20 2 The Honey-Makers 



pound of water, four and twenty hours. When the water 

 is strained, put into it two pound of fine honey, and boil 

 it to the thickness of a syrup, taking off the skum as it 

 riseth. It tempereth the hot affections of the brain, it 

 quencheth thirst, it strengtheneth the stomach, it procureth 

 sleep, and stayeth thin rheums. 



" The syrup of violets is made (after the same manner) 

 of fragrant violets, and steeped until the liquor be blue. 

 Being well boiled, it may be kept a year without sinnewing 

 or corruption. It tempereth and purgeth hot and sharp 

 humors ; and therefore is good in a pleurisy : it expelleth 

 melancholy, and the effects thereof, as headache, waking, 

 dreaming, and heaviness of heart ; it is fit to be used 

 before and after purging. 



" If any man like better to make these confections with 

 sugar, let him take the like quantity as of honey : for sugar 

 also hath, with his sweetness, a power to preserve ; as being 

 a kind of honey. But in respect of the marvellous efficacy 

 which fine and pure honey hath in preserving health, that 

 gross and earthy stuff is no whit comparable to this celestial 

 nectar. Although some quaint and lady-like palates 

 (whom nothing but that which is far sought and dear bought 

 can please) unhappily neglect it. In preserving fruits it 

 hath more power through the viscosity thereof. Also con- 

 serves and syrups, being made with honey, continue longer, 

 and do more kindly work their effects. So that we may 

 conclude with Ecclesiasticus, cap. ii. 3 : ' The bee is little 

 among such as fly : but her fruit is the chief of sweet 

 things.' " 



" Sweetmeats," juncates, or honey-meats from all time 

 have been favorite luxuries, and in earlier days were made 

 principally of honey- compounded with "meats," such as 

 flour, cheese, and even meat itself, the Bedas of Ceylon to 

 this day, it is said, eating honey with their meat. 



