e endure them than the sunbeams. [4955]Barradius, _lib.
6. cap. 10. de Harmonia Evangel._ reports as much of our Saviour Christ,
and [4956]Peter Morales of the Virgin Mary, whom Nicephorus describes
likewise to have been yellow-haired, of a wheat colour, but of a most
amiable and piercing eye. The rays, as some think, sent from the eyes,
carry certain spiritual vapours with them, and so infect the other party,
and that in a moment. I know, they that hold _visio fit intra mittendo_,
will make a doubt of this; but Ficinus proves it from blear-eyes, [4957]
"That by sight alone, make others blear-eyed; and it is more than manifest,
that the vapour of the corrupt blood doth get in together with the rays,
and so by the contagion the spectators' eyes are infected." Other arguments
there are of a basilisk, that kills afar off by sight, as that Ephesian did
of whom [4958]Philostratus speaks, of so pernicious an eye, he poisoned all
he looked steadily on: and that other argument, _menstruae faminae_, out of
Aristotle's Problems, _morbosae_ Capivaccius adds, and [4959]Septalius the
commentator, that contaminate a looking-glass with beholding it. [4960] "So
the beams that come from the agent's heart, by the eyes, infect the spirits
about the patients, inwardly wound, and thence the spirits infect the
blood." To this effect she complained in [4961]Apuleius, "Thou art the
cause of my grief, thy eyes piercing through mine eyes to mine inner parts,
have set my bowels on fire, and therefore pity me that am now ready to die
for thy sake." Ficinus illustrates this with a familiar example of that
Marrhusian Phaedrus and Theban Lycias, [4962]"Lycias he stares on Phaedrus'
face, and Phaedrus fastens the balls of his eyes upon Lycias, and with
those sparkling rays sends out his spirits. The beams of Phaedrus' eyes are
easily mingled with the beams of Lycias, and spirits are joined to spirits.
This vapour begot in Phaedrus' heart, enters into Lycias' bowels; and that
which is a greater wonder, Phaedrus' blood is in Lycias' heart, and thence
come those ordinary love-speeches, my sweetheart Phaedrus, and mine own
self, my dear bowels. And Phaedrus again to Lycias, O my light, my joy, my
soul, my life. Phaedrus follows Lycias, because his heart would have his
spirits, and Lycias follows Phaedrus, because he loves the seat of his
spirits; both follow; but Lycias the earnester of the two: the river hath
more need of the fountain, than the fountain of t