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24 Erasmus to the Collier. For what difference between them, but that the one has more wrinckles and years upon his head than the other? Otherwise, the brightness of their hair, toothless mouth, weakness of body, love of Milk, broken speech, chatting, toying, forgetfulness, inadvertency, and briefly, all other their actions, agree in every thing. And by how much the nearer they approach to this Old-age, by so much they grow backward into the likeness of Children, until like them they pass from life to death, without any weariness of the one, or sense of t other. And now, let him that will compare the benefits they receive by me, with the Metamorphoses of the Gods ; of whom, I shall not mention what they have done in their pettish humours, but where they have been most favourable : turning one into a Tree, another into a Bird, a third into a Grashopper, Serpent, or the like. As if there were any difference | between perishing, and being another thing ! But I restore the same man to the best and happiest part of his life. And if Men would but refrain from all commerce with Wisdom, and
