it hath in its dominion many spirits (to speak tru∣ly) neither dull nor stupid; for they all have smart∣nesse and vivacity; but the most part have a great want of judgement and discretion to serve as a Coun∣terpoise to their levity. They will know all, and in an instant ask more questions then the seven Sages of Greece could resolve in ten years; so likewise they are of the nature of those Starres which raise tempests and cannot calm them, since they frame a thousand casual∣ties, a thousand difficulties in affairs, and never derive a good conclusion: you may say, if you well weigh them, that they have a worm in their wits which gnaws them; that they are men sick in health, and living dead-men who neither know what they would, what they do, nor what they are. Curiosity, seeing they have so much disposition to receive its impressions, entertaineth them in the winding wayes of Truth, like a Mountebank, who puts a multitude upon a gaze, by letting them see infi∣nite many dainty colours in a Triangular-glasse, and in the conclusion sends them away dinnerlesse, with hun∣ger in their teeth, and illusion in their eyes.
After these slight amusements, this evil Mistresse turns them over to anxiety, anxiety delivers them to new desires, and new desires to servitude, servitude to ignorance, ignorance to presumption, and presumpti∣on to unquietnesse of mind. From thence they, who are deeper plunged into this poison of false wisdome, take the way of impiety, others of misery and poverty; some of choler, of envy, of slander, and despair; the best provided are like the Danaides, who do nought but fill and empty their tub, but to no purpose. All are not sick of one same disease; For some have a Cu∣riosity, black and faulty, as those who seek for a Master in matter of Religion, and would gladly talk with a de∣vil to learn news from Paradise: or such as those who strain curious Sciences so hard, that they sqeeze black and maligne vices out of them, as Magick, or the trick of coining false money: or as those who are mad to hear, to see, to know the vices, or mischiefs of others. Others have a more innocent Curiosity, one of medals, another of Tulipaes, some of voyages, others of com∣panies; and indeed, of all things which may serve for incentives to Concupiscence.
There are of them who are much disquieted with matters which little concern them, they are curious to know all that passeth in the world in the Indies, in Japo∣nia: how many elephants the great Mogull keeps; who is to succeed the King of China in his Empire; whether the great Turk armeth; whether the Persian stirreth; and what forces Prester John hath for the preservation of his State. They think within themselves, what a face they would set upon it if they were Kings or Popes: They in their heads dispose of Kingdomes: They raise Republicks, they rig forth ships, they pitch battels; and after they have doated, they find nought but nothing in their hands. Others advance not their aims so high, but rest satisfied with inferiour thoughts and petty cares; as how to trot up and down the streets, to visit houses, and to ask of all they meet, what news do you hear? As also to observe post-dayes, and to visit their friends round, by a list-roll indifferently, to heap together the bruits of the City, to vent them again without any consideration. There are some who make vows of pilgrimages, not out of Devotion towards Saints, but from a purpose to content their Curiosity. They know all the Indulgencies which are throughout all the Churches of the Province, and beyond, all the houses that are built, all the christnings every day, all the weddings celebrated, all the child-births of male or female, all the merchandizes newly brought in, all the strangers who arrive, all the suits determinated, all the charges given, all the offices sold, all the pamphlets cry∣ed up and down the streets: Their heads are wonder∣full Fairs, whither merchants come from all sides, there is not a moment of repose, and solitude with such is ac∣counted a petty Hell.
This multiplicity of Desires is waited on by another Malady of Inconstancy, which is properly a levity, and an irresolution of mind which sheweth it self in his manners, actions, and words, who is touched with it. To say truth, this passion is a Devil who inhabiteth in a land of Quicksilver, where Earthquakes are almost perpetuall, winds blow on each side; and blowing, make many weather-cocks to turn to and fro, and eve∣ry moment change posture; In this place, an admirable Creature is to be seen, who is not what she is, and is that she is not; so many faces and figures she hath: She likewise is still upon transformations, and seems to do nothing at all, but to make, and unmake her self. One while she is great, another while little, one while grosse, another while slender, one while affable, ano∣ther while harsh, one while serious, another while gamesome, but ever slippery; and if you lay hold of her, you catch nothing. She goes forth of her lodging to appear in publick, as if she came into a Theatre, clothed, one while in changeable Taffaty, another while with different pieces set together out of a singular Fan∣tastick addlenesse of wit. She alone representeth all personages, talks with all kind of voyces, and in all manner of languages. After her we behold a million of petty phantasmes, imperfect in shape, and which seem to be but pieces roughly begun, which we may say are her works.
If you a little observe the men which inhabit this kingdome of Inconstancy, you shall find they are peo∣ple whose humours consist much of air and water; for they are alwayes supple and pliant to all manner of ob∣jects, they have a spirit which brooketh not businesses with a strong and solid penetration, to see the bottome of it; but onely scratch them with a little bodkin which is blunted and broken presently. If you could see their heart and brain, you should behold in the one huge squadrons of thoughts which scuffle together like Cadmus his souldiers: in the other, a mighty masse of desires and indigested purposes, which renders them very unable to receive the impressions of the Divinity. as S. Basil hath observed upon that Prophet Isaiah. It seemeth all this kind of people have a will of wax, and that any man may work it which way he list. Their passions are sharp, and ardent in the beginning, so that they transport judgement, which is either notably weak, or much benummed; but they last not: for they in∣stantly are troubled at things present, and ever tum their face away from the future, never (as it were) being where they are, and still being where they neither are nor can be. You shall see they every day begin to live, yea, when they should make an end; and if they do any good, they do it but by halves, never allowing themselves leisure to lick their Bear (as they say) nor to finish their work; so precipitate they are by contra∣riety of different desires which draw them this way and that way, and destroy all the abilities of their wits. You shall note in them a great greedinesse after novel∣ties, and continuall changes of manners, study, apparel, of wearing their hair, of their manner of living, gate, of voyce, of conversation, of sports, exercises, coun∣sels, loves, of amities, words, and of mouths which at once breathe forth hot and cold. To con∣clude, their life is nought else but the floud and ebbe of a continuall Euripus, it is replenished with sha∣dows, giddinesse, and illusions, which in effect make it miserable; For commonly it is waited on by dis∣esteem, grief, shame, anxiety, and great shipwracks of wit and renown.