Mandrake (Maplet)

This is the entry for mandrake from Maplet's A Greene Forest.

Of the Mandrake.

The Mandrake, sayth Diascorides, of some is called Circea. For that the Poets faigned, that Circe the Witch or Sorceresse used it in hir amorous and delicious drinks. It beareth sayth Isidore, an Apple or sweete smell, which of some is called the Apple of the earth. The poets call it Anthropomorpheos, for that it hath his roote in the earth in figure like to a man. Whose roote being boyled with wine and given the pacient to drinke, the Surgion forthwith casteth the Patient into a dead sleepe. There is of this both Male and Female. The Male is of like leaf to the Beete. The Female to the Lettise.