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relief of man’s estate. But this is that which will indeed 
dignify and exalt knowledge, if contemplation and action a 
may be more nearly and straitly conjoined and united 
together than they have been; a conjunction like unto 
that of the two highest planets, Saturn, the planet of rest 
and contemplation, and Jupiter, the -planet of civil society 
and action. Howbeit, Ido not mean, when I speak of use 
and action, that end before-mentioned of the applying of 
knowledge to lucre and profession ; for I am not ignorant 
how much that diverteth and interrupteth the prosecution 
and advancement of knowledge, like unto the golden ball 
thrown before Atalanta, which while she goeth aside and 
stoopeth to take up, the race is hindered, 
Declinat cursus, aurumque volubile tollit. 
Neither is my meaning, as was spoken of Socrates, to 
call philosophy down from heaven to converse upon 
the earth; that is, to leave natural philosophy aside, and 
to apply knowledge only to manners and policy. But as v 
both heaven and earth do conspire and contribute to the 
use and benefit of man; so the end ought tobe, from 
both philosophies to separate and reject vain speculations, 
and whatsoever is empty and void, and to preserve and 
augment whatsoever is solid and fruitful: that knowledge ~— 
may not be as a courtesan, for pleasure and vanity only, 
or as a bond-woman, to acquire and gain to her master’s 
use; but asa spouse, for generation, fruit, and comfort. 
12. Thus have I described and opened, as by a kind 
of dissection, those peccant humours (the principal of 
them) which have not only given impediment to the 
proficience of learning, but have given also occasion to 
the traducement thereof: wherein if I have been too plain, 
it must be remembered, fidelia vulnera amantis, sed dolosa? 
oscula malignantis. This I think I have gained, that I 
