An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth, & tenth chapters of…

First,¹ It is a very venomous herb; therefore I find Pliny records of it in his 25. Book, 13. Chap. of Natural History, that the Athenians did use to give this to malefactors that were condemned to die to execute them withal. And Socrates that was so wise a man among them,² yet he because he did not yield to their gods, but spake against their false gods, therefore they judged him to die, and he must drink a potion of Hemlock, and so died.

First,¹ It is a very venimous herb; therefore I find Pliny records of it in his 25. Book, 13. Chap. of Natural History, that the Athenians did use to give this to malefactors that were condemn'd to die to execute them withal. And Socrates that was so wise a man among them,² yet he because he did not yield to their gods, but spake against their false gods, therefore they judged him to die, and he must drink a potion of Hemlock, and so died.

1. 1The nature of Hemlock Plin lib. 25. cap. 13
2. 2Socrates He died for maintaining there was but one God.

And Secondly, I find the same Author saith of it that, the leaves are somewhat like to Coriander, but that they be more tender, and a strong stinking smell they have with them:¹ and the seeds like to Annis. And so Justice seems to have a very fair pretence sometimes, and may seem to do things that are very good; under very fair pretences men are very injust: the leaves when they come up one would think there should be such a fine fruit, one would think to have Coriander, or Anise, but the truth is, it comes to Hemlock at last.