Chapter 10

Dogges of the courser sort are

{ The shepherds dogge { The mastiue or Bandogge.

These two are the principall.

alterum ad propellendas injurias ferarum, alterum adversus insidias hominum utile.

The first kinde, namely the shepherds hounde is very necessarye and profitable for the auoyding of harmes and inconueniences which may come to men by the meanes of beastes. The second sort serue to succour against the snares and attemptes of mischiefous men.

[Pastoralis.] Pastorale nostrum mediocre est, quòd illi cum Lupo, naturali pecori inimico, res non est, cum apud nos nullus est, beneficio optimi principis Edgari, qui, quò genus universum deleretur, Cambris (apud quos in magna copia erant) vectigalis nomine in annos imperavit trecentos lupos.

Our shepherdes dogge is not huge, vaste, and bigge, but of an indifferent stature and growth, because it hath not to deale with the bloudthyrsty wolf, sythence there be none in England, which happy and fortunate benefite is to be ascribed to the puisaunt Prince _Edgar_, who to thintent y^t the whole countrey myght be euacuated and quite cleered from wolfes, charged & commaunded the welshem[en] (who were pestered with these butcherly beastes aboue measure) to paye him yearely tribute which was (note the wisedome of the King) three hundred Wolfes.

[Lupi nulli in Britannia.] Sunt qui scribunt Ludwallum Cambriæ principem pendisse annuatim Edgaro regi 3000 luporum tributi nomine, atque ita annis quatuor omnem Cambriam atque adeo omnem Angliam orbasse lupis.

Some there be which write that _Ludwall_ Prince of Wales paide yeerely to King _Edgar_ three hundred wolfes in the name of an exaction (as we haue sayd before.) And that by the meanes hereof, within the compasse and tearme of foure yeares, none of those noysome, and pestilent Beastes were left in the coastes of England and Wales.

[Edgarus.] Regnavit autem Edgarus circiter annum Domini 959. A quo tempore non legimus nativum in Anglia visum lupum: advectum tamen quæstus faciundi causa ex alienis regionibus, ut spectetur tantum, tanquam animal rarum & incognitum, sæpius vidimus.

This _Edgar_ wore the Crowne royall, and bare the Scepter imperiall of this kingdome, about the yeere of our Lorde, nyne hundred fifty, nyne. Synce which time we reede that no Wolfe hath bene seene in England, bred within the bounds and borders of this countrey, mary there have bene diuers brought ouer from beyonde the seas, for greedynesse of gaine and to make money, for gasing and gaping, staring, and standing to see them, being a straunge beast, rare, and seldom seene in England.

Sed ad canem pastoralem. Is ad certam heri jubentis vocem, aut ex pugno concluso & inflato clariorem sibilum, errantes oves in eum locum redigit, in quem pastor maximè desiderat; sic ut levi negotio, & immoto ferè pede, pastor quo velit modo ovibus moderetur, vel ut se promoveant, vel gradum sistant, pedem referant, vel in hanc illamve partem se inclinent.

But to returne to our shepherds dogge. This dogge either at the hearing of his masters voyce, or at the wagging and whisteling in his fist, or at his shrill and horse hissing bringeth the wandring weathers and straying sheepe, into the selfe same place where his masters will and wishe is to haue th[em], wherby the shepherd reapeth this benefite, namely, that with litle labour and no toyle or mouing of his feete he may rule and guide his flocke, according to his owne desire, either to haue them go forward, or to stand still, or to drawe backward, or to turne this way, or to take that way.

Etenim non ut in Gallia & Germania, non ut in Syria & Tartaria, sic in Anglia quoque oves pastorem sequuntur, sed contra, pastor oves. Quandoque etiam nullo procurrente aut circumeunte cane, ad solum ex pugno sibilum sese congregant palantes oves, metu canis credo, memores unà cum sibilo prodire quoque & canem solere.

For it is not in Englande, as it is in _Fraunce_, as it is in _Flaunders_, as it is in _Syria_, as it in _Tartaria_, where the sheepe follow the shepherd, for heere in our country the sheepherd followeth the sheepe. And somtimes the straying sheepe, when no dogge runneth before them, nor goeth about & beside them, gather themselues together in a flocke, when they heere the sheepherd whistle in his fist, for feare of the Dogge (as I imagine) remembring this (if vnreasonable creatures may be reported to haue memory) that the Dogge commonly runneth out at his masters warrant which is his whistle.

