer much moued or prouoked, for then they take on
outragiously as if they were madde, watching to set the print of their
teeth in the fleshe. And these kinde of dogges are fearce and eager by
nature.
|
Sunt qui sine voce prosiliunt, impetu involant, jugulum petunt, &
crudelius lacerant. Hos formidato, quia ammosiores sunt, & incautos
opprimunt.
|
The thirde are deadly, for they flye upon a man, without vtteraunce of
voyce, snatch at him, and catche him by the throate, and most cruelly
byte out colloppes of fleashe. Feare these kind of Curres, (if thou be
wise and circumspect about thine owne safetie) for they bee stoute and
stubberne dogges, and set vpon a man at a sodden vnwares.
|
Notæ ignaviæ aut audaciæ.
Istis notis ignavum genus a strenuo, audax a timido discernunt
nostri. Etenim ex malo genere, ne catulum quidem habendum existimant,
quòd nullum necessariis usibus humanis commodiorem canem isto
putent.
|
By these signes and tokens, by these notes and argumentes our men
discerne the cowardly curre from the couragious dogge the bolde from the
fearefull, the butcherly from the gentle and tractable. Moreouer they
coniecture that a whelpe of an yll kinde is not worthe the keeping and
that no dogge can serue the sundry vses of men so aptly and so
conueniently as this sort of whom we haue so largely written
already.
|
Nam si quis commemoratos eorum usus ad summas velit revocare, quis
hominum clarius aut tanta vociferatione bestiam vel furem prædicat, quam
iste latratu? quis domitor ferarum potentior? quis famulus amantior
domini? quis fidelior comes? quis custos incorruptior? quis excubitor
vigilantior? quis ultor aut vindex constantior? quis nuncius expeditior?
quis aquarius laboriosior? quis denique sarctor ærarius gestandis
sarcinis tolerantior?
|
For if any be disposed to drawe the aboue named seruices into a
table, what mã more clearely, and with more vehemency of voyce giueth
warning eyther of a wastefull beast, or of a spoiling theefe then this?
who by his barcking (as good as a burning beacon) foreshoweth hassards
at hand? What maner of beast stronger? what seruaũt to his master more
louing? what companion more trustie? what watchman more vigilant? what
reuenger more constant? what messinger more speedie? what water bearer
more painefull? Finally what packhorse more patient?
|
Atque hæc quidem de canibus Britannicis generosis atque rusticis, qui
genus suum servant, diximus.
|
And thus much concerning English Dogges, first of the gentle kinde,
secondly of the courser kinde. Nowe it remaineth that we deliuer vnto
you the Dogges of a mungrell or a currishe kinde, and then will wee
perfourme our taske.
|
|
¶ A Diall pertaining to the fourth Section.
|
Rustici. |
Pastoralis.
Shepherd’s Dog. |
Villaticus, seu Catenarius.
Mastive, or Bandedog.
|
|
Dogs comprehended in ye fourth section are these
|
The shepherds dogge
The Mastiue or Bandogge,
|
which hath sundry names diriued frõ sundry circũstances as
|
The keeper or watch man
The butchers dogge
The messinger or carrier
The Mooner
The water drawer
The Tinckers curr
The fencer,
|
called in Latine Canes Rustici. |
|
Ex degeneribus. |
Containing Curres of the mungrell and rascall sort and first of the
Dogge called in Latine, Admonitor, and of vs in Englishe VVappe
or VVarner.
|
De degeneribus, & ex horum diverso genere mixtis, quòd nullam
insignem veri generis qualitatem formamque referant, non est quod velim
plura scribere, sed ut inutiles ablegare, nisi quòd vel advenas latratu
excipiant, etiam luce, & eorum adventus domesticos
commonefaciant,
|
Of such dogges as keepe not their kinde, of such as are mingled out
of sundry sortes not imitating the conditions of some one certaine
spice, because they resẽble no notable shape, nor exercise any worthy
property of the true perfect and gentle kind, it is not necessarye that
I write any more of them, but to banishe them as vnprofitable
implements, out of the boundes of my Booke, vnprofitable I say for any
vse that is commendable, except to intertaine straũgers with their
barcking in the day time, giuyng warnyng to them of the house, that such
& such be newly come,
|
Admonitor.
