Contents：
IntroductionOfLibertyMartial。Lib。2。Votatuibreviter，etc。
Martial。Lib。2。VisfieriLiber，etc。
Martial。Lib。2。Quodtonomine？etc。
OdeUponLiberty。
OfSolitude。
Hail，oldpatriciantrees，sogreatandgood!
OfObscurity。
Seneca，exThyeste，Act2。Chor。
OfAgriculture。
Virg。Georg。——Ofortunatusnimium，etc。
Horat。Epodon。Beatusillequiprocul，etc。
TheCountryMouseHoraceToFuscusAristius。
TheCountryLifeTheGardenHappyartthouwhomGoddoesblessOfGreatness。
Horace。Lib。3。Ode1。Odiprofanumvulgus，etc。
OfAvarice。
Iadmire，Maecenas，howitcomestopass，\"InclusamDanaenturrisahenea。\"
TheDangersofanHonestManinmuchCompany。
Claudian’sOldManofVerona。
TheShortnessofLifeandUncertaintyofRiches。
Whydostthouheapupwealth，whichthoumustquit，TheDangerOfProcrastination。
Mart。Lib。5，Ep。59。
Mart。Lib。2，Ep。90。
OfMyself。
Martial，Lib。10，Ep。47。
Martial，Lib。10。Ep。96。
EpitaphiumViviAuctoiris。
EpitaphOfTheLivingAuthor。
AFewNotes。
INTRODUCTION
AbrahamCowleywasthesonofThomasCowley，stationer，andcitizenofLondonintheparishofSt。MichaelleQuerne，Cheapside。ThomasCowleysignedhiswillonthe24thofJuly，1618，anditwasprovedonthe11thofthenextmonthbyhiswidow，Thomasine。Heleftsixchildren，Peter，Audrey，John，William，Katherine，andThomas，withachildunbornforwhomthewillmadeequalprovisionwiththerest。
Theseventhchild，bornbeforetheendofthesameyear，wasnamedAbraham，andlivedtotakehighplaceamongtheEnglishPoets。
ThecalmspiritofCowley’s\"Essays\"wasinallhislife。AshetellsusinhisEssay\"OnMyself，\"evenwhenhewasaveryyoungboyatschool，insteadofrunningaboutonholidaysandplayingwithhisfellows，hewaswonttostealfromthemandwalkintothefields，eitheralonewithabookorwithsomeonecompanion，ifhecouldfindanyofthesametemper。Hewroteversewhenveryyoung，andsays，\"IbelieveIcantelltheparticularlittlechancethatfilledmyheadfirstwithsuchchimesofverseashaveneversinceleftringingthere；forIrememberwhenIbegantoreadandtotakesomepleasureinit，therewaswonttolieinmymother’sparlour（Iknownotbywhataccident，forsheherselfneverinherlifereadanybookbutofdevotion），buttherewaswonttolieSpenser’sworks。\"
ThedelightinSpenserwakenedallthemusicinhim，andin1628，inhistenthyear，hewrotea\"TragicalHistorieofPyramusandThisbe。\"
InhistwelfthyearCowleywroteanotherpiece，alsoinsixteenstanzas，withsongsinterspersed，whichwasplacedfirstinthelittlevolumeofPoeticalBlossoms，byA。C。，publishedin1633。Itwasalittlequartoofthirty—twoleaves，withaportraitoftheauthor，takenattheageofthirteen。Thispamphlet，dedicatedtotheDeanofWestminster，andwithintroductoryversesbyCowleyandtwoofhisschoolfellows，contained\"ConstantiaandPhiletus，\"withthe\"PyramusandThisbe，\"writtenearlier，andthreepieceswrittenlater，namely，twoElegiesand\"ADreamofElysium。\"TheinscriptionroundtheportraitdescribesCowleyasaKing’sScholarofWestminsterSchool；and\"PyramusandThisbe\"hasaspecialdedicationtotheHeadMaster，LambertOsbalston。Asschoolboy，CowleytellsusthathereadtheLatinauthors，butcouldnotbemadetolearngrammarrulesbyrote。Hewasacandidateathisschoolin1636forascholarshipatCambridge，butwasnotelected。
Inthatyear，however，hewenttoCambridgeandobtainedascholarshipatTrinity。
CowleycarriedtoCambridgeandextendedtherehisreputationasboypoet。In1636the\"PoeticalBlossoms\"werere—issuedwithanappendixofsixteenmorepiecesundertheheadof\"Sylva。\"Athirdeditionofthe\"PoeticalBlossoms\"wasprintedin1637——theyearofMilton’s\"Lycidas\"andofBenJohnson’sdeath。Cowleyhadwrittenafive—actpastoralcomedy，\"Love’sRiddle，\"whileyetatschool，andthiswaspublishedin1638。Inthesameyear，1638，whenCowley’sagewastwenty，aLatincomedyofhis，\"NaufragiumJoculare，\"wasactedbymenofhisCollege，andinthesameyearprinted，withadedicationtoDr。Comber，DeanofCarlisle，whowasMasterofTrinity。ThepoetRichardCrashaw，whowasabouttwoyearsolderthanCowley，and，havingenteredPembrokeHallin1632，becameaFellowofPeterhousein1637，sentCowleyaJunepresentoftwounripeapricotswithpleasantversesofcomplimentonhisownearlyripeness，onhisApril—Autumn：—
\"Takethem，andme，inthemacknowledgingHowmuchmySummerwaitsuponthySpring。\"
CowleywasableafterwardstohelpCrashawmaterially，andwrotesomelinesuponhisearlydeath。
In1639CowleytookthedegreeofB。A。In1640hewaschosenaMinorFellow，andin1642aMajorFellow，ofTrinity，andheproceededtohisM。A。induecourse。InMarch，1641，whenPrinceCharlesvisitedCambridge，acomedycalled\"TheGuardian，\"hastilywrittenbyCowley，wasactedatTrinityCollegeforthePrince’sentertainment。CowleyissaidalsotohavewrittenduringthreeyearsatCambridgethegreaterpartofhisheroicpoemonthehistoryofDavid，the\"Davideis。\"OneoftheoccasionalpoemswrittenatthistimebyCowleywasontheearlyandsuddendeathofhismostintimatefriendattheUniversity，WilliamHervey，towhomhewasdearerthanallbuthisbrothersandsisters，and，saysCowley：
\"Eveninthatwedidagree，FormuchabovemyselfIlovedthemtoo。\"
HerveyandCowleyhadwalkeddailytogether，andhadspentnightsinjointstudyofphilosophyandpoetry。Hervey\"hadallthelightofyouth，ofthefirenone。\"
\"Withasmuchzeal，devotion，piety，Healwayslivedasothersaintsdodie。
Stillwithhissoulsevereaccounthekept，Weepingalldebtsoutereheslept；
Thendowninpeaceandinnocencehelay，Likethesun’slaboriouslight，Whichstillinwatersetsatnight，Unsulliedwiththejourneyoftheday。\"
Cowley’sfriendshipwiththisfamilyaffectedthecourseofhislife。Hereceivedmanykindnessesfromhisfriend’sbrotherJohnHervey，includingintroductiontoHenryJermyn，oneofthemosttrustedfriendsofQueenHenriettaMaria，thefriendwhowascreatedbyherwishBaronJermynofSt。Edmondsbury，whowasaddressedbyCharlesI。as\"Harry，\"andwascreatedbyCharlesII。，inApril，1660，EarlofSt。Albans。HewasdescribedinQueenHenrietta’stimebyapoliticalscandal—monger，as\"somethingtoouglyforalady’sfavourite，yetthatisnothingtosome。\"In1643CowleywasdrivenfromCambridge，andwenttoSt。John’sCollege，Oxford。ToOxfordattheendofthatyearthekingsummonedaParliament，whichmetonthe22ndofJanuary，1644。ThisbroughttoOxfordmanypeersandRoyalists，whodesertedtheParliamentatWestminsterfortheking’sParliamentatOxford。Itcontinuedtosituntilthe16thofApril，bywhichtimethekinghadfoundevenhisownParliamenttobeinmanyrespectstooindependent。In1644thequeen，abouttobecomeamother，withdrewtoExeterfromOxford，againstwhichanarmywasadvancing；andthepartingatOxfordprovedtobethelastbetweenherandherhusband。AdaughterwasbornatExeteronthe16thofJune。WithintwoweeksafterwardstheadvanceofanarmytowardsExetercausedthequeentorisefromherbedinadangerousstateofhealth，and，leavingherchildingoodkeeping，escapetoPlymouth，whereshereachedPendennisCastleonthe29thofJune。
Onthe2ndofJulytheking’sforcesweredefeatedatMarstonMoor。
Onthe14thofJulythequeenescapedfromFalmouthtoBrest。AftersomerestatthebathsofBourbon，shewentontoParis，whereshewaslodgedintheLouvre，andwellcaredfor。Jermynwasstillhertreasurer，herminister，andthefriendforwhosecounselshecaredmost。
ItwasintotheserviceofthisLordJermynthatCowleyhadbeenintroducedthroughhisfriendshipwiththeHerveys。HewenttoParisasLordJermyn’ssecretary，hadchargeofthequeen’spoliticalcorrespondence，cipheredanddecipheredlettersbetweenQueenHenriettaandKingCharles，andwasthusemployedsoactivelyunderLordJermynthathisworkfilledallhisdays，andmanyofhisnights。HewassentalsoonjourneystoJersey，Scotland，Flanders，Holland，orwhereverelsetheking’stroublesrequiredhisattendance。In1647Cowleypublishedhisvolumeofforty—fourlovepoems，called\"TheMistress。\"Hewashimselfnogallant，neitherpaidcourttoladies，normarried。Hislovepoetrywashypothetical；andofhislifeatthistimehesays：\"ThoughIwasinacrowdofasgoodcompanyascouldbefoundanywhere；thoughI
wasinbusinessofgreatandhonourabletrust；thoughIateatthebesttable，andenjoyedthebestconvenienceforpresentsubsistencethatoughttobedesiredbyamanofmyconditioninbanishmentandpublicdistresses，yetIcouldnotabstainfromrenewingmyoldschoolboy’swishinacopyofversestothesameeffect：—