Id quod in itinere diligenter sæpius observavimus, ad pastoris sibilum refrænantes equos, quo videremus rei experimentum. Eodem etiam cane ovem vel mactandum prehendit, vel sanandum pastor capit, nulla prorsus læsione.

This haue we oftentimes diligently marcked in taking our journey from towne to towne, when wee haue hard a sheepherd whistle we haue rayned in our horse and stoode styll a space, to see the proofe and triall of this matter. Furthermore with this dogge doth the sheepherd take sheepe for y^e slaughter, and to be healed if they be sicke, no hurt or harme in the world done to the simple creature.

Of the mastiue or Bandogge called in Latine _Villaticus_ or _Cathenarius_.

[Villaticus seu Catenarius.] Villaticum vastum genus est & robustum, corpore quidem grave & parum velox, sed aspectu truculentum, voce terrificum, & quovis Arcadico (qui tamen ex leonibus creditur provenire) potentius atque acrius.

This kinde of Dogge called a mastyue or Bandogge is vaste, huge, stubborne, ougly, and eager, of a heuy and burthenous body, and therfore but of litle swiftnesse, terrible, and frightfull to beholde, and more fearce and fell then any _Arcadian_ curre (notwithstãding they are sayd to ha{n}e their generation of the violent Lyon.)

Quòd villis fideliter custodiendis destinamus, cum metus est à furibus, villaticum appellamus. His quoque utile id est contra vulpem atque taxum, qui rem pecuariam faciunt.

They are called _Villatici_, because they are appoynted to watche and keepe farme places and co[un]try cotages sequestred from commõ recourse, and not abutting vpon other houses by reason of distaunce, when there is any feare conceaued of theefes, robbers, spoylers, and night wanderers. They are seruiceable against the Foxe and the Badger,

Valet etiam ad sues agrestes persequendos, domesticos è frugibus aut arvis abigendos, taurosque capiendos atque retinendos, cum usus aut venatio postulat, singuli singulos, aut summum duo singulos, quamvis intractabiles.

to drive wilde and tame swyne out of Medowes, pastures, glebelandes and places planted with fruite, to bayte and take the bull by the eare, when occasion so requireth. One dogge or two at the vttermost, sufficient for that purpose be the bull neuer so monsterous, neuer so fearce, neuer so furious, neuer so stearne, neuer so vntameable.

Est enim acerrimum genus & violentum, formidabile etiam homini, quem non reformidat. Neque enim ad arma expavescit; quóque acrius fiat, assuescunt nostri naturam arte & consuetudine juvare.

For it is a kinde of dogge capeable of courage, violent and valiaunt, striking could feare into the harts of men, but standing in feare of no man, in so much that no weapons will make him shrincke, nor abridge his boldnes. Our Englishe men (to th' intent that theyr dogges might be the more fell and fearce) assist nature with arte, vse, and custome,

Etenim ursos, tauros, arctylos, aliaque fera animalia, præfectis certaminum arctophylacibus, nullo millo, nullo corio defenses exagitare: sæpe etiam cum homine sude, clava, enseve armato concertare decent, atque ita ferociores acrioresque reddunt, & imperterritos faciunt.

for they teach theyr dogges to baite the Beare, to baite the Bull and other such like cruell and bloudy beastes (appointing an ouerseer of the game) without any collar to defend theyr throtes, and oftentimes they traine them vp in fighting and wrestling with a man hauing for the safegarde of his lyfe, eyther a Pikestaffe, a clubbe, or a sworde and by vsing them to such exercises as these, theyr dogges become more sturdy and strong.

Vis illis supra fidem, & pertinax mordacitas, usque adeo ut tres ursum, quatuor vel leonem comprehendant.

The force which is in them surmounteth all beleefe, the fast holde which they take with their teeth exceedeth all credit, three of them against a Beare, fowre against a Lyon are sufficient, both to try masteryes with them and vtterly to ouermatch them.

[Henricus septimus.] Quod videns aliquando (ut fama est) HENRICUS septimus, Angliæ rex prudentissimus, quotquot erant suspendi jussit, indignatus ut infimi & ignobilis generis canes, generoso leoni, & animalium regi violentiam inferant: memorabili exemplo subditorum, ne quid contra regem gens rebellis audeat.

Which thing _Henry_ the seuenth of that name, King of England (a Prince both politique & warlike) perceauing on a certaine time (as the report runneth) commaunded all such dogges (how many soeuer they were in number) should be hanged, beyng deepely displeased, and conceauing great disdaine, that an yll fauoured rascall curre should with such violent villany, assault the valiaunt Lyon king of all beastes. An example for all subiectes worthy remembraunce, to admonishe them that it is no aduantage to them to rebell against y^e regiment of their ruler, but to keepe them within the limits of Loyaltie.