unde canes admonitores appellamus:
|
wherevpon we call them admonishing Dogges, because in that point they
performe theyr office.
|
|
Of the Dogge called Turnespete in Latine Veruuersator.
|
vel quòd in officio culinario, cum assandum est, inserviant, &
rota minore gradiendo, verua circumagant, pondereque suo æquabiliter
versent, ut ne calo aut lixa quidem artificiosius;
|
There is comprehended, vnder the curres of the coursest kinde, a
certaine dogge in kytchen seruice excellent. For whẽ any meate is to bee
roasted they go into a wheele which they turning rounde about with the
waight of their bodies, so diligently looke to their businesse, that no
drudge nor skullion can doe the feate more cunningly.
|
Versator.
quos hinc canes versatores, seu veruversatores nostrum vulgus
nominat: postremos omnium generum, quæ primo memoravimus.
|
Whom the popular sort herevpon call Turnespets, being the last of all
those which wee haue first mencioned.
|
Tympanista. |
Of the Dogge called the Daunser, in Latine Saltator or
Tympanista.
|
Sunt etiam canes nostri degeneres & ad tympanum saltare, & ad
lyræ modos se movere docti, multaque alia erecti pronique facere, quæ à
vagis quæstuosisque heris exequi didicerunt.
|
There be also dogges among vs of a mungrell kind which are taught and
exercised to daunce in measure at the musicall sounde of an instrument,
as, at the iust stroke of the drombe, at the sweete accent of the
Cyterne, & tuned strings of the harmonious Harpe showing many pretty
trickes by the gesture of their bodies. As to stand bolte upright, to
lye flat vpon the grounde, to turne rounde as a ringe holding their
tailes in their teeth, to begge for theyr meate, and sundry such
properties, which they learne of theyr vagabundicall masters, whose
instrumentes they are to gather gaine, withall in Citie, Country, Towne,
and Village. As some which carry olde apes on their shoulders in
coloured iackets to moue men to laughter for a litle lucre.
|
Lyciscus. |
Of other Dogges, a short conclusion, wonderfully ingendredB within the
coastes of this country.
Three sortes of them, |
The first bred of a bytch and a wolfe,
In Latine Lyciscus.
|
The second of a bytche and a foxe,
In Latine Lacæna.
|
The third of a beare and a bandogge,
In Latine Vrcanus.
|
|
Lyciscum nullum istic in Anglia habemus nativum, ut ne lupum quidem
ut est ante comprehensum, nec aliud genus ullum præter Lacænam &
Urcanum:
|
Of the first we haue none naturally bred within the borders of
England. The reason is for the want of wolfes, without whom no such
kinde of Dogge can bee ingendred. Againe it is deliuered vnto thee in
this discourse, how and by what meanes, by whose benefite, and within
what circuite of tyme, this country was cleerely discharged of rauenyng
wolfes, and none at all left, no, not to the least number, or the
beginnyng of a number, which is an Vnari.
|
Lacæna.
illam ex cane & vulpe (quam multam habet Anglia, & domi inter
canes vel animi vel morbi causa sæpè alit)
|
Of the second sort we are not vtterly voyde of some, because this our
Englishe soyle is not free from foxes (for in deede we are not without a
multitude of them in so much as diuerse keepe, foster, and feede them in
their houses among their houndes and dogges, eyther for some maladie of
mind, or for some sicknesse of body,) which peraduenture the savour of
that subtill beast would eyther mitigate or expell.
|
Urcanus.
hunc ex urso & cane catenario; quos licet inimicos, pruriens
tamen libido sæpè ita hic conjungit, ut alibi solet.
|
The thirde kinde which is bred of a Beare and a Bandogge we want not
heare in England, (A straunge & wonderfull effect, that cruell
enimyes should enter into ye worke of copulation & bring
forth so sauage a curre.) Undoubtedly it is euen so as we haue reported,
for the fyery heate of theyr fleshe, or rather the pricking thorne, or
most of all, the tyckling lust of lechery, beareth such swinge and sway
in them, that there is no contrairietie for the time, but of constraint
they must ioyne to ingender. And why should not this bee consonant to
truth? why shoulde not these beastes breede in this lande, as well as in
other forreigne nations?
