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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 MelancholySource Record

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English Introduction · Branch 1203 of 1495

Source Record

Book Mode

The Anatomy of Melancholy: Source Record

p. 1203

Scan 211; printed 111; image block42-source-211.png.

Scan 212; printed 112 [printed 122]; image block43-source-212.png.

Scan 213; printed 113; image block43-source-213.png.

Scan 214; printed 114; image block43-source-214.png.

Scan 215; printed 115; image block43-source-215.png.

Opening words: If this be not a sufficient proof of their discontent and misery, examine every condition and calling apart.

Closing words: but an extraordinary delight they take in riches?

Passages DJR-044-01 to DJR-044-42

Source page labels: 115–120. Scan pages: 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220.

Scan 215; printed 115; image block43-source-215.png.

Scan 216; printed 116; image block44-source-216.png.

Scan 217; printed 117; image block44-source-217.png.

Scan 218; printed 118; image block44-source-218.png.

Scan 219; printed 119; image block44-source-219.png.

Scan 220; printed 120; image block44-source-220.png.

Opening words: This may seem plausible at first shew, a popular and strong argument; but let him that so thinks, consider better of it,

Closing words: to the utter undoing of their Families.

Passages DJR-045-01 to DJR-045-50

Source page labels: 120–125. Scan pages: 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225.

Scan 220; printed 120; sequence 120; image block44-source-220.png.

Scan 221; printed 121; sequence 121; image block44-source-221.png.

Scan 222; printed 122; sequence 122; image block45-source-222.png.

Scan 223; printed 113; sequence 123; image block45-source-223.png.

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Scan 225; printed 125; sequence 125; image block45-source-225.png.

Opening words: I may not here omit those two main plagues, and common dotages of humane kinde, Wine and Women, which have infatuated and besotted Myriades of people:

Closing words: It makes them fat and lean, as frost doth Conies.

Passages DJR-046-01 to DJR-046-42

Source page labels: 125–130. Scan pages: 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230.

Scan 225; printed 125; sequence 125; image block45-source-225.png.

Scan 226; printed 126; sequence 126; image block45-source-226.png.

Scan 227; printed 127; sequence 127; image block45-source-227.png.

Scan 228; printed 128; sequence 128; image block46-source-228.png.

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Scan 230; printed 130; sequence 130; image block46-source-230.png.

Opening words: And who is that mortal man that can so containe himself, that if he be immoderately commended, and applauded, will not be moved?

Closing words: they are most part harmless, honest, upright, innocent, plain dealing men.

Passages DJR-047-01 to DJR-047-42

Source page labels: 130–135. Scan pages: 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235.

Scan 230; printed 130; sequence 130; image block46-source-230.png.

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Scan 235; printed 135; sequence 135; image block47-source-235.png.

Opening words: Now because they are commonly subject to such hazards, and inconveniences, as dotage, madness, simplicity, &c.

Closing words: scientiæ nomen, tot sumptibus partum & vigiliis, profiteri dispudeat, postquam &c.

Passages DJR-048-01 to DJR-048-43

Source page labels: 135–139. Scan pages: 235, 236, 237, 238, 239.

Scan 235; printed 135; sequence 135; image block47-source-235.png.

Scan 236; printed 136; sequence 136; image block48-source-236.png.

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Scan 238; printed 138; sequence 138; image block48-source-238.png.

Scan 239; printed 139; sequence 139; image block48-source-239.png.

Opening words: Last of all to come to our Divines, the most noble profession and worthy of double honor, but of all others the most distressed and miserable.

Closing words: and ’tis a true saying still.

Passages DJR-049-01 to DJR-049-39

Source page labels: 139–143 (sequence; 142 printed 128). Scan pages: 239, 240, 241, 242, 243.

Scan 239; printed 139; sequence 139; image block48-source-239.png.

Scan 240; printed 140; sequence 140; image block48-source-240.png.

Scan 241; printed no visible numeral; sequence 141; image block48-source-241.png.

Scan 242; printed 128; sequence 142; image block48-source-242.png.

Scan 243; printed no visible numeral; sequence 143; image block49-source-243.png.

1203

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.