The Works of Sir Thomas Browne Volume III Part 20

19. Why the Disciples being hungry pluck'd the Ears of Corn, it seems strange to us, who observe that men half starved betake not themselves to such supply; except we consider the ancient Diet of _Alphiton_ and _Polenta_, the Meal of dried and parched Corn, or that which was ????s??, or Meal of crude and unparched Corn, wherewith they being well acquainted, might hope for some satisfaction from the Corn yet in the Husk; that is, from the nouris.h.i.+ng pulp or mealy part within it.

[Sidenote: _Stubble of_ aegypt Exod. 5.7, etc.]

20. The inhumane oppression of the aegyptian Task-masters, who, not content with the common tale of Brick, took also from the Children of Israel their allowance of _Straw_, and forced them to gather _Stubble_ where they could find it, will be more nearly apprehended, if we consider how hard it was to acquire any quant.i.ty of Stubble in _aegypt_, where the Stalk of Corn was so short, that to acquire an ordinary measure, it required more than ordinary labour; as is discoverable from that account, which _Pliny_[193] hath happily left unto us. In the Corn gather'd in _aegypt_ the Straw is never a Cubit long: because the Seed lieth very shallow, and hath no other nourishment than from the Mudd and Slime left by the River; For under it is nothing but Sand and Gravel.

[193] _Lib. 18. Nat. Hist._

So that the expression of Scripture is more Emphatical than is commonly apprehended, when 'tis said, _The people were scattered abroad through all the Land of aegypt to gather Stubble instead of Straw_. For the Stubble being very short, the acquist was difficult; a few Fields afforded it not, and they were fain to wander far to obtain a sufficient quant.i.ty of it.

[Sidenote: _Flowers of the Vine._ Cant. 2. 13.]

21. It is said in the _Song of Solomon_, that _the Vines with the tender Grape give a good smell_. That the Flowers of the Vine should be Emphatically noted to give a pleasant smell, seems hard unto our Northern Nostrils, which discover not such Odours, and smell them not in full Vineyards; whereas in hot Regions, and more spread and digested Flowers, a sweet savour may be allowed, denotable from several humane expressions, and the practice of the Ancients, in putting the dried Flowers of the Vine into new Wine to give it a pure and flosculous race or spirit, which Wine was therefore called ?????????, allowing unto every _Cadus_ two pounds of dried Flowers.

And, therefore, the Vine flowering but in the Spring, it cannot but seem an impertinent objection of the Jews, that the Apostles were _full of new Wine_ at _Pentecost_ when it was not to be found. Wherefore we may rather conceive that the word G?e???[194] in that place implied not _new Wine_ or _Must_, but some generous strong and sweet Wine, wherein more especially lay the power of inebriation.

[194] Acts 2. 13.

But if it be to be taken for some kind of _Must_, it might be some kind of ?e???e????, or long-lasting _Must_, which might be had at any time of the year, and which, as _Pliny_ delivereth, they made by hindring, and keeping the _Must_ from fermentation or working, and so it kept soft and sweet for no small time after.

[Sidenote: _The Olive Leaf in_ Gen. 8. 11.]

22. When the _Dove_, sent out of the Ark, return'd with _a green Olive Leaf_, according to the Original: how the Leaf, after ten Months, and under water, should still maintain a verdure or greenness, need not much amuse the Reader, if we consider that the Olive Tree is ?e?f?????, or continually green; that the Leaves are of a bitter taste, and of a fast and lasting substance. Since we also find fresh and green Leaves among the Olives which we receive from remote Countries; and since the Plants at the bottom of the Sea, and on the sides of Rocks, maintain a deep and fresh verdure.

How the Tree should stand so long in the Deluge under Water, may partly be allowed from the uncertain determination of the Flows and Currents of that time, and the qualification of the saltness of the Sea, by the admixture of fresh Water, when the whole watery Element was together.

