be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but that would be only in the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books; else distilled books1 are, like common distilled waters, flashy 2 things. 2. Reading maketh a full man, conference3 a ready man, and writing an exact man: and, therefore, if a man write little, he had need have a great memory; if he confer little, he had need have a present wit and if he read little, he had need have much cunning, to seem to know that he doth not. ON BEAUTY. Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set; and surely virtue is best in a body that is comely, though not of delicate features, and that hath rather dignity of presence than beauty of aspect; neither is it almost seen that very beautiful persons are otherwise of great virtue; as if nature were rather busy not to err, than in labour to produce excellency; and therefore they prove accomplished, but not of great spirit, and study rather behaviour than virtue. JOHN LYLY. Born about 1554-Died about 1601. THE FAIRIES' SONG. Two by two, and three by three, And about go we, and about go we. A FATHER'S GRIEF FOR THE DEATH OF HIS DAUGHTER. 1. Thou weepest for the death of thy daughter, and I laugh at the folly of the father; for greater vanity is there in the mind of the mourner than bitterness in the death of the deceased. 1 Distilled books, books the gist or essence of which has been extracted from them. 2 Flashy, tasteless. 3 Conference, conversation. "But she was amiable,”—but yet sinful; "but she was young, and might have lived," but she was mortal, and must have died. "Ay, but her youth made thee often merry "-ay, but thine age should once make thee wise. "Ay, but her green years were unfit for death,"-ay, but thy hoary hairs should despise life. 2. Knowest thou not, Eubulus, that life is the gift of God, death is the due of nature: as we receive the one as a benefit, so must we abide the other of necessity? Wise men have found that by learning, which old men should know by experience, that in life there is nothing sweet, in death nothing sour. ROGER ASCHAM. Born 1515-Died 1568. A LOVING SCHOLAR. 1. One example, whether love or fear doth work more in a child for virtue and learning, I will gladly report, which may be heard with some pleasure, and followed with more profit. Before I went into Germany, I came to Broadgate, in Leicestershire, to take my leave of that noble Lady, Jane Grey, to whom I was exceeding much beholden. Her parents,1 the duke and the duchess, with all the household, gentlemen and gentlewomen, were hunting in the park. 2. I found her in her chamber reading "Phaedon Platonis "2 in Greek, and that with as much delight as some gentlemen would read a merry tale in Bocace.3 After salutation and duty done, with some other talk, I asked her why she would lose such pastime in the park. Smiling, she answered me: "I wiss (know) all their sport in the park is but a shadow to that pleasure that I find in Plato. Alas! good folk, they never felt what true pleasure meant." "And how came you, madam," quoth I, "to this deep knowledge of pleasure ? And what did chiefly allure you unto it, seeing not many women, but very few men, have attained thereunto?" "I will tell you,' quoth she, “and tell you a truth which, perchance, ye will marvel at. 3. One of the greatest benefits that ever God gave me is, that he sent me so sharp and severe parents, and so gentle a schoolmaster. 66 1 Her parents, the Duke and Duchess | for her. of Suffolk. Her mother was the daughter 2 Phaedon Platonis, Plato's "Phaedo," of Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII. a work on the Immortality of the Soul. Lady Jane was beheaded in 1554, because 3 Bocace, Boccaccio, the Italian poet. her friends claimed the throne of England | For when I am in presence either of father or mother, whether I speak, keep silence, sit, stand, or go, eat, drink, be merry or sad, be sewing, playing, dancing, or doing anything else, I must do it, as it were in such weight, measure, and number, even so perfectly as God made the world, or else I am so sharply taunted, so cruelly threatened—yea, presently, sometimes with pinches, nips, and bobs, and other ways, which I will not name for the honour I bear them, so without measure misordered, that I think myself in hell, till time come that I must go to Mr. Elmer, who teacheth me so gently, so pleasantly, with such fair allurements to learning, that I think all the time nothing whiles I am with him. And when I am called from him, I fall on weeping, because, whatever I do else, but learning, is full of grief, trouble, fear, and whole misliking unto me. And thus my book hath been so much my pleasure, and bringeth daily to me more pleasure and more, that, in respect of it, all other pleasures, in very deed, be but trifles and troubles unto me." [CHAPTER XI.] SIR WALTER RALEGH. Born 1552-Died 1618. THE NYMPH'S REPLY TO THE SHEPHERD.* 1. If all the world and love were young, 2. But time drives flocks from field to fold, The rest complain of cares to come. 3. The flowers do fade, and wanton fields 4. Thy gowns, thy shoes, thy beds of roses, * See page 180. [the nightingale. [autumn. 5. Thy belt of straw and ivy buds, 6. But could youth last, and love still breed, Then these delights my mind might move ADVICE TO HIS SON. If thou be rich, it will give thee pleasure in health, comfort in sickness, keep thy mind and body free, save thee from many perils, relieve thee in thy elder years, relieve the poor and thy honest friends, and give means to thy posterity to live, and defend themselves and thine own fame. Where it is said in the Proverbs, "That he shall be sore vexed that is surety for a stranger, and he that hateth suretyship is sure;" it is further said, "The poor is hated even of his own neighbour, but the rich have many friends." Lend not to him that is mightier than thyself, for if thou lendest him, count it but lost; be not surety above thy power, for if thou be surety, think to pay it. [CHAPTER XII.} GEORGE HERBERT. EASTER SONG. 1. I got me flowers to strew thy way, 2. The sun arising in the east, Though he give light and th' east perfume, 3. Can there be any day but this, RICHARD LOVELACE. Born 1618-Died 1658. TO LUCASTA, ON GOING TO THE WARS. 1. Tell me not, sweet, I am unkind, Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind, 2. True, a new mistress now I chase, And with a stronger faith embrace 3. Yet this inconstancy is such I could not love thee, dear, so much, SIR JOHN SUCKLING. Born 1609-Died 1641. SONG. 1. I prithee send me back my heart, For if from yours you will not part, 2. Yet, now I think on't, let it lie; 3. Why should two hearts in one breast lie, |