|
Nam cum tigride Hircanos, cum leone Arcadicos, cum lupo Gallicos
commiscuisse legimus. In hominibus quoque quibus ratio est, inimicos
animos conciliat stulta illa res & naturalis, ut Moria loquitur.
|
For wee reede that Tigers and dogges in Hircania, that Lyons
and Dogges in Arcadia, and that wolfes and dogges in
Francia, couple and procreate. In men and women also lyghtened
with the lantarne of reason (but vtterly voide of vertue) that foolishe,
frantique, and fleshely action, (yet naturally sealed in vs) worketh so
effectuously, yt many tymes it doth reconcile enimyes, set
foes at freendship, vnanimitie, & atonement, as Moria
mencioneth.
|
Est hic urcanus, sæva bestia, & intractabilis iræ (ut Gratii
poetæ verbis utar) cæteros canes nostros omnes feroci crudelitate
superans, vel aspectus torvitate terribilis, in pugna acris &
vehemens, tantaque mordacitate, ut citius discerpas quàm dissolvas; nec
lupum nec taurum, ursum aut leonem reformidat: vel cum cane illo
Alexandri Indico certe conferendus. Sed de his hactenus ut de
Britannicis verba fecimus.
|
The Vrcane which is bred of a beare and a dogge,
Is fearce, is fell, is stoute and stronge,
And byteth sore to fleshe and bone,
His furious force indureth longe
In rage he will be rul’de of none.
That I may vse the wordes of the Poet Gratius, This
dogge exceedeth all other in cruell conditions, his leering and fleering
lookes, his stearne and sauage vissage, maketh him in sight feareful and
terrible, he is violent in fighting, & wheresoeuer he setteth his
tenterhooke teeth, he taketh such sure & fast hold that a man may
sooner teare and rende him in sunder, then lose him and seperate his
chappes. He passeth not for the Wolfe, the Beare, the Lyon, nor the
Bull, and may wortherly (as I thinke) be companiõ with Alexanders
dogge which came out of India. But of these, thus much, and thus
farre may seeme sufficient.
|
Externi canes. |
A starte to outlandishe Dogges in this conclusion, not impertinent
to the Authors purpose.
|
Externos aliquos & eos majusculos, Islandicos dico &
Littuanicos, usus dudum recepit: quibus toto corpore hirtis, ob
promissum longumque pilum, nec vultus est, nec figura corporis.
|
Vse and custome hath intertained other dogges of an outlandishe
kinde, but a fewe and the same beyng of a pretty bygnesse, I meane
Iseland, dogges curled & rough al ouer, which by reason of the
lenght of their heare make showe neither of face nor of body.
|
Externa prælata.
Multis tamen quòd peregrini sunt, & grati sunt, & in
Melitæorum locum assumpti sunt: usque adeo deditum est humanum genus
etiam sine ratione novitatibus. ἐρῶμεν ἀλλοτρίων, παρορῶμεν συγγενεῖς,
miramur aliena, nostra non diligimus.
|
And yet these curres, forsoothe, because they are so straunge are
greatly set by, esteemed, taken vp, and made of many times in the roome
of the Spaniell gentle or comforter. The natures of men is so moued, nay
rather marryed to nouelties without all reason, wyt, iudgement or
perseueraunce. Ἐρῶμεν ἀλλοτριῶν, παρορῶμεν συγγενεῖς.
Outlandishe toyes we take with delight,
Things of our owne nation we haue in despight.
|
Neque hoc in canibus solum, sed in artificibus quoque usu venit.
