find confirmed; and I do not fear that action shall impair it,
because I account my ordinary course of study and meditation to be
more painful than most parts of action are. I ever bare a mind (in
some middle place that I could discharge) to serve her Majesty, not
as a man born under Sol, that loveth honour, nor under Jupiter,
that loveth business (for the contemplative planet carrieth me away
wholly), but as a man born under an excellent sovereign that
deserveth the dedication of all men's abilities. Besides, I do not
find in myself so much self-love, but that the greater parts of my
thoughts are to deserve well (if I be able) of my friends, and
namely of your Lordship; who, being the Atlas of this commonwealth,
the honour of my house, and the second founder of my poor estate, I
am tied by all duties, both of a good patriot, and of an unworthy
kinsman, and of an obliged servant, to employ whatsoever I am to do
you service. Again, the meanness of my estate doth somewhat move
me; for though I cannot accuse myself that I am either prodigal or
slothful, yet my health is not to spend, nor my course to get.
Lastly, I confess that I have as vast contemplative ends as I have
moderate civil ends; for I have taken all knowledge to be my
province; and if I could purge it of two sorts of rovers, whereof
the one with frivolous disputations, confutations, and verbosities,
the other with blind experiments and auricular traditions and
impostures, hath committed so many spoils, I hope I should bring in
industrious observations, grounded conclusions, and profitable
inventions and discoveries: the best state of that province. This,
whether it be curiosity or vain glory, or nature, or (if one take
it favourably) _philanthropia_, is so fixed in my mind as it cannot
be removed. And I do easily see, that place of any reasonable
countenance doth bring commandment of more wits than of a man's
own; which is the thing I greatly affect. And for your Lordship,
perhaps you shall not find more strength and less encounter in any
other. And if your Lordship shall find now, or at any time, that I
do seek or affect any place whereunto any that is nearer unto your
Lordship shall be concurrent, say then that I am a most dishonest
man. And if your Lordship will not carry me on, I will