ASPICK.] NATURAL HISTORY. ij 



diverse effects and doings to noy and to grieve, that is to 

 wit, Dipsas, when he biteth, he slayeth with thirst. Ipalis 

 is a manner Adder that slayeth with sleep. These manner 

 Adders Cleopatra laid by her, and passed out of the life 

 by death as it were by sleep. And there be many other 

 Adders, and the venom of them is so strong, that they slay 

 with their venom him that toucheth them with a spear. 

 The Adder Aspis, when she is charmed by the enchanter, to 

 come out of her den by charms and conjurations, for she 

 hath no will to come out, layeth her one ear to the ground, 

 and stoppeth that other with her tail, and so she heareth 

 not the voice of the charming, nor cometh out to him that 

 charmeth, nor is obedient to his saying ["the deaf adder 

 that stoppeth her ears, and refuseth to hear the voice of 

 the charmer, charm he never so wisely"]. This slaying 

 Adder and venomous hath wit to love and affection, and 

 loveth his make [mate] as it were by love of wedlock, and 

 liveth not well without company. Therefore if the one is 

 slain, the other pursueth him that slew that other with so 

 busy wreak and vengeance that passeth weening. And 

 knoweth the slayer, and reseth on him, be he in never so 

 great company of men and of people, and busieth to slay 

 him, and passeth all difficulties and spaces of ways, and 

 with wreak of [will wreak] the said death of his make. 

 And is not let ne put off, but it be by swift flight, or by 

 waters or rivers. But against his malice kind giveth remedy 

 and medicine. For kind giveth him right dim sight ; for 

 his eyes are set in the sides of his head, and be not set in 

 the forehead ; and therefore he may not see his adversary 

 forthright, but aside. Therefore he may not follow his 

 enemy by sight, but he followeth more by hearing and 

 smell ; for in these two wits he is strong and mighty. 

 This Adder Aspis grieveth not men of Africa and Moors ; for 

 they take their children that they have suspect, and put them 

 to these Adders : And 'if the children be of their kind this 

 Adder Aspis grieveth them not : And if they be of other 

 kind anon he dieth by venom of the Adder. These beasts 

 slay strangers and men of other lands. And these serpents 

 spare wonderly men that be born in the same land. So the 

 serpent Anguis about the River Euphrates grieveth not nor 

 hurteth men of the land ; nor noyeth them that sleep, if 



Ky be of that land, and pain and slay busily other men, 

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