138 The Duchess of Newcastle 



10. Of His Natural Humour and Disposition 



My Lord may justly be compared to Titus the 

 Deliciae of Mankind, by reason of his sweet, gentle 

 and obliging nature; for though his wisdom and 

 experience found it impossible to please all men, 

 because of their different humours and dispositions; 

 yet his nature is such, that he will be sorry when he 

 seeth that men are displeased with him out of their 

 own ill natures, without any cause; for he loves all 

 that are his friends, and hates none that are his 

 enemies: he is a loyal subject, a kind husband, a 

 loving father, a generous master, and a constant 

 friend. 



His natural love to his parents has been so great, 

 that I have heard him say, he would most willingly, 

 and without the lest repining, have begged for his 

 daily relief, so God would but have let his parents live. 



He is true and just both in his words and actions, 

 and has no mean or petty designs, but they are all 

 just and honest. 



He condemns not upon report, but upon proof; 

 nor judges by words, but actions; he forgets not past 

 service, for present advantage; but gives a present 

 reward to a present desert. 



He hath a great power over his passions, and hath 

 had the greatest tryals thereof; for certainly he must 

 of necessity have a great share of patience, that can 

 forgive so many false, treacherous, malicious and 

 ungrateful persons as he hath done ; but he is so wise, 

 that his passion never out-runs his patience, nor his 

 extravagancies his prudence; and although his 

 private enemies have been numerous, yet I verily 

 believe, there is never a subject more generally beloved 

 than he is. 



