stragglers to the flock; they cackle loud, and flutter o'er the champaign. So Boyle pursued, so fled this pair of friends: finding at length their flight was vain, they bravely joined and drew themselves in phalanx. First Bentley threw a spear with all his force, hoping to pierce the enemy's breast but Pallas came unseen, and in the air took off the point, and clapped on one of lead, which, after a dead bang against the enemy's shield, fell blunted to the ground. Then Boyle, observing well his time, took up a lance of wondrous length and sharpness;' and as this pair of friends compacted stood close side to side, he wheeled him to the right, and with unusual force, darted the weapon. Bentley saw his fate approach, and flanking down his arms close to his ribs, hoping to save his body; in went the point, passing through arm and side, nor stopped, or spent its force, till it had also pierced the valiant Wotton, who, going to sustain his dying friend, shared his fate. As when a skilful cook has trussed a brace of woodcocks, he, with iron skewer, pierces the tender sides of both, their legs and wings close pinioned to the ribs so was this pair of friends transfixed, till down they fell, joined in their lives, joined in their deaths; so closely joined, that Charon would mistake them both for one, and waft them over Styx for half his fare. Farewell, beloved, loving pair; few equals have you left behind and happy and immortal shall you be, if all my wit and eloquence can make you. And, now * : THE BOOKSELLER'S ADVERTISEMENT. THE following discourse* came. into my hands perfect and intire: but there being several things in it, which the present age would not very well bear, I kept it by me some years, resolving it should never see the light. At length, by the advice and assistance of a judicious friend, I retrenched · those parts that might give most offence, and have now ventured to publish the remainder. Concerning the author I am wholly ignorant; neither can I conjecture, whether it be the same with that of the two foregoing pieces, the original having been sent me at a different time, and in a different hand. The learned reader will better determine, to whose judgement I entirely submit it. *This discourse is not altogether equal to the former, the best parts of it being omitted; whether the bookseller's ac count be true, that he durst not print the rest, I know not; nor, indeed, is it easy to determine, whether he may be relied on, in any thing he says of this, or the former reatises, only as to the time they were writ in; which, however, appears more from the discourses themselves, than his relation. H. A DISCOURSE, &c. For T.H. Esquire*, at his Chambers in the Academy of the Beaux Esprits in New England. SIR, Ir is now a good while, since I have had in my head something, not only very material, but absolutely necessary to my health, that the world should be informed in: for, to tell you a secret, I am able to contain it no longer. However I have been perplexed for some time to resolve, what would be the most proper form to send it abroad in. To which end, I have been three days coursing through Westminster-hall, and St. Paul's Church-yard, and Fleet-street, to peruse titles; and I do not find any, which holds so general a vogue, as that of "A Letter to a Friend.' Nothing is more common than to meet with long epistles, addressed to persons and places, where, at first thinking, one would be apt to imagine it not altogether so necessary, or convenient such as, a neighbour at next door, a mortal enemy, a perfect stranger, or a person of quality in the clouds; and these upon subjects, in * Supposed to be Colonel Hunter, mentioned in the Ape for the Tale of a Tub. 1 H. |