However by the failing of the Forces which I had expected, I did not quit the Design which I had resolved on, I cast my self into it A Corps perdu, without making capitulations, or taking counsel of Fortune.  But God laughs at a Man, who sayes to his Soul, Take thy ease:  I met presently not onely with many little encumbrances and impediments, but with so much sickness (a new misfortune to me) as would have spoiled the happiness of an Emperour as well as Mine:  Yet I do neither repent nor alter my course. Non ego perfidum Dixi Sacramentum; Nothing shall separate me from a Mistress, which I have loved so long, and have now at last married; though she neither has brought me a rich Portion, nor lived yet so quietly with me as I hoped from Her.

      —­Nec vos, dulcissima mundi
  Nomina, vos Musae, Libertas, Otia, Libri,
  Hortique Syluaeq; anima remanente relinquam.

      Nor by me ere shall you,
  You of all Names the sweetest, and the best,
  You Muses, Books, and Liberty and Rest;
  You Gardens, Fields, and Woods forsaken be,
  As long as Life it self forsakes not Me.

[Footnote 1:  ‘irremediably’ text 1668, ‘immediately’ errata 1668.]

[Footnote 2:  ‘who’ omitted 1668, inserted 1669.]

61.

By THOMAS SPRAT.

I think it fit to direct my Speech concerning him, by the same rule by which he was wont to judge of others.  In his esteem of other men, he constantly prefer’d the good temper of their minds, and honesty of their Actions, above all the excellencies of their Eloquence or Knowledge.  The same course I will take in his praise, which chiefly ought to be fixed on his life.  For that he deserves more applause from the most virtuous men, than for his other abilities he ever obtained from the Learned.

He had indeed a perfect natural goodness, which neither the uncertainties of his condition, nor the largeness of his wit could pervert.  He had a firmness and strength of mind, that was of proof against the Art of Poetry it self.  Nothing vain or fantastical, nothing flattering or insolent appeared in his humour.  He had a great integrity, and plainness of Manners; which he preserv’d to the last, though much of his time was spent in a Nation, and way of life, that is not very famous for sincerity.  But the truth of his heart was above the corruption of ill examples:  And therefore the sight of them rather confirm’d him in the contrary Virtues.

There was nothing affected or singular in his habit, or person, or gesture.  He understood the forms of good breeding enough to practise them without burdening himself, or others.  He never opprest any mans parts, nor ever put any man out of countenance.  He never had any emulation for Fame, or contention for Profit with any man.  When he was in business he suffer’d others importunities with much easiness:  When he was out of it he was never importunate himself.  His modesty and humility were so great, that if he had not had many other equal Virtues, they might have been thought dissimulation.