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I. SOme men there be who may be compared to the Gudgin, that knows under the Bait lies a Hook, yet hurry'd and driven
on by lust, run themselves into infinite misery. 'Tis said of that Fish that she first craftily (and yet foolishly enough) with her Tail beats the Bait from the Hook, but if that will not do, bites it. Whereas we more sense∣less run on without either fear or wit.
III. Perhaps thou wilt say I would have Pleasure without Pain: 'Tis contrary to nature, for Joy is continually attended by Sorrow, Glory with Envy; Wisedom is not gotten without labour, Wealth is not obtain'd without care, Children are kept with trouble, Banquetting is attended by Sickness, Ease with poverty, Power with envy, Quiet with weariness. Every
man has something to complain of. Some be afflicted with Po∣verty, others want Children, this man is Sick, that man wants a Wife, and this man would be rid of his. But that which is most strange is, that to be hap∣py and liable to no misfortune, is also a calamity. 'Tis said of Polycrates that having never met with any calamity, he greatly desired to experience some mis∣hap, and therefore threw into the Sea a Ring of great value, on purpose to have cause to complain. But Fortune it seems having sworn his happiness, re∣stored it again in a Fish.
IV. But least I be thought to argue with Fables. Pray what pleasure do Princes receive at
their Meals, when continual eat∣ing of Delicacies, has taken away their Taste. 'Tis Coarse and Homely Fare that makes Finer Meats Rellish.
Or how can he be happy that never felt Grief. This is certain, that without Adversity a man cannot Live comfortably, nor take delight in Mirth without some Sorrow. And is it not a comfort in our Calamity to have not only one Man for a Companion, but all Mankind. What's more seemly than a Common-wealth well Go∣vern'd: yet what's more hard than to Live in it. The Romans by their Severity to themselves Conquer'd the whole World. But what is more Slavish than living under such Laws, when
Men are constrained to Marry, Labour with their own Hands, Educate Children, and follow the Wars: The bringing up of Chil∣dren (especially many) to a poor man, seems to surpass all Sorrows. What is more Dangerous and Laborious than War, wherein Men toyl Night and Day, sleep∣ing in Winters Snow, and march∣ing in Summers Sun, Watching continually, climbing Mountains, and sayling the Seas, afflicted with hunger and thirst, and re∣duced to those Extremities as to kill or be killed. So that it is no wonder to see how willingly Soldiers behold the displayed En∣signs, and receive the News of Battel, seeing they shall by a happy Victory be either eased of
their travail, or by death termi∣nate a painful Life. The Lacede∣monians lived so hardly at home, that it never grieved them to serve abroad in the Wars.
Neither be Kings (whom Men respect as Happy) exempt from Common Calamities, but rather more Unfortunate than other Men. Tis observable that Poets have ever laid the Scenes of Tra∣gedies in Kings Pallaces, and on the contrary, Comedies and plea∣sant Entertainments in private Houses. Princes Pallaces are con∣tinually inhabited by such foul Monsters as Envy, Hatred, Lust, and Oppression. Even the Princes mind is the seat of all these, whereby he is never suffered to sleep quietly by Night, nor
rest by day. Sometimes the thoughts of his gross Enormities terrifie his mind, otherwhiles his quiet is disturbed with Jealousies and Suspicions, studying Day and Night to weaken the force of Neighbouring Princes, and keep himself secure from his own Sub∣jects Encroachments. Supposing, in short, a Prince never so Just and Prudent, yet is it almost impossible for him to be void of Cares and Fears. Seeing then all mortal men be subject to some kind of vexation, who art thou that seek∣est to live free from that Law to which all others are subject? Why dost thou not complain, that thou art not made immortal, winged, and King of the whole world, and free from all misfortunes.
VI. Tis storyed of the Hares that considering how they were persecuted they became desperate, and resolved to drown themselves in the next River; for which cause being one morning assem∣bled, on they went to effect their determination; The Frogs that happened to be upon the bank hearing a noise, for fear leapt into the water: which when the Hares heard, and finding it was for fear of them, they changed their minds: because the Frogs more unhappy than they, yet sought to preserve their Lives. Truly the Adversity of others, never made my Misfortunes seem the less: But the unavoidableness of Troubles, to which all natu∣rally are subject, has much miti∣gated
my private Griefs. For who but a mad man will lament that which cannot be helped. A wise man considering the course of sublunary things, will expect any kind of mishap, and be pre∣pared against the worst.