\"’Well，then，InowdoplainlyseeThisbusyworldandIshallne’eragree，’&c。，andIneverthenproposedtomyselfanyotheradvantagefromhisMajesty’shappyrestoration，butthegettingintosomemoderatelyconvenientretreatinthecountry，whichIthought，inthatcase，I
mighteasilyhavecompassed，aswellassomeotherswho，withnogreaterprobabilitiesorpretences，havearrivedtoextraordinaryfortunes。\"
In1654QueenHenrietta，underinfluenceofanewconfessor，hadlefttheLouvre，and，withthelittledaughterbornatExeter，takenupherquartersinafoundationofherown，atChaillot，fornunsofthevisitationofSt。Mary。LordJermynhavinglittleuseleftforasecretaryinParis，Cowleyin1656，aftertwelveyears’serviceinFrance，wassenttoEnglandthathemightthereliveintheretirementhepreferred，andwiththeunderstandingthathewouldbeabletosendinformationuponthecourseofhomeaffairs。InEnglandhewaspresentlyseizedbymistakeforanotherman，and，whenhisnameandpositionwereknown，hewasimprisoned，untilafriendlyphysician，SirCharlesScarborough，undertooktobesecurityinathousandpoundsforhisgoodconduct。Inthisyear，1656，CowleypublishedthefirstfoliovolumeofhisPoems，preparedinprison，andsuggested，hesaid，byhisfinding，whenhereturnedtoEngland，abookcalled\"TheIronAge，\"whichhadbeenpublishedashis，andcausedhimtowonderthatanyonefoolishenoughtowritesuchbadversesshouldyetbesowiseastopublishthemunderanotherman’sname。Cowleythoughtthenthathehadtakenleaveofverse，whichneededlesstroubledtimesforitsreading，andamindlesstroubledinthewriter。Heleftoutofhisbook，hesaid，thepieceswrittenduringtheCivilWar，includingthreebooksoftheCivilWaritself，reachingasfarasthefirstbattleofNewbury。
Thesehehadburnt，for，hesaid，\"Iwouldhaveitaccountednolessunlawfultoripupoldwoundsthantogivenewones。\"\"WhentheeventofbattleandtheunaccountableWillofGodhasdeterminedthecontroversy，andthatwehavesubmittedtothewilloftheconqueror，wemustlaydownourpensaswellasarms。\"Thefirstpartofthisfoliocontainedearlypoems；thesecondpart\"TheMistress；\"thethirdpart\"PindaricOdes；\"andthefourthandlasthis\"Davideis。\"
InSeptemberofthefollowingyear，1657，CowleyactedasbestmantoGeorgeVilliers，DukeofBuckingham，onhismarriageatBoltonPercy，toFairfax’sdaughter；Cowleywrotealsoasonnetforthebride。InDecemberheobtained，byinfluenceoffriends，thedegreeofM。D。fromtheUniversityofOxford，andretiredintoKenttostudybotany。SuchstudycausedhimthentowriteaLatinpoemuponPlants，insixbooks：thefirsttwoonHerbs，inelegiacverse；thenexttwoonFlowers，invariousmeasures；andthelasttwoonTrees，inheroicnumbers：—\"Plantarum，LibriVI。\"
AfterthedeathofCromwell，CowleyreturnedtoFrance，buthecamebacktoEnglandin1660，whenhepublishedan\"OdeonHisMajesty’sRestorationandReturn，\"and\"ADiscoursebywayofVisionconcerningtheGovernmentofOliverCromwell。\"Hewasadmitted，asDr。Cowley，amongthefirstmembersoftheRoyalSocietythenfounded；buthewasexcludedfromthefavouroftheking。Hehadwrittenan\"OdetoBrutus，\"forwhich，saidhisMajesty，itwasenoughforMr。Cowleytobeforgiven。AnoblelordrepliedtoCowley’sOde，inpraiseofBrutus，withanOdeagainstthatRebel。
Cowley’soldfriend，LordJermyn，nowmadeEarlofSt。Alban’s，joined，however，withGeorgeVilliers，DukeofBuckingham，inprovidingforthepoetallthatwasrequiredtosecuretohimthequietlifethathedesired。ProvisiontosuchendhadbeenpromisedhimbothbyCharlesI。andCharlesII。，inthedefiniteformoftheofficeofMasteroftheSavoy，butthepostwasgivenbyCharlesII。
toabrotherofoneofhismistresses。
Cowleyrecasthisoldcomedyof\"TheGuardian，\"andproduceditinDecember，1661，as\"CutterofColemanStreet。\"Itwasplayedforaweektoafullaudience，thoughsomecondemneditonthesuppositionitwasasatireupontheking’sparty。CowleycertainlywastoopureandthoughtfultobeafitassociateforCharlesII。andmanyofhisfriends。ThehelpthatcamefromtheEarlofSt。AlbansandtheDukeofBuckingham，wasintheformofsuchaleaseoftheQueen’slandsasgavethepoetasufficientincome。Otherswhohadservedlittlewereenriched；buthewassetatease，andsoughtnomore。HethenmadehishomebytheThames，firstatBarnElms，andafterwardsatChertsey，atwhichlatterplacehelivedforaboutayearinthePorchHouse，thatyetstands。CowleywaslivingatChertseywhenaJulyeveningindampmeadowsgavehimacold，ofwhichhediedwithinafortnight。Thatwasintheyear1667，yearalsoofthedeathofJeremyTaylor，andofthebirthofJonathanSwift。
AbrahamCowleyisathistruestintheseESSAYS，writtenduringthelastsevenyearsofhislife。Theirstyleissimple，andtheirthoughtsarepure。Theyhave，fortheirkeynote，thehappinessofonewholovestruelibertyinquietpossessionofhimself。WhenheturnstotheLatins，histranslationsareallfromthoselineswhichwouldhavedweltmostpleasantlyuponamindthattothelastheldbythedevoutwishexpressedbyhimselfinapoemofhisearlyyouth——（AVote，in\"Sylva\"）：
\"Booksshould，notbusiness，entertainthelight，Andsleep，asundisturbedasdeath，thenight。
MyhouseacottagemoreThanpalace，andshouldfittingbeForallmyuse，noluxury。
Mygarden，paintedo’erWithNature’shand，notArt’s，shouldpleasuresyield，HoracemightenvyinhisSabinefield。\"
H。M。
OFLIBERTY。
Thelibertyofapeopleconsistsinbeinggovernedbylawswhichtheyhavemadethemselves，underwhatsoeverformitbeofgovernment；thelibertyofaprivatemaninbeingmasterofhisowntimeandactions，asfarasmayconsistwiththelawsofGodandofhiscountry。Ofthislatteronlyweareheretodiscourse，andtoinquirewhatestateoflifedoesbestsuitusinthepossessionofit。Thislibertyofourownactionsissuchafundamentalprivilegeofhumannature，thatGodHimself，notwithstandingallHisinfinitepowerandrightoverus，permitsustoenjoyit，andthat，too，afteraforfeituremadebytherebellionofAdam。Hetakessomuchcarefortheentirepreservationofittous，thatHesuffersneitherHisprovidencenoreternaldecreetobreakorinfringeit。
Nowforourtime，thesameGod，towhomwearebuttenants—at—willforthewhole，requiresbuttheseventhparttobepaidtoHimatasasmallquit—rent，inacknowledgmentofHistitle。Itismanonlythathastheimpudencetodemandourwholetime，thoughheneithergaveit，norcanrestoreit，norisabletopayanyconsiderablevaluefortheleastpartofit。Thisbirthrightofmankindaboveallothercreaturessomeareforcedbyhungertosell，likeEsau，forbreadandbroth；butthegreatestpartofmenmakesuchabargainforthedeliveryupofthemselves，asThamardidwithJudah；
insteadofakid，thenecessaryprovisionsforhumanlife，theyarecontentedtodoitforringsandbracelets。Thegreatdealersinthisworldmaybedividedintotheambitious，thecovetous，andthevoluptuous；andthatallthesemensellthemselvestobeslaves——
thoughtothevulgaritmayseemaStoicalparadox——willappeartothewisesoplainandobviousthattheywillscarcethinkitdeservesthelabourofargumentation。Letusfirstconsidertheambitious；andthose，bothintheirprogresstogreatness，andaftertheattainingofit。ThereisnothingtruerthanwhatSallustsays：
\"Dominationisinaliosservitiumsuum，mercedemdant\"：Theyarecontenttopaysogreatapriceastheirownservitudetopurchasethedominationoverothers。Thefirstthingtheymustresolvetosacrificeistheirwholetime；theymustneverstop，noreverturnasidewhilsttheyareintheraceofglory；no，notlikeAtalantaforgoldenapples；\"Neitherindeedcanamanstophimself，ifhewould，whenheisinthis，career。Ferturequisauriganequeauditcurrushabenas。
Prayletusbutconsideralittlewhatmean，servilethingsmendoforthisimaginaryfood。Wecannotfetchagreaterexampleofitthanfromthechiefmenofthatnationwhichboastedmostofliberty。TowhatpitifulbasenessdidthenoblestRomanssubmitthemselvesfortheobtainingofapraetorship，ortheconsulardignity？Theyputonthehabitofsuppliants，andranabout，onfootandindirt，throughallthetribestobegvoices；theyflatteredthepoorestartisans，andcarriedanomenclatorwiththem，towhisperintheireareveryman’sname，lesttheyshouldmistakeitintheirsalutations；theyshookthehand，andkissedthecheekofeverypopulartradesman；theystoodalldayateverymarketinthepublicplaces，toshowandingratiatethemselvestotherout；
theyemployedalltheirfriendstosolicitforthem；theykeptopentablesineverystreet；theydistributedwine，andbread，andmoney，eventothevilestofthepeople。EnRomanos，rerumDorninos!
