The Anatomy of Melancholy

Or that single combat of Breute the Frenchman, and Anthony Schets a Dutchman before the walls of Sylvaducis in Brabant, Anno 1600. They were 22. Horse on the one side, as many on the other, which like Livies Horatii, Torquati and Corvini fought for their own glory and countries honour, in the sight and view of their whole City and Army.

When Julius Cæsar warred about the banks of Rhene, there came a Barbarian Prince to see him, and the Roman Arme, and when he had beheld Cæsar a good while, I see the Gods now (saith he) which before I heard of, nec feliciorem ullam vitæ meæ aut optavi, aut sensi diem: It was the happiest day that ever he had in his life. Such a sight alone were able of it self to drive away melancholy; if not for ever, yet it must needs expell it for a time.

Radzivilius was much taken with the Bassas palace in Cairo, and amongst many other objects which that place afforded, with that solemnity of Cutting the bankes of Nilus, by Imbram Bassa when it overflowed; besides two or three hundred guilded Gallies on the water, he saw two millions of men gathered together on the land with Turbants as white as snow; And was a goodly sight.

The very reading of feasts, triumphs, interviews, nuptials, tilts, turnaments, combats, and monomachies, is most acceptable and pleasant. Franciscus Modius hath made a large collection of such solemnities in two great Tomes, which who so will may peruse.

The inspection alone of those curious Iconographies of Temples and Palaces, as that of the Lateran Church in Albertus Durer, that of the Temple of Jerusalem in Josephus, Adricomius, and Villalpandus: that of the Escuriall in Guadas, of Diana at Ephesus in Pliny, Nero’s golden palace in Rome, Justinians in Constantinople, that Peruvian Ingo’s in Cusco, ut non ab hominibus, sed à dæmoniis constructum videatur; S. Marks in Venice by Ignatius, with many such:

priscorum artificum opera (saith that interpreter of Pausanias) the rare workmanship of those ancient Greeks, in Theaters, Obelisks, Temples, Statues, gold, silver, Ivory, marble images, non minore fermè quum leguntur, quam quum cernuntur, animum delectatione complent, affect one as much by reading almost, as by sight.

The Country hath his recreations, the City his severall Gymnicks and exercises, May-games, feasts, wakes, and merry meetings to solace themselves; the very being in the country; that life it self is a sufficient recreation to some men, to injoy such pleasures, as those old Patriarks did. Dioclesian the Emperour was so much affected with it, that he gave over his scepter, and turned gardiner. Constantine wrote 20. books of husbandry. Lysander, when Embassadours came to see him, bragged of nothing more, then of his Orchard, hi sunt ordines mei. What shall I say of Cincinnatus, Cato, Tully, and many such? how have they been pleased with it, to prune, plant, inoculate and graft, to shew so many severall kindes of Pears, Apples, Plums, Peaches, &c.