A14467:65
The school of beastsThe schoole of beastes
The school of beasts; entitled, the good householder, or the economics. Made dialogue-wise, by M. Peter Viret, translated out of French into English, by I.R.The schoole of beastes; intituled, the good housholder, or the oeconomickes. Made dialogue-wise, by M. Peter Viret, translated out of French into English, by I.R.
London: printed by Robert Walde-grave, 1585London: printed by Robert VValde-graue, 1585
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.
Jerome. We may see it before our eyes. And therefore I am of the same advise with Palephatus. And I do not think but that the poets have feigned this changing of Actaeon that great hunter changed into an heart, and devoured by his dogs, but for to signify the folly of a great many of foolish hunters, which destroy them selves by their hunting and feeding ⟨image 22⟩their dogs. And if that be to be condemned in gentlemen, which make it a daily occupation, it is yet more to be condemned in labourers and artificers, when they leave undone their works and business, for to give them selves unto such occupation, which will bring them to beggary. But let us return again unto the Spider, whom we talked of, she is a better householder, then those are whom we spake of. For first, she liveth by her hunting, as of her proper occupation, and she leaveth not of her occupation by which she liveth, for to use any other which would make her dye with hunger. Again, she exerciseth her hunting all alone, and without any cost at all. Moreover she knoweth the times and the seasons fit for to take her venison, and the places where she must pitch her nets.1 For she is an Astrologer, and knoweth when it will rain and the water increase, then she pitcheth her nets higher. Also they make their webs in cloudy and dark weather, ⟨image 22⟩not in clear weather, because that the cloudy weather is best for to take the beasts. And therefore when you see a great multitude of them, they signify rain. We may add unto these beasts, the silk worms,2 of which the Philosophers have also written marvellous things, that is to say▪ of the manner of making their nests, and of their wools and webs with which they do make men and women brave.
Ierome. We may see it before our eyes. And therefore I am of the same aduise with Palephatus. And I doe not think but that the poets haue fained this chaunging of Acteon that great hunter chaunged into an harte, and deuoured by his dogges, but for to signifie the follie of a great many of foolish hunters, which destroy them selues by their hunting and feeding