Phisicke against Fortune, as well prosperous, as adverse, contained in two Bookes [History of Gain and Fortune]

London: Richard Watkyns, 1579. First Edition. Very Good. Small 4to; 7 1/2 x 5 5/8 in. (190 x142 mm); pp. [4] + xiv +1-152 First Booke, Physicke for Fortune: 153-343 Second Booke, Phisicke against Fortune + vi (table of contents) + [2]. Each book with Epistolary preface by Franucis Petrarche. Translated into English from Latin by Thomas Twyne whose introduction dedicates the work to "Richard Bertie Esquier." Title within woodcut decorative border, woodcut decorative initials, set in gothic and latin type, lacking sig.B and final blank, lower corner of title torn and repaired with loss supplied, first gathering lower corners repaired, some dampstaining and toning throughout but sheets supple and intact. 19th century calf, gilt, panels from early English blind-stamped binding laid down on covers, corners worn, rubbed. Front pastedown with small engraved bookplate with initials "I N"

Title page reads: «Physicke against Fortune, as well prosperous, as adverse, contained in two Bookes
Whereby men are instructed, with lyke in differencie to remedie theyr affections, aswell in tyme of the bright shyniyng sunne of prosperities, as also of the foule lowiyng stonnes of adversities. Expedient for all men, but most necessary for such as be subiect to any notable insult of eyther extremities. Written in Latine by Francis Petrarch, a most famous Poet and Oratour. And now first Englished by Thomas Twyne.»

[STC 19809; ESTC S114602]. This is the first edition in English of "De Remediis Utriusque Fortunae" ("Remedies for Fortune Fair and Foul"), written in Latin by the Humanist Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374), commonly known as Petrarch, a collection of 254 dialogues, mostly drawn from classical sources, which seeks to instruct on moral philosophy and show how thought and deed can generate happiness on the one hand, or sorrow and disillusionment on the other. It touches on a number of diverse subjects, including dancing, ball games, gambling, wrestling, hunting and hawking, alchemy, libraries, schoolmasters, spectacles, toothache, lechery, gout, blindness, and deafness. In a recurring theme throughout the dialogues, Petrarch advises humility in prosperity and fortitude in adversity. It remained a popular book in Europe over the ages and was translated into English by the Elizabethan physician Thomas Twyne (1543-1613).

"Latin work by Petrarch, begun in 1354 but completed between 1360 and 1366 , on how to deal with both good and bad fortune. The first of its two parts contains 122 dialogues between Ratio, Gaudium, and Spes, and deals with how one should behave at times of good fortune; the second contains 131 dialogues between Ratio, Dolor, and Timor, and deals with the behaviour appropriate to adverse fortune. It is a practical manual of moral philosophy, and was widely read until the 17th c." (Oxford Companion to Italian Literature).