A14461:501
The Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Divided into three parts, dialogue wiseThe Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Deuided into three partes, dialogue wise
The Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Divided into three parts, dialogue wise: set out with such grace, that it cannot be, but that a man shall take great pleasure in the reading thereof. Translated out of French into English, by John Brooke of AsheThe Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Deuided into three partes, dialogue wise: set out with such grace, that it cannot be, but that a man shall take greate pleasure in the reading thereoff. Translated out of French into English, by Iohn Brooke of Ashe
London: printed by Thomas East, 1579
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Hillarius. Because that if that Nilus do not increase but twelve cubits, then they have the famine in Egypt: because that if all their grounds are not watered and moysted through the overflowing of the same, those which are not covered are as the sand, and will bring forth no fruit. For it raineth not in Summer, and all their ⟨image 98⟩felicity and riches, dependeth upon Nilus. As Moses declared 1unto the Israelites, comparing Egypt unto the land of Canaan. If the flood Nilus arise up xiif. cubits, yet there shall be tamishment in Egypt. If it increase xiiif. cubits, it bringeth joy: if xv. it bringeth assuredness: if it increase xvf. cubits, it bringeth delights and pleasures. For they have such store and abundance of corn and other goods, that all is plentiful. On the contrary, if it 2increase above measure, they cannot sow, because that the water tarrieth so long that the earth will not be dry to be tilled: But when it increaseth by measure, they make great cheer, taking care for nothing, and therefore they have those Nilometres which measure the height and depth of those waters, and if they know that it ariseth not high enough, for to water all the earth, they make it to be known through out all the Townes and Cities, afterwards every one maketh dykes and 3trenches for to make it the easier to run all abroad. If they know to the contrary, that it will swell and rise up to high, and that through his great abundance of his waters it will let and hinder to sow and till the earth, they make great ramparts and walls round about it for to keep it in, and to cause it to run more slowly. Now therefore doubt not, but that our Egyptians are as wise in their generations, and that they know as well that practise, for to provide and foresee to their Niles and floods, which cause the water to come to their Mills, from which all their fertilities and riches do proceed, and with which they fish and catch the gold, of which yet nevertheless they can never be satisfied. For 4they are as a golf of the sea, in which these rivers do empty themselves, & yet they can never fill the sea. These