Haud absimilis etiam historia de eo fertur, quod falconem quendam suum, à falconariis vehementer laudatum, quòd in aquilam quid auderet, quam mox occidi jussit, ob eandem rationem. Hoc genus canis, etiam catenarium, à catena ligamento, qua ad januas interdiu detinetur, ne solutum lædat, & tamen latratu terreat, appellatur.

I reede an history aunswerable to this of the selfe same _Henry_, who hauing a notable and an excellent fayre Falcon, it fortuned that the kings Falconers, in the presence and hearing of his grace, highly commended his Maiesties Falcon, saying that it feared not to intermeddle with an Eagle, it was so venturous a byrde and so mighty, which when the King harde, he charged that the Falcon should be killed without delay, for the selfe same reason (as it may seeme) which was rehersed in the cõclusion of the former history concerning the same king. This dogge is called, in like maner, _Cathenarius_, _a Cathena_, of the chaine wherwith he is tyed at the gates, in y^e day time, least beyng lose he should doe much mischiefe and yet might giue occasion of feare and terror by his bigge barcking.

[Cicero.] Et quanquam Cicero pro S. Ross. opinetur, si canes luce latrent, iis crura suffringantur, nostri tamen homines propter securitatem vitæ atque rei longe aliter sentiunt.

And albeit _Cicero_ in his oration had _Pro. S. Ross._ be of this opinion, that such Dogges as barcke in the broade day light shoulde haue their legges broken, yet our countrymen, on this side the seas for their carelessnes of lyfe setting all at cinque and sice, are of a contrary iudgement.

[Fures.] Nam furum apud nos plena sunt omnia, etiam luce, neque infamem mortem suspendia metuunt.

For theefes roge vp & down in euery corner, no place is free from them, no not y^e princes pallace, nor the country mans cotage. In the day time they practise pilfering, picking, open robbing, and priuy stealing, and what legerdemaine lacke they? not fearing the shamefull and horrible death of hanging.

In causa est non curta res solum, sed vestis vitæque luxus atque fastus etiam, sed petulantia, sed otium & superbia Salaconum #megalorrhountôn#, qui nihil aliud quàm ut equi insultare solo & gressus glomerare superbos, quàm gyro breviori flecti, qui nihil aliud quàm cevere, quàm otiosè mendicando accusata non merente corporis infirmitate spoliare.

The cause of which inconuenience doth not onely issue from nipping neede & wringing want, for all y^t steale, are not pinched with pouerty, but som steale to maintaine their excessiue and prodigall expences in apparell, their lewdnes of lyfe, their hautines of hart, theyr wantonnes of maners, theyr wilfull ydlenes, their ambitious brauery, and the pryde of the sawcy _Salacones'_ #megalorrhountôn# vaine glorious and arrogant in behauiour, whose delight dependeth wholly to mount nimbly on horsebacke, to make them leape lustely, spring and praunce, galloppe and amble, to runne a race, to wynde in compasse, and so forthe, liuing all together vpon the fatnesse of the spoyle. Othersom therbe which steale, being thereto prouoked by penury & neede, like masterlesse m[en] applying themselues to no honest trade, but raunging vp and downe impudently begging, and complayning of bodily weakenesse where is no want of abilitie.

[Valentinianus.] Sed his Valentinianus imperator benè prospexit, legibus latis, ut qui nullo corporis morbo laborantes, corporis infirmitatem desidiosi ignavique prætexentes, mendicarent, perpetui colono ei inservirent, qui eorum ignaviam proderet atque accusaret, ne eorum desidia onerosa populo, odiosave sit exemplo.

But valiaunt _Valentine_ th'emperour, by holsome lawes prouided that suche as hauing no corporall sicknesse, solde themselues to begging, pleded pouerty wyth pretended infirmitie, & cloaked their ydle and slouthfull life with colourable shifts and cloudy cossening, should be a perpetuall slaue and drudge to him, by whom their impudent ydlenes was bewrayed, and layde against them in publique place, least the insufferable slouthfullnes of such vagabondes should be burthenous to the people, or being so hatefull and odious, should growe into an example.

[Alfredi vigilantia.] Alfredus quoque regno administrando tanta vigilantia justitiaque usus est, ut si quis per vias publicas incedens, marsupium auro plenum vesperi perdidisset, manè, atque adeo post mensem unum, integrum & intactum inveniret, uti Ingulphus Croylandensis in historia refert.

