C U T I S.

11.

Do not seek doubtful welfare in hands, O gullible one:

The facts of life can teach you all of this.

10.

A dispute has long been debated: which part is foremost among the rest

in the skin? Or would one principal part be sensitive?

And two parts were selected by skillful investigation;

now the Nerve, now the Flesh carries its weight:

Until at length the fortunate Malpighi increased the light,

and with his dexterity revealed a new path:

Behold, countless papillae resembling a pyramid

are present, the small nervous offspring of the Skin,

And they always proceed in pairs in equal order,

and tiny vessels pass through their midst;

While the skin alone often receives internal impurities,

whatever is troublesome exudes through these pores.

And the tenacious skin enjoys a conspicuous opening here and there,

so that an exit and entrance may lie open for things.

Nor should the abundant Gland be suppressed in silent words,

which, being small, lies hidden under the skin in a dense multitude:

For through these a thin humor is gradually secreted,

to which the common name of serum is everywhere given.

From here arises the origin for the hairs about to break forth,

by which the friendly hide is covered in a fitting place.

While too the face and hands are marked by little lines,

the common people believe that destinies lie hidden in these folds.

But inspecting the face, why do you thus inquire into the years,

and determine your destinies with the hand as judge?

Why does the line of Life pledge you life; why does the line of the Sun pledge honors;

why does the line of Saturn pledge you wealth?

You are deceived, or you deceive. Most of these are dreams,

which nevertheless oppress many attentive people with anxiety.

But if you desire to know fortune, the times of a long life,

and future destinies with sufficient certainty;