A philosophicall discourse, entituled, The anatomie of the minde. Nevvlie made and set forth by T.R.

¶Of Desire, and Longing. Chap. 15.

THe last part of Luste, is Longing. which is an immoderate desyre of a thing wished for.* 1.1 And hereof it is sayde, that euen hastening is a lingring, to him

which longeth. Cicero, defines it after this manner, and sayth it is a Lust to sée that which is not present, and before vs. This affection amongst others is most lyght, and inuadeth none of the grauer sort, but either women, weake, or ef∣feminate persons.

Then euery thing is most estéemed, when either it beginneth to want, or we altogether lacke it. Wine seemeth then to be most delectable, when the cups are emptie: and the latter fruite is sweeter then the former. Women perswade them selues, if their husbands being ab∣sent, they can not heare from them, that without all peraduenture, they are ey∣ther dead, or in great miserie. Hereof is Penelope brought for an example,* 1.2 whi∣che with pittifull outcryes, and lamen∣tations, bewayleth the absence of her Vlysses, and because she would deceaue tyme, she tooke webbe and distaffe in hande, so to mitigate somewhat, her en∣creasing sorrowes. This Longing like∣wise caused Sappho, when she coulde not quietly beare the absence of her be∣loued Phaon,* 1.3 desperatly to cast her selfe from a most high rocke, and so eased her

griefe by kylling her selfe, wherefore it appeareth that then we knowe what a thing is, and of what estimation, when we haue it not: whereof proceedeth this Longing. Homer, when he lyued was of none accoumpt,* 1.4 euerie man contem∣ned him, and none woulde vouchsafe to accoumpt him their countreyman▪ but Homer being dead, was both lacked and longed for. Insomuch that seuen famous and notable citties,* 1.5 namely, Smyrna, Rhodes, Colophon, Salamis, Ius, Argos, and Athens, made warre for his bones, and then euery one coulde chalenge him for theirs, and be desirous, that his fame should bring renowme to them. The vn∣finished picture of Tyndarides to Nicho∣machus,* 1.6 and of Medea to Timomachus: and of Venus to Apelles, dyd strike a greater desire, then if they had bene per∣fectly consummate. But of this affection we wyl speake no more, but onely this, that it is vnméete for a wise man (whose part is to beare patiently, which must needes be borne) to be subiecte to this Perturbation.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Longing vvhat.
• * 1.2

  Penelope.
• * 1.3

  Sappho.
• * 1.4

  Homer.
• * 1.5

  Smyrna, Rhodes, Colophon, Salamis, Ius, Argos, Athens.
• * 1.6

  Nichoma∣chus. Timoma∣chus. Apelles.