THE PINK CAMPION. 23 



in so much that their vertue is so great in" this behalfe 

 that this herbe onely throwen before the scorpions taketh 

 iiway their power to do harme." This fear of scor- 

 pions seems to have haunted the people of the Middle 

 Ages, though in England it was a very chimerical terror 

 indeed. The book we have just quoted was " first set 

 forth in the Douch or Almaigne toong by that learned 

 D. Rembert Dodoens, physition to the Emperor : And now 

 first translated out of French into English by Henry Lyte, 

 esquier." So far as we are aware, neither the Dutch nor the 

 French have any more reason to fear scorpions than we have. 



" If all Dame Enuies hatefull broode hereat shuld hap to prie, 

 Or Momus in his canckred spight shuld scowle with scorning eie, 

 Yet maugre them this worthy worke the author's name shall raise, 

 And painef ull toile so well imploied shall reape renowned praise. 

 Not only he whose learned skill and watchfull paine first pend it, 

 And did with honor great (in Douch) to countie his commend it, 

 But also he whose tender loue to this his natiue soile 

 For vs his frinds hath first to take almost as great a toile. 

 A trauell meete for gentlemen and wights of worthy fame, 

 Wherehy great princes heretofore have got immortal name. 

 By registring their names in herbes, as though thereby they ment 

 To testifie to all degrees their toile and trauell spent 

 In such a noble facultie was not a slauish thing, 

 But fit for worthy gentlemen, and for a noble king. 

 For if by herbes both helthe be had and sicknesse put to flight : 

 If helthe be that withut the whiche there can be no delighte, 

 Who dare enuy these worthy men that have imploid theire paine 

 To helpe the sore, to heale the sicke, to raise the weake againe ? 

 No fie of that but Dodonseus aye shall have his dew, 

 Whose learned skille hath offered first this worthy worke to viewe. 

 And Lite whose toile hath not been light to dye it in this graine, 

 Deserues no light regard of vs, but thankes and thankes againe 

 And sure I am all English harts that like of physickes lore 

 Will also like this gentleman, and thank him much therefore." 



The doctrine of signatures, as it was termed in the 