And it may be signally ill.u.s.trated from the like examples in _Theophrastus_[195] and _Pliny_[196] in words to this effect: Even the Sea affordeth Shrubs and Trees; In the red Sea whole Woods do live, namely of Bays and Olives bearing Fruit. The Souldiers of _Alexander_, who sailed into _India_, made report, that the Tides were so high in some Islands, that they overflowed, and covered the Woods, as high as Plane and Poplar Trees. The lower sort wholly, the greater all but the tops, whereto the Mariners fastned their Vessels at high Waters, and at the root in the Ebb; That the Leaves of these Sea Trees while under water looked green, but taken out presently dried with the heat of the Sun. The like is delivered by _Theophrastus_, that some Oaks do grow and bear Acrons under the Sea.

[195] Theophrast. _Hist. Lib. 4. Cap. 7. 8._

[196] Plin. _lib. 13. cap. ultimo._

[Sidenote: _Grain of Mustard-seed in S._ Matt 13. 31, 32.]

23. _The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a grain of Mustard-seed, which a Man took and sowed in his Field, which indeed is the least of all Seeds; but when 'tis grown is the greatest among Herbs, and becometh a Tree, so that the Birds of the Air come and lodge in the Branches thereof._

Luke 13. 19. _It is like a grain of Mustard-seed, which a Man took and cast it into his Garden, and it waxed a great Tree, and the Fowls of the Air lodged in the Branches thereof._

This expression by a grain of Mustard-seed, will not seem so strange unto you, who well consider it. That it is simply the least of Seeds, you cannot apprehend, if you have beheld the Seeds of _Rapunculus_, Marjorane, Tobacco, and the smallest Seed of _Lunaria_.

But you may well understand it to be the smallest Seed among Herbs which produce so big a Plant, or the least of herbal Plants, which arise unto such a proportion, implied in the expression; _the smallest of Seeds_, and _becometh the greatest of Herbs_.

And you may also grant that it is the smallest of Seeds of Plants apt to de?d???e??, _arborescere_, _fruticescere_, or to grow unto a ligneous substance, and from an herby and oleraceous Vegetable, to become a kind of Tree, and to be accounted among the _Dendrolachana_, or _Arboroleracea_; as upon strong Seed, Culture and good Ground, is observable in some Cabbages, Mallows, and many more, and therefore expressed by ???eta? t? d??d???, and ???eta? e?? t?? d??d???, it becometh a Tree, or _arborescit_, as _Beza_ rendreth it.

Nor if warily considered doth the expression contain such difficulty.

For the Parable may not ground it self upon generals, or imply any or every grain of Mustard, but point at such a grain as from its fertile spirit, and other concurrent advantages, hath the success to become arboreous, shoot into such a magnitude, and acquire the like tallness.

And unto such a Grain the Kingdom of Heaven is likened which from such slender beginnings shall find such increase and grandeur.

The expression also that it might grow into such dimensions that Birds might lodge in the Branches thereof, may be literally conceived; if we allow the luxuriancy of plants in _Judaea_, above our Northern Regions; If we accept of but half the Story taken notice of by Tremellius, from the _Jerusalem Talmud_, of a Mustard Tree that was to be climbed like a Figg Tree; and of another, under whose shade a Potter daily wrought: and it may somewhat abate our doubts, if we take in the advertis.e.m.e.nt of _Herodotus_ concerning lesser Plants of _Milium_ and _Sesamum_ in the Babylonian Soil: _Milium ac Sesamum in proceritatem instar arborum crescere, etsi mihi compertum, tamen memorare supersedeo, probe sciens cis qui nunquam Babyloniam regionem adierunt perquam incredibile visum iri._ We may likewise consider that the word ?atas????sa? doth not necessarily signifie _making a Nest_, but rather sitting, roosting, covering and resting in the Boughs, according as the same word is used by the _Septuagint_ in other places[197] as the Vulgar rendreth it in this, _inhabitant_, as our Translation, _lodgeth_, and the Rhemish, _resteth_ in the Branches.

[197] Dan. 4. 9. Ps. 1. 14. 12.

[Sidenote: _The Rod of_ Aaron. Numb. 17. 8.]

