270 SHAKESPEARE'’S [ SAGE. 
[Sage. ] 
[Sage is not mentioned by Shakespeare, but the following 
statements are worth recording]: 
Tue learned and wise among the Persians affirm, that if 
Sage be putrefied or laid to rot in horse-dung, while the 
sun and moon do both occupy the second face of Leo; 
thereon will breed a bird like an ousel, or black-bird,— 
the ashes whereof being burned, and strewed or cast into 
a burning lamp, will make the house seem to be full of 
serpents. Lupton, “Notable Things,” bk. ti, § 72. 
[Sace treated as above] generates a certain worm or bird 
with a tail like a black-bird, and if any one’s breast be 
touched with its blood, he will lose his senses for fifteen 
[hours ? or days?] and more. And if the aforesaid serpent 
be burnt, and its ashes be thrown in the fire, there will 
straightway be a horrible clap of thunder. And this has 
been tried by the moderns. 
Albertus Magnus, “ Of the Virtues of Herbs.” 
Sace is singular good for the head and brain; it 
quickeneth the senses and memory. Gerardie © Bechal® su. 
V. Toad. 
Salamander. 
i. Kine Hewry IV., iii. 3, 53. 
Tue Salamander is like to the newt in shape, and is 
never seen but in great rain, and faileth in fair weather, 
and his song is crying. And he quencheth the fire that he 
toucheth as ice does, and water frore [frozen], And out 
of his mouth cometh white matter, and if that matter 
touch a man’s body, the hair shall fall, and what it 
toucheth is corrupt, and infected, and turneth into foul 
colour, And is a pestilent beast most venomous, for the 
Salamander infecteth fruit of trees, and corrupteth water, so 
that he that eateth or drinketh thereof is slain anon. And 
if his spittle touch the foot, it infecteth and corrupteth all 
the man’s body. Of all beasts only the Salamander liveth 