Nostros enim licet doctos & peritos fastidimus, belluam è longinqua
barbarie alienoque solo profectam tanquam asinum Cumani, aut hominem
Thalem, nostri suspiciunt.
|
Which fault remaineth not in vs concerning dogges only, but for
artificers also. And why? it is to manyfest that wee disdayne and
contempne our owne workmen, be they neuer so skilfull, be they neuer so
cunning, be they neuer so excellent. A beggerly beast brought out of
barbarous borders, frõ the vttermost countryes Northward, &c., we
stare at, we gase at, we muse, we maruaile at, like an asse of
Cumanum, like Thales with the brasen shancks, like the man in the
Moone.
|
Id quod Hippocrates sub initio libri sui περὶ ἀγμῶν recte sua ætate
observavit, & nos libello nostro seu consilio de Ephemera Britannica
ad populum Britannicum copiosius explicuimus.
|
The which default Hippocrates marcked when he was alyue, as
euidently appeareth in the beginnyng of his booke περὶ ἀγμῶν, so intituled and named:
And we in our worcke entituled De Ephemera Britannica, to
the people of England haue more plentifully expressed.
|
Atque in hoc genere quo quisque indoctior, audacior, incogitantior,
hoc pluris fit apud nostros, atque etiam apud torquatos istos principes
atque proceres. Cæterum de externis canibus nihil dico, quòd de
Britannicis tantum voto tuo satisfacere studeo, Conrade vir
doctissime.
|
In this kinde looke which is most blockishe, and yet most waspishe, the same is
most esteemed, and not amonge Citizens onely and iolly gentlemen, but
among lustie Lordes also, and noble men, and daintie courtier ruffling
in their ryotous ragges. Further I am not to wade in the foorde of this
discourse, because it was my purpose to satisfie your expectation with a
short treatise (most learned Conrade) not wearysome for me to
wryte, nor tedious for you to peruse.
|
Canis Getulus.
Inter ea tamen quæ aliàs ad te dedi, de cane Getulo seorsum scripsi,
quòd rara species ejus videbatur. De cætero genere, ipse plenissimè
scribis. Verum cum longius jam produximus hunc libellum quàm priorem ad
te, brevius tamen quam pro natura rei, quòd habuimus rationem studiorum
tuorum, memoriæ causa quæ de canibus Britannicis diximus, in diagramma
reducemus.
|
Among other things which you haue receaued at my handes heretofore, I
remember that I wrote a seuerall description of the Getulian Dogge,
because there are but a fewe of them and therefore very seldome scene.
As touching Dogges of other kyndes you your selfe haue taken earnest
paine, in writing of them both lyuely, learnedly and largely. But
because wee haue drawne this libell more at length then the former which
I sent you (and yet briefer than the nature of the thing myght well
beare) regardyng your more earnest and necessary studdies. I will
conclude makyng a rehearsall notwithstanding (for memoryes sake) of
certaine specialties contayned in the whole body of this my
breuiary.
|
Et quia vulgaribus nominibus delectaris, ut ex literis tuis didici,
ea quoque Latinis apponemus, & singulorum rationes exponemus, quo
nihil tibi sit incognitum aut desideratum.
|
And because you participate principall pleasure in the knowledge of
the common and vsuall names of Dogges (as I gather by the course of your
letters) I suppose it not amysse to deliuer vnto you a shorte table
contayning as well the Latine as the Englishe names, and to render a
reason of euery particular appellation, to th’intent that no scruple may
remaine in this point, but that euery thing may bee sifted to the bare
bottome.
|
|
A Diall pertaining to the fifte Section.
|
Degeneres. |
Admonitor.
Versator.
Saltator.
|
Wappe.
Turn-spit.
Dancer.
|
|
Dogges contained in this last Diall or Table are
|
The wapp or warner,
The Turnespet,
The dauncer,
|
called in Latine Canes Rustici
|
|
|
A Supplement or Addition, containing a demonstration of Dogges names how they had their Originall.
|
Ista vocabula nostratia cum nihil apud te, hominem peregrinum,
loquantur sine interpretatione, ut Latinorum vocabulorum rationem prius
reddidimus, ita Anglicorum jam reddemus, quo tibi pateant universa, eo
etiam quo prius observato ordine.
