and cities to imitate), _O quam
te memorem (vir illustrissime) quibus elogiis_? But to my task again.

Whosoever he is therefore that is overrun with solitariness, or carried
away with pleasing melancholy and vain conceits, and for want of employment
knows not how to spend his time, or crucified with worldly care, I can
prescribe him no better remedy than this of study, to compose himself to
the learning of some art or science. Provided always that this malady
proceed not from overmuch study; for in such case he adds fuel to the fire,
and nothing can be more pernicious: let him take heed he do not overstretch
his wits, and make a skeleton of himself; or such inamoratos as read
nothing but play-books, idle poems, jests, Amadis de Gaul, the Knight of
the Sun, the Seven Champions, Palmerin de Oliva, Huon of Bordeaux, &c. Such
many times prove in the end as mad as Don Quixote. Study is only prescribed
to those that are otherwise idle, troubled in mind, or carried headlong
with vain thoughts and imaginations, to distract their cogitations
(although variety of study, or some serious subject, would do the former no
harm) and divert their continual meditations another way. Nothing in this
case better than study; _semper aliquid memoriter ediscant_, saith Piso,
let them learn something without book, transcribe, translate, &c. Read the
Scriptures, which Hyperius, _lib. 1. de quotid. script. lec. fol. 77._
holds available of itself, [3344]"the mind is erected thereby from all
worldly cares, and hath much quiet and tranquillity." For as [3345]Austin
well hath it, 'tis _scientia scientiarum, omni melle dulcior, omni pane
suavior, omni vino, hilarior_: 'tis the best nepenthe, surest cordial,
sweetest alterative, presentest diverter: for neither as [3346]Chrysostom
well adds, "those boughs and leaves of trees which are plashed for cattle
to stand under, in the heat of the day, in summer, so much refresh them
with their acceptable shade, as the reading of the Scripture doth recreate
and comfort a distressed soul, in sorrow and affliction." Paul bids "pray
continually;" _quod cibus corpori, lectio animae facit_, saith Seneca, as
meat is to the body, such is reading to the soul. [3347]"To be at leisure
without books is another hell, and to be buried alive." [3348]Cardan calls
a library the physic of the soul; [3349]"divine authors fortify the mind,
make men bold and constant; and (as Hyperius adds) godly conference will
not permit the mind