some silly fellow, or to take advantage
of another man's weakness. In such cases as in a plague, the best remedy is
_cito longe tarde_: (for to such a party, especially if he be apprehensive,
there can be no greater misery) to get him quickly gone far enough off, and
not to be overhasty in his return. If he be so stupid that he do not
apprehend it, his friends should take some order, and by their discretion
supply that which is wanting in him, as in all other cases they ought to
do. If they see a man melancholy given, solitary, averse from company,
please himself with such private and vain meditations, though he delight in
it, they ought by all means seek to divert him, to dehort him, to tell him
of the event and danger that may come of it. If they see a man idle, that
by reason of his means otherwise will betake himself to no course of life,
they ought seriously to admonish him, he makes a noose to entangle himself,
his want of employment will be his undoing. If he have sustained any great
loss, suffered a repulse, disgrace, &c., if it be possible, relieve him. If
he desire aught, let him be satisfied; if in suspense, fear, suspicion, let
him be secured: and if it may conveniently be, give him his heart's
content; for the body cannot be cured till the mind be satisfied. [3445]
Socrates, in Plato, would prescribe no physic for Charmides' headache,
"till first he had eased his troubled mind; body and soul must be cured
together, as head and eyes."

[3446] "Oculum non curabis sine toto capite,
Nec caput sine toto corpora,
Nec totum corpus sine anima."

If that may not be hoped or expected, yet ease him with comfort, cheerful
speeches, fair promises, and good words, persuade him, advise him. "Many,"
saith [3447]Galen, "have been cured by good counsel and persuasion alone."
"Heaviness of the heart of man doth bring it down, but a good word
rejoiceth it," Prov. xii. 25. "And there is he that speaketh words like the
pricking of a sword, but the tongue of a wise man is health," ver. 18.
_Oratio, namque saucii animi est remedium_, a gentle speech is the true
cure of a wounded soul, as [3448]Plutarch contends out of Aeschylus and
Euripides: "if it be wisely administered it easeth grief and pain, as
diverse remedies do many other diseases." 'Tis _incantationis instar_, a
charm, _aestuantis animi refrigerium_, that true Nepenthe of Homer, which
was no Indian plant, or feigned medicine, which Epidamna, Thonis' wife,