|
The names contayned in the generall table, for so much as they
signifie nothing to you being a straunger, and ignoraunt of the Englishe
tounge, except they be interpreted: As we haue giuen a reason before of
ye latine words so meane we to doe no lesse of the Englishe
that euery thing maye be manyfest vnto your vnderstanding. Wherein I
intende to obserue the same order which I haue followed before.
|
Sagax. |
The names of such Dogges as be contained in the first section.
|
Hunde igitur (quem inter venaticos sagacem diximus) a verbo
nostro hunte, quod apud nostros venari significat, unica tantum immutata
litera derivata appellatione, nomen habet. Quod si a vocabulo vestrati
hunde, (quod canem in universum apud vos significat) propter vocum
similitudinem appellari credas (mi Gesnere) ut non magnopere repugnabo,
cum adhuc retinemus multa Germanica vocabula, a Saxonibus cum
Angliam occuparunt nobis relicta, ita illud admonebo, commune quidem
nomen canis apud nos dogge esse, venatici vero canis hunde.
|
Sagax, in Englishe Hunde, is deriued of our English word
hunte. One letter chaunged in another, namely, T, into D, as Hunt,
Hunde, whom (if you coniecture to be so named of your country worde
Hunde which signifieth the generall name Dogge, because of the
similitude and likenesse of the wordes I will not stand in contradiction
(friende Gesner) for so much as we retaine among vs at this day
many Dutche wordes which the Saxons left at such time as they
occupyed this country of Britane. Thus much also vnderstand, that as in
your language Hunde is the common word, so in our naturall tounge
dogge is the vniuersall, but Hunde is perticuler and a speciall,
for it signifieth such a dogge onely as serueth to hunt, and therfore it
is called a hunde.
|
Agasæus. |
Of the Gasehounde.
|
Similiter à verbo nostrati, Gase, (quòd fixius rem aliquam &
attentius contueri est) Gasehunde appellatur nostris, quem ante Agasæum
nominari diximus. Neque enim odoratu, sed prospectu attento &
diligenti feram persequitur iste canis, ut jam ante memoravimus; etsi
non sum nescius etiam apud Latinos Agasæi vocabulum inter canum nomina
reperiri.
|
The Gasehounde called in latine Agasæus, hath his name of the
sharpenesse and stedfastnesse of his eyesight. By which vertue he
compasseth that which otherwise he cannot by smelling attaine. As we
haue made former relation, for to gase is earnestly to viewe and
beholde, from whence floweth the deriuation of this dogges name.
|
Leporarius. |
Of the Grehounde.
|
A Gre quoque, Grehunde apud nostros invenit nomen, quod præcipui
gradus inter canes sit, & primæ generositatis. Gre enim apud nostros
gradum denotat. Hunc latinè Leporarium dicebamus.
|
The Grehounde called Leporarius, hath his name of this word,
Gre, which word soundeth, Gradus in latine, in Englishe degree.
Because among all dogges these are the most principall, occupying the
chiefest place, and being simply and absolutely the best of the gentle
kinde of houndes.
|
Levinarius. |
Of the Leuyner or the Lyemmer.
|
A levitate Leviner, à loro Lyemmer, appellatur is quem Levinarium
& Lorarium latinè nominavimus. Nam Lyemme nostra lingua, Lorum
significat. Quod autem a levitate Leviner, hoc est a latina voce
Britannicam, diducimus: cur in libris nostris sparsim a Græcis
dictionibus & Latinis Italicis & Germanicis, Gallicis &
Hispanicis nostratia multa derivamus, unde ortum eadem multa
habuerunt:
|
This dogge is called a Leuyner, for his lyghtnesse, which in latine
soundeth Leuitas, Or a Lyemmer which worde is borrowed of Lyemme,
which the latinists name Lorum: and wherefore we call him a
Leuyner of this worde Leuitas? (as we doe many things besides)
why we deriue and drawe a thousand of our tearmes, out of the
Greeke, the Latine, the Italian, the Dutch,
the French, and the Spanishe tounge? (Out of which
fountaines in deede, they had their originall issue.)
|
Lib. de symphonia.
