the subject of laughter, doubt you not
but great boldness is seldom without some absurdity; especially it is a
sport to see when a bold fellow is out of countenance, for that puts his
face into a most shrunken and wooden posture, as needs it must--for in
bashfulness the spirits do a little go and come--but with bold men, upon
like occasion, they stand at a stay; like a stale at chess, where it is
no mate, but yet the game cannot stir: but this last were fitter for a
satire than for a serious observation. This is well to be weighed, that
boldness is ever blind, for it seeth not dangers and inconveniences:
therefore it is ill in counsel, good in execution; so that the right use
of bold persons is, that they never command in chief, but be seconds,
and under the direction of others; for in counsel it is good to see
dangers, and in execution not to see them, except they be very great.

* * * * *

_He that cannot see well, let him go softly._

BACON.

V. TO DAFFODILS.

ROBERT HERRICK.--1594-1674.

Fair Daffodils, we weep to see
You haste away so soon;
As yet the early-rising sun
Has not attain'd his noon.
Stay, stay,
Until the hasting day
Has run
But to the even-song;
And, having pray'd together, we
Will go with you along.

We have short time to stay, as you;
We have as short a spring;
As quick a growth to meet decay,
As you, or anything.
We die
As your hours do, and dry
Away,
Like to the summer's rain;
Or as the pearls of morning's dew,
Ne'er to be found again.

* * * * *

_Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage;
Minds innocent and quiet take
That for a hermitage:
If I have freedom in my love,
And in my soul am free,
Angels alone, that soar above,
Enjoy such liberty._

RICHARD LOVELACE.--1618-1658.

VI. OF CONTENTEDNESS IN ALL ESTATES AND ACCIDENTS.

JEREMY TAYLOR.--1613-1667.

_From_ HOLY LIVING.

Virtues and discourses are, like friends, necessary in all fortunes; but
those are the best, which are friends in our sadnesses, and support us
in our sorrows and sad accidents: and in this sense, no man that is
virtuous can be friendless; nor hath any man reason to complain