it is as if a man should dissect his own body, and read the anatomy lecture.  But I will not heighten the difficulty while I advise the attempt.  Only, as in difficult things, you would do well to make use of all that may strengthen and assist you; the word of God; the society of good men; and the books of the ancients; there is one way more, which is by diversion, business, and activity; which are also necessary to be used in their season.  But I myself, who live to so little purpose, can have little authority or ability to advise you in it, who are a person that are and may be much more so, generally useful.  All that I have been able to do since, hath been to write this sorry Elogy of your son, which if it be as good as I could wish, it is as yet no indecent employment.  However, I know you will take any thing kindly from your very affectionate friend, and most humble servant.”

Milton died on the 8th of November 1674.  Marvell remained among the poet’s intimate friends until the end, and intended to write his life.  It is idle to mourn the loss of an unwritten book, but Marvell’s life of Milton would have been a treasure.[199:1]

When Parliament met on the 13th of April 1675, members found in their places a mock-speech from the throne.  They knew the hand that had penned it.  It was a daring production and ran as follows:—­

   His Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech to Both Houses of Parliament.

“MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,—­I told you at our last meeting, the winter was the fittest time for business, and truly I thought so, till my Lord Treasurer assured me the spring was the best season for sallads and subsidies.  I hope therefore that April will not prove so unnatural a month, as not to afford some kind showers on my parched exchequer, which gapes for want of them.  Some of you, perhaps, will think it dangerous to make me too rich; but I do not fear it; for I promise you faithfully, whatever you give me I will always want; and although in other things my word may be thought a slender authority, yet in that, you may rely on me, I will never break it.

“MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,—­I can bear my straits with patience; but my Lord Treasurer does protest to me, that the revenue, as it now stands, will not serve him and me too.  One of us must pinch for it, if you do not help me.  I must speak freely to you:  I am under bad circumstances, for besides my harlots in service, my reformado concubines lye heavy upon me.  I have a passable good estate, I confess, but, God’s-fish, I have a great charge upon ’t.  Here’s my Lord Treasurer can tell, that all the money designed for next summer’s guards must, of necessity, be applyed to the next year’s cradles and swadling-cloths.  What shall we do for ships then?  I hint this only to you, it being your busyness, not mine.  I know, by experience, I can live without ships.  I lived ten years abroad without, and never had my health