Beholdthemastersoftheworldbeginningfromdoortodoor。Thisparticularhumblewaytogreatnessisnowoutoffashion，butyeteveryambitiouspersonisstillinsomesortaRomancandidate。Hemustfeastandbribe，andattendandflatter，andadoremanybeasts，thoughnotthebeastwithmanyheads。Catiline，whowassoproudthathecouldnotcontenthimselfwithalesspowerthanSylla’s，wasyetsohumblefortheattainingofit，astomakehimselfthemostcontemptibleofallservants，tobeapublicbawdforalltheyounggentlemenofRomewhosehotlusts，andcourages，andheads，hethoughthemightmakeuseof。AndsinceIhappenheretoproposeCatilineformyinstance，thoughtherebethousandofexamplesforthesamething，givemeleavetotranscribethecharacterwhichCicerogivesofthisnobleslave，becauseitisageneraldescriptionofallambitiousmen，andwhichMachiavelperhapswouldsayoughttobetheruleoftheirlifeandactions。\"Thisman，\"
sayshe，asmostofyoumaywellremember，\"hadmanyartificialtouchesandstrokesthatlookedlikethebeautyofgreatvirtues；
hisintimateconversationwaswiththeworstofmen，andyetheseemedtobeanadmirerandloverofthebest；hewasfurnishedwithallthenetsoflustandluxury，andyetwantednotthearmsoflabourandindustry：neitherdoIbelievethattherewaseveranymonsterinnature，composedoutofsomanydifferentanddisagreeingparts。Whomoreacceptable，sometimes，tothemosthonourablepersons？whomoreafavouritetothemostinfamous？who，sometimes，appearedabraverchampion？who，atothertimes，abolderenemytohiscountry？whomoredissoluteinhispleasures？whomorepatientinhistoils？whomorerapaciousinrobbing？whomoreprofuseingiving？Aboveallthings，thiswasremarkableandadmirableinhim。
Theartshehadtoacquirethegoodopinionandkindnessofallsortsofmen，toretainitwithgreatcomplaisance，tocommunicateallthingstothem，towatchandservealltheoccasionsoftheirfortune，bothwithhismoneyandhisinterest，andhisindustry，andifneedwere，notbystickingatanywickednesswhatsoeverthatmightbeusefultothem，tobendandturnabouthisownnatureandlaveerwitheverywind，toliveseverelywiththemelancholy，merrilywiththepleasant，gravelywiththeaged，wantonlywiththeyoung，desperatelywiththebold，anddebauchedlywiththeluxurious。Withthisvarietyandmultiplicityofhisnature，ashehadmadeacollectionoffriendshipswithallthemostwickedandrecklessofallnations，so，bytheartificialsimulationofsomevirtues，hemadeashifttoensnaresomehonestandeminentpersonsintohisfamiliarity；neithercouldsovastadesignasthedestructionofthisempirehavebeenundertakenbyhim，iftheimmanityofsomanyviceshadnotbeencoveredanddisguisedbytheappearancesofsomeexcellentqualities。\"
Isee，methinks，thecharacterofanAnti—Paul，whobecameallthingstoallmen，thathemightdestroyall；whoonlywantedtheassistanceoffortunetohavebeenasgreatashisfriendCaesarwas，alittleafterhim。AndthewaysofCaesartocompassthesameends——Imeantillthecivilwar，whichwasbutanothermannerofsettinghiscountryonfire——werenotunlikethese，thoughheusedafterwardhisunjustdominionwithmoremoderationthanIthinktheotherwouldhavedone。Sallust，therefore，whowaswellacquaintedwiththembothandwithmanysuch—likegentlemenofhistime，says，\"Thatitisthenatureofambition\"（Ambitiomultosmortalesfalsosfiericoegit，etc。）\"tomakemenliarsandcheaters；tohidethetruthintheirbreasts，andshow，likejugglers，anotherthingintheirmouths；tocutallfriendshipsandenmitiestothemeasureoftheirowninterest，andtomakeagoodcountenancewithoutthehelpofgoodwill。\"Andcantherebefreedomwiththisperpetualconstraint？Whatisitbutakindofrackthatforcesmentosaywhattheyhavenomindto？IhavewonderedattheextravagantandbarbarousstratagemofZopirus，andmoreatthepraiseswhichIfindofsodeformedanaction；who，thoughhewasoneofthesevengrandeesofPersia，andthesonofMegabises，whohadfreedbeforehiscountryfromanignobleservitude，slithisownnoseandlips，cutoffhisownears，scourgedandwoundedhiswholebody，thathemight，underpretenceofhavingbeenmangledsoinhumanlybyDarius，bereceivedintoBabylon（thenbesiegedbythePersians）andgetintothecommandofitbytherecommendationofsocruelasufferance，andtheirhopesofhisendeavouringtorevengeit。ItisagreatpitytheBabylonianssuspectednothisfalsehood，thattheymighthavecutoffhishandstoo，andwhippedhimbackagain。
Butthedesignsucceeded；hebetrayedthecity，andwasmadegovernorofit。WhatbrutishmastereverpunishedhisoffendingslavewithsolittlemercyasambitiondidthisZopirus？andyethowmanyarethereinallnationswhoimitatehiminsomedegreeforalessreward；who，thoughtheyendurenotsomuchcorporalpainforasmallpreferment，orsomehonour，astheycallit，yetsticknottocommitactions，bywhichtheyaremoreshamefullyandmorelastinglystigmatised？Butyoumaysay，\"Thoughthesebethemostordinaryandopenwaystogreatness，yettherearenarrow，thorny，andlittle—troddenpaths，too，throughwhichsomemenfindapassagebyvirtuousindustry。\"Igrant，sometimestheymay；butthenthatindustrymustbesuchascannotconsistwithliberty，thoughitmaywithhonesty。
Thouartcareful，frugal，painful。Wecommendaservantso，butnotafriend。
Well，then，wemustacknowledgethetoilanddrudgerywhichweareforcedtoendureinthisassent，butweareepicuresandlordswhenoncewearegottenupintothehighplaces。Thisisbutashortapprenticeship，afterwhichwearemadefreeofaroyalcompany。Ifwefallinlovewithanybeauteouswoman，wemustbecontentthattheyshouldbeourmistresseswhilstwewoothem。Assoonasweareweddedandenjoy，’tisweshallbethemasters。
Iamwillingtosticktothissimilitudeinthecaseofgreatness：
weenterintothebondsofit，likethoseofmatrimony；wearebewitchedwiththeoutwardandpaintedbeauty，andtakeitforbetterorworsebeforeweknowitstruenatureandinteriorinconveniences。\"Agreatfortune，\"saysSeneca，\"isagreatservitude。\"ButmanyareofthatopinionwhichBrutusimputes（I
hopeuntruly）eventothatpatronofliberty，hisfriendCicero。
\"Wefear，\"sayshetoAtticus，\"death，andbanishment，andpoverty，agreatdealtoomuch。Cicero，Iamafraid，thinksthesetobetheworstofevils，andifhehavebutsomepersonsfromwhomhecanobtainwhathehasamindto，andotherswhowillflatterandworshiphim，seemstobewellenoughcontentedwithanhonourableservitude，ifanything，indeed，oughttobecalledhonourableinsobaseandcontumeliousacondition。\"Thiswasspokenasbecamethebravestmanwhowaseverborninthebravestcommonwealth。Butwithus，generally，noconditionpassesforservitudethatisaccompaniedwithgreatriches，withhonours，andwiththeserviceofmanyinferiors。Thisisbutadeceptionthesightthroughafalsemedium；forifagroomserveagentlemaninhischamber，thatgentlemanalord，andthatlordaprince，thegroom，thegentleman，andthelordareasmuchservantsoneastheother。Thecircumstantialdifferenceoftheonegettingonlyhisbreadandwages，thesecondaplentiful，andthethirdasuperfluousestate，isnomoreintrinsicaltothismatterthanthedifferencebetweenaplain，arichandgaudylivery。Idonotsaythathewhosellshiswholetimeandhisownwillforonehundredthousandisnotawisermerchantthanhewhodoesitforonehundredpounds；butIwillsweartheyarebothmerchants，andthatheishappierthanbothwhocanlivecontentedlywithoutsellingthatestatetowhichhewasborn。Butthisdependenceuponsuperiorsisbutonechainoftheloversofpower，AmatoremtrecentaePirithoumcohibentcatenae。Letusbeginwithhimbybreakofday，forbythattimeheisbesiegedbytwoorthreehundredsuitors，andthehallandanti—chambers（alltheoutworks）possessedbytheenemy；assoonashischamberopens，theyarereadytobreakintothat，ortocorrupttheguardsforentrance。Thisissoessentialapartofgreatness，thatwhosoeveriswithoutitlookslikeafallenfavourite，likeapersondisgraced，andcondemnedtodowhathepleaseallthemorning。