& quemadmodum ab origine sua etiam multa per corruptionem jam
declinarunt, libello nostro de symphonia seu consonantia vocum
Britannicarum fusius explicabimus.
|
How many words are buryed in the graue of forgetfulnes? growne out of
vse? wrested awrye? and peruersly corrupted by diuers defaultes? we wil
declare at large in our booke intituled, Symphonia vocum
Britannicarum.
|
Vertagus. |
Of the Tumbler.
|
Postremus inter venaticos Vertagus est, quem Tumbler vocitamus; quòd
tumble apud nos vertere est Latinis, & tumbiere Gallis, unde ortum
habet id nomen Tumbler, mutata vocali in liquidam nostro more: contra
quàm in lingua Gallica & Italica, in quibus liquida ante vocalem,
magna ex parte in aliam vocalem vertitur, ut impiere & piano, pro
implere & plano, quæ exempli gratia adduce, cum infinita sint.
|
Among houndes the Tumbler called in latine Vertagus, is the
last, which commeth of this worde Tumbler flowyng first of al out of the
French fountaine. For as we say Tumble so they, Tumbier,
reseruing one sense and signification, which the latinists comprehende
vnder this worde Vertere, So that we see thus much, that Tumbler
commeth of Tumbier, the vowell, I, chaunged into the
Liquid, L, after ye maner of our speache. Contrary to
the French and the Italian tounge. In which two languages, A
Liquid before a Vowell for the most part is turned into
another Vowell, As, may be perceaued in the example of these two
wordes, Implere & plano, for Impiere &
piano, L, before, E, chaunged into, I, and L, before A, turned
into I, also. This I thought conuenient for a taste.
|
Aucupatorii. |
The names of such Dogges as be contained in the second Section.
|
Post Venaticos sequuntur Aucupatorii; inter quos primus est
Hispaniolus, quem ab Hispania voce nomen accepisse prius diximus. Nostri
omissa aspiratione & prima vocali, Spainel & Spaniel expediti
sermonis causa proferunt.
|
After such as serue for hunting orderly doe follow such as serue for
hawking and fowling, Among which the principall and chiefest is the
Spaniell, called in Latine Hispaniolus, borrowing his name of
Hispania Spaine, wherein wee Englishe men not pronouncing the
Aspiration H, Nor the Vowell I, for quicknesse and redinesse of
speach say roundly A Spaniell.
|
Index. |
Of the Setter.
|
Secundus Index, quem nostri a Setter nominare solent, a verbo
sette, quod locum designare nostris Britannis significat.
|
The second sort of this second diuision and second section, is called
a Setter, in latine Index, Of the worde Set which signifieth in
Englishe that which the Latinistes meane by this word Locum
designare, ye reason is rehersed before more largely, it
shall not neede to make a new repetition.
|
Aquaticus. |
Of the water Spaniell or Finder.
|
Post hunc subsequitur aquaticus, hoc est a Waterspainel,
a vocibus Water & Spaine (hoc est aqua & Hispania) deducto
nomine. Nam aqua, in qua se exercet canis iste, Water; & Hispania
(unde primum genus hoc tractum ex nomine creditur) Spaine apud nostros
vocitatur.
|
The water Spaniell consequently followeth, called in Latine
Aquaticus, in English a waterspaniell, which name is compounde of two
simple wordes, namely Water, which in Latine soũdeth Aqua,
wherein he swymmeth. And Spaine, Hispania, the country frõ
whence they came,
|
Non quòd isti canes non sint etiam nativi in Britannia, sed quòd
generale & commune nomen canum, qui ex Hispania primò profecti
putantur, istæ canum species (ut & cæteri Aucupatorii) adhuc vulgo
referunt, etsi in Britannia oriantur, & peculiari aliqua vocis nota,
aut qualitatis indicio secernantur apud nos; ut est ista species vocis
Water, hoc est aquæ, appositione.
|
Not that England wanted such kinde of Dogges, (for they are naturally
bred and ingendred in this country.) But because they beare the generall
and common name of these Dogges synce the time they were first brought
ouer out of Spaine. And wee make a certaine difference in this sort of
Dogges, eyther for some thing which in theyr voyce is to be marked, or
for some thing which in their qualities is to be considered, as for an
example in this kinde called the Spaniell by the apposition and putting
to of this word water, which two coupled together sounde
waterspaniell.
|
Inquisitor.
