Memoirs 183 



as my memory could catch hold: also, for troubling, 

 or rather vexing the hearers with such discourses they 

 delight not in. 



Besides, it hath been a long and a true observation 

 that every one had rather speak than listen to what 

 another sayes; insomuch as for the most part all 

 mankinde run from company to company, not to 

 learn, but to talk, and like bells, their tongues as the 

 clappers keep a jangling noyse all at once, without 

 method or distinction. 



But I hope my indiscretion in speaking of my works 

 to my hearers is not beyond a pardon, for I have not 

 spoke of them, nor parts in them, much, nor often, 

 nor to many, but to some particularly, as those I 

 thought did understand poetry, or natural philosophy, 

 or moral philosophy, though I fear not alwayes accord- 

 ing as their capacities lay; for I have observed, some 

 understand commonwealths, customes, lawes, or the 

 like; others, the distinguishments of passions, and 

 understand nothing of law; others, divinity, that 

 understand nothing of temporal government, and so 

 the like of many several studies ; and some may have 

 a rational capacity to most sciences, yet conceive 

 nothing of natural philosophy, as if the first matter, 

 or innated matter, or motions, or figures, or forms, 

 or infinites, or spirits or essences, or the like: nay, 

 for the most part they conceive little further than an 

 almanack to know the time by, of which I am ignorant, 

 for I understand it not. And for poetry, most laugh 

 at it as a ridiculous thing, especially grave statists, 

 severe moralists, zealous priesthood, wrangling law- 

 yers, covetous hourders, or purloiners, or those that 

 have mechanick natures, and many more, which for 

 the most part account poetry a toy, and condemn it 

 for a vanity, an idle imployment; nor have they so 