_Alfredus_ likewise in the gouernment of his common wealth, procured such increase of credite to Justice and vpright dealing by his prudent actes and statutes, that if a mã trauailing by the hygh way of the countrey vnder his dominion, chaunced to lose a budget full of gold, or his capcase farsed with things of great value, late in the euening, he should finde it where he lost it, safe, sound, and vntouched the next morning, yea (which is a wonder) at any time for a whole monethes space if he sought for it, as _Ingulphus Croyladensis_ in his History recordeth.

Nostra autem ætate, nihil ferè securum, ne in ædibus quidem, quamvis accuratè conclusis.

But in this our vnhappy age, in these (I say) our deuelishe dayes nothing can scape the clawes of the spoyler, though it be kept neuer so sure within the house, albe it the doores bee lockt and boulted round about.

[Canis custos.] Custos quoque (Græcis #oikouros#) a custodiendis non solum villis, sed & mercatorum ædibus, & quibus ampla res est domi, canis iste nominatur. Eam ob rem canes publicæ alebantur Romæ in Capitolio, ut significent si fures venerint.

This dogge in like maner of _Græcians_ is called #oikouros#. Of the latinists _Canis Custos_, in Englishe the Dogge keeper.

Borrowing his name of his seruire, for he doth not onely keepe farmers houses, but also merchaunts maisons, wherin great wealth, riches, substaunce, and costly stuffe is reposed. And therfore were certaine dogges founde and maintained at the common costes and charges of the Citizens of _Rome_ in the place called _Capitolium_, to giue warning of theefes comming.

[Canis laniarius.] Dicitur & Laniarium, quòd eorum usus multus sit laniis agendis & capiendis bestiis.

This kind of dogge, is also called, In latine _Canis Laniarius_ in Englishe the Butchers Dogge.

So called for the necessity of his vse, for his seruice affoordeth great benefite to the Butcher as well in following as in taking his cattell when neede constraineth, vrgeth, and requireth.

[Molossicus.] Sed & Molossicum quoque & Molossum latinis dicitur, à Molossia Epiri regione, ubi hoc genus canes boni & acres erant.

This kinde of dogge is likewise called, In latine _Molossicus_ or _Molossus_.

After the name of a countrey in _Epirus_ called _Molossia_, which harboureth many stoute, stronge, and sturdy Dogges of this sort, for the dogges of that countrey are good in deede, or else their is no trust to be had in the testimonie of writers.

[Mandatarius.] Est ex hoc genere quem Mandatarium ex argumento appellamus: quòd domini mandato literas aliasve res de loco in locum transferat, vel mellio inclusas, vel eidem alligatas. Quæ ne intercipiantur, vel pugna, vel fuga si impar sit, diligenter cavet.

This dogge is also called, In latine _Canis Mandatarius_ a Dogge messinger or Carrier.

Upon substanciall consideration, because at his masters voyce and commaundement, he carrieth letters from place to place, wrapped vp cunningly in his lether collar, fastened therto, or sowed close therin, who, least he should be hindered in his passage vseth these helpes very skilfully, namely resistaunce in fighting if he be not ouermatched, or else swiftnesse & readinesse in running away, if he be vnable to buckle with the dogge that would faine haue a snatch at his skinne.

[Lunarius.] Est & Lunarium, quòd nihil aliud quàm excubias agit, quàm insomnes noctes totas protrahit baubando ad lunam, ut Nonii verbo utar.

This kinde of dogge is likewise called, In latine _Canis Lunarius_, in Englishe the Mooner.

Because he doth nothing else but watch and warde at an ynche, wasting the wearisome night season without slombering or sleeping, bawing & wawing at the Moone (that I may vse the word of _Nonius_) a qualitie in mine opinion straunge to consider.

[Aquarius.] Ex quibus grandiores atque graviores, etiam rotæ amplioris circumactu, aquam ex altis puteis ad usus rusticos hauriunt, quos Aquarios appellamus ex officio:

This kinde of dogge is also called. In latine _Aquarius_ in Englishe a water drawer.

And these be of the greater and the waighter sort drawing water out of wells and deepe pittes, by a wheele which they turne rounde about by the mouing of their burthenous bodies.

[Sarcinarius.] & sarctores ærarios vagos manticis ferendis memorabili patientia levant; à qua re sarcinarios nuncupamus.

This kinde of dogge is called in like maner. _Canis Sarcinarius_ in Latine, and may aptly be englished a Tynckers Curre.

