Or ever the silver cord be loosed] The pith of the backbone, which is white, like silver. the golden bowl be broken] The little skin that covereth the brain, which is in colour like gold. the pitcher be broken at the fountain] The veins, which draw blood from the liver. the wheel broken at the cistern] The head, which draws the powers of life out of the heart: or, the lungs, which breathe in and out, as a wheel draws water up and down in a cistern.