Sociable Letters 221 



fools with fools; for wit and fools can never agree, 

 they understand not one another. Wit flies beyond a 

 fool's conceit or understanding, for wit is like an eagle, 

 it hath a strong wing, and flies high and far, and when 

 it doth descend, it knocks a fool on the head, as an 

 eagle doth a dotril, or a woodcock, or such like birds; 

 and surely the world was never so filled with fools, 

 as it is in this age, nor hath there been greater errours, 

 or grosser follies committed than there hath been in 

 this age. It is not an age like Augustus Caesar's, when 

 wisdom reigned, and wit flourished, which was the 

 cause of plenty and peace throughout the whole 

 world: but in this age debauchery is taken for wit, 

 and faction for wisdom, treachery for policy, and 

 drunken quarrels for valour. Indeed, the world is so 

 foolishly wicked, and basely foohsh, that they are 

 happiest who can withdraw themselves most from 

 it: but when I say the world, I mean the world of 

 men, or rather the bodies of men, for there doth not 

 seem to be many rational souls amongst them, they 

 are soul-less men, bodies of men that have only senses 

 and appetites, or sensual appetites. But you say, 

 every particular complains of the world, as I do in 

 this letter, yet none helps to mend it. Let me tell you. 

 Madam, it is not in the power of every particular, 

 nor in a number, but the chiefest persons must mend 

 the world ; viz. they that govern the world, or else the 

 world will be out at the heels. But in some ages the 

 world is more tattered and torn, than in other ages; 

 and in some ages the world is patched and pieced, 

 but seldom new and suitable; and it is oftener in a 

 fool's coat than in a grave cassock. Wherefore, 

 leaving the motley, 



I rest, Madam, 

 Your faithful friend and servant. 