Therearesomewho，ratherthanwantthis，arecontentedtohavetheirroomsfilledupeverydaywithmurmuringandcursingcreditors，andtochargebravelythroughabodyofthemtogettotheircoach。NowIwouldfainknowwhichistheworstduty，thatofanyoneparticularpersonwhowaitstospeakwiththegreatman，orthegreatman’s，whowaitseverydaytospeakwithallthecompany。
AlienanegotiacentumPercaputetcircumsaliuntlatus：Ahundredbusinessesofothermen（manyunjustandmostimpertinent）flycontinuallyabouthisheadandears，andstrikehiminthefacelikedors。Letuscontemplatehimalittleatanotherspecialsceneofglory，andthatishistable。HereheseemstobethelordofallNature。Theearthaffordshimherbestmetalsforhisdishes，herbestvegetablesandanimalsforhisfood；theairandseasupplyhimwiththeirchoicestbirdsandfishes；andagreatmanymenwholooklikemastersattenduponhim；andyet，whenallthisisdone，evenallthisisbutTabled’Hote。Itiscrowdedwithpeopleforwhomhecaresnot——withmanyparasites，andsomespies，withthemostburdensomesortofguests——theendeavourerstobewitty。
Buteverybodypayshimgreatrespect，everybodycommendshismeat——
thatis，hismoney；everybodyadmirestheexquisitedressingandorderingofit——thatis，hisclerkofthekitchen，orhiscook；
everybodyloveshishospitality——thatis，hisvanity。ButIdesiretoknowwhythehonestinnkeeperwhoprovidesapublictableforhisprofitsshouldbebutofameanprofession，andhewhodoesitforhishonouramunificentprince。You’llsay，becauseonesellsandtheothergives。Nay，bothsell，thoughfordifferentthings——theoneforplainmoney，theotherforIknownotwhatjewels，whosevalueisincustomandinfancy。If，then，histablebemadeasnare（astheScripturespeaks）tohisliberty，wherecanhehopeforfreedom？thereisalwaysandeverywheresomerestraintuponhim。
Heisguardedwithcrowds，andshackledwithformalities。Thehalfhat，thewholehat，thehalfsmile，thewholesmile，thenod，theembrace，thepositivepartingwithalittlebow，thecomparativeatthemiddleoftheroom，thesuperlativeatthedoor；andifthepersonbePanhupersebastos，there’saHupersuperlativeceremonythenofconductinghimtothebottomofthestairs，ortotheverygate：asifthereweresuchrulessettotheseLeviathansasaretothesea，\"Hithertoshaltthougo，andnofurther。\"PerditurhaecintermiseroLux。Thuswretchedlythepreciousdayislost。
Howmanyimpertinentlettersandvisitsmusthereceive，andsometimesanswerbothtooasimpertinently？Heneversetshisfootbeyondhisthreshold，unless，likeafuneral，hehathatraintofollowhim，asif，likethedeadcorpse，hecouldnotstirtillthebearerswereallready。\"Mylife，\"saysHorace，speakingtooneofthesemagnificos，\"isagreatdealmoreeasyandcommodiousthanthine，inthatIcangointothemarketandcheapenwhatIpleasewithoutbeingwonderedat；andtakemyhorseandrideasfarasTarentumwithoutbeingmissed。\"Itisanunpleasantconstrainttobealwaysunderthesightandobservationandcensureofothers；astheremaybevanityinit，so，methinks，thereshouldbevexationtooofspirit。AndIwonderhowprincescanenduretohavetwoorthreehundredmenstandgazinguponthemwhilsttheyareatdinner，andtakingnoticeofeverybittheyeat。Nothingseemsgreaterandmorelordlythanthemultitudeofdomesticservants，but，eventhistoo，ifweighedseriously，isapieceofservitude；unlessyouwillbeaservanttothem，asmanymenare，thetroubleandcareofyoursinthegovernmentofthemall，ismuchmorethanthatofeveryoneofthemintheirobservationofyou。Itaketheprofessionofaschoolmastertobeoneofthemostuseful，andwhichoughttobeofthemosthonourableinacommonwealth，yetcertainlyallhisfarcesandtyrannicalauthorityoversomanyboystakesawayhisownlibertymorethantheirs。
Idobutslightlytouchuponalltheseparticularsoftheslaveryofgreatness；Ishakebutafewoftheiroutwardchains；theiranger，hatred，jealousy，fear，envy，grief，andalltheetceteraoftheirpassions，whicharethesecretbutconstanttyrantsandtorturersoftheirlife。Iomithere，becausethoughtheybesymptomsmostfrequentandviolentinthisdisease，yettheyarecommontooinsomedegreetotheepidemicaldiseaseoflifeitself。Buttheambitiousman，thoughhebesomanywaysaslave（Ototiesservus!），yethebearsitbravelyandheroically；hestrutsandlooksbiguponthestage，hethinkshimselfarealprinceinhismaskinghabit，anddeceivestooallthefoolishpartofhisspectators。He’saslaveinSaturnalibus。Thecovetousmanisadownrightservant，adraughthorsewithoutbellsorfeathers；admetalladamnatus，amancondemnedtoworkinmines，whichisthelowestandhardestconditionofservitude；and，toincreasehismisery，aworkerthereforheknowsnotwhom。Heheapethuprichesandknowsnotwhoshallenjoythem；’tisonlythathehimselfneithershallnorcanenjoythem。Heisanindigentneedyslave，hewillhardlyallowhimselfclothesandboardwages；UnciatimvixdemensodesuosuumdefraudansGeniumcomparsitniser。Hedefraudsnotonlyothermen，buthisowngenius。Hecheatshimselfformoney。Buttheservileandmiserableconditionofthiswretchissoapparent，thatIleaveit，asevidenttoeveryman’ssight，aswellasjudgment。Itseemsamoredifficultworktoprovethatthevoluptuousmantooisbutaservant。Whatcanbemorethelifeofafreeman，or，aswesayordinarily，ofagentleman，thantofollownothingbuthisownpleasures？Why，I’lltellyouwhoisthattruefreemanandthattruegentleman；nothewhoblindlyfollowsallhispleasures（theverynameoffollowerisservile），buthewhorationallyguidesthem，andisnothinderedbyoutwardimpedimentsintheconductandenjoymentofthem。IfIwantskillorforcetorestrainthebeastthatIrideupon，thoughIboughtit，andcallitmyown，yetinthetruthofthematterIamatthattimeratherhismanthanhemyhorse。Thevoluptuousmen（whomwearefallenupon）maybedivided，Ithink，intothelustfulandluxurious，whoarebothservantsofthebelly；theotherwhomwespokeofbefore，theambitiousandthecovetous，were[Greektext]，evilwildbeasts；theseare[Greektext]，slowbellies，asourtranslationrendersit；buttheword[Greektext]（whichisafantasticalwordwithtwodirectlyoppositesignifications）willbearaswellthetranslationofquickordiligentbellies，andbothinterpretationsmaybeappliedtothesemen。Metrodorussaid，\"Thathehadlearnt[Greektext]，togivehisbellyjustthanksforallhispleasures。\"ThisbythecalumniatorsofEpicurushisphilosophywasobjectedasoneofthemostscandalousofalltheirsayings，which，accordingtomycharitableunderstanding，mayadmitaveryvirtuoussense，whichis，thathethankedhisownbellyforthatmoderationinthecustomaryappetitesofit，whichcanonlygiveamanlibertyandhappinessinthisworld。Letthissufficeatpresenttobespokenofthosegreattrinmvirioftheworld；thecovetousman，whoisameanvillain，likeLepidus；theambitious，whoisabraveone，likeOctavius；andthevoluptuous，whoisalooseanddebauchedone，likeMarkAntony。
