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Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Parallel Edition

Robert Burton

The Anatomy of Melancholy

1651 English with a close modern English rendering

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The Anatomy of MelancholyContextual Lexicon

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English Introduction · Branch 1162 of 1495

Contextual Lexicon

The Anatomy of Melancholy: Contextual Lexicon

p. 1162

In this edition. “ordinary Preacher” → “regular preacher” (DJR-040-34); “ordinary recreations” → “usual winter recreations” (DJR-079-41). Regular and usual state the two contextual senses directly. Neither example requires a judgment about the preacher’s ability or the amusements’ merit.

See also. Entertain.

Organical parts

Source forms: similar parts; dissimilar parts; organical; similar part; Organicall parts

The word. Similar parts are bodily substances considered uniform in kind; dissimilar parts combine unlike tissues. Organical or instrumental parts are organs that perform particular functions. The contrast is anatomical and functional, not a comparison of visual resemblance.

In Burton. The subsection headings organize Burton’s account of the body around uniform and composite parts. His description of melancholy then treats the brain as a similar part when considering its substance, rather than its ventricles. A later catalogue attributes symptoms to organs and the humours or spirits associated with them.

The places. The heading introduces similar parts. (p. 15; DJR-023-37.) The following heading introduces dissimilar parts. (p. 16; DJR-024-01.) Organical and instrumental explain the composite parts. (p. 16; DJR-024-02.) The brain is considered in its substance as a similar part. (p. 32; DJR-027-14.) Organicall parts names the organs associated with symptoms. (p. 190 [second occurrence]; DJR-060-09.)

In this edition. “Similar parts” → “Uniform parts” (DJR-023-37); “Dissimilar parts” → “Composite parts” (DJR-024-01); “Organical, or Instrumental” → “organs, or instruments” (DJR-024-02); “as a similar part” → “in its substance” (DJR-027-14); “Organicall parts” → “organs” (DJR-060-09). Uniform, composite and in its substance make the organizing distinction explicit. Organs preserves the functional sense in the later list.

See also. Anatomical arteries; Anatomical membranes; Ventricle; Lights; Meseraic; Myrach.

Oxymel

Source forms: oxymel

The word. Oxymel is a medicinal mixture of honey and vinegar. Squill oxymel is a preparation that also contains squill.

In Burton. Burton lists it among compound remedies, alongside named syrups and a purgative broth. The name identifies a preparation within his catalogue; the passage does not supply a full recipe.

The places. Squill oxymel heads the list of further compound preparations. (p. 381; DJR-102-37.)

In this edition. “Oxymel Scilliticum” → “squill oxymel” (DJR-102-37). The plant modifier is translated and the established preparation name retained. Quantities and instructions are not added to the catalogue.

See also. Receipt.

Painful

Source forms: painful; painfully; painfull

The word. Painful can mean painstaking, diligent or hardworking. Painfully can mean laboriously, describing effort rather than the experience of hurt.

In Burton. The philosopher’s diligence survives the criticisms of his style. Dutch land reclamation exemplifies sustained labour and skill. The preacher’s hard work is a qualification offered in the competition for a church appointment.

The places. Painful praises the philosopher’s diligence amid criticism. (p. 11; DJR-005-18.) Painfully describes the labour of maintaining reclaimed land. (p. 52; DJR-014-04.) Painfull describes a preacher supported by his parish. (p. 351; DJR-096-19.)

In this edition. “painful omniscious philosopher” → “painstaking philosopher of universal learning” (DJR-005-18); “so painfully preserved” → “maintained with such labour” (DJR-014-04); “painfull preacher” → “hardworking preacher” (DJR-096-19). The equivalents make effort the common element while adapting to scholarship, engineering and ministry.

See also. Careful; Macerate; Sorrow; Exquisite.

Parable

Source forms: parable

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About This Reading Edition

Robert Burton’s Anatomy ranges across medicine, philosophy, poetry, religion, and everyday life in its inquiry into melancholy. This complete parallel edition pairs the 1651 English text with a close modern English rendering, preserving the three Partitions, Democritus Junior’s address to the reader, verse, and the historical index.

Historical Text and Translation

The historical text follows the sixth edition, printed at Oxford for Henry Cripps in 1651, using the McGill University Library copy. The supplied edition documents missing printed pages 98–99 supplied from another 1651 copy at the Bavarian State Library. Historical folio labels and their irregularities remain visible; web reader numbers identify reflowed passages and do not claim to reproduce PDF pagination.

About Diotimos Editions

Diotimos Editions prepared the close modern English rendering and editorial matter. All 8,755 original and modern passage pairs remain aligned, with verse breaks, italics, continuations, and linked annotations preserved. Burton’s 6,781 historical notes retain their attribution; 6,895 editorial notes remain distinct. The introduction, Note on the Text, contextual lexicon, indexes, source documentation, and bibliography are included. The engraved frontispiece remains available in the original downloads.

Rights

Burton’s historical text is in the public domain. The modern English rendering, introduction, notes, and editorial matter are © 2026 Diotimos Editions and appear with the site owner’s permission. The complete supplied PDF, EPUB, Word, and Markdown files remain available unchanged. The PDF and Word edition preserve the original parallel page layout.