think much with that which you have desired.
3. Yet there is no cause why you should expect any new work from an idle person: for I am to request, that you would again take leisure-time to peruse that Oration which I made to my fellow-Citizens, when I was to dedicate a Library.
4. I remember indeed, you have already noted some things, but in a generall way; and therefore I now entreat you, that you would not onely mind its generall subject, but also that you would correct every bit of it as exactly as you are wont: for it will be free for me, after it is corrected, either to publish it, or keep it by me.
5. Besides, perhaps the manner of correcting will encline this very lingring of mine to agree to either way; which will either find it not, to deserve putting forth, whilst it peruseth it often over; or make it worthy, whilst it trieth it: though the reasons of this my delaying do not appear so much in the words, as in the sense of the matter.
6. For it is, as it were, somewhat more vain-glorious and lofty: this will blemish my modesty, although the style it self be mean and low, because I am forced to treat both concerning my parents munificency, and my own.
7. This is a tickle and slippery subject, yea, when necessity doth fawningly allure it.
8. For if other mens praises use not to be willingly heard, how hard is it to obtain, that the speech of one that speaketh of him∣self or his friends, may not seem troublesome?
9. For we both envy honest men themselves, and their glory, and the spreading of it abroad somewhat more; and we lesse wrest and carp at such things as are well done at the last, which are laid up in obscurity and silence.
10. For which cause I often thought with my self, Ought I to have composed that, be it better or worse, onely for my self, or for others as well as my self?
11. That also putteth me in mind, that many things which are requisite for the dispatch of a businesse, have neither the like profit or grace, when the same is done.
12. And that I may not fetch examples from afar off, What was more profitable, than to pen out the manner of our munificen∣cy?