QuisnamigiturLiber？Sapiens，sibiquiImperiosus。NotOenomaus，whocommitshimselfwhollytoacharioteerthatmaybreakhisneck，butthemanWhogovernshisowncoursewithsteadyhand，Whodoeshimselfwithsovereignpowercommand；
Whomneitherdeathnorpovertydoesfright，WhostandsnotawkwardlyinhisownlightAgainstthetruth：whocan，whenpleasuresknockLoudathisdoor，keepfirmtheboltandlock。
Whocan，thoughhonourathisgateshouldstayInallhermaskingclothes，sendheraway，Andcry，Begone，Ihavenomindtoplay。
ThisIconfessisafreeman；butitmaybesaidthatmanypersonsaresoshackledbytheirfortunethattheyarehinderedfromenjoymentofthatmanumissionwhichtheyhaveobtainedfromvirtue。
Idobothunderstand，andinpartfeeltheweightofthisobjection。
AllIcananswertoitis，\"Thatwemustgetasmuchlibertyaswecan；wemustuseourutmostendeavours，andwhenallthatisdone，becontentedwiththelengthofthatlinewhichisallowedus。\"IfyouaskmeinwhatconditionoflifeIthinkthemostallowed，I
shouldpitchuponthatsortofpeoplewhomKingJameswaswonttocallthehappiestofournation，themenplacedinthecountrybytheirfortuneaboveanhighconstable，andyetbeneaththetroubleofajusticeofthepeace，inamoderateplenty，withoutanyjustargumentforthedesireofincreasingitbythecareofmanyrelations，andwithsomuchknowledgeandloveofpietyandphilosophy（thatis，ofthestudyofGod’slawsandofhiscreatures）asmayaffordhimmatterenoughnevertobeidlethoughwithoutbusiness，andnevertobemelancholythoughwithoutsinorvanity。
IshallconcludethistediousdiscoursewithaprayerofmineinacopyofLatinverses，ofwhichIremembernootherpart，and（pourfairebonnebouche）withsomeotherversesuponthesamesubject。
MagneDeus，quodadhasvitaebrevisattinetboras，Damihi，daPancinLibertatemque，necultraSollicitaseffundopreces，siquiddaturultraAccipiamgratus；sinon，contentusabibo。
Forthefewhoursoflifeallottedme，Giveme，greatGod，butBreadandLiberty，I’llbegnomore；ifmorethou’rtpleasedtogive，I’llthankfullythatoverplusreceive。
Ifbeyondthisnomorebefreelysent，I’llthankforthis，andgoawaycontent。
MARTIAL。LIB。2。
Votatuibreviter，etc。
Wellthen，sir，youshallknowhowfarextend，Theprayersandhopesofyourpoeticfriend。
Hedoesnotpalacesnormanorscrave，Wouldbenolord，butlessalordwouldhave。
Thegroundheholds，ifhehisowncancall，HequarrelsnotwithHeavenbecause’tissmall：
Letgayandtoilsomegreatnessothersplease，Helovesofhomelylittlenesstheease。
Cananymaningildedroomsattend，Andhisdearhoursinhumblevisitsspend，WheninthefreshandbeauteousfieldshemayWithvarioushealthfulpleasuresfilltheday？
Iftherebeman，yegods，Ioughttohate，Dependenceandattendancebehisfate。
Stilllethimbusybe，andinacrowd，Andverymuchaslave，andveryproud：
Thushe，perhaps，powerfulandrichmaygrow；
Nomatter，Oyegods!thatI’llallow。
Butlethimpeaceandfreedomneversee；
Lethimnotlovethislife，wholovesnotme。
MARTIALLIB。2。
VisfieriLiber，etc。
Wouldyoubefree？’Tisyourchiefwish，yousay，Comeon；I’llshowthee，friend，thecertainway。
Iftonofeastsabroadthoulov’sttogo，WhilstbounteousGoddoesbreadathomebestow；
IfthouthegoodnessofthyclothesdostprizeBythineownuse，andnotbyothers’eyes；
If，onlysafefromweathers，thoucanstdwellInasmallhouse，butaconvenientshell；
Ifthouwithoutasigh，orgoldenwish，Canstlookuponthybeechenbowlanddish；
Ifinthymindsuchpowerandgreatnessbe—
ThePersianKing’saslavecomparedwiththee。
MARTIAL。L。2。
Quodtonomine？etc。
ThatIdoyouwithhumblebowsnomore，Anddangerofmynakedhead，adore；
ThatI，wholordandmastercriederewhile，Saluteyouinanewanddifferentstyle，Byyourownname，ascandaltoyounow；
ThinknotthatIforgetmyselforyou：
BylossofallthingsbyallotherssoughtThisfreedom，andthefreeman’shat，isbought。
AlordandmasternomanwantsbutheWhoo’erhimselfhasnoauthority，Whodoesforhonoursandforrichesstrive，Andfollieswithoutwhichlordscannotlive。
Ifthoufromfortunedostnoservantcrave，Believeit，thounomasterneed’sttohave。
ODEUPONLIBERTY。
I。
Freedomwithvirtuetakesherseat；
Herproperplace，heronlyscene，Isinthegoldenmean，Shelivesnotwiththepoor，norwiththegreat：
Thewingsofthose，Necessityhasclipped，Andthey’reinFortune’sBridewellwhipped，Tothelaborioustaskofbread；
Thesearebyvarioustyrantscaptiveled。
NowwildAmbitionwithimperiousforceRides，reins，andspursthemliketh’unrulyhorse；
AndservileAvariceyokesthemnowLiketoilsomeoxentotheplough；
AndsometimesLust，likethemisguidinglight，Drawsthemthroughallthelabyrinthsofnight。
IfanyfewamongthegreattherebeFromtheinsultingpassionsfree，YetweeventhosetoofetteredseeBycustom，business，crowds，andformaldecency；
Andwheresoe’ertheystay，andwheresoe’ertheygo，Impertinencesroundthemflow。
ThesearethesmalluneasythingsWhichaboutgreatnessstillarefound，AndratheritmolestthanwoundLikegnatswhichtoomuchheatofsummerbrings；
Butcaresdoswarmtheretoo，andthosehavestings：
Aswhenthehoneydoestooopenlie，AthousandwaspsaboutitflyNorwillthemastereventoshareadmit；
Themasterstandsaloof，anddaresnottasteofit。
II。
’Tismorning，well，Ifainwouldyetsleepon；
Youcannotnow；youmustbegoneToCourt，ortothenoisyhailBesides，theroomswithoutarecrowdedall；
Thesteamofbusinessdoesbegin，Andaspringtideofclientsiscomein。
Ah，cruelguards，whichthispoorprisonerkeep，Willtheynotsufferhimtosleep!
Makeanescape；outattheposternflee，Andgetsomeblessedhoursofliberty。
Withafewfriends，andafewdishesdine，Andmuchofmirthandmoderatewine；
Tothybentmindsomerelaxationgive，Andstealonedayoutofthylifetolive。
Ohhappyman，hecries，towhomkindHeavenHassuchafreedomalwaysgivenWhy，mightymadman，whatshouldhindertheeFrombeingeverydayasfree？
III。
Inallthefreebornnationsoftheair，NeverdidbirdaspiritsomeanandsordidbearAstoexchangehisnativelibertyOfsoaringboldlyupintothesky，Hislibertytosing，toperch，orflyWhen，andwhereverhethoughtgood，Andallhisinnocentpleasuresofthewood，Foramoreplentifulorconstantfood。
NoreverdidambitiousrageMakehimintoapaintedcageOrthefalseforestofawell—hungroomForhonourandprefermentcome。
Now，blessingsonyeall，yeheroicrace，WhokeeptheirprimitivepowersandrightssowellThoughmenandangelsfell。
OfallmateriallivesthehighestplaceToyouisjustlygiven，AndwaysandwalksthenearestHeaven；
Whilstwretchedwe，yetvainandproud，thinkfitToboastthatwelookuptoit。
EventotheuniversaltyrantLoveYouhomagepaybutonceayear；
Nonesodegenerousandunbirdlyprove，Ashisperpetualyoketobear。
Nonebutafewunhappyhouseholdfowl，Whomhumanlordshipdoescontrol；
WhofromtheirbirthcorruptedwereBybondage，andbyman’sexamplehere。
IV。
He’snosmallprincewhoeverydayThustohimselfcansay，NowwillIsleep，noweat，nowsit，nowwalk，Nowmeditatealone，nowwithacquaintancetalk；
ThisIwilldo，hereIwillstay，Or，ifmyfancycallmeaway，MymanandIwillpresentlygoride（Forwebeforehavenothingtoprovide，Norafteraretorenderanaccount）
ToDover，Berwick，ortheCornishMount。
Ifthoubutashortjourneytake，Asifthylastthouwerttomake，Businessmustbedespatchederethoucanstpart。
NorcanstthoustirunlesstherebeAhundredhorseandmentowaitonthee，Andmanyamule，andmanyacart：
Whatanunwieldymanthouart!
