SYLVA 227 



how little the noise of the chasers and bawling dogs 

 disturbed him, when at any time he indulged himself 

 that healthful diversion : 4 So far was he from being 

 4 idle, and losing time, that beside his javelin and 

 4 hunting-pole, he never omitted to carry his style 

 4 and table-book with him, that upon any intermission, 

 4 whilst he now and then sate by the toil and nets, he 

 4 might be ready to note down any noble thought, 

 4 which might otherwise escape him : The very 

 4 motions (says he) and agitation of the body in the 

 4 wood and solitude, magna cogitationis incitamenta 

 4 sunt : I know, my friend (says he) you'll smile at it, 

 4 however take my counsel ; be sure never to carry 

 4 your bottle and bisque into the field, without your 

 4 pugillares and tablet ; you'll find as well Minerva as 

 4 Diana in the woods and mountains. 



And indeed the Poets thought of no other heaven 

 upon earth, or elsewhere ; for when Anchises was 

 setting forth the felicity of the other life to his son, 

 the most lively description he could make of it was 

 to tell him, 



We dwell in shady groves. 



and that when ^Eneas had travelled far to find those 

 happy abodes, 



2 They came to groves, of happy souls the Rest, 

 To ever-greens, the dwellings of the blest. 



Such a prospect he gives us of his Elisium ; and 

 therefore wise and great persons had always these 



1 Lucis habitamus opacis. 



2 Devenere locos laetos, & amoena vireta 

 Fortunatorum nemorum, sedesque beatas. 



