LIFE AND DEATH. 3G9 



boiled, syrup of dried roses, saffron, balm, apples, at our 

 going to bed ; a sop of bread in malmsey, especially where 

 musk roses have been first infused ; therefore it would not be 

 amiss to make some pill or a small draught of these things, 

 and to use it familiarly. Also those things which shut the 

 mouth of the stomach close, as coriander seed prepared, 

 quinces and wardens roasted, do induce sound sleep ; but 

 above all things in youth, and for those that have sufficient 

 strong stomachs, it will be best to take a good draught of 

 clear cold water when they go to bed. 



Touching voluntary and procured trances, as also fixed 

 and profound thoughts, so as they be without irksomeness, 

 I have nothing certain ; no doubt they make to this inten 

 tion, and condense the spirits, and that more potently than 

 sleep, seeing they lay asleep, and suspend the senses as 

 much or more. Touching them, let further inquiry be 

 made. So far touching sleep. 



79. As for motion and exercise, lassitude hurteth, and so 

 doth all motion and exercise which is too nimble and swift, 

 as running, tennis, fencing, and the like ; and, again, when 

 our strength is extended and strained to the uttermost, as 

 dancing, wrestling, and such like ; for it is certain, that the 

 spirits being driven into straights, either by the swiftness 

 of the motion, or by the straining of the forces, do after 

 ward become more eager and predatory. On the other 

 side, exercises which stir up a good strong motion, but not 

 over swift, or to our utmost strength (such as are leaping, 

 shooting, riding, bowling, and the like), do not hurt, but 

 rather benefit. 



We must come now to the affections and passions of the 

 mind, and see which of them are hurtful to long life, which 

 profitable. 



80. Great joys attenuate and diffuse the spirits, and 

 shorten life ; familiar cheerfulness strengthens the spirits, 

 by calling them forth, and yet not resolving them. 



81. Impressions of joy in the sense are nought; rumina 

 tions of joy in the memory, or apprehensions of them in 

 hope or fancy, are good. 



82. Joy suppressed, or communicated sparingly, doth 

 more comfort the spirits than joy poured forth and published. 



83. Grief and sadness, if it be void of fear, and afflict 

 not too much, doth rather prolong life; for it contracteth 

 the spirits, and is a kind of condensation. 



84. Great fears shorten the life; for though grief and 

 fear do both strengthen the spirit, yet in grief there is a 



VOL. xiv. B B 