TheRhodianColossussoAjourneytoomightgo。
V。
Wherehonourorwhereconsciencedoesnotbind，Nootherlawshallshackleme？
SlavetomyselfIwillnotbe，NorshallmyfutureactionsbeconfinedBymyownpresentmind。
WhobyresolvesandvowsengageddoesstandFordaysthatyetbelongtofate，DoeslikeanunthriftmortgagehisestateBeforeitfallsintohishand；
ThebondmanofthecloistersoAllthathedoesreceivedoesalwaysowe。
Andstillastimecomeinitgoesaway，Nottoenjoy，butdebtstopay。
Unhappyslave，andpupiltoabellWhichhishour’swork，aswellashour’sdoestell!
Unhappytillthelast，thekindreleasingknell。
VI。
IfLifeshouldawell—orderedpoembe（InwhichheonlyhitsthewhiteWhojoinstrueprofitwiththebestdelight），Themoreheroicstrainletotherstake，MinethePindaricwayI’llmake，Themattershallbegrave，thenumberslooseandfree。
Itshallnotkeeponesettledpaceoftime，Inthesametuneitshallnotalwayschime，Norshalleachdayjusttohisneighbourrhyme。
Athousandlibertiesitshalldispense，AndyetshallmanageallwithoutoffenceOrtothesweetnessofthesound，orgreatnessofthesense；
Norshallitneverfromonesubjectstart，Norseektransitionstodepart，Noritssetwayo’erstilesandbridgesmake，NorthoroughlanesacompasstakeAsifitfearedsometrespasstocommit，Whenthewideair’saroadforit。
SotimeimperialeagledoesnotstayTillthewholecarcasehedevourThat’sfallenintoitspower；
AsifhisgeneroushungerunderstoodThathecanneverwantplentyoffood，Heonlysucksthetastefulblood，Andtofreshgamefliescheerfullyaway；
Tokitesandmeanerbirdsheleavesthemangledprey。
OFSOLITUDE。
\"Nunquamminussolus，quamcumsolis，\"isnowbecomeaveryvulgarsaying。Everymanandalmosteveryboyfortheseseventeenhundredyearshashaditinhismouth。ButitwasatfirstspokenbytheexcellentScipio，whowaswithoutquestionamostworthy，mosthappy，andthegreatestofallmankind。Hismeaningnodoubtwasthis：thathefoundmoresatisfactiontohismind，andmoreimprovementofitbysolitudethanbycompany；andtoshowthathespokenotthislooselyoroutofvanity，afterhehadmadeRomemistressofalmostthewholeworld，heretiredhimselffromitbyavoluntaryexile，andataprivatehouseinthemiddleofawoodnearLinternumpassedtheremainderofhisgloriouslifenolessgloriously。ThishouseSenecawenttoseesolongafterwithgreatveneration，and，amongotherthings，describeshisbathtohavebeenofsomeanastructure，thatnow，sayshe，thebasestofthepeoplewoulddespisethem，andcryout，\"PoorScipiounderstoodnothowtolive。\"Whatanauthorityishereforthecreditofretreat!andhappyhaditbeenforHannibalifadversitycouldhavetaughthimasmuchwisdomaswaslearntbyScipiofromthehighestprosperities。
ThiswouldbenowonderifitwereastrulyasitiscolourablyandwittilysaidbyMonsieurdeMontaigne，thatambitionitselfmightteachustolovesolitude：thereisnothingdoessomuchhatetohavecompanions。Itistrue，itlovestohaveitselbowsfree，itdeteststohavecompanyoneitherside，butitdelightsaboveallthingsinatrainbehind，aye，andushers，too，beforeit。ButthegreaterpartofmenaresofarfromtheopinionofthatnobleRoman，thatiftheychanceatanytimetobewithoutcompanytheyarelikeabecalmedship；theynevermovebutbythewindofothermen’sbreath，andhavenooarsoftheirowntosteerwithal。Itisveryfantasticalandcontradictoryinhumannature，thatmenshouldlovethemselvesabovealltherestoftheworld，andyetneverenduretobewiththemselves。Whentheyareinlovewithamistress，allotherpersonsareimportunateandburdensometothem。\"Tecumvivereamem，tecumobeamlubens，\"Theywouldliveanddiewithheralone。
SicegosecretispossumbeneveveresilvisQuanullahumauositviatritapede，Tumihicurarumrequies，tunoctevelatraLumen，etinsolistumihiterbalocis。
WiththeeforeverIinwoodscouldrest，Whereneverhumanfootthegroundhaspressed；
Thoufromallshadesthedarknesscanstexclude，Andfromadesertbanishsolitude。
Andyetourdearselfissowearisometousthatwecanscarcelysupportitsconversationforanhourtogether。ThisissuchanoddtemperofmindasCatullusexpressestowardsoneofhismistresses，whomwemaysupposetohavebeenofaveryunsociablehumour。
OdietAmo，quanamidfaciamrationerequiris？
Nescio，sedfierisentio，etexcrucior。
Ihate，andyetIlovetheetoo；
Howcanthatbe？Iknownothow；
OnlythatsoitisIknow，Andfeelwithtormentthat’tisso。
Itisadeplorableconditionthis，anddrivesamansometimestopitifulshiftsinseekinghowtoavoidhimself。
Thetruthofthematteris，thatneitherhewhoisafopintheworldisafitmantobealone，norhewhohassethisheartmuchupontheworld，thoughhehaseversomuchunderstanding；sothatsolitudecanbewellfittedandsetrightbutuponaveryfewpersons。Theymusthaveenoughknowledgeoftheworldtoseethevanityofit，andenoughvirtuetodespiseallvanity；ifthemindbepossessedwithanylustorpassions，amanhadbetterbeinafairthaninawoodalone。Theymay，likepettythieves，cheatusperhaps，andpickourpocketsinthemidstofcompany，butlikerobbers，theyusetostripandbind，ormurderuswhentheycatchusalone。Thisisbuttoretreatfrommen，andfallintothehandsofdevils。ItislikethepunishmentofparricidesamongtheRomans，tobesewedintoabagwithanape，adog，andaserpent。Thefirstwork，therefore，thatamanmustdotomakehimselfcapableofthegoodofsolitudeistheveryeradicationofalllusts，forhowisitpossibleforamantoenjoyhimselfwhilehisaffectionsaretiedtothingswithouthimself？Inthesecondplace，hemustlearntheartandgetthehabitofthinking；forthistoo，nolessthanwellspeaking，dependsuponmuchpractice；andcogitationisthethingwhichdistinguishesthesolitudeofagodfromawildbeast。Nowbecausethesoulofmanisnotbyitsownnatureorobservationfurnishedwithsufficientmaterialstoworkupon；itisnecessaryforittohavecontinualresourcetolearningandbooksforfreshsupplies，sothatthesolitarylifewillgrowindigent，andbereadytostarvewithoutthem；butifoncewebethoroughlyengagedintheloveofletters，insteadofbeingweariedwiththelengthofanyday，weshallonlycomplainoftheshortnessofourwholelife。
Ovita，stultolonga，sapientibrevis!
Olife，longtothefool，shorttothewise!
TheFirstMinisterofStatehasnotsomuchbusinessinpublicasawisemanhasinprivate；iftheonehavelittleleisuretobealone，theotherhaslessleisuretobeincompany；theonehasbutpartoftheaffairsofonenation，theotheralltheworksofGodandnatureunderhisconsideration。ThereisnosayingshocksmesomuchasthatwhichIhearveryoften，\"Thatamandoesnotknowhowtopasshistime。\"ItwouldhavebeenbutillspokenbyMethusalemintheninehundredandsixty—ninthyearofhislife，sofaritisfromus，whohavenottimeenoughtoattaintotheutmostperfectionofanypartofanyscience，tohavecausetocomplainthatweareforcedtobeidleforwantofwork。Butthisyouwillsayisworkonlyforthelearned，othersarenotcapableeitheroftheemploymentsorthedivertisementsthatarisefromletters。Iknowtheyarenot，andthereforecannotmuchrecommendsolitudetoamantotallyilliterate。Butifanymanbesounlearnedastowantentertainmentofthelittleintervalsofaccidentalsolitude，whichfrequentlyoccurinalmostallconditions（excepttheverymeanestofthepeople，whohavebusinessenoughinthenecessaryprovisionsforlife），itistrulyagreatshamebothtohisparentsandhimself；
foraverysmallportionofanyingeniousartwillstopupallthosegapsofourtime，eithermusic，orpainting，ordesigning，orchemistry，orhistory，orgardening，ortwentyotherthings，willdoitusefullyandpleasantly；andifhehappentosethisaffectionsuponpoetry（whichIdonotadvisehimtooimmoderately）thatwilloverdoit；nowoodwillbethickenoughtohidehimfromtheimportunitiesofcompanyorbusiness，whichwouldabstracthimfromhisbeloved。
—OquismegeldissubmontibusHaemiSistat，etingentiramorumprotegatumbra？
I。
Hail，oldpatriciantrees，sogreatandgood!
