ESS A YS CIVIL AND MORAL. 



the pcrfectcst virtue being tried in action; but I would, out of a care to 

 do the best business well, ever keep a guard, and stand upon keeping 

 i aith and a good conscience. 



And if wishes might find place, I would die together, and not my 

 mind often, and my body once ; that is, I would prepare for the mes 

 sengers of death, sickness and affliction, and not wait long, or be 

 attempted by the violence of pain. 



Herein I do not profess myself a Stoic, to hold grief no evil, but 

 opinion, and a thing indifferent. 



But I consent with Cresar, that the suddenest passage is easiest, 

 and there is nothing more awakens our resolve and readiness to die, 

 than the quieted conscience, strengthened with opinion that we shall 

 be well spoken of upon earth by those that are just, and of the family 

 of virtue; the opposite whereof is a fury to man, and makes even life 

 unswcet. 



Therefore, what is more heavy than evil fame deserved ? Or, like 

 wise, who can see worse days than he that yet living doth follow at the 

 funerals of his own reputation ? 



I have laid up many hopes, that I am privileged from that kind of 

 mourning, and could wish the like peace to all those with whom I wage 

 love. 



I might say much of the commodities that death can sell a man ; 

 but briefly, death is a friend of ours, and he that is not ready to enter 

 tain him, is not at home. Whilst I am, my ambition is not to fore-flow 

 the tide ; I have but so to make my interest of it, as I may account 

 for it ; I would wish nothing but what might better my days, nor desire 

 any greater place than the front of good opinion. I make not love to 

 the continuance of days, but to the goodness of them ; nor wish to die, 

 but refer myself to my hour, which the great Dispenser of all things 

 hath appointed me ; yet as I am frail, and suffered for the first fault, 

 were it given me to choose, I should not be earnest to see the evening 

 of my age ; that extremity of itself being a disease, and a mere return 

 into infancy : M. that if perpetuity of life might be given me, I should 

 think what the Greek poet said, Such an age is a mortal evil. And 

 since I must needs be dead, I require it may not be done before mine 

 enemies, that I be not stript before I be cold ; but before my friends. 

 The night was even now ; but that name is lost ; it is not now late, 

 but early. Mine eyes begin now to discharge their watch, and com 

 pound with this fleshly weakness for a time of perpetual rest; and I 

 shall presently be as happy for a few hours, as I had died the first hour 

 I was born. 



