ondanus, [3502]Caelius, and many good authors plead, are
that sole Nepenthes of Homer, Helena's bowl, Venus's girdle, so renowned of
old [3503]to expel grief and care, to cause mirth and gladness of heart, if
they be rightly understood, or seasonably applied. In a word,

[3504] "Amor, voluptas, Venus, gaudium,
Jocus, ludus, sermo suavis, suaviatio."

"Gratification, pleasure, love, joy,
Mirth, sport, pleasant words and no alloy,"

are the true Nepenthes. For these causes our physicians generally prescribe
this as a principal engine to batter the walls of melancholy, a chief
antidote, and a sufficient cure of itself. "By all means" (saith [3505]
Mesue) "procure mirth to these men in such things as are heard, seen,
tasted, or smelled, or any way perceived, and let them have all enticements
and fair promises, the sight of excellent beauties, attires, ornaments,
delightsome passages to distract their minds from fear and sorrow, and such
things on which they are so fixed and intent." [3506]"Let them use hunting,
sports, plays, jests, merry company," as Rhasis prescribes, "which will not
let the mind be molested, a cup of good drink now and then, hear music, and
have such companions with whom they are especially delighted;" [3507]"merry
tales or toys, drinking, singing, dancing, and whatsoever else may procure
mirth:" and by no means, saith Guianerius, suffer them to be alone.
Benedictus Victorius Faventinus, in his empirics, accounts it an especial
remedy against melancholy, [3508]"to hear and see singing, dancing,
maskers, mummers, to converse with such merry fellows and fair maids." "For
the beauty of a woman cheereth the countenance," Ecclus. xxxvi. 22. [3509]
Beauty alone is a sovereign remedy against fear, grief, and all melancholy
fits; a charm, as Peter de la Seine and many other writers affirm, a
banquet itself; he gives instance in discontented Menelaus, that was so
often freed by Helena's fair face: and [3510]Tully, _3 Tusc_. cites
Epicurus as a chief patron of this tenet. To expel grief, and procure
pleasure, sweet smells, good diet, touch, taste, embracing, singing,
dancing, sports, plays, and above the rest, exquisite beauties, _quibus
oculi jucunde moventur et animi_, are most powerful means, _obvia forma_,
to meet or see a fair maid pass by, or to be in company with her. He found
it by experience, and made good use of it in his own person, if Plutarch
belie him not; for he reckons up th