omaeus king of Cyprus, "He was in
title a king of that island, but in his mind, a miserable drudge of money:"

[1843] ------"potiore metallis
libertate carens"------

wanting his liberty, which is better than gold. Damasippus the Stoic, in
Horace, proves that all mortal men dote by fits, some one way, some
another, but that covetous men [1844]are madder than the rest; and he that
shall truly look into their estates, and examine their symptoms, shall find
no better of them, but that they are all [1845]fools, as Nabal was, _Re et
nomine_ (1. Reg. 15.) For what greater folly can there be, or [1846]
madness, than to macerate himself when he need not? and when, as Cyprian
notes, [1847]"he may be freed from his burden, and eased of his pains, will
go on still, his wealth increasing, when he hath enough, to get more, to
live besides himself," to starve his genius, keep back from his wife
[1848]and children, neither letting them nor other friends use or enjoy
that which is theirs by right, and which they much need perhaps; like a
hog, or dog in the manger, he doth only keep it, because it shall do nobody
else good, hurting himself and others: and for a little momentary pelf,
damn his own soul? They are commonly sad and tetric by nature, as Achab's
spirit was because he could not get Naboth's vineyard, (1. Reg. 22.) and if
he lay out his money at any time, though it be to necessary uses, to his
own children's good, he brawls and scolds, his heart is heavy, much
disquieted he is, and loath to part from it: _Miser abstinet et timet uti_,
Hor. He is of a wearish, dry, pale constitution, and cannot sleep for cares
and worldly business; his riches, saith Solomon, will not let him sleep,
and unnecessary business which he heapeth on himself; or if he do sleep,
'tis a very unquiet, interrupt, unpleasing sleep: with his bags in his
arms,

------"congestis undique sacc
indormit inhians,"------

And though he be at a banquet, or at some merry feast, "he sighs for grief
of heart" (as [1849]Cyprian hath it) "and cannot sleep though it be upon a
down bed; his wearish body takes no rest," [1850]"troubled in his
abundance, and sorrowful in plenty, unhappy for the present, and more
unhappy in the life to come." Basil. He is a perpetual drudge,
[1851]restless in his thoughts, and never satisfied, a slave, a wretch, a
dust-worm, _semper quod idolo suo immolet, sedulus observat_ Cypr. _prolog.
ad sermon_ still seeking w