Hail，yeplebeianunderwood!
Wherethepoeticbirdsrejoice，AndfortheirquietnestsandplenteousfoodPaywiththeirgratefulvoice。
II。
Hail，thepoorMuses’richestmanorseat!
YecountryhousesandretreatWhichallthehappygodssolove，ThatforyouofttheyquittheirbrightandgreatMetropolisabove。
III。
HereNaturedoesahouseformeerect，Naturethewisestarchitect，WhothosefondartistsdoesdespiseThatcanthefairandlivingtreesneglect，Yetthedeadtimberprize。
IV。
Hereletme，carelessandunthoughtfullying，Hearthesoftwinds，abovemeflying，Withalltheirwantonboughsdispute，Andthemoretunefulbirdstobothreplying，Norbemyselftoomute。
V。
Asilverstreamshallrollhiswatersnear，Giltwiththesunbeamshereandthere，OnwhoseenamelledbankI’llwalk，Andseehowprettilytheysmile，andhearHowprettilytheytalk。
VI。
Ahwretched，andtoosolitaryheWholovesnothisowncompany!
He’llfeeltheweightof’tmanyaday，UnlesshecallinsinorvanityTohelptobear’taway。
VII。
Ohsolitude，firststateofhuman—kind!
WhichblestremainedtillmandidfindEvenhisownhelper’scompany。
Assoonastwo，alas，togetherjoined，Theserpentmadeupthree。
VIII。
ThoughGodhimself，throughcountlessages，theeHissolecompanionchosetobe，Thee，sacredSolitudealone；
BeforethebranchyheadofnumbersThreeSprangfromthetrunkofOne。
IX。
Thou（thoughmenthinkthineanunactivepart）
Dostbreakandtameth’unrulyheart，Whichelsewouldknownosettledpace，Makingitmove，wellmanagedbythyartWithswiftnessandwithgrace。
X。
ThouthefaintbeamsofReason’sscatteredlightDostlikeaburningglassunite；
Dostmultiplythefeebleheat，Andfortifythestrength，tillthoudostbrightAndnoblefiresbeget。
XI。
WhilstthishardtruthIteach，methinks，IseeThemonsterLondonlaughatme；
Ishouldattheetoo，foolishcity，Ifitwerefittolaughatmisery。
Butthyestate，Ipity。
XII。
Letbutthywickedmenfromouttheego，Andthefoolsthatcrowdtheeso，—
Eventhou，whodostthymillionsboast，AvillagelessthanIslingtonwiltgrow，Asolitudealmost。
OFOBSCURITY。
Namnequedivitibuscontinguntgaudiasolis，Necvixitmale，quinatusmoriensquefefellit。
Godmadenotpleasuresonlyfortherich，Norhavethosemenwithouttheirsharetoolived，Whobothinlifeanddeaththeworlddeceived。
Thisseemsastrangesentencethusliterallytranslated，andlooksasifitwereinvindicationofthemenofbusiness（forwhoelsecandeceivetheworld？）whereasitisincommendationofthosewholiveanddiesoobscurely，thattheworldtakesnonoticeofthem。
ThisHoracecallsdeceivingtheworld，andinanotherplaceusesthesamephrase。
Secretumiteretfallentissemitavitae。
Thesecrettracksofthedeceivinglife。
ItisveryelegantinLatin，butourEnglishwordwillhardlybearuptothatsense，andthereforeMr。Broometranslatesitverywell：
Orfromalife，ledasitwerebystealth。
Yetwesayinourlanguage，athingdeceivesoursight，whenitpassesbeforeusunperceived，andwemaysaywellenoughoutofthesameauthor：
Sometimeswithsleep，sometimeswithwinewestriveThecaresoflifeandtroublestodeceive。
Butthatisnottodeceivetheworld，buttodeceiveourselves，asQuintiliansays，Vitamfallere，Todrawonstill，andamuse，anddeceiveourlife，tillitbeadvancedinsensiblytothefatalperiod，andfallintothatpitwhichNaturehathpreparedforit。
Themeaningofallthisisnomorethanthatmostvulgarsaying，Benequilatuit，benevixit，Hehaslivedwell，whohaslainwellhidden。Which，ifitbeatruth，theworld，I’llswear，issufficientlydeceived。Formypart，Ithinkitis，andthatthepleasantestconditionoflife，isinincognito。Whatabraveprivilegeisittobefreefromallcontentions，fromallenvyingorbeingenvied，fromreceivingandfrompayingallkindofceremonies？
Itisinmymindaverydelightfulpastime，fortwogoodandagreeablefriendstotravelupanddowntogetherinplaceswheretheyarebynobodyknown，norknowanybody。ItwasthecaseofAEneasandhisAchates，whentheywalkedinvisiblyaboutthefieldsandstreetsofCarthage，VenusherselfAveilofthickenedairaroundthemcast，Thatnonemightknow，orseethemastheypassed。
ThecommonstoryofDemosthenes’sconfessionthathehadtakengreatpleasureinhearingofaTanker—womansayashepassed，\"ThisisthatDemosthenes，\"iswonderfulridiculousfromsosolidanorator。
Imyselfhaveoftenmetwiththattemptationtovanity（ifitwereany），butamsofarfromfindingitanypleasure，thatitonlymakesmerunfasterfromtheplace，tillIget，asitwere，outofsightshot。Democritusrelates，andinsuchamanner，asifhegloriedinthegoodfortuneandcommodityofit，thatwhenhecametoAthens，nobodytheredidsomuchastakenoticeofhim；andEpicuruslivedthereverywell，thatis，layhidmanyyearsinhisgardens，sofamoussincethattime，withhisfriendMetrodorus：afterwhosedeath，makinginoneofhislettersakindcommemorationofthehappinesswhichtheytwohadenjoyedtogether，headdsatlast，thathethoughtitnodisparagementtothosegreatfelicitiesoftheirlife，thatinthemidstofthemosttalkedofandtalkingcountryintheworld，theyhadlivedsolong，notonlywithoutfame，butalmostwithoutbeingheardof。Andyetwithinaveryfewyearsafterward，therewerenotwonamesofmenmoreknownormoregenerallycelebrated。Ifweengageintoalargeacquaintanceandvariousfamiliarities，wesetopenourgatestotheinvadersofmostofourtime：weexposeourlifetoaQuotidianAgueoffrigidimpertinences，whichwouldmakeawisemantrembletothinkof。
Now，asforbeingknownmuchbysight，andpointedat，Icannotcomprehendthehonourthatliesinthat。Whatsoeveritbe，everymountebankhasitmorethanthebestdoctor，andthehangmanmorethantheLordChiefJusticeofacity。Everycreaturehasitbothofnatureandartifitbeanywaysextraordinary。Itwasasoftensaid，\"ThisisthatBucephalus，\"or，\"ThisisthatIncitatus，\"whentheywereledprancingthroughthestreets，as\"ThisisthatAlexander，\"or，\"ThisisthatDomitian\"；andtrulyforthelatter，I
takeIncitatustohavebeenamuchmorehonourablebeastthanhismaster，andmoredeservingtheconsulshipthanhetheempire。I
loveandcommendatruegoodfame，becauseitistheshadowofvirtue；notthatitdothanygoodtothebodywhichitaccompanies，but’tisanefficaciousshadow，andlikethatofSt。Petercuresthediseasesofothers。Thebestkindofglory，nodoubt，isthatwhichisreflectedfromhonesty，suchaswasthegloryofCatoandAristides，butitwasharmfultothemboth，andisseldombeneficialtoanymanwhilsthelives；whatitistohimafterhisdeath，I
cannotsay，becauseIlovenotphilosophymerelynotionalandconjectural，andnomanwhohasmadetheexperimenthasbeensokindastocomebacktoinformus。Uponthewholematter，Iaccountapersonwhohasamoderatemindandfortune，andlivesintheconversationoftwoorthreeagreeablefriends，withlittlecommerceintheworldbesides；whoisesteemedwellenoughbyhisfewneighboursthatknowhim，andistrulyirreproachablebyanybody；
andsoafterahealthfulquietlife，beforethegreatinconveniencesofoldage，goesmoresilentlyoutofitthanhecamein（forI
wouldnothavehimsomuchascryintheexit）；thisinnocentdeceiveroftheword，asHoracecallshim，thisMutaPersona，Itaketohavebeenmorehappyinhispart，thanthegreatestactorsthatfillthestagewithshowandnoise，nay，eventhanAugustushimself，whoaskedwithhislastbreath，whetherhehadnotplayedhisfarceverywell。
Seneca，exThyeste，Act2。Chor。
Stetquicunquevolet，potens，Aulaeculminelubrico；etc。
Upontheslipperytopsofhumanstate，Thegildedpinnaclesoffate，Letothersproudlystand，andforawhile，Thegiddydangertobeguile，Withjoyandwithdisdainlookdownonall，Tilltheirheadsturn，anddowntheyfall。
Me，Oyegods，onearth，orelsesonearThatInofalltoearthmayfear，And，Oyegods，atagooddistanceseatFromthelongruinsofthegreat!
