ASPICK. | NATURAL HISTORY. 17 
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 
they be of that land, dnd pain and slay busily other men, 
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