observe. Even Lavater quotes a passage from his work "De Natura Rerum," on practical Physiognomy, in which the definitions and axioms are precise enough he adds, though an astrological enthusiast, a man of prodigious genius." See Holcroft's translation, vol. iii. p. 179 -"The Eyes." While on the subject of the writings of Paracelsus, I may explain a passage in the third part of the Poem. He was, as I have said, unwilling to publish his works, but in effect did publish a vast number. Valentius (in Præfat. in Paramyr.) declares "quod ad librorum Paracelsi copiam attinet, audio, a Germanis prope trecentos recenseri." "O fœcunditas ingenii!" adds he, appositely. Many of these, were, however, spurious; and Fred. Bitiskius gives his good edition (3 vols. fol. Gen. 1658) "rejectis suppositis solo ipsius nomine superbientibus quorum ingens circumfertur numerus.' The rest were "charissimum et pretiosissimum authoris pignus, extorsum potius ab illo quam obtentum." "Jam minime eo volente atque jubente hæc ipsius scripta in lucem prodisse videntur; quippe quæ muro inclusa ipso absente, servi cujusdam indicio, furto surrepta atque sublata sunt," says Valentius. These have been the study of a host of commentators, amongst whose labours are most notable, Petri Severini, "Idea Medicinæ Philosophiæ. Bas. 1571; Mic. Toxetis, Onomastica. Arg. 1574;" Dornei, "Dict. Parac. Franc. 1584;" and pendium cum scholiis auctore Leone Suavio. Paris." (This last, a good book.) " " " Pi Philos Com (6) A disgraceful affair. One Liechtenfels, a canon, having been rescued in extremis by the " laudanum" of Paracelsus, refused the stipulated fee, and was supported in his meanness by the authorities, whose interference Paracelsus would not brook. His own liberality was allowed by his bitterest foes, who found a ready solution of his indifference to profit in the aforesaid sword-handle and its guest. His freedom from the besetting sin of a profession he abhorred-(as he curiously says somewhere, "Quis quæso deinceps honorem deferat professione tali, quæ a tam facinorosis nebulonibus obitur et administratur?') is recorded in his epitaph, which affirms-" Bona sua in pauperes distribuenda collocandaque erogavit," honoravit, or ordinavit-for accounts differ. PERSONS. CHARLES I. Earl of HOLLAND. Lord SAVILE. Sir HENRY VANE. WENTWORTH, Viscount WENTWORTH, Earl of STRAFFORD. JOHN PYM. JOHN HAMPDEN. The younger VANE. DENZIL HOLLIS. BENJAMIN RUDYARD. NATHANIEL FIENNES. Earl of LOUDON. MAXWELL, Usher of the Black Rod. BALFOUR, Constable of the Tower. A Puritan. Queen HENRIETTA. LUCY PERCY, Countess of Carlisle. Presbyterians, Scots Commissioners, Adherents of Strafford. Secretaries, Officers of the Court, &c. Two of Strafford's children. |