38 NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 



ting the sun, as if naturally enamoured with stars 

 and celestials. Such observations flow from our 

 present state, let us therefore consider both the 

 Author and the end. 



Theoph. If ends and beginnings have a like 

 fate and period (as indisputably they have) then 

 time and our latter end contemplates eternity 

 our future hope ; so that a retired life, of all lives 

 in my opinion, will be most agreeable to our 

 present condition ; for I like not the aspect of 

 our friend Agrippa. 



Arn. Nor I neither ; but be it what it will be, 

 the rocks and the woods, if I calculate right, shall 

 contribute to Arnoldus ; any man may read in 

 legible characters a discontented frown on his 

 martial brow. 



Theoph. What if it be ? it won't make new 

 breaches in our loyal breasts. 



Arn. Nor cement old ones ; for here's a breast 

 ready to receive the charge of danger, tho death 

 be conduct. I value not the swellings of my 

 adversaries, were every one of them as great 

 as Goliah, as deep-mouth'd as the Cyclops that 

 roar in Mount JEtna, or as formidable as thun- 

 der, that cleaves the cedars and the sturdy oaks ; 

 yet the shrubs may escape, and live in hope to 

 see a purgation of such eminent contenders. 



Theoph. If ill omens presage fatal conclusions, 

 I like not Agrippa's aspect. 