24. _And it came to pa.s.s that on the morrow Moses went into the Tabernacle of witness, and behold the Rod of Aaron for the House of Levi was budded, and brought forth Buds, and bloomed Blossomes, and yielded Almonds._ In the contention of the Tribes and decision of priority and primogeniture of _Aaron_, declared by the Rod, which in a night budded, flowred and brought forth Almonds, you cannot but apprehend a propriety in the Miracle from that species of Tree which leadeth in the Vernal germination of the year, unto all the Cla.s.ses of Trees; and so apprehend how properly in a night and short s.p.a.ce of time the Miracle arose, and somewhat answerable unto its nature the Flowers and Fruit appeared in this precocious Tree, and whose original Name[198] implies such speedy efflorescence, as in its proper nature flowering in _February_, and shewing its Fruit in _March_.

[198] Sbacher _from_ Sbachar festinus fuit _or_ maturuit.

This consideration of that Tree maketh the expression in _Jeremy_[SN: Jer. 1. 11.] more Emphatical, when 'tis said, _What seest thou? and he said, A Rod of an Almond Tree. Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen, for I will hasten the Word to perform it._ I will be quick and forward like the Almond Tree, to produce the effects of my word, and hasten to display my judgments upon them.

And we may hereby more easily apprehend the expression in _Ecclesiastes_ [SN: Eccles. 12. 5.]; _When the Almond Tree shall flourish_. That is when the Head, which is the prime part, and first sheweth it self in the world, shall grow white, like the Flowers of the Almond Tree, whose Fruit, as _Athenaeus_ delivereth, was first called ???????, or the Head, from some resemblance and covering parts of it.

How properly the priority was confirmed by a Rod or Staff, and why the Rods and Staffs of the Princes were chosen for this decision, Philologists will consider. For these were the badges, signs and cognisances of their places, and were a kind of Sceptre in their hands, denoting their supereminencies. The Staff of Divinity is ordinarily described in the hands of G.o.ds and G.o.ddesses in old draughts. Trojan and Grecian Princes were not without the like, whereof the Shoulders of _Thersites_ felt from the hands of _Ulysses_. _Achilles_ in _Homer_, as by a desperate Oath, swears by his wooden Sceptre, which should never bud nor bear Leaves again; which seeming the greatest impossibility to him, advanceth the Miracle of _Aaron's_ Rod. And if it could be well made out that _Homer_ had seen the Books of _Moses_, in that expression of _Achilles_, he might allude unto this Miracle.

That power which proposed the experiment by Blossomes in the Rod, added also the Fruit of Almonds; the Text not strictly making out the Leaves, and so omitting the middle germination: the Leaves properly coming after the Flowers, and before the Almonds. And therefore if you have well perused Medals, you cannot but observe how in the impress of many Shekels, which pa.s.s among us by the name of the _Jerusalem_ Shekels, the Rod of _Aaron_ is improperly laden with many Leaves, whereas that which is shewn under the name of the Samaritan Shekel seems most conformable unto the Text, which describeth the Fruit without Leaves.

[Sidenote: _The Vine in_ Gen. 49. 11.]

25. _Binding his Foal unto the Vine, and his a.s.ses Colt unto the choice Vine._

That Vines, which are commonly supported, should grow so large and bulky, as to be fit to fasten their Juments, and Beasts of labour unto them, may seem a hard expression unto many: which notwithstanding may easily be admitted, if we consider the account of _Pliny_, that in many places out of _Italy_ Vines do grow without any stay or support: nor will it be otherwise conceived of l.u.s.ty Vines, if we call to mind how the same Authour[199] delivereth, that the _Statua_ of _Jupiter_ was made out of a Vine; and that out of one single Cyprian Vine a Scale or Ladder was made that reached unto the Roof of the Temple of _Diana_ at _Ephesus_.

[199] Plin. _lib. 14._

[Sidenote: _Rose of_ Jericho. Ecclus. 24. 14.]