Alio etiam nomine a Finder canis iste appellatur, quòd quærendo
invenit res deperditas, quæ res nostris, fynde, hoc est invenire,
dicitur. Nos tamen ab inquirendo latinum nomen huic fecimus, quòd
præcipua pars inventionis in inquirendo est.
|
He is also called a fynder, in Latine Inquisitor, because that
by serious and secure seeking, he findeth such things as be lost, which
word Finde in English is that which the Latines meane by this
Verbe Inuenire. This dogge hath this name of his property because
the principall point of his seruice consisteth in the premisses.
|
|
The names of such Dogges as be contained in the thirde Section.
|
A venaticis & aucupatoriis transitus est ad Delicatos, Rusticos,
& Degeneres.
|
Now leauing the suruie we of hunting and hauking dogs, it remaineth
that we runne ouer the residue, whereof some be called, fine dogs, some
course, other some mungrels or rascalls.
|
Delicati.
Delicatum, Melitæum & Spainel gentle, hoc est Hispaniolum
generosum, nominavimus, à generositatis nomine data appellatione,
quòd inter nobiles viros atque fœminas versari, & iis in deliciis
atque ad lusus esse consuevit: ut erat illud Gorgonis κυνίδιον apud
Theocritum in Syracusiis, quod discedens servæ diligentiæ pari cura cum
infante commiserat, ut catellum quidem illa intro revocaret, puerum verò
vagientem placaret.
|
The first is the Spaniell gentle called Canis Melitæus,
because it is a kinde of dogge accepted among gentles, Nobles, Lordes,
Ladies, &c. who make much of them vouchsafeing to admit them so
farre into their company that they will not onely lull them in theyr
lappes, but kysse them with their lippes, and make them theyr prettie
playfellowes. Such a one was Gorgons litle puppie mencioned by
Theocritus in Siracusis, who taking his iourney,
straightly charged & commaunded his mayde to see to his Dogge as
charely and warely as to his childe: To call him in alwayes that he
wandred not abroade, as well as to rock the babe a sleepe, crying in the
cradle.
|
Ad alia omnia inutilis canis iste est, nisi ad ea quæ jam ante
diximus, nisi ad fovendum stomachum debilitatum frigore, nisi ad
prodendum adulterium, quod fecisse hujus generis catellum quendam
Siculum refert Ælianus, libro septimo, capite vicesimo quinto
animalium.
|
This puppitly and peasantly curre, (which some frumpingly tearme
fysteing hounds) serue in a maner to no good vse except, (As we haue
made former relation) to succour and strengthen quailing and quammning
stomackes to bewray bawdery, and filthy abhominable leudnesse (which a
litle dogge of this kinde did in Sicilia) As Ælianus in
his .7. booke
of beastes and .27. chapter recordeth.
|
Rustici. |
The names of such dogges as be contained in the fourth Section.
|
Rusticos, Shepeherdes dogges, Mastives, & Bandedogges
nominavimus: illorum quidem deducto nomine a pastore, qui Shepeherde
apud nos dicitur, quòd custodit oves, quæ nostris, Shepe, appellantur:
istorum a ligamento, quod Bande, & Sagina, quod maste, villicis
nostris hominibus dicitur.
|
Of dogges vnder the courser kinde, wee will deale first with the
shepherds dogge, whom we call the Bandogge, the Tydogge, or the Mastyue,
the first name is imputed to him for seruice Quoniam pastori
famulatur, because he is at the shepherds his masters commaundement.
The seconde a Ligamento of the band or chaine wherewith he is
tyed, The thirde a Sagina, Of the fatnesse of his body.
|
Est enim crassum genus canum, & bene saginatum catenarium hoc.
