To Bathe, and go into the Hot-house

To Bathe, and go into the Hot-house. · Book 1, encoded section 49 · Text transcription

Original source (English)

FOr to wash and bath himself in Baths and hot Houses, signifyes riches and prosperity, and health to the sick. But to wash and bathe himself contrary to the common use, as in his Clothes, is evill, and betokeneth Sicknesse and great anger. Tis ill to a poor man, if he be too couragious to wash himself, and if he have many which rub him, for it foretels long Sicknesse. In like sort it is evill to the rich if he be alone, and have no body to aid him. In generall it is bad for all, not to swear or to sée the bath in an open place, or to find no water in it. In brief, it is ever ill when it is otherwise then custome, for it signifyeth ill issue of enterprises and affairs: to be washed with water naturally hot, is a signe of health to the sick, of hinderance of affayres to the whole. It is good to dreame that you wash in Fountaines, Ponds, and current waters, and in fair and cléer flouds but not to swim, for that were a signe of Danger or Sicknesse.