BOOK XI 



AN EPISTLE 



I have heard, that some should say my wit seemed as if it 

 would overpower my brain, especially when it works upon 

 philosophical opinions. I am obliged to them for judging 

 my wit stronger than my brain : but I should be sorry that 

 they should think my wit stronger than my reason : but I 

 must tell them that my brain is stronger than my wit, and 

 my reason as strong as the effeminate sex requires. 



Again, I have heard some should say, that my writings are 

 none of my own, because when some have visited me, though 

 seldom I receive visits, they have not heard me speak of them, 

 or repeat some of the chapters or verses ; but I believe, if 

 they should desire the best orator to repeat his orations or 

 sermons that he hath spoke ex tempore, he shall not do it 

 although but an hour's discourse : for I believe Tully, who 

 I have heard was an eloquent orator, yet could not repeat 

 them over to his auditory. The same is in writers ; for I do 

 believe Homer, as great and excellent poet as it is said he 

 was, could not repeat his poems by heart, nor Virgil, 

 nor Ovid, or any other ; nor Euclid repeat his demon- 

 strations, numerations, and the like without book, nor Aris- 

 totle, who, I have heard, was a great philosopher, the explana- 

 tions of his opinions by heart ; for I have heard that his 

 memory failed in the writing, for that he hath sometimes 

 contradicted himself ; and my Lord, who hath written hun- 

 dreds of verses, songs, and themes, could not repeat three by 

 heart ; and I have heard him say, that after he hath writ 

 them, he doth so little remember any part in them, that when 

 they have been a short time by, and then read them over, 

 they are new to him. But he is not so forgetful of other 

 things, for he hath an extraordinary memory for received 

 courtesies, or to do any timely good or service, not only to 



151 



