OF LOVE 23 



in a perpetual hyperbole is comely in nothing but in love. 

 Neither is it merely in the phrase ; for whereas it hath 

 been well said that the arch-flatterer, with whom all the 

 petty flatterers have intelligence, is a man's self; certainly 

 the lover is more. For there was never proud man 

 thought so absurdly well of himself as the lover doth of 

 the person loved ; and therefore it was well said, c That it is 

 impossible to love and to be wise/ Neither doth this 

 weakness appear to others only, and riot to the party 

 loved; but to the loved most of all, except the love be 

 reciproque. For it is a true rule, that love is ever 

 rewarded either with the reciproque or with an inward 

 and secret contempt. By how much the more men ought 

 to beware of this passion, which loseth not only other 

 things, but itself. As for the other losses, the poet's 

 relation doth well figure them ; That he that preferred 

 Helena, quitted the gifts of Juno and Pallas. For whoso- 

 ever esteemeth too much of amorous affection quitteth 

 both riches and wisdom. 



This passion hath his floods in the very times of weak- 

 ness ; which are great prosperity and great adversity ; 

 though this latter hath been less observed : both which 

 times kindle love, and make it more fervent, and there- 

 fore shew it to be the child of folly. They do best, 

 who if they cannot but admit love, yet make it keep 

 quarter ; and sever it wholly from their serious affairs 

 and actions of life ; for if it check once with business, 

 it troubleth men's fortunes, and maketh men that they 

 can no ways be true to their own ends. I know not how, 

 but martial men are given to love : I think it is but as 

 they are given to wine ; for perils commonly ask to be 

 paid in pleasures. There is in man's nature a secret 

 inclination and motion towards love of others, which if 

 it be not spent upon some one or a few, doth naturally 

 spread itself towards many, and maketh men become 

 humane and charitable ; as it is seen sometimes in friars. 

 Nuptial love maketh mankind ; friendly love perfecteth 

 it ; but wanton love corrupteth and embaseth it. 



