orld, as [3429]Seneca
therefore adviseth in such a case, "to get a trusty friend, to whom we may
freely and sincerely pour out our secrets; nothing so delighteth and easeth
the mind, as when we have a prepared bosom, to which our secrets may
descend, of whose conscience we are assured as our own, whose speech may
ease our succourless estate, counsel relieve, mirth expel our mourning, and
whose very sight may be acceptable unto us." It was the counsel which that
politic [3430]Comineus gave to all princes, and others distressed in mind,
by occasion of Charles Duke of Burgundy, that was much perplexed, "first to
pray to God, and lay himself open to him, and then to some special friend,
whom we hold most dear, to tell all our grievances to him; nothing so
forcible to strengthen, recreate, and heal the wounded soul of a miserable
man."

SUBSECT. II.--_Help from friends by counsel, comfort, fair and foul means,
witty devices, satisfaction, alteration of his course of life, removing
objects, &c._

When the patient of himself is not able to resist, or overcome these
heart-eating passions, his friends or physician must be ready to supply
that which is wanting. _Suae erit humanitatis et sapientiae_ (which [3431]
Tully enjoineth in like case) _siquid erratum, curare, aut improvisum, sua
diligentia corrigere._ They must all join; _nec satis medico_, saith [3432]
Hippocrates, _suum fecisse officium, nisi suum quoque aegrotus, suum
astantes_, &c. First, they must especially beware, a melancholy
discontented person (be it in what kind of melancholy soever) never be left
alone or idle: but as physicians prescribe physic, _cum custodia_, let them
not be left unto themselves, but with some company or other, lest by that
means they aggravate and increase their disease; _non oportet aegros
humjusmodi esse solos vel inter ignotos, vel inter eos quos non amant aut
negligunt_, as Rod. a Fonseca, _tom. 1. consul. 35._ prescribes. _Lugentes
custodire solemus_ (saith [3433]Seneca) _ne solitudine male utantur_; we
watch a sorrowful person, lest he abuse his solitariness, and so should we
do a melancholy man; set him about some business, exercise or recreation,
which may divert his thoughts, and still keep him otherwise intent; for his
fantasy is so restless, operative and quick, that if it be not in perpetual
action, ever employed, it will work upon itself, melancholise, and be
carried away instantly, with some fear, jealousy, discontent, suspi