The Anatomy of Melancholy: Philosophy Classic. Robert Burton

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СКАЧАТЬ weakness, folly, passion, [811]discontent, ignorance, I have said amiss, let it be forgotten and forgiven. I acknowledge that of [812] Tacitus to be true, Asperae facetiae, ubi nimis ex vero traxere, acrem sui memoriam relinquunt, a bitter jest leaves a sting behind it: and as an honourable man observes, [813]"They fear a satirist's wit, he their memories." I may justly suspect the worst; and though I hope I have wronged no man, yet in Medea's words I will crave pardon,

      ———"Illud jam voce extrema peto,

       Ne si qua noster dubius effudit dolor,

       Maneant in animo verba, sed melior tibi

       Memoria nostri subeat, haec irae data

       Obliterentur"———

      "And in my last words this I do desire,

       That what in passion I have said, or ire,

       May be forgotten, and a better mind,

       Be had of us, hereafter as you find."

      I earnestly request every private man, as Scaliger did Cardan, not to take offence. I will conclude in his lines, Si me cognitum haberes, non solum donares nobis has facetias nostras, sed etiam indignum duceres, tam humanum aninum, lene ingenium, vel minimam suspicionem deprecari oportere. If thou knewest my [814]modesty and simplicity, thou wouldst easily pardon and forgive what is here amiss, or by thee misconceived. If hereafter anatomizing this surly humour, my hand slip, as an unskilful 'prentice I lance too deep, and cut through skin and all at unawares, make it smart, or cut awry, [815]pardon a rude hand, an unskilful knife, 'tis a most difficult thing to keep an even tone, a perpetual tenor, and not sometimes to lash out; difficile est Satyram non scribere, there be so many objects to divert, inward perturbations to molest, and the very best may sometimes err; aliquando bonus dormitat Homerus (some times that excellent Homer takes a nap), it is impossible not in so much to overshoot;—opere in longo fas est obrepere, summum. But what needs all this? I hope there will no such cause of offence be given; if there be, [816]Nemo aliquid recognoscat, nos mentimur omnia. I'll deny all (my last refuge), recant all, renounce all I have said, if any man except, and with as much facility excuse, as he can accuse; but I presume of thy good favour, and gracious acceptance (gentle reader). Out of an assured hope and confidence thereof, I will begin.

LECTORI MALE FERIATO.

       Table of Contents

      Tu vero cavesis edico quisquis es, ne temere sugilles Auctorem hujusce operis, aut cavillator irrideas. Imo ne vel ex aliorum censura tacite obloquaris (vis dicam verbo) nequid nasutulus inepte improbes, aut falso fingas. Nam si talis revera sit, qualem prae se fert Junior Democritus, seniori Democrito saltem affinis, aut ejus Genium vel tantillum sapiat; actum de te, censorem aeque ac delatorem [817]aget econtra (petulanti splene cum sit) sufflabit te in jocos, comminuet in sales, addo etiam, et deo risui te sacrificabit.

      Iterum moneo, ne quid cavillere, ne dum Democritum Juniorem conviciis infames, aut ignominiose vituperes, de te non male sentientem, tu idem audias ab amico cordato, quod olim vulgus Abderitanum ab [818] Hippocrate, concivem bene meritum et popularem suum Democritum, pro insano habens. Ne tu Democrite sapis, stulti autem et insani Abderitae.

      [819] "Abderitanae pectora plebis habes."

      Haec te paucis admonitum volo (male feriate Lector) abi.

      TO THE READER AT LEISURE.

      Whoever you may be, I caution you against rashly defaming the author of this work, or cavilling in jest against him. Nay, do not silently reproach him in consequence of others' censure, nor employ your wit in foolish disapproval, or false accusation. For, should Democritus Junior prove to be what he professes, even a kinsman of his elder namesake, or be ever so little of the same kidney, it is all over with you: he will become both accuser and judge of you in your spleen, will dissipate you in jests, pulverise you into salt, and sacrifice you, I can promise you, to the God of Mirth.

      I further advise you, not to asperse, or calumniate, or slander, Democritus Junior, who possibly does not think ill of you, lest you may hear from some discreet friend, the same remark the people of Abdera did from Hippocrates, of their meritorious and popular fellow-citizen, whom they had looked on as a madman; "It is not that you, Democritus, that art wise, but that the people of Abdera are fools and madmen." "You have yourself an Abderitian soul;" and having just given you, gentle reader, these few words of admonition, farewell.

      "Heraclite fleas, misero sic convenit aevo,

       Nil nisi turpe vides, nil nisi triste vides.

       Ride etiam, quantumque lubet, Democrite ride

       Non nisi vana vides, non nisi stulta vides.

       Is fletu, his risu modo gaudeat, unus utrique

       Sit licet usque labor, sit licet usque dolor.

       Nunc opes est (nam totus eheu jam desipit orbis)

       Mille Heraclitis, milleque Democritis.

       Nunc opus est (tanta est insania) transeat omnis

       Mundus in Anticyras, gramen in Helleborum."

      "Weep, O Heraclitus, it suits the age,

       Unless you see nothing base, nothing sad.

       Laugh, O Democritus, as much as you please,

       Unless you see nothing either vain or foolish.

       Let one rejoice in smiles, the other in tears;

       Let the same labour or pain be the office of both.

       Now (for alas! how foolish the world has become),

       A thousand Heraclitus', a thousand Democritus' are required.

       Now (so much does madness prevail), all the world must be

       Sent to Anticyra, to graze on Hellebore."

THE SYNOPSIS OF THE FIRST PARTITION.

       Table of Contents

      In diseases, consider Sect. 1. Memb. 1.

      Their Causes. Subs. 1.

      Impulsive;

       Sin, concupiscence, &c.

      Instrumental;

       Intemperance, all second causes, &c.

      Or Definition, Member, Division. Subs. 2.

      Of the body 300, which are

       Epidemical, as Plague, Plica, &c.

       Or Particular as Gout, Dropsy, &c.

      Or Of the head or mind. Subs. 3. In disposition; as all perturbations, evil affection, &c. Or Habits, as Subs. 4. Dotage Frenzy. Madness. Ecstasy. Lycanthropia. СКАЧАТЬ