I, many yeares since Translated out of the
Originall _Spanish_, and Dedicated to the Right Honorable _Edward_
Lord _Conway_, &c. by whose Noble Patronage, the Confection
whereof it Treats, together with it selfe, were first admitted into
the _English_ Court, where they received the Approbation of the most
Noble and Iuditious those dayes afforded. Since which time, it hath
beene universally sought for, and thirsted after by people of all
Degrees (especially those of the Female sex) either for the Pleasure
therein Naturally Residing, to Cure, and divert Diseases; Or else to
supply some Defects of Nature, wherein it chalenges a speciall
Prerogative above all other Medicines whatsoever._

_The Author thereof was one _Antonio Colmenero_ of _Ledesma_, who
sometimes lived in the _West Indies_, where it is very much used, and
held in great esteeme, untill this day; as also in _Spaine_, _Italy_,
and _Flanders_, and admired by the most learned Doctors of all those
Nations._

_As for the Name [_Chocolate_] it is an _Indian_ word, compounded of
_Ate_ (as some say,) or (as others) _Atle_, which in the _Mexican
Language_, signifieth _Water_; And _Choco_, the noise that the Water
(wherein the _Chocolate_ is put) maketh, when it is stirred in a Cup,
untill it Bubble and rise unto a Froth: And may be called in _English_
A Compounded, or Confectioned drinke._

_The Confection it selfe, consists of severall Ingredients according
to the different Constitutions of those that use it: the Principall of
which is called _Cacao_, [a kind of Nut, or kernell, bigger then a
great Almond, which growes upon a tree called the Tree of _Cacao_]
containing in it the Quality of the Foure Elements, as will appeare in
the following Discourse._

_The vertues thereof are no lesse various, then Admirable. For,
besides that it preserves Health, and makes such as drink it often,
Fat, and Corpulent, faire and Amiable, it vehemently Incites to
_Venus_, and causeth Conception in women, hastens and facilitates
their Delivery: It is an excellent help to Digestion, it cures
Consumptions, and the Cough of the Lungs, the New Disease, or Plague
of the Guts, and other Fluxes, the Green Sicknesse, Jaundise, and all
manner of Inflamations, Opilations, and Obstructions. It quite takes
away the Morphew, Cleanseth the Teeth, and sweetneth the Breath,
Provokes Urine, Cures the Stone, and strangury, Expells Poison, and
preserves from all infectious Diseases._

_But I