The fatall hour doth certainly draw nigh; for me thinks I do begin to feel my life run out with my bloud. —
And now as when some impressions that the fancy doth by day receive, (other objects continually plying the sense) are not at all, or else but dully sensible, but at night appear more fresh then ever;
So, now me thinks, some odde kind of thoughts, which in the earnest pursuit of those things, my youth addicted me unto, I scarce did mark, (now I am going to my eternal rest) begin to stare upon me, and look somewhat strange. —
What a high piece of madnesse have I done, thus to lose my life about a trifle! I say, my life; that which is the chiefest good in nature, that to which all other goods are but subservient; nay, are not at all with∣out it? What competent end then can any man propose in hazarding of it, since in all reason that for which we hazard should be of more value then that we hazard?
What dishonour had it been to me, if by my wife declining I had gi∣ven some cause to think I had fear'd them, more then if in such case I had avoided a Beare or Oxe; for Honour, certainly, is nothing else but that respect and value that those things do draw, which buoy and prop one up in the world. Th••s Wealth, Authority, good Friends▪ and Knowledg, (furnishing us with those means by which the great••st actions are performed) must needs beget a reverence and esteeme: but the force of the body is (without doubt) the most inconsiderable thing possible; he that enjoyes the greatest share of it, how small a power doth he therby acquire? We see he must be subject to each petty Constable; nay, a dagger or a pistol makes the weakest equall to him: 'Tis true, those powerfuller arts of the more nobler part are to be honoured and admired. These many times with strange subtle∣ties unite into one commanding power particular strengths, and being united, with as much cunning obtain its rule and Masterie. These flights we see, do make even weak, decrepit age, often formidable to▪ and th••refore honoured by the world. —Had I this way imployed! —But oh!—
he faints. Enter two men.