but bitter as gall at last, and so
headstrong, that by no reason, art, counsel, or persuasion, they may be
shaken off." Though he be far gone, and habituated unto such fantastical
imaginations, yet as [3409]Tully and Plutarch advise, let him oppose,
fortify, or prepare himself against them, by premeditation, reason, or as
we do by a crooked staff, bend himself another way.

[3410] "Tu tamen interea effugito quae tristia mentem
Solicitant, procul esse jube curasque metumque
Pallentum, ultrices iras, sint omnia laeta."

"In the meantime expel them from thy mind,
Pale fears, sad cares, and griefs which do it grind,
Revengeful anger, pain and discontent,
Let all thy soul be set on merriment."

_Curas tolle graves, irasci crede profanum_. If it be idleness hath caused
this infirmity, or that he perceive himself given to solitariness, to walk
alone, and please his mind with fond imaginations, let him by all means
avoid it; 'tis a bosom enemy, 'tis delightsome melancholy, a friend in
show, but a secret devil, a sweet poison, it will in the end be his
undoing; let him go presently, task or set himself a work, get some good
company. If he proceed, as a gnat flies about a candle, so long till at
length he burn his bodv, so in the end he will undo himself: if it be any
harsh object, ill company, let him presently go from it. If by his own
default, through ill diet, bad air, want of exercise, &c., let him now
begin to reform himself. "It would be a perfect remedy against all
corruption, if," as [3411]Roger Bacon hath it, "we could but moderate
ourselves in those six non-natural things." [3412]"If it be any disgrace,
abuse, temporal loss, calumny, death of friends, imprisonment, banishment,
be not troubled with it, do not fear, be not angry, grieve not at it, but
with all courage sustain it." (Gordonius, _lib. 1. c. 15. de conser. vit._)
_Tu contra audentior ito_. [3413]If it be sickness, ill success, or any
adversity that hath caused it, oppose an invincible courage, "fortify
thyself by God's word, or otherwise," _mala bonis persuadenda_, set
prosperity against adversity, as we refresh our eyes by seeing some
pleasant meadow, fountain, picture, or the like: recreate thy mind by some
contrary object, with some more pleasing meditation divert thy thoughts.

Yea, but you infer again, _facile consilium damus aliis_, we can easily
give counsel to others; every man, as the saying is, can