Because with marueilous pacience they beare bigge budgettes fraught with Tinckers tooles, and mettall meete to mend kettels, porrige pottes, skellets, and chafers, and other such like trumpery requisite for their occupacion and loytering trade, easing him of a great burthen which otherwise he himselfe should carry vpon his shoulders, which condition hath challenged vnto them the foresaid name.

Præter has villaticorum qualitates atque usus, hanc unam habent præcipuam, quòd amantes dominorum sunt, & odium gerant in externos. [Defensor.] Quo fit ut per itinera dominis in præsidio sunt, quos à furibus defendunt, vivos salvosque conservant: a qua re etiam canes defensores jure dici possunt.

Besides the qualities which we haue already recounted, this kind of dogges hath this principall property ingrafted in them, that they loue their masters liberally, and hate straungers despightfully, wherevpon it followeth that they are to their masters, in traueiling a singuler safgard, defending them forceably from the inuasion of villons and theefes, preseruing their lyfes from losse, and their health from hassard, theyr fleshe from hacking and hewing with such like desperate daungers. For which consideration they are meritoriously tearmed,

In Latine _Canes defensores_ defending dogges in our mother tounge.

[Canum amor & fides.] At si quando vel multitudine, vel majori vi opprimatur dominus atque concidat, usu compertum est, herum non deserere ne mortuum quidem, sed eum ad multos dies per famis & coeli injuriæ patientiam peramanter observare, & homicidam, si occasio dabitur, interficere, aut saltem prodere vel latratu, vel ira, vel hostili insultu, quasi mortem heri ulturum.

If it chaunce that the master bee oppressed, either by a multitude, or by the greater violence & so be beaten downe that he lye groueling on the grounde, (it is proued true by experience) that this Dogge forsaketh not his master, no not when he is starcke deade: But induring the force of famishment and the outragious tempestes of the weather, most vigilantly watcheth and carefully keepeth the deade carkasse many dayes, indeuouring, furthermore, to kil the murtherer of his master, if he may get any aduantage. Or else by barcking, by howling, by furious iarring, snarring, and such like meanes betrayeth the malefactour as desirous to haue the death of his aforesayde Master rigorouslye reuenged.

[Kingestoune.] Hujus rei exemplo fuit nostra memoria canis cujusdam viatoris, qui Londino recta Kingestonum, octo regum coronatione percelebre oppidum, profecturus, cum bonam itineris partem confecisset, latronum insidiis in Comparco, valli amplo & spatioso, nemoribus obsito, & latrociniis infami loco, occubuit.

An example hereof fortuned within the compasse of my memory. The Dogge of a certaine wayefaring man trauailing from the Citie of London directly to the Towne of Kingstone (most famous and renowned by reason of the triumphant coronation of eight seuerall Kings) passing ouer a good portion of his iourney was assaulted and set vpon by certaine confederate theefes laying in waight for the spoyle in _Comeparcke_, a perillous bottom, compassed about wyth woddes to well knowne for the manyfolde murders & mischeefeous robberies theyr committed. Into whose handes this passinger chaunced to fall, so that his ill lucke cost him the price of his lyfe.

Canis item ille Britannus genere, quem Blondus sua memoria scribit, non longe Parisiis hero à rivali interempto, & homicidam prodidisse, & ni canis ultionem homicida deprecatus esset, jugulaturum fuisse.

And that Dogge whose syer was Englishe (which _Blondus_ registreth to haue bene within the banckes of his rem[em]brance) manifestly perceauyng that his Master was murthered (this chaunced not farre from _Paris_) by the handes of one which was a suiter to the same womã, whom he was a wooer vnto, dyd both bewraye the bloudy butcher, and attempted to teare out the villons throate if he had not sought meanes to auoyde the reuenging rage of the Dogge.

In incendiis quoque in conticinio seu intempesta nocte incidentibus, eo usque latrant annosi canes, etiam prohibiti, dum à domesticis excitatis percipiatur focus; & tum sua sponte cessant à latratu, quod usu compertum est in Britannia.

In fyers also which fortune in the silence and dead time of the night, or in stormy weather of the sayde season, the older dogges barcke, ball, howle, and yell (yea notwithstandyng they bee roughly rated) neyther will they stay their tounges till the householde seruauntes, awake, ryse, searche, and see the burning of the fyre, which beyng perceaued they vse voluntary silence, and cease from yolping. This hath bene, and is founde true by tryall, in sundry partes of England.