Etsi non sum nescius Augustinum Niphum, Mastinum (mastivum nostri
dicunt) pecuarium existimare: & Albertum Lyciscum ex cane & lupo
genitum esse scribere: quamvis idem pro Molosso magna ex parte
vertat.
|
For this kinde of dogge which is vsually tyed, is myghty, grosse, and
fat fed. I know this that Augustinus Niphus, calleth this
Mastinus (which we call Mastiuus.) And that Albertus
writeth how the Lyciscus is ingendred by a beare and a wolfe.
Notwithstanding the self same Author taketh it for the most part pro
Molosso. A dogge of such a countrey.
|
Versator. |
The names of such dogges as be contained in the fifte Section.
|
Ad postremum, degeneres Wappe & Turnespete nominari dicebamus:
hunc a verbo nostrati turne, quòd est verto & spete, seu spede ad
imitationem Italorum, quod veru dicitur; illum a naturali canis voce
Wau, quam in latratu edit admonendo.
|
Of mungrels and rascalls somwhat is to be spoken. And among these, of
ye VVappe or Turnespet, which name is made of
two simple words, that is, of Turne, which in latine soundeth
Vertere, and of spete which is Veru, or
spede, for the Englishe word inclineth closer to the Italian
imitation: Veruuersator, Turnspet.
|
Unde, originaliter Waupe dicendum fuit. Sed euphoniæ bonæque
consonantiæ gratia, vocali in consonantem mutata, Wappe a nostris
vocitatur. Etsi non me fugit Nonium, a voce naturali Bau, formare
suum baubari, non a Wau, quemadmodum & Græci à suo βαύζειν.
|
He is called also VVaupe, of the naturall noise of his voyce
VVau, which he maketh in barcking. But for the better and the
redyer sounde, the vowell, u, is chaunged into the cõsonant, p, so
yt for waupe we say wappe. And yet I wot well that
Nonius boroweth his Baubari of the natural voyce
Bau, as the Græcians doe their βάυζειν of wau.
|
Saltator.
Jam verò quod dansare nostris, saltare sit Latinis, si didiceris, non
est de canis saltatoris nostrati nomine amplius quod ipse expetas.
|
Now when you vnderstand this that Saltare in latine signifieth
Dansare in Englishe. And that our dogge therevpon is called a
daunser and in the latine Saltator, you are so farre taught as
you were desirous to learne, And now suppose I, there remaineth nothing,
but that your request is fully accomplished.
|
|
The winding vp of this worke, called the
Supplement, &c.
|
Ita habes (mi Gesnere) non solum canum nostratium genera, sed &
nomina quoque Latina atque Anglica, officia atque usus, differentias
atque mores, naturas & ingenia, ut non sit quod desideres in hoc
argumento amplius.
|
Thus (Friend Gesner) you haue, not only the kindes of our
countrey dogges, but their names also, as well in latine as in
Englishe, their offices, seruices, diuersities, natures, &
properties, that you can demaunde no more of me in this matter.
|
Et quanquam forsan omni ex parte non satisfecerim tibi in edendo (cui
in desideriis omnis festinatio in mora esse videatur) quòd inhibuerim
editionem rudioris illius libelli, quem ad te tanquam ad privatum
amicum, non ad editionem publicam ante annos quinque dederim; tamen in
hoc spero me satisfecisse tibi, quòd mora fecit aliquanto meliorem,
& δεύτεραι φροντίδες lectu commodiorem.
|
And albeit I haue not satisfied your minde peraduẽture (who
suspectest al speede in the performaunce of your requeste employed, to
be meere delayes) because I stayde the setting fourth of that vnperfect
pamphlet which, fiue yeares ago, I sent to you as a priuate friende for
your owne reeding, and not to be printed, and so made common, yet I hope
(hauing like the beare lickt ouer my younge) I haue waded in this worke
to your contentation, which delay hath made somewhat better and δευτέραι φροντίδες,
after witte more meete to be perused.
|
Joannis Caii Britanni de Canibus Britannicis libelli finis.
Iste liber scriptus fuit ante mortem Gesneri, etsi non ante
publicatus, ut est ille de rariorum animalium atque stirpium
historia.
|
The ende of this treatise.
FINIS.
|