Herewrappedinthearmsofquietletmelie，Quiet，companionofobscurity。
Hereletmylife，withasmuchsilenceslide，Astimethatmeasuresitdoesglide。
Norletthebreathofinfamyorfame，Fromtowntotownechoaboutmyname；
NorletmyhomelydeathembroideredbeWithscutcheonorwithelegy。
Anoldplebeianletmedie，Alas，allthenaresuch，aswellasI。
Tohim，alas，tohim，Ifear，Thefaceofdeathwillterribleappear；
Whoinhislife，flatteringhissenselessprideBybeingknowntoalltheworldbeside，Doesnothimself，whenheisdying，know；
Norwhatheis，norwhitherhe’stogo。
OFAGRICULTURE。
ThefirstwishofVirgil（asyouwillfindanonbyhisverses），wastobeagoodphilosopher；thesecond，agoodhusbandman；andGod（whomheseemedtounderstandbetterthanmostofthemostlearnedheathens）dealtwithhimjustashedidwithSolomon：becauseheprayedforwisdominthefirstplace，headdedallthingselsewhichweresubordinatelytobedesired。Hemadehimoneofthebestphilosophers，andbesthusbandmen，andtoadornandcommunicateboththosefaculties，thebestpoet。Hemadehim，besidesallthis，arichman，andamanwhodesiredtobenoricher，Ofortunatasnimiumetbonaquisuanovit。Tobeahusbandman，isbutaretreatfromthecity；tobeaphilosopher，fromtheworld；orrather，aretreatfromtheworld，asitisMan’s——intotheworld，asitisGod’s。ButsinceNaturedeniestomostmenthecapacityorappetite，andFortuneallowsbuttoaveryfewtheopportunitiesorpossibility，ofapplyingthemselveswhollytophilosophy，thebestmixtureofhumanaffairsthatwecanmakearetheemploymentsofacountrylife。Itis，asColumellacallsit，Ressinedubitationeproximaetquasiconsanguineasapientiae，thenearestneighbour，orrathernextinkindredtoPhilosophy。VarrosaystheprinciplesofitarethesamewhichEnniusmadetobetheprinciplesofallnature；earth，water，air，andthesun。Itdoescertainlycomprehendmorepartsofphilosophythananyoneprofession，art，orscienceintheworldbesides；and，therefore，Cicerosays，thepleasuresofahusbandman，Mihiadsapientisvitamproximevidenturaecedere，comeverynightothoseofaphilosopher。Thereisnoothersortoflifethataffordssomanybranchesofpraisetoapanegyrist：Theutilityofittoaman’sself；theusefulness，or，rather，necessityofittoalltherestofmankind；theinnocence，thepleasure，theantiquity，thedignity。Theutility（Imeanplainlythelucreofit）isnotsogreatnowinournationasarisesfrommerchandiseandthetradingofthecity，fromwhencemanyofthebestestatesandchiefhonoursofthekingdomarederived；wehavenomennowfetchedfromtheploughtobemadelords，astheywereinRometobemadeconsulsanddictators，thereasonofwhichIconceivetobefromanevilcustomnowgrownasstrongamongusasifitwerealaw，whichis，thatnomenputtheirchildrentobebredupapprenticesinagriculture，asinothertrades，butsuchwhoaresopoor，thatwhentheycometobementheyhavenotwherewithaltosetupinit，andsocanonlyfarmsomesmallparcelofground，therentofwhichdevoursallbutthebaresubsistenceofthetenant；whilsttheywhoareproprietorsofthelandareeithertooproudor，forwantofthatkindofeducation，tooignoranttoimprovetheirestates，thoughthemeansofdoingitbeaseasyandcertaininthisasinanyothertrackofcommerce。Iftherewerealwaystwoorthreethousandyouths，forsevenoreightyearsboundtothisprofession，thattheymightlearnthewholeartofit，andafterwardsbeenabledtobemastersinit，byamoderatestock，Icannotdoubtbutthatweshouldseeasmanyaldermen’sestatesmadeinthecountryasnowwedooutofallkindofmerchandisinginthecity。Thereareasmanywaystoberich；
and，whichisbetter，thereisnopossibilitytobepoor，withoutsuchnegligenceascanneitherhaveexcusenorpity；foralittlegroundwill，withoutquestion，feedalittlefamily，andthesuperfluitiesoflife（whicharenowinsomecasesbycustommadealmostnecessary）mustbesuppliedoutofthesuperabundanceofartandindustry，orcontemnedbyasgreatadegreeofphilosophy。Asforthenecessityofthisart，itisevidentenough，sincethiscanlivewithoutallothers，andnooneotherwithoutthis。Thisislikespeech，withoutwhichthesocietyofmencannotbepreserved；
theotherslikefiguresandtropesofspeechwhichserveonlytoadornit。Manynationshavelived，andsomedostill，withoutanyartbutthis；notsoelegantly，Iconfess，butstilltheyhave；andalmostalltheotherartswhichareherepractisedarebeholdingtothemformostoftheirmaterials。TheinnocenceofthislifeisinthenextthingforwhichIcommendit，andifhusbandmenpreservenotthat，theyaremuchtoblame，fornomenaresofreefromthetemptationsofiniquity。Theylivebywhattheycangetbyindustryfromtheearth，andothersbywhattheycancatchbycraftfrommen。
Theyliveuponanestategiventhembytheirmother，andothersuponanestatecheatedfromtheirbrethren。Theylivelikesheepandkine，bytheallowancesofNature，andotherslikewolvesandfoxesbytheacquisitionsofrapine；and，Ihope，Imayaffirm（withoutanyoffencetothegreat）thatsheepandkineareveryuseful，andthatwolvesandfoxesareperniciouscreatures。Theyare，withoutdispute，ofallmenthemostquietandleastapttobeinflamedtothedisturbanceofthecommonwealth；theirmanneroflifeinclinesthem，andinterestbindsthem，tolovepeace。Inourlatemadandmiserablecivilwars，allothertrades，eventothemeanest，setforthwholetroops，andraisedupsomegreatcommanders，whobecamefamousandmightyforthemischiefstheyhaddone。ButIdonotrememberthenameofanyonehusbandmanwhohadsoconsiderableashareinthetwentyyears’ruinofhiscountry，astodeservethecursesofhiscountrymen；andifgreatdelightsbejoinedwithsomuchinnocence，Ithinkitisilldoneofmennottotakethemherewheretheyaresotameandreadyathand，ratherthanhuntforthemincourtsandcities，wheretheyaresowildandthechasesotroublesomeanddangerous。
WearehereamongthevastandnoblescenesofNature；wearethereamongthepitifulshiftsofpolicy。Wewalkhereinthelightandopenwaysofthedivinebounty；wegropethereinthedarkandconfusedlabyrinthsofhumanmalice。Oursensesareherefeastedwiththeclearandgenuinetasteoftheirobjects，whichareallsophisticatedthere，andforthemostpartoverwhelmedwiththeircontraries。HerePleasurelooks，methinks，likeabeautiful，constant，andmodestwife；itisthereanimpudent，fickle，andpaintedharlot。Hereisharmlessandcheapplenty，thereguiltyandexpensefulluxury。
Ishallonlyinstanceinonedelightmore，themostnaturalandbestnaturedofallothers，aperpetualcompanionofthehusbandman：andthatis，thesatisfactionoflookingroundabouthim，andseeingnothingbuttheeffectsandimprovementsofhisownartanddiligence；tobealwaysgatheringofsomefruitsofit，andatthesametimetobeholdothersripening，andothersbudding；toseeallhisfieldsandgardenscoveredwiththebeauteouscreaturesofhisownindustry；andtosee，likeGod，thatallhisworksaregood。
HincatquehincglomeranturOreades；ipsiAgricolaetacitumpertentantgaudiapectus。
Onhisheart—stringsasecretjoydoesstrike。
Theantiquityofhisartiscertainlynottobecontestedbyanyother。Thethreefirstmenintheworldwereagardener，aploughman，andagrazier；andifanymanobjectthatthesecondofthesewasamurderer，Idesirehewouldconsider，thatassoonashewasso，hequittedourprofessionandturnedbuilder。Itisforthisreason，Isuppose，thatEcclesiasticusforbidsustohatehusbandry；because，sayshe，theMostHighhascreatedit。Wewereallborntothisart，andtaughtbynaturetonourishourbodiesbythesameearthoutofwhichtheyweremade，andtowhichtheymustreturnandpayatlastfortheirsustenance。