26. _I was exalted as a Palm Tree in Engaddi, and as a Rose Plant in Jericho._ That the Rose of _Jericho_, or that Plant which pa.s.seth among us under that denomination, was signified in this Text, you are not like to apprehend with some, who also name it the _Rose of S. Mary_, and deliver, that it openeth the Branches, and Flowers upon the Eve of our Saviour's Nativity: But rather conceive it some proper kind of Rose, which thrived and prospered in _Jericho_ more than in the neighbour Countries. For our Rose of _Jericho_ is a very low and hard Plant, a few inches above the ground; one whereof brought from _Judaea_ I have kept by me many years, nothing resembling a Rose Tree, either in Flowers, Branches, Leaves or Growth; and so, improper to answer the Emphatical word of exaltation in the Text: growing not only about _Jericho_, but other parts of _Judaea_ and _Arabia_, as _Bellonius_ hath observed: which being a drie and ligneous Plant, is preserved many years, and though crumpled and furdled up, yet, if infused in Water, will swell and display its parts.

[Sidenote: _Turpentine Tree in_ Ecclus. 24. 16.]

27. _Quasi Terebinthus extendi ramos_, when it is said in the same Chapter, _as a Turpentine Tree have I stretched out my Branches_: it will not seem strange unto such as have either seen that Tree, or examined its description: For it is a Plant that widely displayeth its Branches: and though in some European Countries it be but of a low and fruticeous growth, yet _Pliny_[200] observeth that it is great in _Syria_, and so allowably, or at least not improperly mentioned in the expression of _Hosea_[201] according to the Vulgar Translation. _Super capita montium sacrificant,_ etc. _sub quercu, populo et terebintho, quoniam bona est umbra ejus._ And this diffusion and spreading of its Branches, hath afforded the Proverb of _Terebintho stultior_, applicable unto arrogant or boasting persons, who spread and display their own acts, as _Erasmus_ hath observed.

[200] Terebinthus in Macedonia fruticat, in Syria, magna est. _Lib. 13._ Plin.

[201] Hosea. 4. 13.

[Sidenote: _Pomegranate in_ 1 Sam. 14. 2.]

28. It is said in our Translation. _Saul tarried in the uppermost parts of Gibeah, under a Pomegranate Tree which is in Migron: and the people which were with him were about six hundred men._ And when it is said in some Latin Translations, _Saul morabatur fixo tentorio sub Malogranato_, you will not be ready to take in the common literal sense, who know that a Pomegranate Tree is but low of growth, and very unfit to pitch a Tent under it; and may rather apprehend it as the name of a place, or the Rock of _Rimmon_, or Pomegranate; so named from Pomegranates which grew there, and which many think to have been the same place mentioned in _Judges_.[202]

[202] Judges 20. 45, 47. _Ch._ 21. 13.

[Sidenote: _A Green Field in_ Wisd. 19. 7.]

29. It is said in the Book of _Wisedom_, _Where water stood before, drie land appeared, and out of the red Sea a way appeared without impediment, and out of the violent streams a green Field_; or as the Latin renders it, _Campus germinans de profundo_: whereby it seems implied that the Israelites pa.s.sed over a green Field at the bottom of the Sea: and though most would have this but a Metaphorical expression, yet may it be literally tolerable; and so may be safely apprehended by those that sensibly know what great number of Vegetables (as the several varieties of _Alga's_, _Sea Lettuce_, _Phasganium_, _Conferua_, _Caulis Marina_, _Abies_, _Erica_, _Tamarice_, divers sorts of _Muscus_, _Fucus_, _Quercus Marina_ and _Corallins_) are found at the bottom of the Sea.

Since it is also now well known, that the Western Ocean, for many degrees, is covered with _Sarga.s.so_ or _Lenticula Marina_, and found to arise from the bottom of that Sea; since, upon the coast of _Provence_ by the Isles of _Eres_, there is a part of the _Mediterranean Sea_, called _la Prairie_, or the _Meadowy Sea_, from the bottom thereof so plentifully covered with Plants: since vast heaps of Weeds are found in the Bellies of some Whales taken in the Northern Ocean, and at a great distance from the Sh.o.r.e: And since the providence of Nature hath provided this shelter for minor Fishes; both for their sp.a.w.n, and safety of their young ones. And this might be more peculiarly allowed to be spoken of the Red Sea, since the Hebrews named it _Suph_, or the _Weedy Sea_: and, also, seeing _Theophrastus_ and _Pliny_, observing the growth of Vegetables under water, have made their chief ill.u.s.trations from those in the Red Sea.

[Sidenote: _Sycamore._]